New Year's Eve

Went up to PA to visit Ryan's cousin Miki and her family for New Year's Eve. Grayson went to bed of course but we had a great time ringing in the 2010 with their family and some of their friends. Since their kids are older, Grayson looks up to them and loved to play with them, and they are all so great with him, it was really cute to watch. The highlight was a cash register toy that he had a blast playing with, and he was so serious about it that it kept the rest of us in stitches.

Birthday and Christmas Year 3

This was the year that you wait for as a parent, the year that your child begins to understand Santa which makes it so much fun for everyone. Every time he opened a present, he would say with a sparkle in his eyes, " I am so excited or I can't wait." Of course, we went overboard as every parent does making it slightly overwhelming but who doesn't right? Part two of the day was birthday presents followed by a few neighbors over for cupcakes and singing. The highlight was Grayson singing to himself which brought laughter and tears to my eyes.

Halloween

Grayson's 3rd Halloween and he was very excited to dress up and even more excited to fill up his bucket with candy. This year he really understood what candy was all about, and he couldn't wait to get his new favorite lollipops. At the first house, he forgot the proper trick or treat and went straight for, "Can I have Candy?" But was very polite with a "Thank you" at the end. He did tucker out early because he wanted to be a part of the big kid crowd but couldn't quite walk fast enough. After a little frustration and a 3/4 full bucket of candy, he said he wanted to go home. Back at home he dumped his candy out, shared the chocolate with me, grabbed a blow pop and jumped on the couch to watch a show and enjoy his candy.

Vacation 2009

A 12 hour drive and our 2nd family vacation. Grammie Focht was gracious enough to let us use her timeshare at Daytona Beach and was a part of making it special. Grayson at first was scared of the waves but just like anything with him, on his own time he fell in love with waves and ocean and just like that a Beach Bum was born. We would usually spend the mornings at the beach and the pool and then the afternoons doing different activities like local parks. One afternoon, we went to the Daytona Experience so Grayson could see the "racy" cars and his favorite Jeff Gordan. Ryan showed us some of his car skills as the tire carrier in the big crew challenge while Grayson cheered him on. A day trip to Magic Kingdom was one of last adventures, the highlights were the "It's a Small World Ride," Mickey 3D movie, and the Dream Come True Parade. Another 12 hour drive home, and the words from our child that made it amazing, "Thank you, Daddy for the Beach."

Grayson's Big Announcement

On August 9th, Grayson had a video announcement for Grandma Cheryl and Grammie Focht.

4th of July Parade

Annual 4th of July Parade that it always fun, what is better than fire trucks, police cars and a flag to wave. This year the Ivey family joined us which was even more fun!

Happy 2 1/2 Birthday

Happy 2 1/2 to Grayson. Rain settled in to the area and changed our outdoor party plans. Thanks to Skye's suggestion .....the train themed continued but over at the Dulles mall instead of park. We started with the play area, followed with train ride. Grayson rode in the caboose with the neighbor boys,. Followed by lunch, carousel ride and Ryan's specially decorated funfetti cupcakes. It was a big success!

Great Wolfe Lodge

In June, we went to Great Wolfe Lodge and it was definitely worth every cent. The entire weekend was a blast between the water park, clock show and the magic wand that could be used around the entire lodge. Plus, everyone once and awhile Ryan and I would trade off going down the big slides. We will definitely be going back!

Playing in the Creek

This is our new favorite past time..... riding our bikes to the park and then Grayson plays in the creek! Look at cool guy!!!

Best Birthday Ever!

It's the year that your son is able to sing Happy Birthday to you and is so excited about it!!! Like the title...Best Birthday Ever!

Hoodie-E!!!!!

Laughter is contagious

A little prompting

All those subliminal beach vacation messages have paid off, please don't mind the eating.

Merry Christmas, Happy 2nd Birthday!

This Christmas and 2nd birthday were so much fun since Grayson was so excited and got the concept of gift opening. Plus, we were so blessed to have both Grandma Cheryl and Grammie Focht from Florida with us. Christmas Eve we drove down to the city and went to the Natural History Museum and Butterfly exhibit. Christmas AM, the big Santa gift was the kitchen set which was the highlight and has been ever since. After nap, Grayson helped decorate his cupcakes and had a little snitch! Birthday celebration was in the evening. He loved everyone singing to him and being able to blow out his special Lightning McQueen candles. This also preceded to go on the week after his birthday until all the cupcakes were gone. Thanks to all who made the day special for him.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Future Fisherman! Grayson got the whole Halloween concept and was very into it which in turn was so much fun for Ryan and I. We first got to join him at his Daycare party, and since he was so excited to have us there he was running around pretending to fish and pretending to be a fish and also saying "Mommy here, Daddy here too!"

We then all went out together and he got a little confused when people were sitting on the porch instead of inside so a few very obliging neighbors went inside so he could do the knock knock and then the trick or treat. He loved putting the candy in the bucket and then moving on to the next house. He would say, " One more house!" Plus it was such a mild night with no clouds that he was able to see the Moon which is his current obsession. The evening got topped off with a piece of chocolate and Thomas the Train show... what more could a boy ask for!

Try Not to Laugh!

Catching Up

A month in a nutshell: Burke Lake Park for train riding, train watching and carousel riding on two different occasions once with Grandma and once with Daddy and alot of conversation regarding " Train coming" "Find Train" and "Tunnel!"

Apple picking at the Tarara Wine Festival: He picked two apples put them in the bag then said "All done," but he could not get enough of the jumping in the moonbounce.

A few days in Ohio for Great Grandpa's Birthday Celebration: Grayson helped sing Happy Birthday, and had a blast with a few of Great Grandpa's birthday balloons.

Family outing at Great Falls Park: 5 minutes looking at the falls, 45 +minutes playing with a mud puddle and a big stick, throwing rocks in a drain pipe and eating his lunch on a tree stump. The activities matched up with my favorite shirt: the gymborree 100% boy shirt

Shadow

Shadow discovery is the newest Grayson adventure. He is always looking out for it and saying, "Shadow there," but as you see from the video even something as cool as a shadow can minimally distract from the latest train phenomenon.

Lake of the Woods

Last weekend Grayson and I went to spend the weekend with Grandma Cheryl and Bob at his lake house. We had such a great time playing on the lake beach and Grayson got his first ride on a boat. He was not very happy with the life jacket on but once we were going he loved the "big bumps" as he calls them, when we hit the wakes and he also liked the spray of the water on his face.

When our beach vacation plans fell through his week, Bob generously let us go back to the lake house for a couple day get away. We had a blast together building sand castles, collecting lake shells, and swimming in the warm lake water. Grayson became so comfortable with the water that he would walk all the way out to where the water was right at his chin and would blow bubbles. Plus, he was really trying to put his face all the way in, but hasn't learned to keep his mouth shut. So he would make an awful face and try to rub the water off of his tongue with his hands and then eventually Ryan or I would get him juice to get the taste out of his mouth. But not even a minute after his drink, he would be right back at it again.

In addition to the beach fun, there were many opportunities for Grayson to use his new favorite phrase "Oh, Man!" It was hysterical to hear him say that while he was running this cars and trucks into the sandcastles or when a water skier would fall off their skies.

All in all it was a fantastic time, and a big thank you to Bob for letting us stay there.