Turning 3

We have been so blessed by Grantham. It is hard to believe how quickly time passes. How can he already be three?

We were so lucky to have both grandparents visit the week of his birthday.

Grandma and Pepaw

Nana and Pawpaw

Nana and Pawpaw were not able to stay for his "friend" party so we had a small family party. Nana and Pawpaw went way over board with the gifts but Grantham loved it!

I think I know what I am getting!

Can you tell what it is?

That's right . . . it is a drum set. Who wants to live next to us when we move back to Greenville?

Grantham has his first "friend" party. He chose who he wanted to invite and handed out the invitations. The day of the party he watched out the front window all morning waiting for his friends to come so they could have birthday cake with him. Grandma and Pepaw were able to be here for his party. Also gifts from all over the world were sent to wish him well on this special day. Thank you all for spoiling our special boy on his birthday!

My attempt at a Firetruck cake.

The "friends"

Waiting for Cake!

A few games

Opening Gifts(Above) A gift from Uncle Chip/Auntie Katy in Chicago (below) a gift from Auntie Melanie/Uncle Michael in Germany

Fire fighter Grantham

Thank you to everyone for making Grantham's birthday such a special day for him!

Lumberjack Grantham

Grantham has become obsessed with Lumberjacks. Why? Who knows? We bought a DVD of Hard Hat Harry and lumberjacks. If you are not familar with Hard Hat Harry, he is a man who does videos/DVDs that are children's documentaries. On this day, I had asked John to remove a bush that sits in the middle of the yard. Grantham got in on the fun by using his shovel to "chop" down the last of the bush.

Sorry for so many pictures but I couldn't decide which to post.

Construction Workers - Hard at Work and Play

Who could resist these adorable guys? Like all houses, it is a never ending fix-up job. Today John and Grantham were working on replacing parts of the sink that had a terrible odor that I could handle NO MORE:) My mom took these too cute pictures of Grantham "helping" his papa.

Family Christmas Cruise

My parents decided to try something different for Christmas this year. Instead of exchanging gifts, we would all go on a family vacation together. I loved the idea but when I found out we were going on a cruise I had a lot of apprehensions. If you have never cruised, you are in VERY tight sleeping quarters and the cruise focus is not on families with children. I was pleasantly surprised. Grantham had a great time and even did well at the formal dinners in the evenings. The pictures below are just a few of from each day:

Day 1 Leaving the port of New Orleans

our boat and our room

Day 2 A day at sea

Towel animals were a big hit but the mints on the pillow made his night (notice in his hand)

A Formal Dinner

Day 3 A rainy beach day in Costa Maya

You would never guess that it was rainy and cold on this first day at the beach. Grantham had so much fun playing in the sand and wading in the cold water.
Uncle Chip had a blast burying Grantham in the sand!

Day 4 Exploring the Waterfalls in Guatamala

Grantham's first swim in a waterfall. He and his papa loved exploring the rocky terrain.

Day 5 A stop in Beize City - We took a day to relax on the boat while Papa zip lined throught the jungle.

That night after dinner we went to a "club" on the ship to enjoy the music. Grantham was so interested in the drums behind the singers that they invited him to play with them!

This became a regular event each evening!

Day 6 Another beach day in Cozumel

Swimming

Snorkling

Playing in the Sand

Strawberry Daquiries

Pina Coladas

Pina Coladas

And YES More Pina Coladas.

Grantham loved Virgin drinks!!!

Day 7 Another day at sea

Wait to see what I have in store for my Uncle Josh :)

Told you, "wait and see" now he is all wet

Two very wet boys trade hats

A water slide on the boat who could ask for more

Here come Papa and I

Day 8 Leaving the boat (how did it end so soon?)

The "watching" elevators - Since there were 13 levels on the boat we took the elevators a lot to get around. Grantham was parcel to the elevators that allowed you to see what other people were doing on the boat. Hince the "watching" elevators.