We started this week by celebrating Kevin’s birthday on Monday evening. Griffin and I had gone shopping together so that he could pick something out for Kevin. His choice? A pair of batman pj’s so they could match! He was so excited to give him his prezzie and that night when Kevin put them on he had the biggest smile on his face :). 
Kevin and I went out for his birthday dinner with friends Chris, Christie, Chad, and Nicole. It was a low-key dinner at the Bogey finished off by some chocolate and vanilla cake. Griffin was happy to stay at the Howards and play with the girls. 
The annual tradition of hanging our ornaments on the Howard’s Christmas Tree. 
We got our first real snowfall this week. It happened to be on Tuesday, which was great as I had the day off work and was home with Finn. As soon as I picked him up from school he wanted to go outside and play. So once we got home he headed out to the back patio for a bit and played. Then he ventured to the front yard where he had some fun making snow angels. 
Tis the season for baking, right? Debbie had a cookie making day with Griffin and Sam and they just loved it. And I must say the results were delish!
On Saturday we had our annual candy making party at our house. This year we were joined by Mom & Dad, Amy, Andy, Graham, Rowan, and Greta, and our friends the Ryan’s, Conrad’s, Manning’s, Vertucci’s, and Kessler’s along with their kiddos. It was a big crowd for sure and we had a lot to accomplish! This year we made buckeyes, decorated already made from scratch (by Amy and kids) sugar cookies, and four batches of hard tack candy (lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, and root beer). The kiddos also enjoyed crafting down in the basement thanks to my Mom, who came up with the craft ideas and led the (at times) crazy crew in crafts 🙂
After the candy making ended we were all pretty beat! But Mom and Dad, Amy, Andy and kids stayed for a pizza dinner to celebrate Kevin’s birthday. Griffin and Greta were enjoying being silly together with their tiger “babies”. 
On Sunday Griffin and I headed out on a mission to finish some Christmas shopping. He asked me to hold something which I didn’t want him to have, so I gave him my L.L.Bean gift card to hold since it was attached it a cardboard backing. We were talking about Christmas and gifts and I asked him what he would like for Christmas. Out of nowhere he said he wanted a puppy! Since I was in a parking lot, I turned around with the video on and asked him again. Watch the next two videos for his response. It was super cute! I had nothing to do with the idea, really, I didn’t. I sent them to Kevin, who responded, “where did he get that idea? puppy?”. And my reply, “the front of the gift card because he is on the present box”. This kid, he cracks me up. But in the second video you’ll hear him talk about how he wants three dogs because Hailey and Cameron went to Heaven and he wants Lily to have a playmate so we can have 3 dogs again. 🙂
December 18, 2016
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I love this time of year and I love how I will find Griffin just sitting on the couch cuddling with Lily and admiring the Christmas tree. He regularly asks about the “Christmas season” and if it is still the Christmas season and how long it lasts. His mind is always working and he continues to surprise me with his thoughts and the concepts he comes up with and understands for his age. 
While this is a fuzzy picture it is one I love because this is how Griffin has slept since he was born – with his arms under his head. He doesn’t do it all the time as he is typically a tummy sleeper, but when he’s on his back you can usually find his hands under his head. 
On Tuesday after preschool Finn and I venture up to Mom and Dad’s to help cover the greenhouse for the winter season. It was a dismal day – cold, raining, just all around yucky. But shortly after we arrived the rain subsided as did the wind and it was one of the easiest covering jobs we’ve done!
Here Finn is doing some morning yoga 🙂
On Friday night we celebrated Jim, Brett, and Kevin’s birthdays with a lovely dinner out at Liberty Tavern. Afterward we headed back to our house for cake, ice cream, and prezzies. Nice pic of the birthday boys!
Our winter adventure for the weekend was heading downtown to see the Nutcracker. This was Griffin’s first time, although technically I was pregnant with him when Kevin and I went in 2012, lol! We joined the Bethune’s there and afterwards our crews headed to Buca di Beppo for an Italian Feast. It was a fun night!
Tree decorating time! Griffin was really excited to decorate our tree this year. He kept taking all of his ornaments and stepping up onto the brick fireplace step where he placed most of his ornaments on the tree. It was fun to watch the excitement on his face. Kevin got the top of the tree from the ladder – and he was all the way to the top!
Griffin had several fun adventures and activities this week including crafting and baking Gingerbread men and then trying to find the one that escaped! I had to do some homework outside of work hours one evening so Debbie stayed late and they ventured to the Fantasy of Lights in Galena where you drive through a display of lights and then get to sit and talk with Santa at the end. They had quite a fun night!
Our family adventure took us to Hocking Hills and Ohio University to watch Cameron Howard participate in the OU Honors Band. It was fun to hang with friends and be back on the campus of my Alma Mater. We enjoyed dinner at Jackie O’s Brewery in the heart of uptown Athens and then headed back to their cabin in Hocking Hills where Finn enjoyed helping to decorate their Christmas tree. 
On Sunday we attended the Love Changes Everything Christmas Program at church. This year part of the program included a performance by Holywell, a band that includes several church members. Turns out the kiddos enjoyed dancing around in the “mosh pit” up front. It was cute to watch.