My previous attempt at this Christmas post failed miserably and after 3 hours of hard blogging work, I had to delete it and start over!!! Not to mention my w key isn't working so that is causing serious frustration. Anyway...Christmas this year was full of celebration and happiness. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and love this holiday season. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again, I have the most incredible family in the world. I took about a thousand pictures so sit back, relax, and enjoy the love. We started off with a Christmas dinner at La Dolce Vita with the Tucker/Eliason clan on the 23rd.
This sweater is perfection as well as this face!
Riley and Randy were feeling very festive.
Grandma J, Sarah, and Jack...Grandpa Karl was very much missed. My Grandpa Sherm went over to spend some time with him while the rest of the family was at the party.
Jeff and my adorable mama
Kate, Phil, Jil, and Becky...Dan and Isabel were also missed, Isabel had the stomach flu.
Hank, Lucy, and Max had a blast with the art projects provided by Barbara. Max was so proud of his artistic ability that he had to show everyone including the waiter his creations.
Max didn't hesitate one bit to jump on Santa's lap, in fact he was so comfortable he wouldn't get off! He told Santa he wanted drums and candy canes for Christmas.
Hank wasn't too excited to sit on Santa's lap so Max pulled him up there. When Santa asked him what he had been doing good this year he nervously replied "sharing and helping clean up". Hank had planned on showing the family his karate skills, hence the outfit change, but felt too shy to perform. Sarah had the genius idea to ask Hank if he would break a board for Santa and he jumped at the chance. He used such speed and force that the board was smashed before I could get a picture. Santa was so impressed, it was awesome.
Before Santa left, he asked Hank to pick his favorite Christmas song. He chose "Up on the Housetop" and did the actions he learned in preschool, in a shy nervous way only Hank can! He is such a little nervous nelly, just like I was as a kid.
My love for Jack is bordering obsession at this point. Those cheeks are so irresistible, he makes me really excited to have another baby. Note to Sarah and Amanda...it's not happening until after my birthday so RELAX!
Grandma J, Phil, Larry, Shellie, and mama
Next on the agenda was our annual Christmas Eve bash at Jeri and Scott's house. We had a wonderful dinner and then Jenni had the boys line up and fold their arms before the present opening started.
These two were spoiled rotten by their grandma and cousins however, Max seemed to be most excited about his chap stick from Kunz.
Jenni, Lynn, Rick, and I posing as two happy couples. Randy was the photographer. Jeri gave Randy and I a snuggie which will really come in handy when I'm playing rock band in our freezing basement.
Rusty and Collette sent the boys matching Tom Brady jersey's which they love! We really missed you guys this Christmas.
Jeri and Dyson posing with Mr. Cross-eye himself!
We got the kids to bed in record time and Santa came! This is Max's pile of presents including drums, a tent, a tractor, and clothes.
Hank's loot included an air hockey table, a batman cave, Eli Manning jersey, nerf guns, games, a sled and a magic kit.
Max didn't hesitate one bit to jump on Santa's lap, in fact he was so comfortable he wouldn't get off! He told Santa he wanted drums and candy canes for Christmas.
Hank wasn't too excited to sit on Santa's lap so Max pulled him up there. When Santa asked him what he had been doing good this year he nervously replied "sharing and helping clean up". Hank had planned on showing the family his karate skills, hence the outfit change, but felt too shy to perform. Sarah had the genius idea to ask Hank if he would break a board for Santa and he jumped at the chance. He used such speed and force that the board was smashed before I could get a picture. Santa was so impressed, it was awesome.
Before Santa left, he asked Hank to pick his favorite Christmas song. He chose "Up on the Housetop" and did the actions he learned in preschool, in a shy nervous way only Hank can! He is such a little nervous nelly, just like I was as a kid.
My love for Jack is bordering obsession at this point. Those cheeks are so irresistible, he makes me really excited to have another baby. Note to Sarah and Amanda...it's not happening until after my birthday so RELAX!
Grandma J, Phil, Larry, Shellie, and mama
Next on the agenda was our annual Christmas Eve bash at Jeri and Scott's house. We had a wonderful dinner and then Jenni had the boys line up and fold their arms before the present opening started.
Jenni, Lynn, Rick, and I posing as two happy couples. Randy was the photographer. Jeri gave Randy and I a snuggie which will really come in handy when I'm playing rock band in our freezing basement.
Rusty and Collette sent the boys matching Tom Brady jersey's which they love! We really missed you guys this Christmas.
Jeri and Dyson posing with Mr. Cross-eye himself!
Grandma getting in on some cross-eyed action.
Oh Maxi...why are you so damn cute? Speaking of cute, I wish I could freeze Hank at 4 years old. He was so excited about Christmas this year. Jeri found a web site tracking Santa on Christmas Eve and Hank was so worried about getting home and in bed before Santa came. He even had a surprise dropped off by one of Santa's elves the night before with a note that said Santa loved watching him break a board. He was amazed!
Grandma Dot joined us for the party and she acted very happy to be there. It was great to have her with us.
