New Fish

We would like to announce that we have a new member of the family. That's right, Phoebe Philo Barrow joined us on Saturday. We feel kind of bad that Phoebe is a boy with a girls name but Grant is in charge. At first he wanted to name the fish, Kitty. When I asked him why he chose that name, his response made sense..."Cuz den I can pet it!" We have to constantly remind him that we do not pet fish! He is also quite concerned that we don't feed Phoebe enough. He is already a very good pet owner.

Let us tell how you how we came to own a fish. Grant and mommy were at the doctor's office and there is a fish tank there. Grant turned to mommy and said, "Hab (have) it!" Mommy asked what he wanted to have and he responded, "Hab a fish." Mommy said, "You want a fish?" Grant said, "Wa (ya)! Ask Daddy!" So mommy and Grant asked daddy and daddy said yes. He said we could go get it in a few days (thinking that Grant would forget). Grant did not forget and continually reminded us that we were going to "buy a fish" and "pay wif money." And so, enjoy the pictures of our cute little Phoebe!

White Christmas

We were able to go to UT for Christmas and we had a wonderful time! It was nice to have snow on the ground but we were glad to get back to CA where it has been quite a bit warmer. Grant had so much fun with everyone. Unfortunately, I took most of the pix with my mom's camera and forgot to pull them off before we left. I know, I am a bright one!

On the 22nd we went to Grammy and Grandpa B's to have a get together with Grammy's side of the family. Here is Grant with the great-grandkids, Hannah and Aiden. Grant was able to be a shepherd for the nativity. He was holding a toy lamb and kept throwing it up in the air. He eventually decided to sit down and when he saw Baby Jesus he got so excited and said, "Wow! Jesus!" It was so cute.Here is Grant in the jammies he got on Christmas Eve posing with Christmas presents.
And here is what he did when I told him to say "cheese"...keep working on that one Bug!

Apparently a bike horn can also be used as a bowl for animal crackers. He loved squeezing the horn on the bike and liked sitting on the bike while someone pushed him around. He started to get the hang of how the pedals work and he was so proud of himself. Even though Bug was sick on Christmas Eve and Christmas, he managed to have a ball with all the presents and enjoyable company!

Look-alike Meter

Update

While we were in UT we were able to go see a doctor for a second opinion in regards to Grant's lump. We were told that it is just an enlarged lymph node and that it is not unusual for a child his age to have one enlarge and not return to normal size. He said he definitely would NOT operate. Yea! The doctor mentioned it could be a sign of other problems but there are no other symptoms so he is very confident in his diagnosis. Thank goodness for Dr. Cramer. Who by the way, Grant called "Hinckey" as he walked out of the room.

Riding Hope

One of the many fun things we were able to do while we were in UT was to go to the Shepherd's annual family home evening. Going to this family gathering is one of my fondest childhood memories. Oh how I miss seeing Grandma and Papa Nipper! They made Christmas magical and Grandma always helped us remember that Christ should be our main focus in all we do. I was wishing that they could have been there this year. Mostly for selfish reasons, I would love for them to see adorable little Grant running around. And of course they would also love seeing all of the other darling kids! Then again, I am sure they are able to see all of that. :-)

Grant liked Santa until he sat on Santa's lap. Then, the screaming began. However, Grant did love the orange he got from Santa. He thinks oranges (and apples, heck all fruit) are balls. "Bounce!"
Grandma Naenae had asked Uncle Clyde if Grant could see the horses. When we got to his house, Kelson took us out to see them. Grant was in heaven!
He didn't stop smiling and was totally enthralled.
I think he was wishing we could take one home with us.

Hope was one of his favorites.
Then after the party, Uncle Clyde put a saddle on Hope and Grant was able to go for a ride.
And let me tell you, he hasn't stopped talking about it!
"I ride a pony! Hope!" Now every pony is named Hope.Thanks Uncle Clyde for making a little boy's wish come true!

Stairs

What is Grant's favorite thing to do at Naenae's house? Go up and down the stairs and then do it all over again!
He fell down a few stairs the first day we were here but since then he has become a pro.

He really loves to throw balls downstairs and then go find them. The only downfall is that he cannot carry them back up. :-)
Naenae is a great playmate.
What will he do when we get home and there are no stairs?!?!

Fun in the Snow

Grant and I are in UT for a short little visit. Yesterday it snowed and it snowed and it snowed. Grant had tons of fun playing. He played with NaeNae and Papa and then went out again to play with Pa B and Dossy.
Pa B made and awesome igloo. What fun!

Uncle Dossy and Pa B were good sports. They even showed Grant the "Pony" (the horse by my parents house) a number of times. Grant and I made a snowman. Grant's favorite part was putting the carrot on the snowman. He kept trying to steal the snowman's arms.
Grant loved the sled. At one point, Papa was even pulling Grant AND NaeNae. Then NaeNae pulled me and Grant. Good times!

He wasn't so sure what to think when I fell backwards to make a snow angel. And he didn't seem to enjoy it very much when I had him make one.
He loved watching Papa run the snow blower. Before we know it, he will be the one doing it for the old man! Needless to say, he was pretty tired when it was time for bed.