Pre-Christmas Parties Galore

Here is my attempt at recapturing our Christmas celebrations this year.  I tried my hardest to document every detail but my pictures are less than spectacular.  Between a 3 month old baby, a diabetic trying to figure out a pump, and an emotionally charged 4 year old, it was difficult to capture everything.

I hosted a dinner party for Grandpa Griff before he headed back to Blanding on the 22nd.  The Royster's, and Rick were here and we enjoyed sitting around the dinner table to a delicious lasagna feast.

Max started the night with a delicious drink and a sweet smile.

After dinner the babies endured a photo shoot. I can't believe Jenni doesn't think she looks like Randy. 

 The man of the hour was exhausted after eating.  He wasn't easily awoken.  The smell of pie did the trick.

 Sam served as the center piece.  The picture Griff is holding is one of him as a baby.  Sam looks just like him!

 These little boys get along so well.  They are best buds.

 I'm sure these three were solving some world problem when I made them pose for a picture.

The kids were anxious to open the presents next. 

 Max was so excited when Grandpa gave him the Michael Jackson Experience game for the Wii.  He hasn't stopped playing it since.  It is such a fun game.

 Hank, Colby, and Dyson got gift cards to Gamestop.  Notice Max in the background picking his nose. He won't stop doing that! It's so gross. 

The next evening was the annual Tucker Christmas party. The kids started off with some fun crafts.

 Dan and Kate love to spend time with Sam!  I think they may need a little boy in their family.

 Max was a little nervous around Santa but managed to say he wanted a gun and a cape.

Santa gave Max this Spider-man mask after he sat on his lap.

 This was the first year Hank wasn't scared of Santa.  He told him he wanted an ipod shuffle and madden 12.

 Sam was pretty unfazed by Santa.  I almost pulled Santa's beard off when I picked up Sam.

 Grandma Jackie looked beautiful. 

The kids provided the entertainment with a talent show.  Robyn and Andy's kids stole the show.  They are so adorable.

Lucy and Isabel did a hip hop number, and my kids had been practicing a dance routine to their new Michael Jackson game to show the family.  Max decided to throw a fit instead.  Hank danced his little heart out.

 He danced to "Bad" and when Max left him solo, his sweet cousins came to the rescue as his back up dancers.  I am quite impressed he wasn't too shy to dance in front of my family.

 Randy enjoyed the performance.

 Jack and Lewis

We attempted a family sing along, Joanne style, and Hank didn't hesitate to belt it out.  That is until he saw me trying to take a picture of him.

 You can imagine Max's reaction to Grandpa stealing his Spider-man mask.  It was so great to see my cousins, aunts and uncles.  I wish I could have had more time to talk to everyone. My grandparents absence was deeply felt by all.  I know they would be so happy to see all of us make an effort to get together.  

The following night was our annual Christmas Eve party at Jeri's.  She made a delicious dinner, dessert, and my favorite chex mix.  Before dinner, I snapped a few pictures.

 Hank and Rick..super precious pic

 Lynn and Lennon

 I think my palsy is getting better until I see a picture of myself.  It's still there, Sam is adorable though.

 Could he be any cuter, seriously.

 Lennon looked amazing in her party dress.  Sam felt a little under dressed in his sweat suit.

 I think I took at least 15 pictures of these two together.

 Grandma has the magic touch.  Sam couldn't keep his eyes open any longer.

 The boys patiently waited to open presents.  They were most excited to give the present they picked out for each other.

 Sam gave Lennon a pretty dress.

 I can't wait to see her in it.  It felt so weird shopping for a girl.

 Sam gave Lennon a Christmas kiss before she opened her gift.

 Sam got some adorable clothes from Colby.

 Max got some new Letter Factory DVD's which are his absolute favorite at the moment.

 Owen sent Hank a Darren McFadden jersey which he clearly loves!

 Max gave Colby Chinese checkers.

 Rick found the perfect gift for Hank....

 Sticky football gloves!! He is sure to never drop a pass again.

 Man, does Rick know his nephew or what?

 Dyson, Colby, and Lennon

 I was so busy making out with Sam, I had a hard time paying attention to all the gift giving.  I love when he grabs my face and attacks me with his slobbery open mouth!

The rest of the night was spent playing flag football with the new flags Rick gave the boys.  The kids would catch a pass from Rick and then try to make it to the other side of the room before Randy could pull their flag.

 Max won that round.

 Dyson worked Randy.

  After Colby made it to the wall with his flag on, Randy was really getting mad.  He didn't hold back when it was Hank's turn.

 Hank proved to be too quick because Randy missed him too.

The kids had so much fun taunting . 

 Even Sam got a chuckle out of it.

These boys aren't competitive at all!  They loved rubbing it in Randy's face.  What an abundance of boys in this family.  Poor Lennon!  Something tells me she will hold her own against these crazies.   We hurried home and got the kids to bed before Santa came.  Hank had his usual freak out about Santa coming to our house.  He really hates the thought of an old man wandering around our house in the middle of the night.  I can't say I blame him.  My Christmas post is next, if I can muster the strength.