Christmas 2012 (it did happen even if I'm a month late recording it). 

Our family's first normal size, real Christmas tree, which we were sad to see go. Ruby wanted to keep it up all year. We made some great memories picking out this tree, having it cut down, strapping it to our car, and then hauling it up the flight of stairs to get it to our second floor condo....not to mention having to re-cut it a couple of times to get it to fit just right. Luckily the Walmart saw we bought on the way home from getting the tree got the job done. Hugh is still finding sap in his clothes.

Christmas Morning....enjoying some breakfast sausages and apple cider in "fancy" cups. When we got sparkling cider out on Christmas Eve, Mal requested to use a fancy glass...these ice cream ones were the best we had. Ruby was quite pleased and still prefers drinking sparkling cider from them. 

**note to self: purchase some better glasses for next year**

...

We hosted my dad and Mal at our place for Christmas Eve for dinner (I didn't get any pictures...boo). We had such a nice night, eating, opening gifts, and enjoying each other's company. Mal spent the night, which Ruby was quite pleased about. Ruby even made Mal her own bed on the floor next to hers...nothing but the best for our guests :).

Santa did indeed come, Christmas morning. First thing, Ruby wanted to check if he ate the cookies she made for him and if the reindeer found the carrots and celery outside. She was pleased to find that all had been consumed. 

**On a side note, I will always remember how much fun Ruby and I had making sugar cookies together on Christmas Eve day. Ruby was in her element rolling out dough, cutting out cookies, and frosting them to her hearts delight. I couldn't stop smiling after hearing her say, "This is so much fun."

 But back to Christmas, Santa brought Ruby the Barbie doll she's been wanting FOREVER. I have always told her I am not a fan of barbies...but she warned me before Christmas, "Sorry Meg, Santa is bringing me a barbie." He did bring a nurse barbie, making the barbie blow a bit softer. Ruby also got the movie "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" which was on her list. Let's just say this has been a bigger hit than the barbie! We have watched it almost everyday, along with having to role play the movie. She is always Susan and has even asked her Aunt Call to make her some battle clothes. Just the other day we had to make her a bow and arrow out of cardboard. The best is hearing Ruby talk in her English accent! Do I see theatre in her future???

Hank was pleased to be running around, throwing the blocks from the block set Santa brought. He had no idea what was going on...just happy to be there.

Here we are...in all our Christmas morning glory.

...

Christmas afternoon and night we spent at my mom's house. As always, we had a great time being together. My mom keeps such a cozy home and always make the best food. Ruby was very pleased with the Cinderella wedding dress she got from Grandma. And once again, Hank was just happy to be running around, throwing things, and eating candy...and then some more. 

Santa Came!

And brought Ruby her very own play tent. She thought it was funny that Santa had it all set-up.

Ruby did notice that Santa used our wrapping paper, and was a bit confused by it. I told her that I let Santa borrow some...this answer sufficed. Santa even left her a little note...she thought that was pretty special.

Opening gifts from Grandpa Scott. She LOVED the scrubs and doctor kit he gave her. She pretty much wore the scrubs all day, and for the entire week following Christmas. Just like mom, she tells me she needs to take a nap before she goes to work. My favorite is when she gets on the phone from the kit and says, "Hurry doctor, come in, someone's sick. It's a 'mergency!"

Hank enjoying his goodies, while cuddling up with Aunt Mal.

Before heading off to church. Hank and Ruby wearing their new clothes from Aunt Mal.

The aftermath: scene 1

...and scene 2

Watching Horton Hears a Who that Santa left in Ruby's stocking.

We then concluded our Christmas festivities at my mom's house. It was just perfect. We opened gifts, played more doctor, and enjoyed a yummy meal.

Here's Ruby opening her awesome Rapunzel dress that Aunt Call made for her. Yes, she made it from scratch, and it is so darling.

It was the only thing that got Ruby out of her scrubs :)

Ruby playing Candy Land with Uncle Chad.

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.

And the last of Christmas 2010!

Christmas Eve with the VW's...you can see in Ruby's eyes she was still not feeling well.

Ruby "fixing" the table and chairs she got from "butka" scott...and Hugh supervising.

She has loved having her own table and chairs to do her all her "stuff" on.

Finished the holiday at Grandmas "Sueez"...where Ruby played us a little fiddle. I am really going to miss that cute little bald head when all her hair grows in?

I'm still amazed that Christmas came and went so quickly...and now it's February!! Can't wait for the spring...mostly because we will be that much closer to meeting our little babe.

Thank You.

Last night I received a very special Christmas gift from an anonymous giver, delivered by a cute blonde girl I didn't know. She just smiled and said "no", when I asked if I knew her. I was so perplexed and overwhelmed with gratitude, emotion, and amazement that I don't even think I told the girl to tell the giver Thank You. So, Thank You. I have been awe-struck with this giver's kindness and generosity. This beautiful gift will be another sweet reminder of Hughie, in our home. I feel so very blessed.

Jolly Old Saint Nick.

We are coming up on a week before Santa makes his stop. Ruby wasn't so sure about him when she met him for the first time this year (we by-passed Santa's lap last year...what's the point if she is just going to be scared out of her mind?) No crying, screaming, or kicking was involved, instead, Ruby just stared at Santa in absolute silence. I don't even think she blinked. Classic.

Today Ruby and I wrapped some gifts. Me, thinking she is only two and wouldn't remember what we wrapped, let alone who they were for, didn't wait to wrap the gifts when Ruby wasn't around (nor did I refrain from telling her who the gifts were for). Major backfire. Tonight when Hugh got home she told him there was a movie waiting for him under the tree (she was hoping to watch it)...too bad that is the one and only gift I have for Hugh and it is now spoiled. Oh, well. Hugh got a good laugh, that should count for something. Happy wrapping everyone...barely a week before Christmas...we can't wait!

Now that's capturing the spirit of giving...thanks Shutterfly!

Before the holidays began this year, I told myself I wasn't going to let myself get too stressed out. Well, Shutterfly has put me that much closer to that goal with their free Christmas card promotion this holiday season...50 free Christmas cards for bloggers! Now that's the spirit of giving. I used Shutterfly for Ruby's birth announcements, and I was very pleased with how they turned out. The announcement is still on my fridge and Ruby is almost two! I couldn't believe the awesome selection they have of Christmas cards...the hard part will be choosing just one. Here's a little peek at some of their darling cards from their their awesome holiday card collection:

And I hope I'm not giving any gifts away, but I don't think cards are the only thing I will be ordering from Shutterfly. I love their photo calendars and with Ruby's birthday just around the corner, I'm thinking of trying out their birthday invitations. Can't wait to get our Christmas cards in the mail and I'm even more excited to receive them from all our friends and family!

Interested in 50 free holiday cards?

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