Christmas Eve Morning w/ Gamma & Papap!

As soon as the kids woke up, we dressed & loaded them in the car for a trip to Gamma & Papap's house.
The kids were really excited about going.
They loved their new outfits.
(courtesy Mommy & her sewing machine)
And although I don't think they can grasp the concept 100%, they were loving Christmas celebrations.

As soon as we got there, they wanted to go to "their room".
Lo & behold, the cribs were gone & replaced by new big kid beds.
Miss Gabi claimed her bed immediately, leaving Sofi w/ the other one.
Ian will eventually have his own room there.
Gabi snuggled in to her bed & watched Dora's Christmas Carol.
She wouldn't leave.
I had to pry her out for breakfast!

All the while, Ian was hanging out w/ Papap in the kitchen.
He also found Santa in bed, snoring & went to investigate.


After a good, hardy breakfast, most of which Todd & I ate (haha),
it was time to open their Christmas Eve gifts from Gamma & Papap.
BUT, not before I got 1 shot of my hubs & his beautiful kids together.


Then it was time to rip open some gifts!


They loved their gifts.
It was exciting to see them get in to it this year.
It really is the 1st year that they are able to understand more of what is going on.
And so many traditions have started.
I know they will even be more curious next year!

**DISCLAIMER: I wish I had taken more pics. I think I was snuggled up on the other bed enjoying the down time so I didn't get too many more. Boo! I'll have to remember next time to keep the camera w/ me at all times.**

Christmas Prep

**I don't think I'll be able to get everything in 1 post so I am going to start w/ our Christmas prep stuff. We decided to go all out this year. Everything was planned before Christmas Eve & the fun began early that morning.**

Neighbor Steve brought a bucket for the kids to fill w/ water for the reindeer.
Ian loves the water hose so he took the lead.


Then it was time for the bale of hay.
I don't know who had more fun, the kids or Daddy & Steve?!?


Daddy was coaching the kids.
Push harder!


Daddy & Steve did all the hard work.
The kids looked on in awe.


Our best picture of the family sitting on the hay!


Later that evening, while my family was there, we baked & decorated cookies for Santa.
This is the 1st year for us to do that.
The kids were so excited!
I assigned an adult to each kid & then it was time to get busy!

Tia Jesse & Sofi (they get along like 2 peas in a pod) decorated her cookie together.



Sofi was meticulous, making sure everything was in its place.


Tio Ian & Ianchito were paired up.
After all, he is the namesake AND the Godfather.
They are quite the team.
And everyone always asks if Ian is Ian's son when we are out.
There is a definite resemblance!


Gabi & I paired up for cookie decorating.


Then Abuelo wanted in on the action.
Apparently Gabi had much more fun w/ Abu than w/ me!


After all was said & done, the kids put the cookies on a plate.
Then we picked a special spot to leave Santa his cookies & milk.
The kids really got in to it this year.
I can't wait for next year!

Triplet Christmas Decorations

Pretty scarce, that's it.
Really.
No joke.

Because if they can reach it, they will surely mess w/ it.
So it is better to not have the temptation.

Check out our tree.


And a close up in case you can't see our ornament placement.


Yep, they are all above toddler height.
Hmmmmm...wonder why?
Those pesky little hands!
We didn't even put up the good ornaments this year.
That's ok b/c I rather the kids have the tree w/ lights accessible as opposed to the tree being locked up behind a gate.
(Yep, that is our Elf on the Shelf, RED, sitting in the tree.)

And let me tell you how much they love the tree.
Especially the lights.
If they aren't on when they come down, they start asking immediately for them to be put on.

Oh, and then there are the stockings.
This is where they should be hanging from.
The pretty mantle.


But instead, they are hanging from the opening in front of the bar.


We were afraid they would pull the stockings down.
And those hangers on the mantle are HEAVY.
I really don't want to take a kid to get stitches.

The effort to change Christmas this year is worth every second of the kids' joy.
They LOVE it all.
They love the Christmas lights.
Santa.
Mrs. Claus.
Reindeer, and how they fly.
The sleigh.
And we are still teaching them to appreciate Christmas music.
They aren't quite there yet.

