Griffin's 3rd Birthday Party

Griffin will not be 3 until December 27 but we decided to have his party the first weekend of December so that he would have a special time before Christmas. We hosted a few friends at Chuck E Cheese yesterday for his party. Our friends are the BEST because several gave up watching the SEC kickoff to come celebrate Griffin!

He had a great time playing games and opening his presents. The thing he was most excited about was his cake as he picked the football theme :)

1st Grade Christmas Program

Briarwood 1st graders had their annual Christmas program on Friday. Ava was an angel in this year's production. She was so beautiful! (I know that I am biased!!) Ava just loves the whole process of working on the program. I know that she would have been a terrific understudy to anyone as she knew all the parts from memory. At home, she would recite almost the whole script! She has a sharp mind and seems to have a keen memory. I am so glad she got those qualities from her daddy! Here is my little angel:

Piano Recital

Ava was so wonderful in her very first piano recital today. She played Jingle Bells from memory and was very poise on the stage of the Brock Recital Hall at Samford University. Her teacher, Dr. Melodie King, has done an excellent job of teaching Ava the piano these past four months. We are thrilled for her to be learning this valuable skill for the future

Time with Family

I am so thankful and greatful for my little family this year. We have had many struggles this year but have come out better than ever!

Our precious little ones...

Grammy and Poppa have had their "quiver-full" this year with the blessed birth of Elijah Clay Tinney! He brought their number up to a whopping 7 grands!!

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day

When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing

Thanks, amen.

Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload

We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more

To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed

My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those

Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure

Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place

And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food

You've provided And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

--Scott Wesemann

Breakfast with Santa

We went to the annual "Breakfast with Santa" event that Jr. League hosts every year. This year it was renamed to "Snacks with Santa" which is more appropriate since 95% of the food there is 100% sugar! At least the kids get to see Santa and tell him what they want, eat a bunch of junk before lunchtime and wear their Christmas finery :) Fun times with the Albrights!!

Grayson at Samford Homecoming

Me and the G-man hit Samford Homecoming last weekend for some football fun! Before the game, I gave Grayson the "nickel" tour of all my old stomping grounds around campus. We immediately hit the bookstore for Grayson to purchase a Samford shirt and cap. He was so pumped that they carried the Under Armor brand! Then we cruised by the food court (one of my favorite places back in the day) for Icees. We walked around the Quad and listened to a band play in front of the Student Services building. Vail (my freshman dorm) was just up the hill so I convinced Grayson to go up there so I could show him my old window and where I used to park. He was really anxious to get to the game at this point!

While we were waiting for them to open the football stadium gates, we peaked in the awesome Divinity School Chapel. It is incredible with a painted ceiling and very ornate furnishings. I made Grayson stand at the pulpit because I know that Poppa prays that he is a Pastor one day! As I took this photo, I told him that one day he may preach from this pulpit! We shall see...

Grayson's 3rd grade teacher at Brook Hill, Mrs. Alexander, has a son, Wes, that plays football for the Bulldogs. She was excited to have Grayson at the game and even brought a jersey of Wes's for Grayson to try on.

The highlight of Grayson's day came after the game when he got to meet Wes in person and have him sign his cap. I wish everyone (especially his mom and dad) could have seen Grayson's face when Wes gave him his actual game gloves. It was so precious! Pure joy! Wes was so kind to Grayson and wrote the Bible reference for Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Trick or Treat!

We had a busy but fun-filled Halloween night around the Albright home! Our morning was slow because Ava's last football/cheerleader game was called due to the rain. Let me tell you- we needed it! I feel like we have been rushing so much lately and I needed some "down" time. Our church's fall festival was from 2 to 4 and the kids always love that.

After we had done all our damage there, we headed to the Bloom's house in Mt. Brook. Their neighborhood has a parade with the kids for two blocks and then everyone enjoys a hot dog supper in the street. Martin and Kathy had some Boston Butt sandwiches and grilled shrimp for us. It was so yummy and they were such kind hosts for us. The kids loved passing out candy at their house!

Running over to Lake Cyrus was the next item on our busy night agenda. Thomas and Laurie hosted us and some other friends for the trailer ride around the neighborhood to load up on more candy. Griffin and Ava loved the stopping and running up to the doors with their friends!