Nana Comes to Play!

Clayton was so excited that Nana came on Saturday to play and was going to stay till Monday night! They did lots of "cooking" and "measuring". He loves when Nana reads to him too! He was sad Grandpa couldn't come, but knew he had to coach those guys that swim in the big bath tub! :) Clayton said that Grandpa doesn't have to share him on Sunday or Monday next week when we come to Galesburg! Hugs and Kisses Nana and Grandpa!

Clayton the "Thinker" with Nana's glasses

Nana is assisting in the Christmas Card photo shoot

Clayton plays with the new blocks that Nana and Grandpa got him

Clayton plays in the bathtub and eats his Starfish

Misc. Pictures

The chaos of my life: Me talking on the phone, Keely chewing a bone in my lap (Yes, she is a 80 pound lap dog), Clayton has his dad's cell phone in the pocket of his pjs, and is typing on my computer.

Clayton and his sweet potatoes.

Clayton practices with his "beer mug". He wants to be ready for the beach next summer. :)

P.S. Another Post Below

The Bedtime Story of Clayton

So, this is the story about a little boy who used to sleep through the night and who now can't be swaddled because he rolls on his tummy and makes his parents nervous. Since he isn't swaddled he doesn't sleep through the night! Good story huh! :)

This is Clayton at 9:15pm

This is Clayton at 9:05pm

The New Adventures of Clayton & Kate!

Clayton and I traveled to Raymond, IL yesterday to meet his new friend Kate! Megan, my best friend from college, and her husband Matt had a little girl last Sunday. She is absolutely beautiful! I have never seen so much hair! We had a great time visiting and I am sure she and Clayton will be best buds.

Megan and Kate!

Ok, horrible pic of me, but cute of Clayton and Kate.

Clayton's PJs

Clayton wanted to show off his big boy tractor pjs that Nana and Grandpa got him.

The True Meaning of the Holidays!

I know I am as guilty as anyone else at getting wrapped up in the gift giving and getting of the holidays. We run around going crazy and then it is all over before we can blink. I am happy to say that both Justin and I's families have decided to do something different this year. We are all giving everyone three charities that we would like to donate to. Then the people that have us can choose one and donate the dollar amount that they are comfortable with to one of these charities. We are also doing a $10 gift for the person we have so everyone has something to unwrap. This was a great idea we got from the Panthers!

There are so many other things you can do without even giving money. My cousin Karin and her husband volunteered over Thanksgiving at a place called David's House. This is a house that families can stay at when they have Children in the hospital. I am sure they put many smiles on the faces of people dealing with difficult situations.

Here is another great idea: I saw this on the Today show this morning and wanted to share. This is an awesome gift idea for someone in your office, a friend that is hard to by for or pretty much anyone. Kevin Bacon has started a organization called Six Degrees. You can buy a gift card for any denomination on their website. You then give this gift card to someone and they can go on the website and donate that money to any charity of their choice. I looked on the website and there are hundreds of thousands of different charities. What an awesome idea!!!!

http://www.sixdegrees.org/

Small things help too, put some change in the bucket for the Salvation Army when you go to the grocery store, take some time and go through your closet and find some things that you never wear and donate them to Goodwill. Shovel your neighbors sidewalk next time it snows. Scrape off the windows of the car next to you at work when you go home. I truly believe doing these small things will make you feel fulfilled when the holidays are over. Happy Wednesday Everyone!