Christmas Day

Santa didn't disappoint this year.  Our family had another fantastic Christmas.

Hank's pile of presents

 Maxi's loot

I have to say the kids were exceptionally grateful and appreciative this year.  They loved every gift and made sure to give Randy and I a hug and kiss after every present they opened.  I guess I don't mind spoiling them rotten when they are thankful.

 Max was stoked with his paper jams.  

 My little rockers need to start their own band now.

 Hank was most excited to watch everyone open the presents he picked out.  Max was opening some Club Penguin guys from Hank here.  Hank also gave Randy a putting green and he picked out some adorable earrings for me.

 The jersey's were from Randy and I.  Hank got his favorite player Austin Collie and Max got Troy Polamalu.

 Hank was really surprised when he got his outdoor basketball hoop.  Jr. Jazz starts next week so we need to start practicing!

 Max loved his Radio Flyer scooter.  

 Randy got a sweet duck club hat from my dad, along with an upcoming pheasant hunt.  I gave him some new sunglasses, clothes, and a nose hair trimmer (his favorite gift by far).

Me on the other hand got more important things like...

THIS COACH BAG!! Hank calls it my coaching bag.  I love it, she is beautiful and there will be no sippy cups or goldfish in it...EVER!  I also received some adorable boots and a new camera.  Randy and Hank never disappoint.  In keeping with Christmas tradition we headed up to my mom and dad's house for even more presents and delicious breakfast.

The kids kept themselves occupied with all their new toys so the adults could stuff their faces with cinnamon rolls, eggs, and hashbrowns provided by my mother.

 We had such a relaxing day with my family.  I got to visit with all of my grandparents which really freed up the rest of the afternoon to just be home.

After I sufficiently smothered Jack, we headed home.

 Max took a great nap and when he woke up Randy's family came to our house to play a mean game of Apples to Apples. Unfortunately there are no pictures of that.  The game lasted for hours!  When I put Hank to bed he said, "I wish Christmas was everyday.  This was the best day ever!".  Agreed.  It was a completely wonderful day filled with all the people I love the most.

Christmas Eve

We started our Christmas Eve off with a visit from Grandpa Griff and Karen.  They dropped off our presents before they went back to Blanding.  They gave the boys proper Blanding attire, wranglers and cowboy boots.

 We started with just cowboy boots. 

 Feast your eyes on this outfit!  He is not allowed to ever take it off.

 Max was definitely getting in touch with his inner cowboy.  Hank of the other hand wasn't nearly as sold on the idea.  We need to get his wranglers changed to a 6 slim instead of a 6 regular.  The tighter the better, right?  Grandpa Karl would be so proud!

 Next we headed up to Soldier Hollow for tubing fun with the boys.  The weather was gorgeous, clear and sunny.  The tube run is a genius idea for kids.  They attach the tube to a rope tow so you don't have to walk back up the hill.  

Max didn't need to leave the comfort of his tube the entire time.

 Max and I were tubing buddies since Hank would rather ride alone than with me...sniff sniff.

 You can see the tube run in the distance.  We really got hauling butt!

 My darling boys had a blast!

 So did their daddy.

Max lost all consciousness on the last trip up the mountain but perked right up as we sailed down the icy mountain.  It was the perfect Christmas Eve activity. 

.  We showered up and got ready for Jeri and Scott's Christmas Eve dinner and present exchange.

After a delicious dinner we headed downstairs for presents.  We insisted Jeri put on her Christmas sweater.

 

 Scott had a festive song prepared for us to sing.  Dominick the Donkey...ever heard of it? 

Yeah, me neither!

Let's just say there was plenty  "hee-haw'in" and "la la la'in"

 Everyone participated in Scott's newest tradition, Max even finished the song off with a donkey in the middle of the living room.

 Hank loved the gift from Rusty and Collette.

 Max and Kunz played numerous games of Don't Break the Ice.

 Max really enjoyed his remote control car from Rusty and Collette.

Jeri really tried to maintain order.  She really spoiled all of us this year, like usual.

Hank and Rick have really bonded over the past week.  Hank is in love.

 Max was in a fantastic mood.  He made sure to give everyone a hug and kiss and tell them thank you.  He was kissing up before Santa came!

I will end this post with another amazing shot of Max in his wranglers and boots.  I just can't get enough!

Christmas day coming soon!

The Week Before Christmas

Hank had the entire week off before Christmas this year so I made sure we spent our time doing fun things together as a family.  My mom hosted her annual Christmas cookie bake-off on Monday.

Move over Mrs. Fields.  Mom was serious this year!

 So was Max, oh wait...  He had more fun spreading flour all over the kitchen.

Doesn't Lucy look like she is 18?

Hank was really careful to make his shapes come out perfectly.

The kids did such a great job decorating the cookies.

Sarah was a bit overwhelmed...freaking lip puffer.

Our cookies were almost too cute to eat.  We admired them for a bit and then devoured them.  There is nothing like a good sugar cookie.

The second batch were snickerdoodles rolled in sprinkles instead of cinnamon and sugar.  Delish! 

Tuesday morning we woke up to nearly 2 feet of snow.  I declared it a snow day!

 After getting our warmest gear on we headed outside for some snow angels and snow ball fights.  Hank really loved when I shoveled the snow onto his head.

Max was more than willing to help.

How much do I love Hank's ears!  

My little snow rats!

 Wednesday I had to work most of the day but no worries my kids had fun anyway.  They had the pleasure of Sarah watching them in the morning and Rick watching them in the afternoon.  They were in heaven!

Thursday was a cold rainy day so Sarah and I decided to take the kids to Monkey Island to get some energy out.  There was no one there and the kids (and adults) had a blast.

 Hank and Max earned their 30th sticker on their good boy chart so this was their reward.

 Jack didn't stop laughing the entire time we were there.  I'm really glad I didn't drop the poor chap when I carried him up the steep ladder to the slide.  Good thing there isn't a picture of that.  My face was purple by the time I got to the top.

The boys even got to play some arcade games.  All and all a successful day.

We rested up and got ready for the 2 hour commute to Provo (thanks one lane open on the freeway, ugh) for the Tucker Christmas party at La Dolce Vita.

Lucky for us the kids slept in the car and were ready to party it up.  This craft table was a genius idea for the kids.

Max loved posing for Chloe.

The red frosting was a hit with Mino.

After a delicious meal it was time for the talent portion of the party. 

The Cox family impressed us with a bell routine.

Lucy and Isabel dazzled us with a dance they choreographed themselves.

Hank amazed the crowd with his breaking skills. 

He broke one with his foot as well.  Master Augustine would've been proud.

Grandma Gaga recited some original poetry. 

Cute Cousins

The kids sang Christmas songs and waited for Santa to come.

"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth"

Once Santa finally arrived he had a face-off with Jack.

Hank was a little nervous but listed off everything he wanted.

Max managed to get on Santa's knee twice, just to make sure he knew he wanted hotwheels.

I love Isabel's toothless grin.  She is the sweetest little girl around.

We tried multiple times to get a good family picture but this was the best we could do at 9:30 p.m.

Here is a much better attempt.

In case I missed you or the card got sent to the wrong address here is the family picture I sent for our Christmas card.

My Christmas Eve post is coming up next.  I know you can hardly wait!