We are so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends each of who helped make Ruby's second Christmas full of great memories and some pretty fabulous presents too!
We've hosted a pre-party to the boat parade the past few years. This year the boat parade was rained out which probably was for the best. We were able to hang out and enjoy each other and let the little ones run wild.
December 25th - Christmas morning at home & Christmas dinner at Gigi & Tucka's
Here is the recap of our fun week of Christmas celebrations:
December 19th - Boat Parade Party & Gift Exchange with Connor
We've hosted a pre-party to the boat parade the past few years. This year the boat parade was rained out which probably was for the best. We were able to hang out and enjoy each other and let the little ones run wild.
Ruby and Connor exchanged gifts. They really do love each other!
The kiddos in their matching T's. Thanks for the cute top Connor!
December 20th - Dinner at Nana & Papa's
We had a fun night celebrating - it was a "warm up" for Christmas. We had yummy appetizers, wore our traditional tissue paper crowns, sang The twelve days of Christmas which is always hysterical, and had our white elephant gift exchange. Santa even came for a short bit however Ruby was too thrilled to see him. Maybe next year....
Is it strange that we wear these hats? 'Cause we do it every year....
If it looks like there are a pair of boxers shorts turned into a gift bag in the picture above there are. Thanks Sky!
I can't even begin to tell you how funny this tradition of ours is. Everyone gets one of the "days" of Christmas that they are responsible for singing and it becomes QUITE the song. This year instruments were involved. I'll never forget the first year Chris had to participate in this back when we were just dating. I wasn't sure if he'd stick around after he saw my family in action but he is now a pro at this song. Aussie ALWAYS gets day 5 because she has the most "beautiful" voice and she can nail the "FIVE golden rings" part of the song like no one else. She may look a little crazy in the picture above but that face she's making just allows her voice to really shine through!
December 23rd - A day of baking & crafts with Nana C
This year Ruby was invited to join her Nana Candlish for a day of baking Christmas cookies. It's an annual tradition for Melissa to have the grand kids over for a sleepover and cookie fun the following day. Ruby is still a little young for the sleepover part but this year we went down for a couple hours to participate in the baking and crafting fun. There were 7 kids 11 and younger there to "help" Melissa bake which meant LOTS going on. Just Ruby's style!
All seven of Dave and Melissa's grand kids.
Learning to sew!
Thanks for having me Nana!
December 24th - Christmas Eve dinner and presents at Uncle Mike, Aunt Cindy, & Mimi's house
Each year we get together with Chris' side of the family for Christmas Eve. We normally go out to dinner after church and then do presents which makes for a very late night. This year we decided to have dinner at the house instead and it was SO nice. We had food from Newport Rib Co and it was extra tasty. It was so fun to watch the Taylor and Nathan (the "older" kids) patrol the room filled with all the gifts - it reminded me of how eager I always was to open my Christmas gifts. All of the kids received a bike from Mamo and Papa Rich. Ruby isn't quite big enough for her beautiful princess bike but I am sure it won't be long!
Before we left for dinner Ruby sat down to write a letter to Santa that we could leave for him that night.
A Christmas Eve picture with Daddy
Such a big girl in her fur jacket
Mu-wah! Blowing kisses
Unwrapping presents - A big girl bike!
I snapped this photo later that night after Santa had stopped by.
Despite leaving a pretty pathetic offering of Nilla Wafers and carrots for Santa and his reindeer Santa left a very nice Christmas letter for Ruby. Her note must have really won him over.
Christmas morning was the perfect end to a fun week of Christmas celebrations. Nana and Papa came over to watch Ruby open her gifts from Santa. We also had a visit from a few of Ruby's Uncles. Every time we turned around it seemed like the gifts were multiplying. What a lucky girl!
A few of her gifts from Santa and Nana & Papa included a pillow pet, twin babies, potty elmo, an elmo laptop, the Skuut balance bike, a new backpack filled with goodies, and her very own embroidered bean bag seat.
What IS it with our family and strange hats? Regardless - Christmas dinner was delicious.
Another wonderful Christmas to remember!
1 comment:
AWESOME!!!! I Miss Celebrating Christmas with my So Cal. fam. ,It was a BIG deal when I was young. AND, Now We are all making memories with "Our own little families" and keeping some of the olde traditions as well as making NEW :)
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