Jolly Old Saint Nicholas

I was pretty nervous about Baby Gray’s visit to Santa this year. He’s been going through quite a bout of separation anxiety lately, so I was pretty sure that would play a role in this trip to visit the man in red. 

Luckily, Santa did a great job of helping us minimize the tears. It obviously wasn’t Santa’s first time with a nervous toddler (as a matter of fact, this is the same Santa we visited last year, so I know he’s been doing it at least a year). He had me stroll Baby Gray up close to him; he talked to him softly and gave him a toy. Baby Gray wasn’t buying into this scheme. He knew something was fishy. 

Santa suggested I sit with him and let Baby Gray sit on my lap next to him. I can’t tell you the last time I took photos with Santa (or how unprepared I was to take photos). Baby Gray was asking the photographers for their noise makers (hence the “please” he’s got going on in this photo) as they took the photos. He did pretty well while I was sitting with them.
I insisted on the crying toddler photo, much to Santa’s dismay–don’t let that jolly smile fool you! 

As we were choosing which photos I got to keep, the photographer asked if I wanted this one. Seriously, lady? Of course, I want the crying photo! That’s a prerequisite for a toddler’s first “real” visit to Santa. 

Photos courtesy of My Album Pics at North Star Mall; copyrights of the images belong to The Gray Matters.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Last Sunday was Christmasday (not to be confused with Christmas day) at our house! It’s absolutely one of my favorite days of the year! We cut down our tree (or trees, depending on the year), get all our decorations out, and get into the Christmas spirit.

We're Off!

Good-bye

We went to this great tree farm we found last year, and turned Baby Gray loose to find the perfect tree! 

Tree Picking

He and Mr. Gray went ahead, while I snapped photos and shouted, “That one! No, to your left! Right! Straight! That one!”

The Look

Baby Gray checked out a few, but it took some looking to find the perfect tree. 

Walking

Stick

Trees

After a trip or two up and down the back rows of the tree farm, we finally found the tree we wanted to cut down. 

Hat

Mr. Gray hung up his hat so he could get down to business. 

Timber

Trimming

Loot
Baby Gray wasn’t too interested in posing with his conquered loot! 

Drag it In

Once they boys got it cut down, Mr. Gray headed back up to the front with our tree. 

Shake

They shook out the needles (my favorite part) and bagged it up for us!

Loaded

Mr. Gray used his big ol’ muscles to load the tree right up! 

Candy Cane

Baby Gray didn’t even get to be impressed with how strong Mr. Gray is because he was so busy munching on the wrapped candy cane they gave him when we checked out. Talk about disgusting–those candy canes are sticky enough as it is, much less when they’re being eaten with the wrapper still on them.

Family

We posed for a few family photos in the wind before heading home to decorate! 

Baby Gray wasn’t interested in napping when we got home, so we decorated with him in tow. 
As I mentioned, we modified our decorating a little this year. 
Stockings

Our stockings are in a slightly different place this year; we have a giant mirror where the stockings went last year. The card holder is pretty boring for now. It’ll get filled up soon enough. (Have you mailed your cards yet? It’s December 2nd.) 

Nativity

My favorite part of the whole season is our Willow Tree nativity scene. I have some really great nativities that were Grammie’s as well. They bring so much to our home each Christmas.

Jar

I switched up the contents of my Mason jar as well. Now it’s full of ornaments with a coordinating bow. This jar has sure been a fun addition to our kitchen table.
Dining

Tree
The living and dining rooms are pretty bare, and the large tree is in the front window of the kitchen. You might also notice I haven’t been reading those photo tutorials everyone’s pinning about how to take photos of your Christmas tree.

A Gabba Good Time

Last night, we had the opportunity to go see Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! It’s Time to Dance! in San Antonio. I am oh-so-thankful I took advantage! We invited Cookie and Jax to join us (Jax loves Yo Gabba Gabba!). We picked up our tickets at will call (thanks, Macaroni Kid) and headed into the theater.

