The Big Event

Just a little back story before we launch ourselves into the pictures of our Christmas. As soon as I found out that I was pregnant with the little one back in April (and then discovered that I would be due right around the holidays), I flew into a bit of a panic.

My pregnancies, as before mentioned, are a bit unpredictable. I had pre-eclampsia with Adi, low amniotic fluid (resulting in pre-term labor) with Pipes, and bed rest due to pre-term labor with Porter-Pot. So I didn't know what kind of fun things awaited me in the last months of this pregnancy.

I got busy.

I created a spreadsheet, shopped around online to find what I wanted to get for the kiddos and for family, and started buying.

Yes, I started Christmas in May. I'm sure you can understand why, right? And I'm very thankful that I did, seeing that we ended up moving at this time of year also.

So this Christmas not only marked the birth of our Savior for me, but also the accumulation of all my hard work for the past seven months.

Just thought that I would share that with you. Now, onto the main event. The kiddos.

They each got to open one present before bed on Christmas. Too bad for them they were PJ's! I bet you can guess why I bought these jammies (and the baby has a matching outfit to Porter's that says, "Little Brother").



And we set out our plate of cookies for Santa (cookies that I stole from Whitney, since I haven't done any holiday baking this year) and oatmeal and carrots for the reindeer. Oh, and Adi decided to share some of her personal stash with the Big Guy also.



Every other year, we traditionally have the kids set their stockings in their "spot" for their gifts. This is where Santa leaves his gifts and OP and I stack up the gifts from us. This year we went a bit different and just sat the Santa gifts by their socks and left the presents from us under the tree.



Santa likes to leave candy all over the place when he comes here!



Oh, and these stockings. Aren't they stinkin' adorable? My Auntie Leanne made one for all the kiddos, even for the new bambino. I am in love with them.

Seriously.

The really neat thing is that when I was tiny, my Grandma made me one very much like these, except mine is blue and white, so now we all are somewhat-matchy.



Adi and Pipes both got Nintendo DS's from Santa and a couple of games. Porter-Pot got the V-tech equivalent of a DS (only much tougher) with some games. Here's Orrin showing him how to play and the girls peeking in...



Now, to be honest, I wasn't so great about taking pictures this year. At all. Not at the Buckway family Christmas party, not on Christmas Eve stuff, not on Christmas morning, and not at our annual Fried Mush and Scones breakfast.

I know, I know, how very unlike me! But I must beg you to remember that I have the range of motion of a beached whale these days, and about as much energy as a starving sloth.

I also wanted to enjoy all that was going on without having my face stuck behind a camera, as usual.

But now I'm yearning for more pics :(

Meeting Mr. Claus

I was avoiding doing this. I did not want to stand in line forever to get a picture with Santa that I'd have to pay $20 for a 4X6. I'm sorry, call my Grinchy all you'd like, but I don't like that.

Then my sister told me that you can get a FREE pic with Santa at Bass Pro Shop. Well, how could I turn that down? I figured that even if the line was forever long, I could put up with it for a free pic.

Guess what? We only waited for 1/2 an hour. Yep, you read that right. 1/2 an hour. And when I say "we" I mean Whitney. The kiddos and I went off to find a present for Daddy, then we sat down at the coloring tables and colored till it was time to meet the Big Guy.




Porter was the only one willing to sit on his lap. He told Santa that he wanted a big train (get used to disappointment kid, 'cause that's not in Santa's bag this year), Piper told him a DS and Adi just shrugged her shoulders.

And then we left with our free candy canes and pictures.

And I was happy.

Oh, and so were the kiddos.

All the Twinkling Lights

After I hit 36 weeks and it was all good for the bambino to come out, I decided that I could take the kiddos to see the Mesa Temple Lights.

Ok, ok, so I was hoping that all of the walking would help induce labor.

No such luck, obviously.

The kids and I went with my sister and met my brother and his family there.



One of the good things about AZ this year is that we really didn't even need jackets.



But Courtney, why are your kids all bundled up?

Well, because they we have to get some use out of their winter attire! Adi and Piper ended up taking off their jackets and carrying them around... even Whitney (who always thinks it is cold) was taking off her layers!



None of my photos really turned out. I couldn't figure out how to change the ISO and etc. while walking through the lights, so I don't even have any of Zach's family on here...

Aren't these guys just the cutest little imps? They are lucky they are so darn cute...

Let it be Christmas

Here is proof that we are doing some Christmasy things around here. Given, it's nothing like my usual "25 to Christmas" daily countdown thingy I usually do (here, here, and here). But I think that I will be allowed to skip this year without feeling that all-too-familiar mommy-guilt.

Maybe not.

Anyway, here is Miss Pipes putting the star on the Christmas tree.



A tree which, I must add, probably wouldn't have made it up if it wasn't for the efforts of my mom and sister. By the time we got into our house, I was pretty much burned out and not really feeling like putting up the trimmings.

Thanks Mommy and Whit!