Christmas stories Part 4-Christmas Day

After all of my Christmas Eve stories, I guess I better write about Christmas Day.

When the kids first got up, Daddy moved them into our bed (a rare occurrence in our house), then he decide to take a picture....

Yes, that is Mommy TRYING to sleep still :)

They stayed in bed for a little while, then we went downstairs. Anyways, when we went downstairs we let them open their gifts in their stockings. Everyone got a little chocolate Santa (which surprisingly they didn't gobble it up-probably because they were so interested in the other gifts). The kids each had a coloring book and an ornament. The boys had some Hot Wheels and Elizabeth had two mini My Little Ponies--or would you say Ponys-since "Pony" is the name of the item---anyways, I digress...
It was cool because they were so happy and so excited just to have those couple simple presents. They had no idea what was coming up...and they probably would have been ok without any of the extra things. But of course, we still gave it to them all. They love the train table and all their other presents. In the afternoon Grandma, Grandma Grandma (my Grandma), Uncle Sean, and Aunt Ingrid came over. We exchanged gifts and had dinner. Overall it was a great Christmas.

Here are some more pictures:

Here's Elizabeth opening one of her gifts:

Here's James with Grandma Grandma:

No, I didn't put a Halloween picture in by mistake, one of their gifts were some dress up clothes.

Christmas stories Part 3-Christmas Eve II

On Christmas Eve, when asked what they want Santa to bring them, the boys both said a train. Mommy: "What about Elizabeth? Does she want a train?"
Kids with smiles: "Noooo...."
I thought this was cute, but the next day I found out it was kinda true because the kids got a new train table with lots of different trains. Elizabeth does like the trains and playing with the trains, but not as much as the boys do. So Daddy and I got Elizabeth a new baby doll. She really likes it, and Daddy and I think we made a good choice.

Also on Christmas Eve, when we put he kids to bed we told them that Santa and/or Frosty would be bringing them presents in the morning (because I think by this time James was not as worried about Santa coming). I left the boys room to go into Elizabeth's room. When I left Elizabeth's room, I could here James talking so I was going to go in to tell him to quiet down because it's bed time. But I heard him saying this: "Santa, come....Santa, cooome" It was so cute it made me smile :)

Here's a picture of them in their new Christmas pajamas from Grandma:

Christmas Stories Part 2:Christmas Eve

So I thought I would document Daddy's first (of many) Christmas Eve's

assembling Christmas presents!!!! :)

This year Daddy got to put together a train table and then he put together a box of train tracks so the kids could use the trains right away.

Twelve hours later....

Just kidding- Daddy said it only took about an hour.

Flash forward to Christmas morning---
the cool train track that Daddy put together took about 1 minute to be knocked down by 3 eager toddlers! :(
It has now been turned into a nice big flat loop with no supports to knock over.

Christmas Stories

Hello all! I know, it's been a while since I have posted anything. Sorry! I do have some stories that are floating around in my head and I hope during the next couple days I am able to post them... I thought I would start with some Christmas stories....

I really think that I've written this story already, but I couldn't find it...
so I'm writing it down and if it is a repeat, sorry...

A few weeks ago we were telling the kids about how Santa brings you presents if you are a good boy or a good girl. James was not really excited about Santa bringing presents to him. (I'm not really sure why) but he started to say "no Santa, no Santa". I asked him if he wanted Frosty (as in Frosty the snowman) to bring him presents. That would be o.k., but not Santa. Weird, I know. But then throughout the Christmas season, the kids had two separate occasions to sit on Santa's lap and James did sit with Santa.

Happy Holidays!!

We hope that everyone has a great Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or other holiday that you celebrate.

A better birthday

First, I want to start by saying that I started this post DAYS ago, and I'm just finally getting around to finishing it and posting it.

I'm telling you this so you don't think that my husband and I planned on both writing super sappy posts about each other and we are not trying to make you gag :)


Now, back to my original post titled "A Better Birthday":

Well, my husband didn't tell me that he had plans for me over the weekend!!! (When I was bitchin' about my poor sad birthday)

Anyways, my great and creative husband came up with an Amazing Race themed day for me. (We love that show!)

Here is an example of a clue that was left for me:

So he planned this day of fun for me AND watched the kids by himself (which is nothing new-he's a super dad!) but he also took them to the zoo by himself. He's a little crazy I think :)

Anyways, just wanted to share and say thanks to my wonderful husband!!!

My Wife

Have I told you all lately how amazing my Wife is!!

Well if not let me.....

She gets the kids up in the morning (well they ususally are talking in the crib or calling for her, at about 6:00am) but she is the one to take them down stairs. Takes care of all potty breaks and toys troubles, fixes them breakfast and still manages to get herself ready for work and out the door.

Then after dealing with 17 8-9 yr olds. Comes home with a huge smile for everyone.

I won't get into all the work she does throughout the night with the kids, but let me tell you it is a ton.

Just thought I would put in writting what I think and feel everyday.

Thank you for all that you do!!

Your Husband and Kids.

Look out! Daddy's driving!

The other day we were all going to the library and Daddy was driving. Daddy almost passed an empty parking spot so he kinda pulled into it all quick-like. Joshua said, "whoa Daddy" and Elizabeth said "be careful".

And the last few times we've all been driving together Elizabeth will say "be careful Daddy, slow down."

At least I'm not the only one critiquing Daddy's driving anymore! :) hehehehe

PVMOM play date

Today we had a play date with about 60 other families of multiples. We can not always make it to these events. They usually plan them is during the kids naps. Lucky us, this one was at a good time. 10 - 1 The kids nap is at 11:30 but we thought we could push it back since we knew they would have so much fun, they would not be tired, or want to leave. As you can see by the pictures, it was at an oversized Mc Donalds playground. There was this huge jungle gym apparatus, a slide area, and a gymnastics room (which included a trampoline).





Let me say the kids loved it!! We ended up staying till 12:30. Of course the kids slept in the car on the ride home. Well, I think James was asleep before we left the parking lot. Elizabeth and Joshua we up a little longer, but finally crashed about 15 minutes from home.


Mom and I took them up stairs to sleep by 1:00 and they all slept till about 3:45, even Mommy got a little nap in. It was a blast, even I want to go back.

Daddy started a blog.

Here is the link.

http://gillisfamilyinaz.blogspot.com/

I made it mainly for my family that lives in other states.

New pictures on the slide show

By the way- have y'all seen the new pictures on the slide show?!

Correction to "Happy Birthday?!"

Ok, I want to set the record straight. There were a couple high points to my birthday yesterday.

1.) My husband brought home a couple YUMMY YUMMY cupcakes!

2.) My kids each made me paper birthday cakes (which are really cute!).

So it wasn't *terrible*

:)

Happy Birthday?!

Happy Birthday to me. Let's just pretend that I had a nice birthday so I can move on to the next one.....Ok, pity party is over.

I'm tired. Too much birthday fun today....wahwah...ok, Debbie Downer....

More cookie stories

Here's a video Daddy took of the kids when they were done with their cookies (see cookie story below)