Christmas 2015

This post is long overdue, but I wanted to make sure I documented our Christmas celebrations. Christmas season was kicked off with the boys' school programs, and we did some fun things around the house. We spent Christmas Eve at Aunt Alice's, Christmas morning Santa came and then we had breakfast at our house with my side of the family, and then we went to Brian's parents' house the next day. We are so blessed to have so many people with whom to celebrate Jesus's birthday! Get ready for picture overload.

We made our first gingerbread house, and they ate as much candy as they put on the house.

My sweet boys looked so handsome for their Christmas program at school.

I could just squeeze this precious boy. He knew every word and motion to the songs. Isn't he adorable?

Grayson with some of his classmates. 

My nephew Graham stole the show- seriously! He was heard over everyone else singing. It was equally awesome and hilarious. Our whole row was laughing until we were crying.

Logan is always a star in his class, too! My boys know all the words and motions, and I think they may come by it honestly.

We had a great time on Christmas Eve at Aunt Alice's house! 

Mom, Holly, and me

The Higdon ladies

Our attempt to take a picture of all four boys

Santa came to our house and brought way too much!

Christmas breakfast was at our house, and Logan played "Santa" wearing his new Titans uniform.

We celebrated at Mimi & PawPaw's with these cute cousins

Kyle's first Christmas, and we were sure glad he was there.

Christmas at Mimi & PawPaw's

Mimi with all four kiddos

Here's PawPaw too but a little blurry!

Logan is crazy about Kyle and is so sweet with him.

Grayson is 2 1/2

On December 12, Grayson turned 2 1/2. So, it is time for an update on our sweet boy!

Grayson is growing up so fast! He is talking up a storm, and we love hearing what he has to say. For a long time he called himself "Baby G," but he has recently decided that "I not a baby- I Grayson." I am so thankful for Grayson's easy-going nature, and his sweet and loving personality.

Some of Grayson's favorite things include playing with his big brother, snuggling with his Mommy and Mimi, going to school, running, and singing. 

Grayson has such a pretty singing voice, and I think we may have a vocalist on our hands. His favorite songs are Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, Old McDonald Had a Farm, and What did the Cow in the Manger Say (the song his class sang at the Christmas program). Speaking of his Christmas program, Grayson did such a great job! He knew every motion and word to the songs. I was so proud, and I like to think he gets it from his Mama.

Running and playing are certainly some of Grayson's favorite things to do, but he also loves sitting in my lap, sucking his thumb, and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. When we are home, I always try to make time to sit with him. If I am not making time for it, he pats the couch and says "Mommy, sit down!" He is also becoming a Daddy's boy and loves to wrestle with him.

Grayson is wearing size 3T clothes and size 10 shoes. I'm not sure how tall he is, but I can tell he is growing!

I love hearing Grayson and Logan running down the hall laughing or upstairs playing with toys. They are really sweet together most of the time, and I am so thankful that they love each other so much.

These are such precious years, and we are so proud of our sweet Grayson!

Thanksgiving 2015

We had several Thanksgiving celebrations this year, and it is always great to see our family. Every year for as long as I can remember, I spent Thanksgiving Day with my Daddy and his family. I sure missed him and all of them this year.

We got into the Thanksgiving spirit at Logan's Junior K & Senior K Pow Wow at school.

Chief Raging Waters

They did such a great job on their songs!

Graham's class go to come watch

We spent Thanksgiving Day with Brian's family. The food was delicious and the company was even better!

These boys were not into the pictures, but PawPaw's inflatable turkey had to be photographed!

Brian & his Mom

PawPaw & his little helper. John makes the best fried turkey around!

The boys were so excited to meet their new cousin- Kyle was 3 days old on Thanksgiving!

He's such a sweet baby

Grayson was so proud.

Logan could not wait to hold him

Then Grayson said, "I hold that Kyle too!"

On Friday, we celebrated with my family at the lake. We had a great time!

These boys love to run and throw leaves.

Bess with all of her boys

Halloween 2015

Halloween is quickly becoming one of our favorite holidays. Logan chose his costume (a Star Wars Clone Trooper) in March, and Grayson decided 6 weeks before Halloween that he wanted to be Captain America instead of Mickey Mouse and told us every day for 6 weeks until Halloween that he was going to be Captain America.

Aren't they cute?

My mother-in-law had her annual Spooky Dinner at our house on Halloween, and it was so much fun! Just look at all of our themed food.

All of the grandparents and cousins joined us for trick-or-treating this year, and here is a shot of all the kiddos. 

Logan, Kaylie, Graham, Grayson & Garrett

We had such a great time, and we are already planning costumes for next year! Finally, here is a look at our Halloweens over the past 5 years.

First Day of School 2015

School started back for us yesterday, and it is hard to believe that another school year is here again! This is Logan's 4th year at St. Luke's Day School, and I am so proud of all that he has learned. SLDS provides such a loving, warm environment with the best Director and teachers around. We are so proud to be part of the SLDS family!

