The Baker Bunch: 2012

**Warning: LOTS of pictures! This is a recap of all of our Christmas gatherings for 2012!!**

This has nothing to do with Christmas, but I just can't get enough of this face!

Bubby Brycers...what a joy!

Last week began with Mason having influenza. Yuck. After the events at Sandy Hook, I really wanted to be the face my students saw Monday morning, so Matt and I split Monday. Then I stayed home Tuesday. Wedesday we all returned to school/work, only to have a snow day Thursday! I was NOT wanting this day at all! I'd much rather be home in May when it's nice out and we can go outside, but hey, I can't control the weather either! So we had our first snow day, and Bryce saw snow for the first time (well, the first time that he cared about it)!

Checking out the snow!

You may think I'm crazy for not wanting a snow day...I mean, who wouldn't love having their job call and say "don't come today," but THIS is how our day started:

Use your best crying/whining voice when reading this..."I want to do it Zane! Let me do it Zane!"

But later it was actually enjoyable!

The first time we stayed out longer than it took us to bundle up!

They both started helping me scoop, without asking!

Big helper Mason

Bigger helper Zane

And of course we had to have a snowball fight!

I was also disappointed about the snow day because Jo was having Santa at her house that afternoon, and Mason had his preschool Christmas program that night. Luckily, neither of them were cancelled so we got to attend both!

Ryan and Zane acting like they were in time-out at Jo's!

Mason & Braeden

Jo with the boys!

Classic!

Jo with all her "kids!"

I really wasn't sure how Mason's program would go...he's not one for crowds at all. The first hurdle was getting him to wear something other than jeans and a t-shirt. It was a tough one, but we got him into nicer clothes...barely...then I wasn't sure if he'd go with the kids, be up on stage, etc. I'm happy to report I was super proud of him! Mason was one of the only kids who sat the whole time, sang his songs, and just did a great job! As you can see in the next picture, lots of other kids were squirming, waving at their families, etc, etc, but not Mason! Zane did say "Why is Mason grumpy?" It was really cute to see them all singing!!

Our little lamb!

Remember that sweater Matt was working on for me? Well...it won second place! I was really hoping to win, cause it was an awesome sweater, but I'll take 2nd! This picture doesn't even do the thing justice...it has lights on it! And ornaments! We had our class party that day, and the parents were taking pictures of me, asking if they could rent it, telling me I should sell it...they were impressed!

Ugly sweater winners...Katie and I tied for 2nd, Michelle got 1st (you can't see her skirt, red tights, and green/red socks).

Friday evening we headed to Iowa for our marathon Christmas weekend. It's always so fun, but SO tiring! Saturday morning we woke up and had breakfast at Craig and Keeta's house. The boys cooked...it was great!

Love this image...the boys cooking us breakfast!

Buzz followed us to Iowa! The boys were so surprised!

Opening presents with Grandma/Papa Farmer

Grandma and Zane

CHEESE!

Bryce loves his puppy!

Later on Saturday we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Baker's house. Last year we were about ready to have Bryce, so we didn't make it home for our family Christmas gatherings. So we were happy to be able to make it home this year!

First things first...the $1 gift exchange!

I had to wear my new sweater...cause I knew Sherri would have hers on...game on!

I got a good picture! Wow! All the "Baker Boys" ready to open gifts!

Zane would open his legos...and then would just stare at them! He wanted to put them together!

Look, Mom, candy!

Once again enjoying being pushed around in a box! We should really just wrap up boxes for him!

Sunday we started the process all over again...this time with the Beggs family!

All the "little kids" together! Taya - missing you!

Honestly, I'm shocked we had room for our kids! Good thing we didn't have to stop suddenly...these things would have been on top of us!

We got home late Sunday night, but I really wanted to spend Christmas Eve at home. Plus I wanted time to get all of these toys and gifts put away before we opened our home gifts! So Matt and I stayed up late cleaning out toyboxes. We found lots to donate, lots to throw, and made room for our new things. Monday we lazed around in the morning, went to the first church service, then headed home to bake and decorate cookies for Santa!

Cutting them out!

Bryce even got a turn!

Here's what we ended up with...

Putting out our reindeer food!

Saying good-bye to Buzz. All of us get a little sad on Christmas Eve, knowing Buzz will go home with Santa. We get attached to him!

And then...finally...Christmas came!

Posing for a Christmas morning photo before opening gifts

Santa came! Santa came!

Our awesome boys!

Bryce LOVED his tricycle from Santa! We've spent lots of time pushing him around in it inside our house!

I could barely stop him long enough to take a picture...this is what he asked for...all he could talk about...Santa delivered! And for the record...it had 915 pieces and took him 3 hours and 20 minutes to put together...all by himself!

My red tractor! Mason got JUST what he wanted!

The big boys opening their gifts from me...matching helicopters!

I thought this was too cute! A present to Bryce from Mason. It was a happy meal toy and a ball from his toybox!

The afternath...

My mom, dad, and Adam came to our house Christmas afternoon. We enjoyed brisket, then opened a few presents so Bryce could nap.

My parents with the boys!

Uncle Adam

Our best present this year!

My parents with their new bleacher seats!

The rest of the week has been spent playing with toys...fighting...organizing...fighting...cleaning up messes...fighting...putting up the Christmas decorations...and fighting! I think the boys have had a little too much "together" time as I feel like I'm at work with all the tattling!

When we were eating supper the other night, Mason was so tired he just turned his head and fell asleep!

This weekend we headed to Iowa for our final get-together with the Bunch family! This year we had 88 family members in attendance...wow! Almost broke 90...maybe next year!?!

My attempt to get us all in one shot...

But it took two...

The little ones ready to open gifts

Since Aaron and Michele's wedding was so far away and not many could make it, we had a little "reception" for them since we were all together. Mom and Dad asked me to make cupcakes and I gladly accepted! I made Death by Oreo, Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Wedding Cake White. They were a hit!