CHRISTmas time!

Hello out there! Below you'll find a post with some of our favorite pictures from our family Christmas photo shoot that we took last month. We used a gal that I actually went to High School with named Katie Rounds (www.roundlensphotography.com) Gunner is usually a menace for picture day, it's like he knows! But despite his best efforts, Katie was able to capture lots of smiles from the little man.

Yesterday we celebrated our niece's FIRST birthday! Yes, that's right. Little Kaydence Caliber is a whole 1 year old. (Technically her birthday is December 1st, but the party was yesterday). We celebrated at Surprise park. It was soooo beautiful out. Gunner had fun playing in the rocks the entire time while everyone else enjoyed their pizza and cupcakes. :)

Lexie is currently back on her ibex hunt in New Mexico right now so wish her luck and send good vibes her way for a BIG BILLY!

Today is just a quick post to catch up and share some pics. I have LOTS to do before the Katie Wagner yardsale I am having this coming weekend. Be sure to stop by our casa to shop and enjoy some gourmet coffee and/or hot chocolate that a local vendor will be providing both days. We will be here Saturday and Sunday (10th-11th) from 8am - 3pm both days. We've had SO many great donations of goods to be sold. If you're looking for Christmas presents that I promise could pass as BRAND new, or Christmas decor at a GREAT price - stop by! 100% of proceeds with go to Katie and her family. (See her story at www.welovekatie.com)

Time to get to work! Ciao.

Family Christmas Pictures

Yard Sale for Katie Wagner

Hi family and friends. Recently we saw the story of Katie Wagner, a 15 year old Anthem resident who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma. She is currently in PCH receiving treatment and is fighting for her life. Her story is inspirational, to say the least. I am amazed at how our community has rallied around this girl and her family to get her whatever they may need. This story touched our hearts, as parents, on a level hard to describe. As such, we wanted to take action. We are holding a neighborhood yard sale on Saturday December 10th - Sunday December 11th and 100% of the proceeds will go to the Wagner family. If there is any way that you can help, whether it be donating goods to be sold, or passing out flyers in your community, please let me know by emailing me at eandsgrimmett@yahoo.com and letting me know how you'd like to help.

All our love,

The Grimmetts

Is it "Fall" yet?

My apologies for the length between posts. It has been one heck of a summer (not to mention a stinking hot one!). Time to get you all updated.....

Eli is on his last antelope hunt of the season right now in WY and should be home sometime around Oct. 13 ish. He has had a great season and taken some gorgeous bucks. I know he is loving what he does but I also know he is missing home and his baby boy bad right now, so pray for a successful/fun/yet speedy trip home stat. ;)

I am no longer at USAA. Currently I am still finishing up massage school at SWIHA and should be done with that in the next couple months. After that I will be working with some great ladies that I actually went to HS with at a Salon/Spa in downtown Phoenix. Check it out on facebook: The Roose Parlour and Spa. I'm very excited at the possibilities of the future. Also, I was recently offered to come in part time at a Chiropractor's office in N. Scottsdale as a massage therapist independent contractor. I'm waiting to hear from the Chiro right now on what hours he is looking for, but absolutely considering the extra income and the experience. Other than that I am spending lots of time with Gunner man. It's truly been a blessing to be home with him and watch him learn and grow every day. To keep us occupied in Daddy's absence we've been doing all kinds of fun things all over the valley. He loves to look at all the fishes at the SEA LIFE Aquarium at AZ Mills, chase the birds and ducks at the park up here in Anthem, go to the movies (Cars 2 and Kung Fu Panda 2 were a BIG hit with him), go to the Zoo (we got a free annual membership from my mom, Cheryl, so we're taking advantage of it!), stay in the AC with mommy and watch movies or color, or just take a drive a few miles up north and look at all the pretty scenery then enjoy some pie at Rock Springs Cafe. It's been a long, whirlwind of a summer and we're happy that it's winding down. The fall is our favorite time of year in the Grimmett house. Eli's home, the weather cools down (ok not yet but it has to eventually, right?!), Holidays with the family, Christmas tree decorating, putting up our stockings, black friday shopping at the Outlets (which are literally across the street - very dangerous), and so so much more! Also, my annual "mommy-cation" is coming up in just 3.5 short weeks! I'm flying out to NC at the end of October to visit my best friend, Kim, who is in the Army and stationed at Ft. Bragg. I don't know what fun she has in store for me but it's always guaranteed to be an adventure when the 2 of us get together. From there I will fly to CA to visit my other best friend, Erica, who's hubby is in the Air Force and is a recruiter in LA. We took advantage of her military discount and got 3 day park hoppers for Disneyland/California Adventure land for crazy cheap. I'm so blessed to be able to go visit them and take some time off from the day to day. I'm ever so grateful to have a husband that loves me enough to give me some well deserved "me time" at the end of every antelope season.