We got the kids to bed in record time and Santa came! This is Max's pile of presents including drums, a tent, a tractor, and clothes.
Hank's loot included an air hockey table, a batman cave, Eli Manning jersey, nerf guns, games, a sled and a magic kit.
They began playing immediately!
Max can't get enough of his drums, and after playing with them for a minute I can see why!
Randy of course spoiled me with some new boots, and some really wonderful knives! Top Chef here I come!
Next we headed up to my parents house for MORE presents and a delicious breakfast. Max and Gramps could hardly contain their excitement.
The boys love each other and their new hunting coats.
After an exhausting day, my kids were more than ready to put on their Christmas jammies and play with their new stuff. What a wonderful holiday we had.
Max can't get enough of his drums, and after playing with them for a minute I can see why!Randy of course spoiled me with some new boots, and some really wonderful knives! Top Chef here I come!
Next we headed up to my parents house for MORE presents and a delicious breakfast. Max and Gramps could hardly contain their excitement.
The boys love each other and their new hunting coats.
Grandpa Sherm and Grandma Yvonna came over for breakfast. I love this tender moment between Jack and my grandpa.
Are we wearing the same scarf? How embarrassing.
Max enjoyed a giant sugar cookie for breakfast.
The kids enjoyed an intense game of operation--yes he is cross-eyed again.
Dove watched very attentively as the adults played a game called white lies. I am officially the worst liar ever. It's a great trait to have in life but not if you want to win this game.
What an adorable picture... but Hank seriously, enough! People are going to start thinking his eyes are like that all the time.
Me and my sistas posing for posterity.
My mom didn't think we were nearly as funny as I did! She was like "seriously girls, lets take a good picture". I had the giggles...what do you do?
Our last destination was to my Grandpa Karl's house. My mom has Jack and Riley has Monet. Grandma Joanne gave me and my cousins an assignment to complete our photo albums she gave us last year by Christmas day this year. You'd think a year would be sufficient time to finish such a project but Riley and Wyatt somehow managed to "forget" their books. We had fun looking at everyone's pictures and reminiscing.
My grandpa got out of bed and enjoyed looking at some pictures with us. He doesn't talk much these days but he did ask me to get him a pickle. A strange request, however I was honored to do something for him. What a blessing to have him here for at least one more Christmas.
My mom didn't think we were nearly as funny as I did! She was like "seriously girls, lets take a good picture". I had the giggles...what do you do?
Our last destination was to my Grandpa Karl's house. My mom has Jack and Riley has Monet. Grandma Joanne gave me and my cousins an assignment to complete our photo albums she gave us last year by Christmas day this year. You'd think a year would be sufficient time to finish such a project but Riley and Wyatt somehow managed to "forget" their books. We had fun looking at everyone's pictures and reminiscing.
My grandpa got out of bed and enjoyed looking at some pictures with us. He doesn't talk much these days but he did ask me to get him a pickle. A strange request, however I was honored to do something for him. What a blessing to have him here for at least one more Christmas.
The party got out of hand in a hurry as soon as Jack's pants came off and he started eating Hank's face.
I love Christmas and all the festivities that come with it, but when it's over I have this huge sense of relief. I take my tree down the day after Christmas and put away our gifts as fast as I can. I'm really looking forward to Randy's birthday. We will be spending New Year's Eve up in Salt Lake and it will be nice to take a break from my usual hostess duties that night.
4 comments:
But I WANT to comment! Christmas was as fun and wonderful as ever. It just gets better ever year. But I will wait to finish my comments until you are finished......
Phew! I got tired just reading! Your boys are too cute for words and you should become an official styler for famous children as you dress them like you should be a buyer for Baby Gap! I want Max's sweater and Hank's eyes made me laugh and freaked me out all the same time. Santa was pretty brave to bring Max drums. Brave!!
I'm with you, Annie - I think I am taking my tree down tomorrow. I know I should keep it up, but I'm over all the clutter. In fact, I think I'll do it right now. Merry Christmas and loved the update!
IMPRESSIVE MAN! And to think....you made this post TWICE! I'm beginning to worry that you might nap Jack one night....you have more pictures of his first Christmas than I do! I need to get some from you for sure.
Your kids were so adorable on Christmas...and Mino man in those jammies is more than I can handle.
It was great fun watching your lying skills and caressing for pictures! Although, is it just me or do I look 45 in these pictures?
Praise be! I am so glad that you were able to get this posting working! I was having anxiety knowing I couldn't comment. And I will relax until after your birthday, but then know that I will be relentless in posting about you and babies... esp. since that Chinese calendar says that it's girls from pretty much here on out.
Santa is brave with the drum set. But I admire that you are already starting max with a popular and cool musical instrument. Now he can grow up and start a band and send you on trips to Fiji.
That first picture of Max is just pure magic. The sweater.... the eyes... the smile... too much. I also love the expression on his face when he's talking to santa... I think focus and concentration run in the family.
I love Hank's crossed eyed-ness... is that even a word? I hope that he never stops doing it and that his school pictures every year reflect such efforts.
Glorious posting...again!
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