Gabba

We were in the dead center of the lower level of seats! It couldn’t have been more perfect. Baby Gray and Jax could see; Cookie and I were able to “block” the row so the boys could stand up and dance; no super tall folks were in front of us to block our view; it was perfect.
It was fun to see the enthusiasm of the Yo Gabba Gabba! fans who were present. They were decked out in Gabba garb, singing and dancing to every song, and having a grand ol’ time with characters that were obviously part of their daily life. One little girl behind us knew every word to every song. One dad in front of us was so into each song and dance, he out-performed his kids–and kept nudging the mom to join in! My favorite outfit spotting was a tiny boy, probably younger than Baby Gray, who was dressed at DJ Lance. So cute! 

Gabba
Gabba

Gabba
Gabba

Now, I must confess, I’ve never seen a full episode of Yo Gabba Gabba! Baby Gray isn’t quite old enough to be into much TV yet, so I’ve never really had a reason to watch. I love live performances, though, and this one did not disappoint. The boys loved it! They were very into the whole thing. I hope this is the beginning of a love for performances for Baby Gray as well, mostly because I would love to take him to many more!

Gabba
Gabba

Gabba

The show was the perfect length, with an intermission in the middle. I think they had just as much fun dancing to the music during intermission as they did to the actual show! We even let them be those kids, who were jumping in their seats and acting like a bunch of maniacs! I can assure you we weren’t the only ones, though.


It even snowed on us! Baby Gray was very interested in the snow once it was in his hair and on his clothes. In Texas, there’s a good chance that’s the only snow we’ll see this winter!
*Disclaimer: please excuse the poor photo quality. I didn’t bring my good camera, and the iPhone was struggling with the lighting. 
FTC Compliance: I was invited to Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! free of charge as part of a promotion for Macaroni Kid. It had no bearing on the contents of this post. 

Daily Thanksgiving

With the appearance of November comes a laundry list of things people are thankful for. Rather than adding mine to my Facebook or Twitter page, I’ll just update this post each day. I’d like to see all my blessings in one place as a constant reminder throughout the month (and always). 

November 1: 
I’m thankful for a God that cares for me, loves me, and takes care of me. He has given me so much and taught me how to live a life with a purpose much greater than myself. I don’t understand how people live without faith and hope in their lives, and I’m so grateful I don’t have to. 

November 2: 
I am thankful for an amazing husband. Mr. Gray is an amazing provider for our family; our marriage comes first–always. It is an incredible feeling to know I have someone so amazing to do life with. God hand-picked the perfect husband just for me; for that I am grateful! 

November 3: 

I am so grateful for an amazing son. He brings such joy to our home and our family! I can’t wait to see the man he grows into. I have never known anything like being a mom, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. It is what I have prayed for and longed for since I was a little girl. Baby Gray does not disappoint! Thank you, Lord, for our little guy! 

November 4: 
I am so thankful for my family–the whole great big (well, not really) sha-bang! I have the most fabulous parents, in-laws, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and so on! Family is so important, and I am so blessed to have continued support from my family. 

November 5: 
I’m thankful for the beautiful Ranch we have access to. It’s a great place to go hang out, get away, and enjoy what God has created. I have taken it for granted for a lot of my life, but as we raise Baby Gray, it’s great to know we have somewhere untouched by man to enjoy. 


November 6: 
Our Revolution family is phenomenal. We were placed into our church for a reason, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am so grateful for the people we have met, the movement of the Spirit in each message, and the life changes that have taken place. 

November 7: 
I am thankful for opportunities. While these seems like sort of a blanket statement, I mean divine appointments and opportunities to live out God’s word. I am so grateful that when we pray for a way to reach someone, God puts them in our path–in the most unexpected ways–so that we can reach them for Him. I love that! I love how God is in the details enough to coordinate something seemingly off the wall. I pray that I can cease each opportunity that is given to me and help further the Kingdom. 

November 8: 
I am thankful for my health. I have been blessed with great health, and sometimes I take that for granted. It is such a blessing to be able to keep up with my super-busy toddler and never bat an eye! 


November 9: 
I am so, so grateful for the friends that I have. I have friends that build up my faith and help me be a better wife and mother. I love that we can walk through life together. While I have a couple of circles that I run with, each group offers a unique type of relationship and learning experience.

November 10: 
I am thankful for our home. We are safe, warm, comfortable, and protected. God has provided a great place for us to live, love, and enjoy each other. It’s a great place for Baby Gray to roam and explore his world. 

