Carson starts swimming!

It was an eventful day today in the Grey house. Now that Carson is 3, he is able to start swimming lessons at the YMCA, just like big brother Aidan. He announced this morning to Jason that he was not swimming. So we figured we were going to have some issues getting him into the pool. As we arrived at the YMCA, he said that he wanted Aidan to go first. Well, we don't make the lesson times and Carson had to go first. So we got to the lockerroom and he got his suit on. He didn't want to go, but I told him that we should go see if there are any other kids in the pool. Jason took Aidan upstairs to watch in the big window and I took Carson out. He was very hesistant. Luckily his class was already sitting with their feet in the pool, so I suggested that Carson go sit by the edge and put his feet in. He seemed to be okay and so I left to go upstairs to watch. By the time I was up in the window it was his turn to take a ride on the kicking dumbbells thingy (yes this is the technical term!) and he had a huge smile on his face! He had a great time swimming with all of his new friends and since there were so many, he had 2 teachers.
Once his class was done, I went down to get him from the pool and he wouldn't get out! He loved it! He was upset that Aidan now got to go swimming and he had to leave.
I asked Carson what he thought of swimming and he said "good. I liked splashing and kicking and jumping in."
He took a great 2 hour nap in the afternoon and can't wait to go back next week.

Happy New Year and Christmas at the Farm take 2

Happy New Year 2010!! Due to the bad weather leading up the Christmas Day, the traditional Christmas Day was postponed a week. (Our normal tradition is to go out Jason's grandparent's farm out in the country near Mt Carroll.) We still hit some bad road conditions but we made it out safely and had a great day.

Here is Hunter, Aidan, Abby and Carson in front of Great Grandma's tree. Carson is holding his new Buzz doll that goes everywhere with us. Thanks Santa!

Carson helping Buzz fly.

Aidan getting measured like all the other grandkids and great grand kids do on holidays. Great Grandma has lines on that wall dating back to when Jason was young. It is really neat to see how much they grow between the holidays.

Jason decided to pack Aidan up in a box to ship. It started out as funny to Aidan but.....

He quickly didn't think it was so funny. Tears and everything!

All the kids. Brianna is holding baby Mason, Hunter, Abby, Brandon, Aidan and Carson

Again, Aidan is digging in and Carson is hanging back assessing the situation.

Carson checking out his Thomas tracks from Great Grandma.

Aidan excited for his new Glow Dome from Great Grandma.

Brandon, Carson and Hunter tearing in the presents.

It was a great, relaxing day. We were hoping it was a little warmer so we could go sledding on Great Grandpa's big hill, but the high for the day was about 5 degrees, so we passed!

Since the lane down to their house was still pretty snowy and icy, we parked at the top and great Grandpa came up with the chains on his car and drove us down. Jason's brother Kris decided his van would make it down and back up without any problem, so he drove down. Well he added some excitement to the day when he tried to drive back up. It took a few times but he made it up there and then we all drove back into Rockford keeping an eye on each other's cars. It was slick and very dark out there and we all had little kids with us. We added even more excitement when our tire pressure light came on. We stopped in the nearest town, Stockton and it looked like everything was fine. We were able to reset the tire pressure monitors and everything registered fine...must have frozen! Jason got some coffee for the rest of the ride home when we stopped to check the tire. We were back on the road and Jason went to take a sip and thought he just missed his mouth or something. Then, his hands and lap were getting wet and roasty toasty, then immediately froze! There was a hole in the bottom of the cup! Luckily we had a travel mug from the morning in the car so we put the cup in there. Jason wasn't making fun of the roll of paper towels in the car now! Now my van smells like coffee! What an eventful day!

Once we made it to main roads, we were fine as those were cleared and salted. We made it home safe and sound and the boys slept well that night, which isn't too surprising since they ran all around grandma's house with their cousins all day.

Can't believe 2009 is already gone. What a busy year. Can't wait to see what 2010 has in store for us. Happy New Year!