Christmas at Home

With a newborn in the house, there was no way we were traveling far this Christmas... so we loved getting to be home on Christmas morning this year.

My parents, Scott & Cat, and Jess were going to spend Christmas down in Monterey, but they tweaked their plans and decided to spend Christmas Eve and Day with us and head down after the big day! We felt so loved!

Here are loads of pictures from our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. I can't believe Christmas is over already!

Cuddling with Baby Sophie

Dinner at Don Jose's

The kids all got new pjs... Andrew got rocket pjs and the other kiddos got holiday ones

Failed attempts at a family photo

Ryan loved watching us play "pass the present"

Jessie wrapped the presents in sparkly glitter wrapping paper so we were all shiny by the time we were done playing.

We also tried to re-enact the nativity story with the Fisher Price nativity set... but it kinda bombed... which meant we were ready for dessert! :)


I made peppermint ice cream pie and Kevin made his mom's special hot fudge for the top.

We set out cookies and milk for Santa and sprinkled Andrew's reindeer food outside (that he made at school). We also ate lots of cookies from the yummy Santa cookie jar Liesl sent us!

Once the kids were asleep, the babes got to party a bit... and we watched Home Alone... and wrapped lots and lots of presents.

We aren't early risers, so we didn't get things started on Christmas Day until after 9am.

Andrew was dying to come downstairs... but we held him off till Scott, Cat, and Sophie arrived!

Grandpa chilled with Ryan while I got a few last minute things done.

After a quick picture with all of the kids (and Uncle Scott), the Christmas fun began!

Sophie couldn't handle the suspense

We loved watching everyone open their presents. First we opened all the kiddo presents, then we had breakfast (at noon), and then the adults opened presents while the kids played with their toys.

Santa surprised the kids with new bikes. Unfortunately it was raining on Christmas, so they didn't really get to try them out.

Catie's loved her Minnie doll from Grandma Julie

And her tutu and wand from Aunt Shauna. She had to put it on right away. She also loved her crowns, wands, and more princessy stuff from Aunt Elise. Our house has now become much more girly!

We also had fun snuggling with little Miss Sophie who looked so adorable in her holiday outfit.

Kevin made us yummy homemade waffles for breakfast

The babies cuddled

And then just as fast as it came, the day was over! 

Our kids napped and then we packed up our cars and headed off on our mini family vacation to Monterey!

2012 Cookie Exchange

On Wednesday night we hosted our 3rd annual cookie exchange. December is crazy with errands and "to do" lists, so it is nice to have a dedicated night to just hang out with my friends... and eat treats.

(Some of the amazing treats from the night)

Each guest brought a platter of cookies. My little buddy helped me bake mine. I wasn't in the running for a prize, so we just made basic cookie bars.

The kiddos also helped me find these fun platters for our guests. I wasn't too happy about taking all three crazies to The Dollar Tree last week, but they actually cooperated and we were in and out in less than 10 minutes. Hooray!

We had several awesome judges on hand (plus Andrew, who isn't pictured) to sample all the treats and pick their favorites.

Judges

Buskirk party people 

(Catie did not participate since our little shindig started after her bedtime)

Andrew had fun hanging out with Kevin and the judges

And goofing around after everyone went home... since he was so hyped up on sugar.

Ryan was also perfectly pleasant and chilled some with Jessie, Jeremy, and Kevin during the party.

We've been enjoying the cookie and appetizers leftovers ALL week long. The ladies who baked this year did an amazing job!

And that's the end of our Christmas party posts!! We had way too much fun this year.

An East Coast Road Trip to North Carolina!

Whenever we get on the East Coast I started realizing how close all of my favorite people and places are... and try and fit in seeing all of them.

We've been trying to get to North Carolina on a trip for about two years. One day on our Virginia Beach trip we decided that since we were only 6 hours away from our NC friends, we should try and change our flights and extend our trip a bit.

Etta was gone on family vacation, but the Warners were around, so after our weeklong trip to VA we jumped in the car headed to the Charlotte area where they live! The road trip was pretty good (other than the car chargers not working... so the last two hours of the drive we didn't have any shows to watch on the iPad because it was dead :(). 

Once we arrived, we settled in, put the kids down to bed, said goodbye to the babysitter, and headed off for a night out with Chris & Sarah (Andrew was babysat by the iPad for a little bit until he chose to go to bed)!

I can't remember the name of the BBQ place they took us to in Charlotte, but the cheesy bread was awesome, loaded baked potatoes were delicious, and chocolate pie was heavenly! It was the best meal I'd eaten all week!

On Sunday we went to Chris & Sarah's ward and we dropped off all the kids in primary so that we could relax in Sunday School without them. Lovely! Catie even managed to stay happy in nursery with strange new people and toys for almost 2 hours.

Then we spent the afternoon playing in the Warner's beautiful playroom, watching movies, chatting, and eating. Sarah made a delicious lunch for us and then Chris BBQ ribs for dinner that Kevin loved. Andrew and Izzie played together upstairs in the playroom without any problems for like three hours while Sarah and I chatted and Kevin and Chris did random techy things.

Later we snuck outside to get some energy out. It was 100+ degrees, so the kiddos didn't last long.

Catie was so confused as to why her crazy buddies thought being outside and running races was fun!

After dinner, Sarah and I left the guys and kids and went on a nice leisurely walk... until it started thundering and lightning and then we ran home. We put the crazy kiddos to bed. Andrew and Izzie had a sleepover in the playroom. We didn't think they would fall asleep, but they passed out within 5-10 minutes. Probably from all the racing in the hot weather.

We knew the sleepover wouldn't last... but it was fun trying it anyway. Andrew woke up screaming bloody murder around 12:30am, freaked Izzie out, and everyone went back to their beds (or their parent's beds) for actual sleeping.

The next morning Sarah and I woke up before it got really hot and went for a 3 mile jog. Kevin "watched" the kiddos from his bed. :) Then we played in Sarah's pool for awhile until it was time to get ready and packed up to head to the airport.

There was an amazing spider in the pool that walked on water. Andrew and Kevin thought it was cool. Sarah and I did not.

I love Andrew's terrified face here.

Before we got in the car we managed to snap a few pictures. I finally got one of me to prove that I actually was on the trip. Izzie and Andrew crack me up.

... and they had to be in our picture too.

Thanks Warners for such a fun spur of the moment trip! You were exceptional hosts! Let's do it again soon!