Jingle Bells, Batman Smells

It's about time I did a post on the big family Christmas party. The kids were so cute with Santa this year. I love how much their reaction changes as the years go by. Once again we had the party at Grandma and Grandpa's house and all the cousins and aunts and uncles were there. This year Dena resurrected an old family recipe for Crab Salad that is my new favorite thing. Where has that been all this time?! Anyway. I'm always all about the food.

It was between this photo and another one where Brighton was giving Emil a mean face. He was clearly interrupting her phone time with her Aunt Janessa.

Uncle Hal was about to get punched in the gut by his son, Nate. Or maybe this was after the punch.

We did a fish pond again for the eight and younger crowd. This time we let them go fishing three times. 

 Of course Emil tried to negotiate a fourth turn.

This year Kalvin messed with the kids a little toward the end of their fishing trip. Those fish got heavier and heavier! I'm glad someone was making them work for it a little. :)

Bridget is trying to secure all her loot in a torn bag. Nate is having happiness overload. :)

I love this so much. Brighton stopped to put her lipstick on during the fishing.

After the fishing pond we played the Dice Game. Grandpa picked this awesome lunch box packed with a PBJ and chips. No one was stealing that! I got fake mustaches and shaving cream and razors. When will I learn that I just need to steal something that is already opened? Duh.

Then Santa came!

My favorite was when he told Nate that he saw him at church. Ha! 

Emil was listening closely to the older kids and asked Santa for an iPod and a phone. What?!!

Then he laughed and laughed. He really wants a truck and a trailer, Santa.

Colin asked for a big train. I love this picture.

Bridget was more shy than her brothers. She got an extra gift this year that Santa instructed her to open on Christmas Eve. Pretty spoiled!

All the grandkids and great-grandkids with Santa. Tradition!

Nick and Linzy's kids got to open presents from Great Grandma and Aiden finally gave me this look after I'd been taking pictures of him all night. Back off, lady.

As always, the Christmas party was a huge success. All the musical toys were running the whole time, good food, funny kids, fun games. Aunt Dena also gave a well-received story of the birth of the Savior. A good time was had by all. :)