November 11: 
I was already thankful for Mr. Gray, but since it’s his birthday, I’m reminded of just how thankful I really am. Today we celebrate another year of his life and all that he means to those around him. I love him more and more each day. 


November 12: 

Basketball

I am thankful for my education. I have been able to pursue things that interest me, and I continue to “shop” around for what I will learn next. No matter where I attend next, I’ll always be a proud Aggie–even when football isn’t going too great. Being an Aggie is so much more than cheering for a football team. 

November 13: 
I am so thankful for the abundance in our life. I love that we can give freely and joyfully. My friends often laugh about the gifts I give for birthdays and Christmas–I love finding exactly what someone wants and presenting it perfectly. Beyond that, I love being able to give to those who are in need. I cannot imagine having a basic need not met; I am so grateful we are able to help when needed. 

November 14: 
I am thankful for the ability to be at home with Baby Gray. God paved a perfect path for us to be where we are today. It wasn’t always easy; we didn’t always make the best decision; but God is faithful. He provided for us in such a way that has made me so rich and so thankful for my time at home. I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. 

November 15: 
I am so thankful for the rain! Growing up in a family that was supported by agriculture, you’d think I would have had a better understanding of the importance of rain all along. I don’t know if I didn’t understand it or I didn’t like that it was “ruining” my ever-important plans, but you won’t catch me wishing rain away anymore! 

November 16: 
I am grateful for my marriage; this is different than being grateful for my husband. My marriage is Christ-centered, and therefore, strong. My marriage sets an example for my son. I love that I am in a covenant so strong and binding. It is a wonderful security God has placed in my life. 

November 17: 
I am grateful for laughter. It is such good medicine. I love to laugh with Baby Gray and Mr. Gray as we goof around at home. There is really nothing quite like laughter as the sound of true happiness resonates. 

November 18: 
Today I am thankful for our Aggie family. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the twelve that were lost twelve years ago. The Bonfire fall was such a tragedy. While I wasn’t a part of the Aggie family at the time, when I walked through the Bonfire Memorial a few years ago, it was real. The hurt was real. The loss was real. The heartbreak was real. Aggies bonded together to heal and move forward; not to forget, but to be able to live day-to-day life. 

November 19:
I am so thankful for good medical care. Baby Gray has been feeling crummy the past couple of days, but I can rest easy because I have taken him to a good doctor, I have access to twenty-four hour care if I need it, and he is, in general, very healthy. We are truly blessed beyond measure with our medical access. 

November 20: 
I’m thankful for weekends off. Mr. Gray was home all weekend, and we were able to hang out and spend the day as a family while Baby Gray continued to recuperate. He’s definitely on the mend, and being able to just lay low has been key to that. I know not everyone has a schedule that allows for two days of downtime, but I’m sure grateful we do. 

November 21: 
I am thankful for the experiences I’ve had in my life. I have learned so much and been shaped into the wife, mother, daughter, friend, [insert role here] that I am today. I’ve made mistakes, but I’ve learned from them. I have been happy and sad, disappointed and on top of the world. All these experiences make me who I am. 


November 22: 
I am thankful for my mama. She is always there for me, no matter what. She helps me and answers my increasingly short, but more frequent phone calls. We drive each other a little crazy sometimes, I think that’s a mutual feeling, anway, but I love her! 

November 23: 
I’m thankful for days with our little family. We don’t always get to enjoy being just the three of us, but I’m very grateful for the days we do. It’s so much fun to watch Baby Gray and Mr. Gray play and love on each other. 


November 24: 
I’m thankful for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies (yes, again). Win or lose, I’m proud to be part of the 12th Man at Kyle Field! 


November 25: 
I’m thankful for hot drinks to soothe and aching throat. Being part of the 12th Man is hard work sometimes. 


November 26: 
I’m thankful for the time I had with Grammie. She would be 85 today. I think of her often, and I so wish Baby Gray could have met her–Papa, too. I hope to be a woman of God like she was. 


November 27: 
I’m thankful for another year full of health, love, family, and blessings. God is so good to our family! I praise Him for everything I have been able to experience the past 27 (gasp) years. I joke that I’m done with birthdays, but I’ll take them as long as He provides them.


