Christmas Day 2009

Ruby's first Christmas!



The snow from Christmas Eve was still on the ground so we had a White Christmas!



Santa brought Ruby all kinds of fun things...like books, hair bows (for when she gets hair eventually!), a singing flower toy, monkey booties, and lots of new pajamas in her stocking (she wears size 12 months now!).







My brother Preston sent Ruby some gifts from South Korea where he is teaching English.



Santa brought Alex some gnomes for the backyard.



After a cozy morning at our house, we went over to Alex's parents for a nice late afternoon lunch. Mrs. Macnab made a great turkey and we enjoyed visiting with Larry and Sandy who were in town for a few days. Here is a picture of us in front of the Macnabs' British Taxi (we took a similar photo several years ago).



Ruby got to spend time with her cousin (as you can tell from the photo, they are not quite to the stage where they show much interest in each other!)



We gave Alex's parents a Chimenea for their patio...



The Macnabs and Robersons gave Ruby lots of nice things. I especially love the cupcake hat that Kate gave Ruby.

Thank you to the Macnabs, Pattons and Robersons for all our gifts and for helping us make Ruby's first Christmas so fun.

Merry Christmas!

White Christmas Eve

Yesterday it was over 70 degrees, I was wearing a tank top and considering turning the A/C on. Then, this morning it started snowing and the temperatures dropped into the upper 20s...Wierd! In the afternoon the snow started accumulating on the ground and it made everything look so pretty. After Ruby woke from her nap we took her outside to see what her reaction would be...Well, from the look on her face, I don't think she was too pleased with the blizzard-like winds and frigid temperatures! But, she did look super cuddly in her bear outfit!

















I put a small Christmas tree in Ruby's room and she loves it. She will be playing with toys on her rug and then look up longingly at the tree until I pick her up so she can grab the branches and attempt taking the ornaments off. Today I just set it on the floor and she was so excited!

Nice evening drink with our next door neighbors

We are so lucky to have Wayne and Julie as next door neighbors. Over the past few months we've had dinner at each other's houses and they have babysat for us. Earlier this week we had a drink at their house and they played with Ruby for a bit.

Ruby enjoys her first purse

Last week we met John, Sabrina and Ben for lunch in Huntsville on our way down to Beaumont. They gave Ruby a neat purse toy for Christmas. She loves it!





Now she knows how to reach inside and pull out the trinkets like the little plastic bracelet, lipstick, money, and keys.





And as you can tell from the photos, she even knows how to put lipstick on!

Cute Ruby in a Santa hat

I've been putting the Santa Hat on Ruby when we go out shopping...so cute!

Video - Dadada etc!

Ruby has been babbling for a bit, but now she is becoming more and more verbal!

Here she is chatting away in her carseat...Dadada is the most popular, but we often hear some bababas and mamamas too!

Allan's Graduation

This past Saturday my brother Allan graduated from SFA.



We were glad we could be there to help him celebrate!





After the graduation my mom whipped up some of Allan's favorite foods and hosted a small feast at Allan's house for other visiting friends and family. Here she is in action with the chicken and deer sausage gumbo...



And she also made one of my favorites - PIZZA ROLLS! Yum!



Congratulations on graduating Allan!

Early Christmas with the Goodells

Last Friday we drove down to Beaumont and celebrated an early Christmas with my parents.




My parents gave Ruby lots of beautifully wrapped presents (Ruby loved the wrapping paper and bows almost as much as the contents!) I'm so glad Ruby was able to spend some time with her grandparents on her FIRST Christmas!







My parents gave Ruby this neat snail rocking horse!



And lots of cool educational toys!



Thank you mom and dad for making it so fun for Ruby. I loved seeing her face light up!

Christmasy evening - Galleria and Highland Park Christmas Lights

Late this afternoon we went to the Dallas Galleria for a hot chocolate and a stroll around. We had a nice supper at the La Madeleine near the ice rink and then drove around Highland Park to look at all the Christmas lights.