Christmas Part Two: Lots of Loveridges

Steve's parents and all of Steve's brothers and sisters and their families (minus one nephew of ours on his mission in Mexico) were in Southern California around Christmas, which was a real treat. Unfortunately we were a bit too tired, and the boys a bit too fussy, to really enjoy it, but it was good to be able to bring the boys down to visit.

Steve's sister Jessica hosted a Christmas dinner potluck at the "ancestral home." The boys were completely overwhelmed, but after a short nap in a quiet room, they were able to socialize a bit.

Henry with Aunt Jenny (and me in the background):

Jack with Aunt Staci:

Jack and a couple of his older cousins, Nathan and Perry (with Uncle Philip in the background):

Perry is one of the boys' oldest cousins, at 19 years their senior. 

Henry being passed around by teenage cousins Sage, Perry and Brooke:

Jack with Cousin Rosie: 

Jack enjoying his Aunt Jessica (Henry with Uncle Jon in background, along with Uncle Philip and Aunt Jenny): 

Jack with Uncle Jon: 

Cousin Nathan showing solidarity with Henry's hobbies (looking at candles with Uncle Jon): 

Uncle Philip with Henry:

The day after Christmas, Steve's sister Natalie and brother-in-law Richard accompanied us out to lunch and to the Chrysler and Honda dealerships to look at minivans. Our diselgate Jetta Sportwagen is being bought back in mid-January and we realize that a minivan is really the only vehicle that does what we need it to do (haul home improvement supplies, fit two carseats and accompanying kid gear, have room for luggage and a stroller on our travels, etc.).

Before heading out to lunch, Aunt Natalie plays with Jack, Uncle Richard holds Henry, and Mom does laundry (hooray):

A few days after Christmas, the Loveridges gathered in a local park to take family pictures.

Cousin Gavin inspects Henry (while Aunt Staci looks on):

"He has very small ears," reports Gavin:

Steve with Jack, waiting for their close-up:

Aunt Jessica and Aunt Jenny gets smiles from Henry:

Uncle Philip makes Jack "fly" above the grass, which Jack thought was great fun (I stole this great picture from Jenny, thank you!): 

Relaxing after a hard days' photo-taking (Jack with Bunny, Henry with Mingo):

(I stole that picture from Staci, thanks for taking such a cute shot!)

Results of the photo session...

Henry is plotting something:

Jack is... stunned:

Steve with Jack, me with Henry:

Steve with his parents and siblings (front: sister Natalie, father Arnold, mother Carolyn, sister Jessica; back: Steve and brothers Philip, Lee and Edward):

Whole family (minus the nephew on his mission):

Steve, me and our boys in grey, Philip's family in Hawaiian, Natalie's in green, Lee's in maroon, Jessica's in jean, Edward's in blue, parents in the middle in white.

After the pictures, and lunch at Fantastic Cafe (known as the "charbroiler" to the Loveridges), Steve and I took the boys to visit Steve's closest brother, Philip, and family.

Cousin Gavin cuddles Henry:

Aunt Jenny with Henry:

Steve, Jack, Henry and Philip play on the floor:

Jack enjoys animated story time with Uncle Philip:

Jack is suspicious of strangers, but did really well with Steve's family, especially Philip, who I suspect resembles Dad enough for Jack to feel pretty comfortable.