Christmas 2013

 

Hank woke up Christmas morning around 5 bursting with energy and excitement.  I worried that so much excitement could only lead to disappointment.  It's a lot of pressure on me to come through every year.  I always agonize over the kids presents, but this year especially.  Hank didn't really ask for anything, probably because he has everything!  I checked downstairs before the kids came down to make sure Santa came. 

 

 

Hank got a Richard Sherman jersey and basketball he asked for along with a new mountain bike. 

 

Sam got a sports car, Buzz Lightyear, and a shopping cart full of food.

 

Santa brought Max the Skylanders Swap Force game he asked for along with a remote control robot and a basketball.

 

Sam was still half asleep at this point.

 

 

 

He wouldn't leave his new ride.  He loved it even more when he realized he could drive it.

 

 

Oh yeah!  Imagine all the chicks Sam's going to get driving this hot rod. The binkey may be a turn off though!

 

Max was thrilled with all his presents.  My personal favorite gift Randy and I gave him this year was "the clapper"!

 

 

Hank scored some new Jordan basketball shoes, running shoes, and under armour gear.  I guess it sort of made up for his lack of excitement for the bike.  To say he was a little disappointed when he came downstairs would be an understatement.  My worst fear came true.  He didn't complain but the look on his face said it all.  Good thing Hank is such a good kid and he got over it quick.  Wish I could say I got over it that fast.

  

 

Sam loved his tea set from Hank and Max.  I may love it more though!

 

 

Next was my turn and let me say, Randy spoiled me rotten this year.  I mean he went WAY overboard!  I got a new iPhone 5S, a laptop, new boots, new jeans, two shirts, and perfume.  Every present I opened got this reaction.  My man really knows how to treat his lady.

 

 

It was cute to watch the kids watch Randy and I open our presents.  They were almost more excited about that than their own presents.  We gave Randy some new shoes, clothes, a ski helmet, and some bar tending tools along with a complete bar book.  I don't think I've ever seen him more excited about a present.  He can't wait to start making some tasty concoctions.

 

After hours of wrapping and shopping, it was all over in about 15 minutes leaving this carnage behind.

 

 

Hank was looking like his sporty self wearing his new gear.  I had to talk him off a ledge once again after he found out Isabel and Lucy received iPhone 5c's for Christmas.  Ugh, Christmas sort of blows sometimes.  I'm tempted to take the family to Hawaii next year for Christmas and come home when it's all over.

 

 After some tears were shed we headed to mom and dad's for presents and breakfast.

 

 

Isabel couldn't help but hug Sam when she saw him rocking his new overalls.

 



 

Grandpa also got a love.

 

 

Precious Sam and Jack photo taken by Izzy.

 

 

My mom and dad gave Max some guys for his new game. 

 

 

Sam got a bunch of Monsters University toys. 

But really, all he wanted was to sit on Grandma Jackie's lap. 

 

 

Sarah and Jack shared a DC and admired his beloved Zurg car.

 

 

Hank willingly posed for this adorable picture with Grandma.  One of my faves from the day!  Maybe he allowed this embrace because she gave him a sweet Payton Manning jersey.

 

 

Poor Randy started feeling sick the night before and after breakfast he really started to feel awful.  He threw up shortly after this picture was taken and slept most of the day.  In all the Christmas' we've spent together this was the first one he was sick for.  I felt so bad for him.  He tried so hard to pretend he wasn't sick.

 



 

After a mean game of Trivial Pursuit, which I won, and a keyboarding contest, Randy resurfaced feeling a little better.

 

 

 

We spent the majority of the day at mom and dads and it was just what the doctor ordered for me.

 

I sure love these sisters of mine.  They are the best friends I could ask for.  In lieu of gifts this year, we decided to make a CD for each other with songs we love.  I was a little hesitant to put the music I really listen to on their CD's.  I worried it may be a bit more "urban" than they are used to.  But what would they expect from their black sister?

 

 

Christmas 2013 Griffin Style

 

This is another one of favorite pictures of the day.  It captures the incredible fashion sense Max has, as well as the incredible bond he and Sam share.  Sam can't get enough of "Wax".  It is so precious to see.  Pictures like this are what Christmas is all about.  I love the family togetherness but I really despise the excess gifts.  I don't know how to make our Christmas more centered around the things that matter most.  It always comes down to the presents.  Maybe one year I'll figure it out, but for now, I'm just relieved to have it over!  I sure do love my family.  We have been very blessed this year with good health, prosperity, and lots of family togetherness. I couldn't ask for anything more.

