Christmas Parties Galore

Tis' the season for family togetherness and we certainly had that with party after party after party.  The Wankier Christmas party took place at Chris and Missie's.  The kids are always so entertained there, which means I had lots of time to catch up with my cousins.  I feel so lucky to have my darling grandparents around this holiday season.  They are as good as people can get.

The following weekend, my mom hosted the Tucker Christmas party.  After taking a break from her hosting duties for a few years, she took the party back and it was so much fun.  Sam dressed up for the occasion.

After a delicious lasagna dinner, we enjoyed a visit from Santa.

Sam had the death grip on my dress.  No chance for a happy picture with Santa.

This is as close as he would get.  When Santa left, the talent portion of the party began.  Max agreed to help Jack sing Jingle Bells.

Jack had the bell ringing down leaving Max to sing a solo.  He did an awesome job.  During the other kids performances, Max leaned over and whispered to me "mom, I kinda want to dance".  I was shocked my shy little Max wanted to bust a move in front of the entire family.  I turned on 'Gangnam Style' and Max went off!  He busted out moves I've never seen.  I'm so proud of him.  He was in the zone.  My mom is the master when it comes to entertaining.  After a party like that, I'm quite confident she isn't getting out of hosting next year!

The following day, Rusty, Collette, and Owen came to town

Sam and Owen were so happy to be reunited.

That night I hosted a Christmas dinner for Griff and Karen.  I must have been really busy cooking and entertaining because my pictures that night are lacking.  We had good food, great conversation, lots of laughs, and awesome gifts from Griff and Karen.

Sam and Owen got matching BYU sweats and beanies.

Max got an Airzooka, which he broke the next day.  Oops!

Lennon got some darling pink boots and pink accessories.

Hank and Max got matching RG3 shirts.  I think they should only wear jersey's with Griffin on the back from now on!  It was such a fun night. 

The next day we enjoyed an enormous snow storm, which guaranteed a white Christmas.  Jeri hosted her annual Christmas Eve party later that evening.

Only Jeri can pull off a Christmas necklace with blinking lights!

This picture captures Sam's mood perfectly.  He was upset the entire night.  It all started with him throwing up the second we got out of the car.  I don't know why he feels the need to be sick every holiday.

His look that night was straight up Grandpa Karl.  The tan pants, sweater, and hair just screamed Karlito!

Max was so excited about his Blake Griffin jersey from Owen.  After opening it, he immediately gave Owen a hug and said "thanks buddy, I love this".

Hank reluctantly agreed to a picture with these lovely ladies.  He secretly enjoyed every second of it.

Here's the entire crazy crew.  I just have to acknowledge my incredible mother in law.  She hasn't missed a beat through her rigorous cancer treatment schedule.  She had every excuse not to host such an amazing party but she powered through with her positive attitude.  I'm so grateful we could all be together this Christmas, for her especially.  Christmas Day next...

The Day the World Didn't End

So, according to the Mayans the world was supposed to come to an end today.  Thankfully they were wrong.  We had a memorable day anyway.  Sam was pretty stoked.

His hair, absolutely kills me, every time!

I had the boys write a list of things they wanted to do over Christmas break this year and going to a trampoline park was #1.  

They had the entire place to themselves.  It was heaven.

Hank was a dunking, flipping fool.

Max was right behind Hank doing some awesome tricks as well.  The dodge ball arena was his favorite.

Sam was the happiest baby ever.  He had unlimited balls to play with and space to run wild.
We finished our little outing with a delicious lunch at an all you can eat pizza joint.  The kids were adorable, got along, and Sam even behaved at the restaurant.  It was such a perfect outing with my boys.

I just knew the day was going to keep getting better because Randy and I had tickets to see the one and only Snoop Dogg.  We had such high hopes but were sadly disappointed.  The opening acts were finished around 10 and we waited and waited and waited for Snoopy to come on stage.  At 12:30 we had enough and just as we were leaving, Snoop decided to join the party.  

Sadly, this backdrop was all I saw of Snoop.  He lost a fan last night, that's for sure.  No one makes me wait 2 1/2 hours.  Peace out Snoop.

Glad all this end of the world talk is over.  Christmas posts coming up!!

Christmas Programs

If I had to list my favorite pictures of 2012, this one may be my favorite! The day before Max's Christmas program, I helped with his Christmas party and witnessed their final practice.  Miss Molly wanted them to sing their loudest to earn a gummy bear and Max almost popped a blood vessel.  I almost screamed "give the poor kid a damn gummy bear Molly!".  She finally did, and boy did he earn it.  

Max was so excited to sing for all of us the next day at the mall.

All his hard practicing paid off.  He knew every word to every song, along with all the actions.

I got a little emotional watching Max perform in his final preschool Christmas program.  I can't believe how grown up he is.  When did that happen?

The reward for such great singing was a visit with the "real" Santa.  I mean we are pretty sure he is the real Santa.  His beard was surely real.

His trusty cheering section is so proud of him.  He loves to perform.

Hank had his Christmas program today and he doesn't share his brothers love for singing.  He sang every word though and reluctantly did every action.

He's going to hate that I took this picture, it totally screws up his street cred!  

He refused to make eye contact with me when I had the camera out.  I'm sure he was worried I would instagram and embarrassing picture, and he was right!  I have to say it was extremely emotional watching all these darling children and their parents walk into the school today.  The tragic school shooting in Connecticut last week has impacted me greatly.  My heart breaks for those poor families who lost their children to such unimaginable violence and terror.  I can't even imagine the pain they are feeling.  It really puts everything in perspective this holiday season.  There is nothing more important to me than my family.  I am so grateful they are safe, I just want to hold them close to me always.

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.