Did you have a big party to celebrate the new year? We did. If by clean the playroom, organize the attic and fall asleep before midnight is what you mean by big party!

This week I started thinking about what I would like to work on and accomplish in 2012 and the list could go on and on and on. Then I took a look back at my 2011 Goals. And seriously, I didn’t do all that great. But I probably did better than I would have if I hadn’t made a list.

My goal for 2012 is a little different – I only have one. BE INTENTIONAL. I feel like a lot of days I am just going through the motions and none of it really matters, registers, or makes a difference. So this year I am going to strive to be intentional every day – from being in the Word to being present when listening to Will talk and talk and talk.

It’s going to be a hard task but I’m ready for the challenge!

Have you made any goals or resolutions for 2012?

Will was not very cooperative at our last photo shoot (Thomas’ 9 month pictures) and I had been  hoping to get a couple of picture of just him to mark his third year. So, after Christmas our friend Ryan came over and took some pictures of Will playing with his favorite things. It was the perfect way to capture who Will is as a 3 year old! If you’re in Chattanooga and looking for a good family photographer give Ryan a try – Ruby Photography: rubyphotos (at) hotmail (dot) com

After our morning at home we went to Papa and Honey’s house to celebrate Christmas.

When we got there Will had a gift from Papa’s cousin waiting for him – a HUGE Hot Wheels racetrack.

Thomas got right to eating lunch! The rest of us waited until Mimi & PawPaw got there to dig in.

After lunch, we headed downstairs to open presents. Will was so excited when he saw his big gift sitting out.

Papa helping Will use his backhoe.

But, I think Honey was the most surprised with her new bicycle.

Thomas was excited about his busy ball popper.

Will was really excited about a frog loofah. Although now he won’t let me wash him with it because it’s currently the bed for his rubber duck.

Thomas started to play the drum before we could get it out of the box.

Hands down this “cooker” outfit is the afternoon’s winner. He wears it every. single. day. And he cooks Ichiban food at this kitchen – if you come and visit he will even do an egg trick for you.

After playing Will, Honey & Dana rode their bicycles.

We ended the afternoon by singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eating cake.

Jonathan & Dana

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The day after Christmas we got together with the Dixon family to celebrate. This year we went to Bob & Susie’s house.

Thomas & Tori playing before lunch.

After lunch the great grandkids helped Tori pass out the gifts. Then everyone opened their stockings.

Opening the duck that Uncle Bob made for Will and Greyson. Will loves the duck but sometimes it’s a bad duck and it bites people and tonight we had to “learn” the duck its ABC’s before bed.

We gave Grandmama and Daddy Bill a frame with the 4 great-grandkids handprints – I think it was a hit.

Karen gave the boys these bouncy bulls – Thomas will have to grow into his.

Will is obsessed with his pink bull! He literally bounced around on that thing for hours saying, “Hoppy, hoppy all day long!”

And that wraps up this week long series on how we celebrated Christmas!

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This was the first year in my 27 years of life that I didn’t wake up at my parents house on Christmas morning. It would have been sad if I didn’t have my own family wake up to! It was different but it was definitely nice to be at home on Christmas morning. Will & Thomas woke up at about the same time (I wonder, if Will woke him up?) and we headed downstairs to open presents.

Will enjoyed pulling all of his little treats out of his stocking. It was mostly snacks

Thomas wasn’t really into opening presents this year. Notice he would just rather sit in his chair.

So, Will opened all of the presents.

Thomas got a couple of trains – and again just enjoyed sitting in the chair.

Will’s favorite gift of the morning by far was this dinosaur “outfit.” He put it on immediately and started chasing everyone all around the house.

Will also got his very own ice packs! He uses them on a daily basis.

We had cinnamon bites for breakfast and I gave one to Thomas to see if he would like it. I’d say he loved it!

Such a fun morning celebrating Christmas with our little family! And celebrating Thomas’ first Christmas!

Christmas Eve morning we celebrated Christmas again – this time with Nonny & PawPaw.

When we got there they had a large cardboard house set up – Will thought it was so cool and couldn’t wait until Aubrey and Greyson got there so he could start coloring and decorating it.

Thomas thought it was pretty neat too.

Thomas couldn’t wait to open presents!

Aubrey

Thomas got some puffs and he couldn’t be happier!

Will got a pizza set.

Will also got a guitar and he has been serenading us with “ABC”, “Twinkle, Twinkle” & “Jesus Loves Me” every day.

Will & Aubrey playing on their new Sit n Spins.

Thomas was also a big fan of the Sit n Spin.

Greyson got a soccer goal and everybody had a good time playing with it.

Will & Nonny spent a good amount of time playing with Greyson’s new Lego set.

Each of the kids got a stuffed animal that talked/interacted with a book. Aubrey wanted Aunt Pam to read her book to them outside.

Thomas got a lot of lovin’ from his cousin Aubrey.

The boys got a chair from Nonny & PawPaw and Thomas absolutely loves it. I think it’s his favorite thing from Christmas!

On December 6th, Thomas got his very first haircut. I took him to the barber shop in East Ridge where Will had his first haircut and Keith did him up right. We were 3rd in line but the other men were gracious enough to let us skip to the front! (Side not: What is it about men that they love when little boys do manly things like get their haircut at a barber shop?) I wasn’t sure how Thomas would do but he sat right up in the chair and told Keith exactly what he wanted.

Thomas sat so still and didn’t cry or scream at all.

Could he be any more handsome?

Checking out his first haircut. He looks so grown up! Also, I love this barbershop for their first haircut because he has a first haircut certificate that he fills out and signs

Every year on the Saturday before Christmas the Henderson family gets together to celebrate. We are rarely all together so it’s nice to eat good food, watch kids open presents & of course get a visit from Santa.

Will wanted Bill & Honey to hide as everyone was arriving. Do you think anybody found them?

Will thought it was fun to eat his dinner with a toothpick. What could be better?

I took pictures of everybody eating but Joel is the only person who smiled- so his table gets put on the blog!

Thomas and Kenlie enjoyed playing a little pool.

The great-grandkids waiting patiently for the presents to be passed out.

Thomas and Uncle David. This was the first time for a lot of the family to meet Thomas

Will checking out his new toy! When we said that Santa was coming in – Will ran and hid under the chair again – Santa almost sat on him!

Santa & Will. Funny story: Immediately after this picture Will came up and said to me, “Mommy! Santa looks like Papa!”

Thomas was NOT a fan of Santa!

Funny story: We went out to eat tonight and a man with a big beard walked in and stood near us and Thomas was afraid of him too.

Dylan & Chase

Zoie & Kenlie

Sarah wasn’t a big fan either

Hmmm, I always thought Santa’s elves were short!