November 28: 
I’m so grateful for the beginning of the Christmas season. Our home is full of decor and reminders of the wonderful time of year that is upon us (have I mentioned I love Christmasday?). We celebrate Christ’s birth throughout the month of December, and I try to keep the focus on Christ, rather than the material, worldly view of Christmas.


November 29: 
I am thankful for a day to rest and recover from a fun time with family and friends. I love that Baby Gray and I can enjoy our time at home and recharge ourselves. 


November 30: 
I’m thankful for so much all the time. I am glad I took a month to reflect and focus on the good and positive things in our life. It’s good to get centered every now and then.

What a Turkey!

Some housekeeping: 
I noticed as I posted that I went in reverse-chronological order: my birthday, the game, Thanksgiving day (I’m getting to that). Oops! Mostly, things were crazy, and I wrote about the ones that had the fewest photos first. That’s why Christmasday is still pending. It has the most photos. It was the most exciting, and I’d have rather written about it first.

Now that that’s all cleared up (I know everyone was concerned). 

Our Thanksgiving was a little different this year. We went to Austin to hang with the family Wednesday evening and left from there Thursday morning to head to College Station. 

Front

Back

Just because we weren’t going to be with Baby Gray for Turkey Day didn’t mean he wasn’t outfitted with a thematically correct shirt. Didn’t he make a cute little turkey? I didn’t have time to applique this one; it’s just fused with Steam-a-Seam2 Light. That’s what I use for all my stuff because it’s not as bulky and stiff as the other (Nonna also said it doesn’t gunk up your needle). 

Turkey

We headed to College Station for Thanksgiving lunch with the tailgate family, and Baby Gray had lunch with Annie, Aunt Cookie, Uncle L, MK, and Dani at the Hyatt. Fancy! He danced and sang while they ate, and didn’t eat much traditional fare. He stuck to waffles and other breakfast foods they had available. 

After the game, spent the night in College Station, then headed back to Austin with the family for the day Friday. We went to Moonshine for some birthday dinner (YUM!) and then wandered around on South Congress for a bit. We intended to take Baby Gray to the parade on South Congress Saturday morning, but it was a much-needed rainy morning, so we skipped it.

We headed home Saturday, and I napped the day away while Annie and Mr. Gray hung with Baby Gray. Then it was off to another birthday dinner before we came home to rest up for Christmasday!

You Win Some

You lose some. 

Honestly, I didn’t know how Thursday’s game would go the tu game is always one that can easily go either way. Neither team wants to lose. I really hope this isn’t the last of the rivalry. It’s too much fun.

scheske tweeted during the game, “No matter what happens tonight, the Aggies and Horns are rivals. Not enemies. There’s a difference. Both are great schools.” YES! My husband chooses to disagree, mostly for the sake of being difficult, but this is exactly how I feel. The fun of the rivalry will definitely be missed when if it’s gone.
Game

Kyle Field was incredible Thursday evening. The energy level was high; the 12th Man was in full swing. We ended a sub-par season with a sub-par game. Still, there is no where in the world I would rather have been.


The Ghost of Thanksgivings Past

By past, I mostly mean I wanted to get pumped up for the game this evening. After all, that’s what Thanksgiving is really about, right? Football. 

Kidding. Sort of. 

Remember I’m the Aggie that was never meant to be. I wasn’t going to be into all this stuff. 

Yell 2006

Yep, that’s me at the Capitol for Midnight Yell in 2006. Yell at the Capitol is crazy. Police guard the area, Sips stand all around the edges and heckle. It’s an experience for sure! Auntie Heather and I went shopping right after Yell for Black Friday. Then we slept an hour or two and headed to the game (this was when the game was still on Friday). 
2007

2007

2007

The game was in College Station in 2007. Auntie Heather came to visit, tailgate, and go to the game. Mr. Gray and I managed to take identical photos both before and after the game. Talent.

A time warp happened in both 2008 and 2009. No photos or stories exist for these two years. Actually, I’m pretty sure we didn’t go to the game in 2008, and the photos from 2009 are lost somewhere between my external hard drive, the old MacBook and the current MacBook. By lost, of course, I mean I didn’t feel like looking and I couldn’t find any on Facebook.

