One

Can you believe this boy is one? Well, he is really almost 13 months because it has taken me forever to post about his birthday. Anyway, Graham turned one on Dec. 27th. This little guy is definitely special. Graham thinks he should be able to do anything Crew does and for being so little, he is able to do a suprising amount! He runs everywhere, climbs everything, wants everything, and can't say much which means I am a busy mama! Graham loves being outside and has been in heaven playing in the yard. He loves books. Graham has two favorite books that he brings to you and yells at you until you stop to read it to him. As soon as I sit down to read to him, he crawls up on my lap and sits so still, it is shocking! At his well child appointment, Graham weighed 24 lbs (60%) and was 25 1/2 inches tall (25%). He is short and stalky and we just love this boy! Here he is riding the plasma car.

Did I mention he loves the piano?

On Graham's birthday, we had a little balloon party for him at Grandma and Grandpa Allen's house

It was also his cousin Tate's birthday on the 27th. So it was fun to have a little party for the two cousins.

The Balloon cake (Graham obviously not too sure about it)

Checking it out

Mom my hands are dirty!

Much better Loving time with Grandma Allen

Crew and Remy, such good little buddies

Jeni and her birthday boy!

Christmas at the Allens

It is always fun to go to Grandma and Grandpa Allen's and this year was extra special with their new electric car! Grandpa even put Christmas lights on it and the grand kids loved it!
We had Matt's sister Jeni's family and Katherine and Devin there with us which meant lots of fun! So much fun that this boy was out cold before 8pm Christmas Eve.

The next morning... running down the stairs to open Christmas

Santa came through as always:)

Graham didn't understand any of it but still seemed to enjoy it all

Can you believe how big this bike is? I just can't believe Crew is big enough to ride it and man does he go fast!

Graham really warmed up to everyone quick and loved all the attention especially from Grandpa

He even liked Uncle Michael

It was a great Christmas and I wish I would have gotten more pictures! We celebrated Graham's first birthday too which will come soon as well as Crew's birthday. Seriously, do you think I am exhausted or what! But a big thank you and I love you to all of Matt family. We really loved being with you all!

The Move... and some settling

Well, considering how not fun moving is, the actual move went pretty well. My parents had a bit of a detour flying in Monday evening thanks to ridiculous amounts of rain, but they finally made it and let us stay in a hotel with them Monday night. We had everything out and ready to go so Tuesday morning we got up early, picked up the truck and started loading. We were so grateful to have lots of help from friends and thankfully it was only drizzling instead of pouring while we loaded up. After some sad goodbyes we were able to get on the road before 11. I swear the skies were crying with us, it was so hard to leave, but we are excited and grateful for this next phase of life. We do have one picture of us in our apartment before we left but it is on my mom's camera so I will have to post that later.
It rained our entire drive home and Graham was so happy to be done with the trip (not the best car traveler!) but it was great to be back in sunny Az! We owe a huge thanks to my parents for helping with the move. We really couldn't have done it without them! Here is Crew with the truck. He was pretty excited about it.
I can't believe I didn't take more pictures of the actual move but the rain and emotions didn't help!

We spent the next day trying to get a little but settled. My boys are LOVING my parents house and yard. I swear they would be out there all day if they could. All the love and attention from Grandma and Grandpa isn't too bad either. They loved having Christian around for a little while too.

Crew with his stomp rocket

This has been a hit (thanks Maren)

Mom and dad

Like I said, they could be outside all day!

That night we went to see the Mesa Temple lights with our friends the Waldrons.

My brother is so good with my kids and loved spending time with this little guy.

The whole group

The next morning Crew and Grandma made gingerbread men

Then we packed again and left for the Allens....

Always Time for the Brutsch's

The day before we left we had a special treat... a visit from the Brutsch family! Of course it was raining and our house completely boxed in, but we still had a great couple of hours with great friends. We first went to lunch at this place called Mix and Munch. It was a grilled cheese and cereal restaurant that was really good and lots of fun.
Eating lunch

Then we had to get dessert so we walked across the street to Menchie's for frozen yogurt. Crew and Cason chowing down.

Look at this cute face! Little Lucia enjoyed the chalk erasers more than the yogurt.

Graham and Luce hanging out together

It is always fun to have Matt and Ben together again. These two are hilarious.

And Lauren is seriously one of the greatest people I know. We were meant to be great friends because we were born only a day apart.

It was a little crazy but we loved having them visit! Thanks Brutsch's, we love you!

Wrapping things up in South Pasadena

Our last week in South Pasadena seems like a blur. Despite our need to pack we did need to do some of the traditional Christmas things, such as, make our Christmas lists. Crew is learning so much these days and with our spelling help, wrote most of his Christmas list this year. Man was it long! Thanks to our good friends the Ciracs, we discovered the Christmas boat parade in Newport last year and of course had to hit that up before we left this year. This is Matt and the boys on the ferry over. Too bad I didn't really get any good shots that night but it was wonderful as always.

And when we weren't playing, we were packing. So the boys did a lot of this...

And this....

Did I mention we sold our kitchen table mid week? So we ate like this (nice scowl Crew)...

And little Graham in the corner

But we are so lucky to have wonderful friends to feed us meals and let us play without boxes! Here is Crew with our dear neighbors the Carlstons. Charlotte and Ezra are such good friends of ours and we miss getting to play with them on the porch every day!

Matt and Cory with sweet baby Samantha

Haylee. There are no words that can fully describe how truly wonderful, thoughtful, and amazing this little lady is! I learned so much from her the past 2 1/2 years and wept like a baby the day we had to say goodbye. Love this family!