Well, that's it for now. I'll do my very best to get on here more often throughout the fall and share some more pics/stories with you all. All of our love to all of you and yours.

Growing growing grown.....

Summer has sprung (or something like that....)

Summer is officially here! I can say this with confidence because I now wake up sweating in my sleep - that's the first sign when you live in Phoenix, AZ! Eli and his dad have started their scouting trips and Gunner and I have kept ourselves busy trying to think up fun things we can do together to pass the time....

Last weekend Eli and I took Gunner to his very first movie! We figured, being that he's only 14 months old, it may be a little soon - but thought we'd give it a shot. Turns out, i'm SO glad we did - he sat on my lap through the whole movie without making a peep. We saw Kung Fu Panda 2. Since this was such a success I purchased the Harkins Summer Movie pass for myself (since Gunner is already free) and we now go every Friday morning. I've tried taking him to the splash pads at the Outlets across the street; however, he so far HATES them! I keep taking him though in hopes that he will eventually enjoy them. ;) Other than that, we'll go to the mall, the zoo, the aquarium at AZ Mills and whatever else I can think of. I absolutely ADORE this time that we get to spend just G and I (but I still miss my hubby when he's not here).

I've taken the summer off of school (aside from a few online courses) so that the majority of my time can be devoted to Gunner. We are currently working on switching him to table food and it's been a little slow... he loves fries, chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches.. you know, the unhealthy stuff! But I did find this great free website and blog called "weelicious" that has TONS of recipes for baby food and toddler food that's apparently a big hit with kids, so i'm going to give it a shot! Wish me luck :)

Gunner had his FIRST dentist appointment yesterday. He has 8 teeth so we figured it was time to take him. Plus, it's important to me that he start going so young in hopes that he won't be so scared of the dentist as well as develop healthy dental habits! The dentist said his teeth are PERFECT and that we're doing a great job already brushing them 2 times a day. We bought him a Sesame Street toothbrush and some berry flavored non-flouride toothpaste and he LOVES teeth brushing time. In the mornings he watches me brush my teeth in awe and then knows it's his turn.

G is a WALKING man. He finally discovered that his monkey crawl was getting more and more difficult the longer his legs got - so he walks aimlessly around the house all day long. :)

KC is scooting, and it's SO cute. She's a little wiggle worm. KC and G are great playmates together, even though Gunner is always trying to steal her toys!

Jason is still going to school and working as a nurse at Banner. Lexie is currently in a weight loss competition at her gym as is doing AMAZING! She's well on her way to being the next Jillian Michaels. ;)

All our parents are doing really well - but we would appreciate some prayer requests...

My mom, Cheryl, recently had surgery so pray for a quick/painless recovery from that. She also recently discovered she fractured her knee and it's definitely painful so pray for her recovery from that as well.

My mother-in-law, Kathy's dad has been staying with her indefinitely. Add on top of that that she watches Gunner for me when Eli's out of town and i'm working, and she'll occasionally have KC as well - i'm sure that it's been exhausting. So pray for her to have strength and peace during this time.

Eli is actually on his way home as we speak so I need to go get some laundry done and start dinner. Tonight i'm making meat balls so that I can hide veggies in them and get Gunner to eat them.. (MUA HAHAHAHA) I promise to write again much much sooner this time.. and in the mean time, enjoy the updated pics below!

All our love,

The Grimmetts

New Pictures!

Lots O Pics