Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Ok, so here’s the REAL picture and the REAL life. Much more realistic, right? I like this picture a lot more, too; it’s us. It’s the crazy life that we have with some wrinkles but full of laughter and love.

I started this blog years ago as a place to write. It’s my comfort zone to write. I don’t post often, but I realized the annual fee was way cheaper than printed Christmas cards a few years ago, so I kept it. Plus, I get to story-tell here and use many pictures I’ve taken during the year. So here you go, another year of #TheGraytLife…

A great start to the year. Visited the Art in Bloom at the NCMA, celebrated Easter with the family, and took a work trip to Atlanta.

Jill and I had another book launch day with Mary Kay Andrews at our favorite local independent bookstore, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh. Both boys went to prom! Tanner with Dr. Rawls at the new Wake Tech East Campus ribbon cutting and Mr. Alston. Tanner went turkey hunting and was successful. The Raleigh Youth Chapter of Ducks Unlimited held its first banquet.

Celebrated the soon-to-be-mom, Lauren! Went to Nantucket to check something off my mom’s bucket list. It was amazing! Got to go to Mitchell’s Book Corner and Bartlett’s Farm. We welcomed our beautiful great-niece, moved Warren into a house for his sophomore year of college at East Carolina University, and Tanner started his senior year of high school at East Wake.

Summer fun continued in Cincinnati! I met Peter Mayer at Riverbend with my brother who treated me to the Coral Reefer Band concert. A tree fell on our house, and the boys took care of it. Got to love on my 100-year-old Nana. Petra and her family came to visit from the Netherlands. First day of class at ECU for Warren and the first day of senior year for Tanner. Carrie started working with moss+ross and supported The Green Chair Project in addition to her other work. Celebrated twenty years of marriage with Jason. Had a fun Parents weekend at ECU with Warren and his fraternity. Savannah is at ECU, too!

Senior pictures for Tanner! Class of 2025, I can’t believe it. Warren voted for the first time. Turkey Shoot at Pope Farms with friends. Thanksgiving at Lauren’s house, more sweet Ryleigh, and her church dedication (last picture).

More Nantucket!! Yes, I went twice this year. I’m an avid reader and have been reading about the Nantucket Christmas Stroll for years. This year marked the 50th year, and while last-minute changes happened days before I left and found myself traveling alone, Jason stepped in to be my travel companion. We had an absolute blast. We flew to Boston, took the bus to Hyannis, the Hy-Line Ferry to Nantucket, and then walked to the Brass Lantern Inn in the freezing rain. The weather over the weekend was cold but full of sunshine. We left in the Christmas spirit. I also met Nancy Thayer and Elin Hilderbrand at Mitchell’s Book Corner.

We are blessed to have many wonderful family and friends to spend time with during the year. We wish you a Merry Christmas full of love, health, and joy! Here’s to a fantastic 2025!

Take lots of pictures with those you love. When you reflect on the year, you will smile about all the memories you have created together.

Love in Christ,

The Gray Family

Jason, Carrie, Warren, and Tanner – and the fur kiddos too, Cadie, Brixx, and Gov

Luke 2:10 | But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”