Now, I can't wait to see their precious faces on Christmas morning!

This is what sucks about having triplets...

We are on day 11 of being sick.
Today the girls woke up w/ a fever.
11 days in to it.
I'm guessing a new virus.

Thankfully, the girls' bodies handle it better.
And I'm not as worried about them b/c they don't have a history of febrile seizures.
But needless to say, it is a big pain in the ass.

Illnesses will never be simple again.
They will always take this long, if not longer, to exit our household.
Amazingly enough, Todd has escaped the wrath of the cold.
I'm hoping neither of us catch this new "thing".

And so is life w/ triplets.
Gotta love every second!

Santa Visit!!!

We've never taken the kids to go see Santa.
1) B/c of the long lines.
2) It's in the middle of RSV/Flu season, no other explanation needed.
3) The long lines.
4) Did I mention RSV/Flu season?
5) The kids freaking out scared me.

This year, we figured it was time.
We've been talking about Santa & Mrs. Claus.
We have "Red" the elf watching the kids every day.
Christmas shows have been played abundantly in our home.

The kids have gone to see Christmas lights.
They point out every Christmas tree & decoration they see when we walk or are in the car.
I think they "get" a little bit of what Christmas is about.
Not withstanding the fact that we also talk about Jesus & every time we see a Nativity scene.

It was time.
They needed to be officially introduced to Santa.
And we live in the perfect little city that does a special fundraiser for the fire dept. every year.
Santa comes to visit the kids AT HOME.

Can you think of a more perfect situation?
I can't.
Meeting this jolly, big Santa at home seemed to be the perfect situation!
So we signed up for a Santa visit, in support of the fire house that also saved Ian's life.
Forever indebted we are to them.

Me & my girls!


Our beautiful family!


There was no hesitation what so ever when Ian saw Mrs. Claus!
He ran right up to her & wanted to be held.


Then we went outside to wait for Santa!


Once again, Ian was all over it!
He ran up to Santa & gave him a big hug.


Gabi preferred the elves.


And Sofi preferred...me.


Ian crawled up on Santa's lap & didn't get off until Santa stood to leave.


Gabi & Ian w/ Santa, getting their presents!


Sofi wouldn't sit w/ Santa but would sit w/ me next to Santa.


Our family w/ Santa & Mrs. Claus!
Perfection!


We will most definitely do this again next year.
No doubt!

Another round of colds please!

Yeah, cuz that's what we've been battling.
Yet another round of good ol' colds.
This time, we have managed to stay fever free.
But the exchange was that Mommy got it first.

I haven't been sick since forever ago.
The last time was mastitis & let me tell you, if you've ever had it, you know what I mean when I say I was dying.
Did I mention I had it 11 times?
Yeah, blame it on the thyroid not functioning.

Back to the colds.
I started on Thursday night.
Barely made it on Friday.
Not sure if I even remember Friday clearly I was so miserable.
I even took a nap.
Yes...I don't nap so when I do, it is serious business.

Then Ian started on Saturday.
Pointing to his throat & saying "OUCH".
At least they can tell us now.

Sofi started today.
I'm sure Gabi isn't too far behind.
Blah.
And so goes life...
Surviving triplets.

A visit from some old friends!

Connie & Larry are my parents good friends.
We met in Greece, back in the 70's.
Since then, they have been like my aunt & uncle.
We would visit them every winter for a ski trip.

It is one of those friendships that can't be broken.
And now their kids are grown up & so are we.
They are grandparents & so are my parents.

Naturally, when they come to town,
they have to get in some play time w/ the kids.
And might I add how much fun they had!
Connie & Larry...oh, and the kids!

The kids had Larry push them around the whole back yard, like 1000 times!


Daddy playing "Gabi-saurus Rex".


How many triplets will fit on the car?


Need a push?
Sofi loved it!


With so many adults, each kid got to get some good swing time!
(And I got to work on my photog skillz.)




The gang!


We had a blast.
Spent the whole morning outside.
And if you thought it helped the kids sleep well.
Why yes, it did.



PS ~ Please forgive the absence. Christmas sales & illness has kept me busy.