Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Thomas 2015

After celebrating Christmas at our house in the morning, we head over to my dad's house.  My dad makes eggs and bacon, and we have fresh fruit, donuts, and pastries.  Then we stack piles of presents for everyone around the room.  We typically sit in the same spots year to year, but since our family keeps growing, we have to adjust a bit.  Presents are opened one at a time according to age.  It takes a looooonnnnngggggg time, but it's so worth it to be able to see each person enjoy the gifts they open.

Eating a donut on the floor...because it's Christmas.

Boston cream...Jon's favorite.

Love this one!

Because what two year old doesn't need a giant container of sprinkles?

Love that grin!

Happy Birthday, Jesus! 2015

One of our Christmas traditions is decorating a birthday cake and singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus (we made a cinnamon roll cake this year). It is important that our children know the real meaning of Christmas, and this is one way that we honor the One that the holiday represents.

We decided to keep Christmas low-key this year.  We have tried not buying our boys anything throughout the year, and then buying them more at Christmas, and we didn't like it.  This year, we decided that the boys would get one joint gift and two presents each under the tree.  We already have so much, and with three sets of grandparents, our boys receive lots of special gifts.  Another tradition (adopted from Darin's side of the family), is wrapping every item in the boys' stockings.  They get so much enjoyment out of unwrapping candy canes and tic tacs...it's so sweet (no pun intended).  

Super heroes waiting to be called into the family room.

Jonathan got to select gifts for us from the shop at his school this year.  I received an emerald ring and an ornament. 

Pink drumsticks!

Coal...

and more coal...

"Daniel Tiger? Serious?"

Kylo Ren

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Jesus.

Jesus's birthday cinnamon rolls - Jonathan is pointing to Him.