More Christmas Eve

Another new thing we did this year....

Since we now have two kids they were

able to exchange gifts with each other!!!

Aspen got Raider his first tool bench. (notice the

drool dripping off his chin)

Raider got Aspen a Belle doll.

Christmas Eve...

We decided to have a quiet Christmas eve at home

alone this year. It was so nice.

Aspen and Raider playing, trying to kill time while

Trent took a nap.

Santa's head elf, Jingles came to our house in

the morning. He brought Aspen new bedding

and thermals.

Jingles brought Raider pajamas, and tractor book.

We actually got to make cookies for Santa this year!!!

This was Aspens first time cause we are usually not

home on Christmas eve.

Our little guy is nine months old!!!!!!

I don't have his stats yet...but,

Raider is crawling all over.

Pulling himself up on things.

walking along furniture.

Smiles all the time.

Just cut his first tooth.

Wants to eat anything we eat.

Never sits still.

Loves Aspen.

Hates getting his diaper changed.

We love love love him so much.

My cousin Amberly came into town!!! It was so

good to catch up with her.

Lindsey, Cami and Amberly

Cami and I

Aspen and Carter (Cami's son) exchanged gifts

at the Merrill family Christmas party.

Lights @ Riverwoods

Aspen and Zoey eating candy canes from Santa

while keeping warm by the fire.

Aspen and Lacey playing in a store

Santa!!!!! Aspen knows this guy was not the real Santa,

his hair was fake. The Santa at Cabelas is the real Santa.

Santa's home away from home.

It was cold so we had to bundle up good....

Christmas Choir Concert

Aspen joined her school choir at the beginning

of the school year. The choir puts on two concerts.

Last night we were able to watch the Christmas

concert. The choir was good, great song choice,

Aspen herself could have done better.

Braylynn, Aspen and Emily

The fam before we head out...

Me and my best girl.

While I was at work, Trent and Aspen got

out the Christmas tree. Of coarse Aspen

wanted to try on the tree skirt.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with

my family. The food and company were fantastic.

Sneak preview of our Christmas card. More

pictures to come..........!!!!!

Raiders Burn :-(

On Tuesday November 22 Raider got a nasty burn on his left hand

from our heater. We took him to the pediatrician, she put cream on it

and wrapped it. The pediatrician said it was a third degree burn.

She was worried his hand would heal in a curled up ball,

if this happened he would never be able to extend is hand. She set us

up an appointment with a burn specialist the next day.

Trent and I took Raider to Doc. Jones, the specialist.

Right when he unwrapped it he said "oh, he will be fine".

Doc. Jones said it was a second degree burn. He re wrapped it,

told us to come back in a week so he can cut the blisters off,

clean and wrap it again. Raiders poor hand will be in a wrap

for a few weeks plus his hand will be pink and sensitive for a

couple months!!! So far Raider has been a champ. He gets frustrated

cause he has to army crawl, and he can only use one hand to pull

himself up on things and to play with toys.

Its hard on me cause I have to make

sure he is not sucking or picking at his wrapped

hand. I also cant let his hand get wet.

Nice day....

Today has been great fall weather so what better

thing to do then go to the cemetery? I was 32

weeks pregnant with Aspen when Tyler passed away,

yet, Aspen still knows Tyler through pictures she has

seen and stories she has heard.

I want both my children to know their uncle Tyler.

I have no doubt that Tyler and Raider were together

in heaven but this was Raiders first encounter

of Tyler on earth. I hope to keep Tyler's memory

alive forever.......

8 Months Old.................

Raider is already eight months old.

Facts about Raider-

1. He can pull himself up on furniture

2. He is crawling all over

3. Raider has no hair or teeth

4. Two long naps and a six-thirty bed

time is what he requires

5. Our dog and cat are not Raiders favorite

6. We are starting to give him real food

Seven Years Ago Today........

Seven years ago today my older brother Tyler

Stillwell Gray passed away. Words can not

describe how I feel. I love and miss him so much,

yet I would not wish him back unless he had

a different life style. I always wonder who

he would be today. Tyler, I love you......