Tis the Season

This past weekend my parents and brother were in Birmingham for my Dad's annual high school reunion and the Shaw Family Christmas party. We had THE best time visiting with everybody and loved having Douglas stay at our house. He is such an easy house guest and Grant loved the male company. On Saturday, Mom, Julie and I shopped all day and had lunch at Flip Burger at the Summit - so good! We also took a family trip to Pottery Barn Kids to pick out a crib for baby William that Grant's mom has so graciously offered to give to us for Christmas.  Even though she will be in Florida for Christmas this year, her Christmas generosity and presence is certainly felt here in Alabama! Saturday night, my parents went to my Dad's reunion and they treated "the kids" to dinner at Bottega Cafe. We snapped a few pictures at Julie's apartment before heading out.

 My cute parents :) 

 Sibling love

 + Grant

On Sunday, we all attended the service of Lessons and Carols at Trinity United Methodist Church. Grant and I joined Trinity in February and absolutely love it!  It was so powerful to be surrounded by so many others celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.  After church, we went to the Crooks' (Dad's sister's family) house for a brunch and to catch up on life. 

 Mom checking out Sara's carolers collection. Hopefully mine will be that big one day! 

Sunday night, we went to Kelly and Pete Gage's house in Wilsonville, AL for the Shaw Christmas party. Kelly and my Dad are first cousins and they always fight over who was the favorite grandchild because they were both very close to their grandmother, Granny Shaw. I have grown up hearing so many wonderful stories about my great-grandmother. 

Dad and Kelly

I always love getting together with the Shaw family and reminiscing on all the good times we had with those who are no longer with us - My Dad's parents, Jedda and Joe, and my Dad's brother, Uncle Joe.  They were three very special people in my life. This was actually Grant's first time to attend the Shaw family Christmas party and I loved introducing him to everyone, even though they all remember meeting him at the wedding. Kelly put tons of old family photos out around the house, so it was fun showing Grant pictures of my Dad as a little boy and pictures of my grandparents and Uncle Joe whom he never got to meet.

We had delicious gumbo, all kinds of appetizers, and there was a table full of desserts. After mingling for an hour or so, we played Dirty Santa.  (PS- Since Grant misread the email instructions for the Dirty Santa game, we messed up and purchased gifts that were AT LEAST $5 instead of NO MORE THAN $5 - Go figure!)

 Neill, Grant, Douglas and Robert

 Dirty Santa in action

 Julie and Jenny Shaw

My mom probably won't approve of this picture but I thought it was cute :)

William Update:

Baby boy has been kicking up a STORM since last Thursday. Just Wednesday night I told my friend Elaine that I hadn't felt any REAL kicks, only flutters. William must have heard this because he's been a very active little boy since then. Grant has seen and felt the kicks and is in awe of each and every movement. We are so blessed and we continue to pray for good health throughout this pregnancy!