The First Week of December

I have some random pictures from the past week or so.  Before our holiday activities get too out of control I thought I'd clear my camera of a few gems.  Sam's facial expressions lately are killing me!  I'm going to get in a wreck one of these days.  I can't help but look at his crazy faces, not a good idea while driving.

His favorite thing to do is sneak into the pantry and grab a bag of chips.  He loves to roam the kitchen with his arm submerged in the bag.  Just try to pry that bag away from him.  This kid loves chips!

Sam has been my only baby to keep a beanie on.  Oooo, he looks freaking adorable in a hat!

This finger point can't be taught, it's a genetic trait if your dad happens to be Randy Griffin.

Sam loves his cousins.  He can't wait to corrupt sweet little Tuck-man.  This was an epic day of babysitting.  I don't really want to talk about it.  Sarah may not trust me to babysit ever again after the shenanigans that afternoon!

After 3 years of growing my hair out, I decided to chop it on a whim.  I love being able to pull my hair up in a pony tail but that isn't possible with my new Christmas bob.  It's o.k. though, I needed a little update to my look.

If you haven't played the game Hedbanz with Max, you need to.  He is so good at it and always gives the best clues.  Hank on the other hand, positions himself strategically in front of a window so he can see his card and cheat.  Sam really wanted to get in on the action.

We couldn't begin our holiday celebrations without decorating a gingerbread house.  The biggest difference this year was I didn't help them at all.  I couldn't believe how well they did.

They even managed to get along during the entire process, a Christmas miracle!

I've been having a serious chocolate craving lately and the only thing that satisfies it is fudge.  Since I've never attempted fudge making, it became a trial and error experience.  Note to fudge makers...don't microwave your fudge.  The picture on the left demonstrates what happens when you do.   My second attempt was much better and made for a serious sugar coma later.  Fudge Fest 2 is definitely happening soon.

Hank started playing basketball last week.  They've been practicing for over a month.  This league is in Draper and they play against older kids on a full court with 10 ft. rims.  They even have legit officials.  I can't believe how these kids can play.  Hank is doing awesome.  This league is going to make all of them so much better.  It's so much fun to watch.

Hank brought home his grades and was so annoyed by his 99.4% in math.  He is definitely my child!  I'm so proud of him.  

Lucy and Isabel gave incredible performances in their Christmas recital last weekend.  They look so grown up, I can't believe it.

Sitting through a nearly 2 hour performance was a little crazy with these 3 boys.  They got so excited when they saw their cousins tear it up.  Jack kept screaming "Lewis!!!"  Max loved when Isabel played the role of the mouse in the Nutcracker portion of the show.  He kept saying "Izzy is hilarious!"  Nothing warms my heart quite like cousin love.

Santa made an appearance at the end of the program and Max couldn't wait to have a little chat with him.  It was a definite highlight of the night for him.  Amazing how a candy cane could make him forget about watching dance for 2 hours!  There is much more to come this month.  I'm trying my hardest to keep up on things.  Next up...Max's final Christmas at Bear Hollow, sniff sniff.