Gearing up for Christmas...Ruby style.

Her sass says it all...

Here is our Christmas in review, bit by bit...I'm too overwhelmed with pictures to do it all in one sitting.

Cute kids before the annual Tovey Christmas party with my mom's side of the family.

As usual, the party did not disappoint and we had such a fun time eating, chatting, and laughing together. It was a perfect start to our Christmas festivities. Ruby and Hank are still enjoying the pillow pets they got from Laurie and Todd.

...and a sneak peak at the next event, Christmas Eve with the VW's in Woodland Hills.

Ruby is not the least bit excited to be hanging out with her cousins....silly girl.

Merry Christmas!

2011

First attempt at a family photo, with a very un-cooperative 3-year-old.

Second attempt. Much better.

I love when Christmas falls on a Sunday. Going to church is the perfect way to celebrate our Savior's birth. I especially enjoyed hearing my favorite Christmas hymn sung...Away in a Manger.

The third verse, in particular, brings in the spirit of the season for me.

Be near me, Lord Jesus

I ask Thee to stay.

Close by me forever,

and love me I pray.

Bless all the dear children,

in Thy tender care.

And fit us for heaven,

to live with Thee there.

The beauty of the gift of the Savior's birth is that he can always be near me...it is my choice to let him in my life. Even when there are times when I don't do my part to let Him in, "His hand is stretched out still" ready to accept me back into His fold. I am continually reminded that this life and all my experiences (good, bad, joyous, difficult, trying...) are meant to fit me for heaven.

And speaking of songs, we visited Hughie's grave to sing some Christmas songs. Ruby got to choose and led us all in Jingle Bells and Rudolph. I had envisioned singing songs more along the lines of hymns...but it couldn't have been more perfect! Ruby reminded me that Hughie is a kid, so he would like those songs. I'm sure she's right.

Hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright! Thanks to our wonderful families...ours was warm and blessed.

Dancing girl.

Ruby just finished her first session of dance class. Besides being VERY shy with Ms. Kim, she enjoyed it. I even got to join in the fun and participate with her...it was nice to have a little mommy daughter time each week, while Hank just watched us from his carrier. Not to mention, my only work-out for the week. Ruby did so well, she gets to move on to the ballet class without mom. Ruby is especially good at making a "tall T" and doing sashay's across the floor (I'm sure she would love to show you next time you see you her...just ask :).

He's just charming...

...and 4 months old! Hank gets cuter each day. His pediatrician called him charming, and I couldn't agree more :).

This is the Hank we get most days...smiling, cooing, jabbering and even laughing. He is quite ticklish. Must get that from me. He is also becoming quite the active kid, wanting to grab anything in front of him, putting his toes in his mouth, and trying hard to roll-over.

...and even eating Giraffee.

I found him like this after his nap...having a fine conversation with Giraffee. They are pretty much best buds (after Ruby, that is :). And I think it's time we pull out the crib.

And let's not forget Miss Ruby at 4 months, with her best bud.

We are still laughing about this...

Yesterday, the doorbell rang and I answered it to a middle-aged gentleman asking for donations for a school for children with autism. After writing him a check and asking a little bit about the school, our exchange ended and we said goodbye. I went back to making soup in the kitchen.

Not more than 5 minutes go by and the door bell rings again. This time I ask Hugh to go get it. While stirring my soup, I overhear a man's voice say, "I was just talking to your mom...", and I thought, that's weird. Sure enough, Hugh enters the kitchen laughing and confirms that I heard correct...the gentleman came back with a brochure about the school and thought Hugh was my son! I asked Hugh, is this a dis on me or him? Too funny!

She turned 3!

Ruby is officially a 3-year-old. Three sounds old to me. Where did the time go? I don't want to forget the fun we had preparing for her "Under the Sea, Ariel" party. How excited she was about decorating her toy room like the ocean. Her need to keep practicing her "fishing" for the fishing game. Dancing together to "Under the Sea" after the room was decorated...with Hank smiling and cooing at us in his bouncer. Picking out prizes together at Zurcher's and Ruby asking if she could wear the crown I said we couldn't buy around the store while we finished shopping...and then watching her so obediently put it back when we had to leave (making me want to buy it for her, but I didn't). Her really wanting a piñata just like her cousin Astrid had at her 3rd birthday. And listening to her talk all week about her friends and cousins coming to her party. Hugh commented that it seemed like the first party we've ever had for her because she was so aware of it this year. For her past two birthdays we just had family parties...this year she wanted a friend party.

Needless to say, she had a great day! So glad to have her friends and cousins there to make the day special for Ruby. Along with both her Grandmas, Grandpa Scott, Nana, and Aunt Mal and Call. And the party would not have been successful without the help of cousins Nain and Gwen...who pulled off the activities for 12 little kiddos. And thanks to Carter for being the camera man and the piñata smasher when all the little kids couldn't get the job done...nothing like hiring out :).

Can't you just see the excitement in her shoulders? I love it! It was especially cute to watch her hold up each gift after opening it for everyone to see.

Hank was also in attendance at the bash. Just doing what he does best...drooling and being cute.

We love you, Ruby! You bring so much joy to our family. We have especially enjoyed watching become a big sister again this past year. Hank loves you too...I can tell by the way he lights up when he sees you. Can't wait to see what this next year has in store for you. I'm sure more change and growth...which is always bittersweet.

The happenings....

Hank getting in some bonding time with his best bud Gray...

Then...

Gray deciding he wants to eat Hank's arm for lunch. Hank...not amused.

Being pushed out of bed by these three...or should I say two. On a few occasions both kids find themselves in our bed in the early morning; needless to say, for being so small, they really know how to take up a lot of room!

Getting ready for this crazy girl's 3rd birthday!! What!?

All over the house...

...we have drawings like these. Ruby love doing crafts, drawing, coloring, and writing her name. She figured out her name on her own...I love how her B looks like an 8. And she usually informs me that her U looks like a V.

It is no secret that Ruby keeps things lively around here. My favorite Ruby moments lately are:

Going to Hugh's indoor soccer game and Ruby telling me she was going to go cheer. Up to the net she trots and begins yelling, "Go Arsenal!" repeatedly. (Arsenal is Hugh's favorite English soccer team.) Too funny. Hugh would have been proud. It was also pretty cute to watch her wave at Hugh every time he ran past...she's already being immersed in soccer culture.

Getting ready for dance class and Ruby telling me, "When baby sister....Ines, comes out she can come to dance class with me. Right, mom?" Don't worry, Hank...she loves you too.

Decorating the Christmas tree with her and Ruby telling me it looked, "Fabulous!" If you get the opportunity to see our tree, you will notice the clumps of ball ornaments placed throughout the tree. Not my style...but Ruby's style.

Ruby telling people she is "almost potty-trained". Let's be honest...we really aren't even close, after our first attempt and failure a few months back, we stopped. But we are gearing up for round 2 after she turns 3 next week!

Ruby...you are one of a kind. I sure love you.