Sip Game 2010

Then there’s last year. My family was having Thanksgiving in Austin, so we ate and left Baby Gray (maybe for the first time; at least for the first long time) with Annie and Aunt Cookie, and headed to DKR. We met up with Honey’s family to tailgate a little and warm up by the “fire” before heading into the stadium. I’ve been cold many times in my sporting event career, but last year’s game was cold. On the positive side, we got some more photo documentation of Mr. Gray’s ‘stache! 

This year, we’re back in College Station. It’s anyone’s game. BTHO tu!

Have you Ever Been Hungry?

Last week, I took some food to the local food pantry. I had been driving the food around in my car for a couple of days because I was never able to get to the drop off during their hours.

When I pulled up that morning, I was taken back by how many vehicles were parked outside. A delivery truck was around the side, and all the parking spaces were full. I unbuckled Baby Gray and headed inside. The room was packed with men and women waiting in line for food. Little old ladies in their matching t-shirts were shuffling to and fro trying to wait on these folks.

I could not believe the demand on the place. It made me think, maybe I should purchase a few things for the food pantry each week when I grocery shop. Obviously, there is a need for it. On one sign, there was a hand-written message that there would be no turkey this year. This made me sad. Our family will enjoy at least two turkey dinners this week as part of our holiday tradition. Some folks are just grateful for whatever is available for pick-up from the pantry.
On the radio the other morning, I heard them talking about a church group who chose to eat nothing but beans and rice twice a day the way that many people in Africa do for their daily survival. At the end of the time frame, they pooled the money they saved on groceries and donated it to an organization that feeds the hungry in Africa. Several quotes from participants were included in the radio spot, and they all stated how grateful they were that they were on such a limited diet by choice and not because that was truly all the had. 

A guest pastor spoke at Revolution a couple of weeks ago. He told us about people eating dirt cookies in Haiti simply to make the hunger pains subside. They mix water with dirt and bake it. Can you imagine? 

I feel a call to action of some sort moving in my heart. I’m not sure what this means for me yet, but I know I don’t want to turn a blind eye to those who are hungry–especially here in our own community. I’ve never been truly hungry. Sure, I say all day, “Man, I’m hungry.” Mr. Gray and I joke about how grouchy I get when I’m hungry. I’ve never really been hungry, though. I want to do something to help others have enough food on their plates–all throughout the year. Not just now that it’s the holidays and awareness is heightened. 

For starters, I’m adding a standing “extra” to my grocery list. Each Monday morning when I shop, I will pick up food for the local food pantry as well and drop it off on my way home. Is that going to stop the hunger in our whole community? No. But maybe, just maybe, someone else will have a meal they wouldn’t have each week. After all, we have been blessed so that we can go out and bless others.

Piece of Cake!

I keep reading about a two-ingredient pumpkin cake online, and Saturday morning, curiosity got the best of me. I bought the ingredients to have on hand a few weeks ago just for this very event. I knew it would be spur of the moment when I decided to try it. 

According to what I’d read, all I would need is yellow cake mix and a can of pumpkin puree. Upon throwing those two things into my mix-master, it became apparent that unless I was making cookies, I was on the wrong track. There was no way that was turning into a cake. Based on a taste test and a look at the consistency, I added about a quarter of a cup of applesauce (I was out of eggs and didn’t want to add oil–it seems to make pumpkin stuff sticky), a quarter of a cup of sugar, a few hearty shakes of cinnamon, and a tablespoon or two of cream (just add as needed for consistency). It was still a little thicker than I normally would have liked, but I went on and tried it. 

Pumpkin Cake

It still didn’t rise as much as I would have liked, but it was delicious! And, despite the addition of extra ingredients, it was still super simple! 

Cake

You will need: 
1 box yellow cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup applesauce
2 tablespoons cream (milk is probably fine, too) 
Cinnamon, to taste
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • Grease and flour a bundt pan 
  • Combine cake mix, pumpkin, applesauce and sugar with an electric mixer
  • Add cream as needed to thin the batter out a little
  • Shake in some cinnamon to taste
  • Pour into prepared pan
  • Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
  • Serve warm with butter and powdered sugar