Oh-Ten

Grant's been clamoring, literally with pots and pans, for a new post. He insists that photos further promoting his cute factor be posted. So here's a couple:









Grant experienced his first white Christmas this year in Colorado, but would have had a white Christmas and blizzard in Dallas, too?!? He wanted to show off his sledding skills.



His Aunt Emily showed him some extreme sledding.



Grant was so extreme he didn't even need a sled, you know body-sledding.







Oh-Ten looks like it will be super.

Christmas Village, Again

He has learned to say "cheese," above. Can you tell the difference between his portrait smile and his usual?



We made our fifth and last visit to the Christmas Village. This time we brought the ensemble of photographic and video equipment. And we used it.



Here's Grant and a snowman, above.



A firetruck.

Pet some Manger Goats, anyone?



And, below, he makes another try at fame.



It's not all about the Christmas Village. It's about family.



It's also about little pint-sized wooden shacks, like the Manger.



And the end of Fall and start of Winter.



And the, hopefully, clean floors of good Tex-Mex restaurants. Well, of every restaurant; he does this everywhere.



Here's looking to a good oh-ten.

He's Been Nice, Mostly

Here Grant is at the Richardson Christmas Village! We've been three times, so far. He has a little stage fright, but you can tell he insists on being up there belting out a chorus of "Hark the Herald Angels." Don't worry Kelly is standing only a few feet from the frame of the photo.

Since, because of my procrastination, we begin in the middle of these Christmas affairs, let's backtrack to cover our post-Halloween autumn.

Grant was curious:



about some farm animals.




He got to San Antonio:



with some big insects in tow.



He likes running:



Up and down ramps.



He finally met his Great Grandmother Benavides; she's 97!



And taught her about CAWRS.



Gratuitous Cute Grant Photo #1



#2 And thanks to Gabriel for the ball pit.



Merry Christmas Everybody!

Tra-juh

For a unique merger of Halloween and Monster Truck, and a piece of video that Grant has watched at least 10 times, please check out this. There's a commercial at the beginning, none of which Grant or Grant, Inc. endorses.

Hello-ween - "And who are you supposed to be?"

For a 20 month old like Grant, Halloween can be exciting--everyone's got a new face, for better or worse. It's time the Benavidii updated their look.

Mommy's decided to change her image and "go country" to reconnect with her fan base. Mommy's got a tractor shirt.



And she got a cowboy hat. Gilley's, anyone?




Daddy needs a new gig, too. A Mexican wrestler who believes in science, perhaps?



Grant, on the other hand, wants to change his look from peaceful compliant child at 8 months:

To slightly disinterested child at 20 months.



"Pumpkins?!!!!?"



"Pumpkins?"



To the happy elephant.

A Festivus for the Rest of Us

Well, September is over, stop yer cryin'.

We had fun, despite the rain and all. We made it to quite a few festivals and events, trying to keep our kid happy.



We went to Addison, where he forgot "the good sense to stand in the shade."



We went to McKinney, where we kept an eye out for him.



He nearly got away. Whew!



We went Macedonian.



We went to Richardson. Wait, we liver there!



And to Sharkarosa?! Anybody?



Can't get enough of this.

When September Ends

It's September and you know what time it is--UT Football and Oktoberfest! We got both this weekend.



Thanks Grandma Kay! See what a great guy Grant is?



As Parents, we look back to a child more simple, more easily handled, and nevertheless look forward to an October Child more infinite in possibility and potential.





With a kiss, Grant, and a tear, Grant, on your ever lifting brow. -- "Yates"