>> reporter: like specialist william marlowe and his mom, mary. >> there's nothing else i want in this world. i've got everything i need right here. >> reporter: a surprise christmas at home, with family. kelly cobiella, nbc news, london. >> can't beat it. president obama's weekly address came a little early this week, and a special guest joined the commander-in-chief. the first couple talked about the values of the season and asked people to give something back to the troops. >> that's what the holidays are about, coming together as one american family to celebrate our blessings and the values we hold dear. during this season, we also honor all those who defend those values in our country's uniform. every day, the brave men and women of our military serve to keep us safe, and so do their families. >> so as we sang carols and open presents, as we win snowball fights. >> or lose snowball fights. >> let all take time to pay tribute to those who have done so much. >> not many snowballs there. the first family is enjoying the holidays in hawaii, where they spend it just about every year. >

. >> anchor: a lucky few will get the best present of all like specialist william marlow and his mom, mary . >>> there is nothing else i want in this world. i have everything i need right here . >> anchor: a surprise christmas at home with family nbc insurance, london . >> anchor: ahead on 7 news, getting in the christmas spirit in boston as hundreds gather to celebrate with cardinal sean o'malley . >> anchor: plus, a warning before you open those new gadgets under the tree, why they could be in danger of getting hacked. >> anchor: at 4:30, giving the gift of life. how one postal worker helped a woman through a very difficult time. >> anchor: on 7 news at 5:00, the accept for a suspect is on in a florida neighborhood after a thief is caught on camera stealing thousands of dollars worth of items right before christmas . >> anchor: we're following breaking news where police and swat teams were called to a home there for reports of shots fired fired. police attempting to coax a man he barricaded himself inside. we're continuing to follow the story and will bring you the very latest just

specialist william marlow surprised his mom this week. she was expecting to pick up her mother-in-law but she quickly realized it was a different familiar face coming down the i couldn't believe it was him i was looking for the wheelchair for my mohter-in-law. i was lucking for someone lower down that just thought that looks a lot like him. i realized it was him. the son is a combat photo documentation specialist for the u.s. army. he just finished a nine months tour in iraq. we have breaking news that we've been following. we know there is a developments now happening with this standoff in everett. kelly o'hara live for us right now. what's going on? >>> well, home is now on fire. there are series of explosions earlier then all of a sudden the home exploded into flames. right now. they are on scene. you can actually the smoke hoes. we have been toll to move back, move way back. this has been a very fluid situation we've been going on hour six of this standoff. we know it's all started off with reports of gunfire and then police were tryi

s/william marlow/soldier :12 "it was a feeling that i didn't think i would have ever experienced, but it's true when they say that distance makes the heart grow fonder, especially the son just finished a nine month tour in iraq and returned stateside to his command post in maryland two days ago. a very special reunion four months in the making just in time for the holiday season. but it couldn't have been possible without the help of a six-year-old girl, mall staff, and santa claus. katie johnson has the story. santa is letting ava top with matching red lipstick, ava's ready for her picture with mr. claus. but this trip to see should get surprises like this honestly." that's lance corporal peter allen. he's in the marines, and he's also kellie's husband. the 20-year-old is wise beyond his years and very romantic. i chose to go on a so today, after months home. he's in california. oh wow." while taking pictures with santa, kellie had no clue oh my god. oh my god. (claps) it took me a second to at all. a christmas wish granted with photos to prove it, leaving everyone feeling extra "thi

. >> anchor: a soldier from that holidays, specialist william mar marlow surprised his mom the a florida airport. she was expecting to pig up her mother-in-law. she realized it was a different familiar face coming down the hallway. >>> oh my god. oh my god! i couldn't believe it was him. i was looking for the wheelchair for my mother-in-law. i wassing thering for someone lower down and i just thought that looks like lot like him of a realized it was him. >> anchor: she is so excited. marlow's son is a combat photo documentation specialist and just finished a nine months tour in iraq. obviously, good to see him home for christmas . >> anchor: ahead on 7 knew, third graders got a lesson in giving trading in their christmas party to help those in need . >> anchor: plus, big announce announcement about a much anticipated remake. detail on who could be joining the cast . >> anchor: ahead at 5:00, s christmas cleanup continues after deadly storms slam the south leaving many people >> anchor: a hit and run accident causing problems for people christmas morning. why hundreds were left in the dar

. >> reporter: like specialist william marlow and his mom marry. >> nothing else i want in this world. got everything i want right here. >> reporter: a surprise christmas at home with family. >> kelly cobiella, nbc news, london. >> and we thank all them for their service. >>> severe weather is making for a rough christmas in the deep south. at least 14 deaths are now blamed on storms that hit arkansas, tennessee and mississippi where there's now a state of emergency in seven count its. heavy rains are also drenching parts of the southeast. meanwhile, several western states got a white christmas much to the delight of these kids in california. >>> in the east there's record-breaking warmth. washington, d.c. hit 71 degrees christmas eve breaking a record of 69 set in 1933. new york city also reached 71 degrees, breaking a 1988 record by 15 degrees. meanwhile, a tragic start to the holiday in charlotte, north police say it began as a feud among a group of people who knew each other. an off-duty police officer fatally shot an armed man who pointed a weapon in his direction. >>> well, sant

specialist william marlow finished a nine-month tour in iraq and returned to the states just a few days ago. mary says she now has everything she wants for christmas. her youngest son was sworn into the u.s. marine corps and will be leaving for boot camp in may. >> sarah: i love that. in the buzz "star wars" star mark hamill skipped a recent promotional appearance of "the force awakens" to spend time with sick kids at a british hospital. the actor who plays luke skywalker posted a picture of a young boy listening to his heart with a stethoscope. he told a newspaper the movie is important but trivial in comparison. and taylor swift wishing her fans a happy holidays. herself in an elf onesie. the photo's caption says, "they used to call me on me elf phone." that's a reference to a song by drake. if anyone can pull off an elf onesie, it's taylor swift. >> nancy: and onesies are the best, aren't they, chris? >> chris: they really are. ism i have one. >> chris: we need colder weather, though, to bust out the onesie to lounge around all day in around the house, especially throw a couple rotio