Nine...

Nine years ago Geoff and I were enjoying a quiet morning at the hospital with our new baby girl.  Kendall Belle was due the day after Christmas, and we altered a lot of our Christmas plans in expectation of her on time arrival.  I should have known better than to think I'd deliver a baby on time.  She was born 3 days late, on the 29th.  I went into labor late Saturday night, went to the hospital around midnight, and delivered her at 3:59 a.m.  The labor and delivery didn't happen without pain of course, but of all of my births, KK was by far the easiest, quickest, and most 'relaxing.'  I used a midwife for the first time with her and loved that experience compared to a doctor delivery.  The room was dark and calm and Kendall came out so quiet and peaceful and just stared at me straight in the eyes and nursed like a sweet little pro right away.  She didn't scream.  Not yet anyway.  It was such a special time with just the 3 of us.  And since she was born in the middle of the night no one was there except my mom (G's parents stayed with Luke) and we got to catch up on sleep and enjoy our baby girl all to ourselves until daytime came and friends and family came by to visit.

Oh, sweet memories.

And it all came flooding back to me last night when Geoff and I headed to bed and found Kendall in our bed sound asleep. Mouth open..catching flies, feet almost reaching the end of the bed, long and silky hair still damp from washing...such a big girl.  But yet still that same sweet, peaceful, quiet baby.

We love you so much Kendall and are so glad we have you as our one and only girl.  Life and our family would definitely not be the same without you in it.  The world is a better place because you grace it with your presence.  Happy 9th birthday!

Gifts waiting for Kendall when she came downstairs this morning.

Yay!  Her very own Ripstik!  She had asked for one after she learned how to ride Luke's.  She also got a book on how to draw horses and a create your own monster t-shirt iron-ons.

 The 3 big kids have been taking turns going to work with Geoff this week, and today was Kendall's day.  She gave her new Ripstik a few whirls before leaving though.  She's a pro.  Her and Daddy-o have a big day planned (at work) and tonight we are all going to see Chipmunks Chipwrecked for her b-day at the Gem Theatre (using a groupon...love it!). 

Christmas Morning...

Christmas morning...

The kids came in our room at 7, but they got up around 6:30.  They had made a plan to wake each other up at that time.

Cookies and Dr. Pepper for Santa (although the kids know about Santa they still like to leave cookies for him).

The calm before the storm. 

Gifts. OK, we went big this year. The big kids each got a pretty large gift. Luke got a DSI that he has been wanting for a couple years. He had been saving up for one, but since we got him one for Christmas he is going to pay for about 1/3 of it. He was happy to agree with that and is thrilled with his new gift. Will has loved drums for years and has outgrown the kid set we have.  He is going to start lessons soon and we went ahead and got a big set.  The child could not be happier.  And for some reason drums don't drive me nuts, as long as it's in another room with the door closed, so all is well in the sanity department.  Oh, and I worked for those drums on Black Friday and got a rockin' deal!

Kendall got a karaoke machine called the Singing Machine.  That thing is awesome!  We will all enjoy it very much!  I know it sounds pathetic and I'm embarrassed to admit it in case anyone thinks we did not treat Bo and Noah fairly...but they each got hula hoops.  We gave them the kind they use at Acrofitness and we knew they'd be thrilled.  They didn't need/want any specific big item and don't understand the value of money anyway, so they did not notice that their gift was not as 'big.'

Top of stairs picture...

We had so much fun opening gifts.  Gift giving and receiving is so much fun. I think our kids are learning the joy in both.  Kendall made so many homemade gifts for everyone...she is so thoughtful.

We had a yummy breakfast...played with new gifts...cleaned up the place...and headed to Grandmom and Grandads later in the afternoon.  Pictures from there will come next.  :)

Christmas Eve...

Be prepared for a ridiculous amount of pictures over the next few days. 

This is Christmas Eve.  Our day was spent like this...

Making last minute Christmas goodies and preparing monkey bread for breakfast the next morning.

Cleaning the house some, so that Christmas morning will at least start out clean.

Rainbow mostly just slept.

See those vacuum lines on the carpet?  Be still my beating heart.

My mom came over and we exchanged presents with her before all heading to our church Christmas Eve service.

 

Kendall always makes my mom a calendar (draws on each month) and she made her a small plate at Megart this year.  The underwater theme is common since Geedi lives at and loves the beach!

 

Bo and Noah got their very own beyblade stadium!

 

The big kids got Thinking Putty.  That stuff is cool!

 

The completed snowmen!

Ready to go to church...

Can't decide which I like best so I'll just put them both on here! :)

Oh Kendall, I love you.

 

Love this, although Noah isn't lookin' so hot...

Home from church...I loved the service.

Noah was not thrilled about pictures at this point...

 

...but he got a little more thrilled when I threatened to take some presents away from under the tree. :)

 

We got Chinese food for supper like we did last year.

And chocolate fondue for dessert.

 

Will taking his antibiotic...

KK's masterpiece cookie...

PJ pictures...

In reverse...

Me and my six babies...

Mr. and Mrs. Santa...



...who had a long evening ahead of them once the kids went to bed.

Luke took a loooong time to go to sleep that night.  He was so excited.

Christmas morning to come!