 

Christmas Parties!

 

 

Our first Christmas party this year was hosted by my adorable grandparents.  They rented out a room at The Pizza Factory and we had a great time eating and conversing with the family. 

 

 

 

Sam spotted Grandma Jackie, and her lap is where he remained for the majority of the party.

 

 

Of course these two prepared a darling little speech to read to us.

 

Sam isn't sure what everyone is laughing at!

 

 

I am so grateful to have my grandparents around.  There aren't better people in this world than them!

 

The kids got to visit with Santa yet again at Lucy and Izzy's dance recital.  Max and Santa decided to flex for the camera.

 

 

I love that Hank isn't too cool to sit on Santa's lap.  I don't know how many more years that will be the case.  The girls did a fantastic job at their recital by the way.

 

My mom made a great plan for all of us to go down to the Riverwoods to see the lights and Santa.  We didn't realize the day we picked there was nothing going on.  We played in the arcade at Provo Beach and looked at the lights instead.  Any chance to hang with my awesome family is a good time to me.

 

 

The following day was the kids Christmas Program.  Lucky for me, I get to see both my kids and Isabel and Colby all at the same time.  Sam positioned himself on Grandma's lap and didn't move.  He was mesmerized by all the kids singing.

 

Can you spot Colby in the midst of all these 6th graders?  He'd be the one wearing the gray Team Hank shirt!

 

Hank would not cooperate with my camera.  It didn't help that he was on the top row behind a really tall kid and every time he saw me with the lens pointing his way, he hid.  Little punk! 

 

Cute little Isabel didn't hide from me.  She sang her little heart out.

 

We waited, and waited, and waited for the Kindergarteners to come out.  Last but not least they came on and Max was on the front row! 

 

 

He knew every action and every word to both songs they sang.  He even managed to wave to me a couple times. 

 

Our next party was the Tucker party hosted by my parents.  Max was looking sharp!

 

 

 

Santa made a surprise visit and came bearing gifts for all the kids.  Sam started screaming the second he saw Santa and didn't stop screaming until he left.  Not a fan!

 



 

Good thing Uncle Dan could make him smile.

 

 

Cute Hank and Kate moment

 

I've decided it's next to impossible to get a good picture at my mom's house.  The lighting always seems to be off. 

 

It was such a fun party and so good to catch up with my family I don't see very often.  My mom really knows how to throw the perfect party.

 

The next night we headed to Griff's house for a little Christmas get together. 

 



 

I failed to truly capture the excitement of the kids as they opened their kindle fires.

 

They were screaming and hugging each other.  It was really cute.

 

 

Max didn't fully understand how awesome the gift was until he started playing with it.  I don't think he's stopped playing it since he opened it.

 

Next it was Sam's turn...

 

He was very excited about his wolf and wanted to put it on immediately.

 

 

I'm just fine if he never takes it off!  So adorable.

 



 

We didn't hear a peep from the boys the rest of the night.

 

Electronics + Boys = Pure Joy

 



 

 

Even the babies got into the new kindles.

 

 

The following day we had our annual Christmas Eve bash with Jeri and Scott.

 

After posing for a cute family pic, we ate a delicious dinner and congregated downstairs for entertainment and presents.

 

It wouldn't be Christmas Eve without a little Dominique the Donkey.  Jeri also made a hilarious video of all of our heads dancing on different bodies.  I laughed way harder than everyone else, especially the video with Lennon, Sam, and Owen in sombreros.

 

Jeri spoiled all of us way more than she should've.  Hank loves his remote control helicopter.

 

 

The patriots was the perfect team shirt for Max.  He also got Legos.

 

 

Sam and Lennon were extra adorable on their new phones.

 



 I love Jeri's camera and it's self timer.  I'm always guaranteed a good picture of all of us!

 

 

Sam really loves his BBQ set he got from the Royster's.

 

He insisted on having it sleep right next to his crib that night.  The kids finally got to bed around 10:30 full of excitement for Christmas morning!