The Hogan Christmas

Our next stop on the Holiday Tour brought us to Fenton and the Hogan house for Christmas Day. Although it was his first Christmas, James showed little interest in the festivities (He did like the Christmas tree lights).   Thankfully Grandma and Murphy (G&G Hogan's yellow lab) kept him fully entertained.  

Aunt Ami, Uncle John, and a very warm James (in case anyone was wondering why he was in only a onesie in the middle of December)

Uncle John loving on his nephew.  Who knew he be so into the kid?

At this point, everyone is opening presents whiles James and Murphy look on...bored...James did get to play with a stuffed chocolate lab (seen above) and enjoyed hanging out with old Murph.

After all the presents were opened Grandma and James hung out on the floor and cooed at each other.

Christmas Eve

This leg of the 2009 Garrison family Midwestern Holiday tour put us in sunny Lansing, MI for Christmas Eve - we were able to spend some welcome quality time with Andy's family and friends.

My brand new Christmas outfit - I'm sure all wear this every year from now until.... tomorrow

James and Uncle Paul Bunyon (aka Joey), along with Mrs I, who made sure all three of her boys knew how much she would LOVE a grandchild of her own

James is sporting the customized threads that Aunt Kate had tailor made in Milan

James and Uncle Joe - filled with holiday cheer

Graduation Day

Andy's mother Kris decided to go back and pursue her Bachelor's degree almost 15 years ago - through many long years and an enormous amount of hard work, she finally accomplished her goal of having the fourth degree in the family (all three children, and now Kris - we could not possibly be prouder!)

As an added bonus, Andy's grandparents Dick and Sandy were able to make it up from Tennessee for the event, and also celebrate an early Christmas with everyone.

Kris, Dick and Sandy

Andy and the graduate - nice work Kris!

Great Grandma Sandy and James - she finally gets to hold James and it took a SWAT team to get her to let go!

Great Grandpa Cahill - can you see the family resemblance?

It gets hot when everyone wants to hold you - however that is no excuse to not wear proper headgear

Thanksgiving 2009

This year was spent in Great Grandma Hogans and then onto Great Grandma Childress - James was finally able to spend some quality time with the Hogan clan, and he clearly stole any and all attention away from the turkey

The newest addition to the Carpenter family, Alex joined his older brother Anthony in September

Aunt Deb holding James, and I'm holding Alex -
these guys like to party

Funny how babies tend to bring all the attention down to the floor!

LONG AWAITED UPDATES

Hello again everyone! I know that is has been a very long time since I have updated you on the happenings in the Garrison house but after Thanksgiving hit, I got a little overwhelmed with the holiday season. I am going to make up for that now. So even though the dates of the future posts all say January 4, make me happy and just imagine in your mind that they were posted as the events occured. Thanks!!

Sparty Time

James and I cheered and cheered but it just wasn't enough against Penn State! Rats!

Mom and her little Spartan fan

James watches intently as the Spartans fight the Nittny Lions.

Tub Time

I hate to admit this but this was only James' seccond bath.  We had scrubbed his face and bum on occassion, but Mom was nervous about giving the full on bath...so Grandma did it!