We had a quaint and quiet Christmas as a family of 5. Since Bill, Sara and the girls were back east, we didn’t have our traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Grammy & PeePaw Thomas. It was nice though… the boys slept in until 8:15 and I got some great one on one time with Jillian before they woke up. The boys were very well behaved Christmas day… I think it was because they were so bad up until the 25th they thought Santa wasn’t going to bring them any toys. Their good behavior was a gracious “Thanks” to Mom, Dad and Santa that there were presents under the tree. Although. Owen still wasn’t convinced Santa was 100% good to him. When he picked up his stocking he said “I really hope there isn’t coal in here.”
This year I changed Christmas up a bit. Instead of everything coming from Santa, Santa brought each kid 3 presents, just like the wise men bought baby Jesus 3 presents. Santa also fills the stockings and brings the family a gift… something they can do together. These gifts are in special “Santa” paper. The rest of the gifts are from Mom & Dad and their siblings. There are many reasons why I chose to do this but mainly… 1) It helps bring the true meaning of the season to the day and 2) it helps the kids understand giving at the holidays… not only to each other but to those less fortunate. Now they will understand why there are donations for Toys for Tots because some Mommy’s and Daddy’s can’t get their kids more than what Santa brings. I mean, how do you explain Toys for Tots if Santa’s magic brings all the toys??? It also helps us keep our over giving in check. Especially with the boys birthdays 6 weeks later.
I think my favorite part of this Christmas was seeing the reactions the boys had to the gifts they got each other. They were both so excited and gave big hugs and said thank you to one another for the gift. It was so heart warming and genuine.
The kiddos also had a special visitor on Christmas day… SANTA! He made a special stop to Kent Drive after his official duties were done to see Owen, Ben and Jillian and to remind them to be good next year and stay on that nice list. Over the holidays, Mike had an app on his phone to check if the boys were on the naughty or nice list. They knew they were on the naughty list more than the nice. Hopefully Santa’s visit will help them stay good and always be on the nice list for 2012. I think it will because the looks on their faces were of total seriousness. Owen & Ben could not believe Santa was in their house. Owen made sure to thank him for his DS, but Benny just wanted to know where his sleigh was. Maxie on the other hand was not a fan of Jolly Old St. Nick. Mike had to hold her down. She is very protective of her family… even if it was from Santa.
And without further ado… pics from our Christmas day… sorry, there are alot!
Santa was here!


Good morning, Jillian… it’s your first Christmas.

Patiently waiting for Owen & Ben to wake up.


YEAH – Santa came!!

Tine to go see if we were on the naughty or nice list.

I see presents so we must have been on the nice list. (Actually, only Jillian was, but Santa left gifts for everyone b/c she was on he nice list)

Our first Christmas with 3 kids.

Benny hugging his McMissile from Owen & Jillian.



The boys took turns opening Jilly’s gifts and showing her what she got.



Maxie loves Christmas morning and is always right in the thick of things seeing what the kids got.


Someone likes her new taggie blanket!


Owen was ecstatic to get Super Mario Memory from Ben & Jillian.




Jilly’s turn to see what Santa brought.


For 2 years Owen has wanted a Nintendo DS…

This year he finally got one from Santa b/c Mommy & Daddy said he was old enough.

He was one happy camper.

Benny is super happy Santa brought him his Leap Pad.

Benny taking every item, one by one, out of Jillian’s stocking to show her what she got.

Just like her jammies say…”I’m all Mommy wants”. YUP! She is actually my present from last year because my due date was almost 9 months from Christmas 2010.

Jilly and Uncle Dan.

PeePaw Park getting in some Jillian snuggles.


SANTA CAME!!


Mommy’s getting a camera in her hands early.

What more could a girl want…a camera and a doll.

The boys and Mimi.

Jac L. posted the following on January 9, 2012 at 9:52 pm.
cute! I especially LOVE the 5th one!!!