Logan is starting his second year of Junior Kindergarten. Since he just turned 5, we decided to give him one more year before starting Kindergarten. SLDS has two Junior K teachers so he will have a new teacher, Mrs. Jessica, this year. We went last Friday to "Meet the Teachers" and Logan could not wait to get back to school this Monday. He asked me all weekend if it is time to go to Mrs. Jessica's class yet. I was afraid he would be sad that all of his friends from last year who are still at St. Luke's will be next door in Senior Kindergarten. However, we talked a lot about how they are all older than him and that he will still get to see them on the playground and in the gym. He seems to be doing fine so far!

Grayson is in Pre-K 2 this year, and we are thrilled that his toddler parents day out teacher, Ms. Rebekah, has moved up to the Pre-K 2 year old room this year. She is amazing, and Grayson just runs right into the room to her. She is patient, loving, and thoughtful, and she truly loves Grayson. We are so thankful for her!

Both boys get to enjoy Chapel, Art, and Kindermusik at school in addition to the regular class time. We are looking forward to a great year and praying daily for these boys' hearts and minds and their teachers' patience and understanding!

Logan all ready for his 2nd year of Junior K. He asked me why he had to wear "church clothes"- HA!

Grayson is in PK-2 and was very uncooperative with pictures yesterday!

Sweet brothers. We only have two more years of them being at St. Luke's together, and we are going to cherish them!

Logan's Favorites (JK- year 2)

Favorite color: Red, black and blue (in that order)

Best friend: Asher, Brennon, JJ, Dean, Caleb (basically, most of the boys from class last year!)

Favorite healthy food: Broccoli

Favorite treat: Popsicles

Favorite TV Show: Star Wars Rebels

Favorite Movie: Star Wars Revenge of the Sith

Favorite thing to do with Grayson: Play on the porch

Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Help cook breakfast

Favorite thing to do with Daddy: Wrestle & play Star Wars

What he wants to be when he grows up: Football player or basketball player

 My sweet Logan over the past four 1st days of school. He looks so grown up!

Here's Grayson the past two 1st days of school, and he has changed so much in one year. He is the sweetest, happiest boy around!

Logan & Graham's Super Party!

We had a great time celebrating Logan's birthday all last week! We started at home on his actual birthday, Wed., July 8, with donuts. He then spent the day with his Mimi & PawPaw at the park and swimming. That evening I told him I would either cook whatever he wanted or we could go to a "dinner place" (what he calls restaurants) of his choice. Well, he chose my least favorite restaurant- Piccadilly! He goes there with my in-laws regularly, and it is his favorite place. He thought it was really funny that I had to go there even though I do not like it.

We started Logan's actual birthday with donuts, which is our family tradition. He look so old with his new haircut. He continues to tell me that we need to leave it a little longer next time, and I'm definitely good with that!

I cannot believe this boy is 5.

Sweet brothers ready to head to dinner at Piccadilly

On Friday, July 10, I took donuts to school to celebrate with Logan's class. There were only four friends there, but Logan enjoyed sharing donuts with Caleb, Jossalyn & Maya.

St. Luke's Party- please excuse my blue polo. It was an Orientation day!

Finally on Saturday, we had Logan and Graham's much anticipated birthday party. Logan was not nearly as excited about his actual birthday as he was his party. Holly and I took the boys to Pump it Up back in March to see if it might be a good place for a joint party. Logan and Graham agreed that they wanted to have their party there so we booked it. Logan's birthday is July 8 and Graham's is July 12 (he was 3!), and they knew about the party for almost four months which seemed like years to them. After the party, Logan said it was "the most awesome party ever!" so I think it was a hit. All of the guests seem to enjoy it as well! With July birthdays, Holly and I decided you either must have water involved or air conditioning to beat the heat.

Logan's cute invitation. Graham's was exactly the same with his picture of course! We did separate invitations for each boy's friends.

Super cousins ready to party!

Wonder Woman, Deadpool (who is that anyway?), Super-Man & Batman are ready to party

My party co-planning sister!

Holly's friend Cameron made the boys' shirts, and they were so cute! Logan was adamant about just having "Batman" on the front and not his name or age, so we put it on the back.

Brian & Jason jumping onto the target. The Dads had as much fun as the kids. 

Logan with school buddies Asher & Lincoln.

We had Logan & Graham "real" capes made for the pizza & cake portion of the party.

We made capes out of felt for the boys' friends. We had a room full of 3-5 year olds!

Sweet boys blowing out their candles.

My favorite picture from the party. Graham is such a sweetheart.

Grayson is a sweetheart, too! He loves "boons" (or balloons).

Asher is not going to school this summer, and Logan tackled him when he arrived at the party. These two have become big buddies!

Here's a cute picture of some other school friends at the party- Beau, Asher, Lincoln & Sophie. They had a blast and looked so cute in their capes!

Happy Birthday, Logan & Graham! I'm sure we will have many more joint parties in the future.