Christmas, anyone?

I know Christmas seems eons ago, but for me it's not over till the fat lady blogs about it--and at 7.5 months pregnant that would definitely be me. This Christmas was certainly a unique one. It was wonderful as always, but, with a few extra challenges, it was one that will stick out to me for a while. Being big and pregnant at Christmastime is never my idea of a good time, but combine that with a temporarily handicapped husband, and it was even less fun. I have never felt like I did so little for Christmas yet felt so exhausted by it all at the same time. The biggest handicap was Sam's inability to drive. That meant all errands and shopping and running around had to be done by me. Being on the go so often certainly made me commit to avoid leaving all my "Christmas to-do's" for December ever again. 

Beware..picture overload below (I'm trying to get this all done in one shot--it is February next week after all)

We started off the Christmas season right by making a trip to the Christmas tree farm early enough to enjoy our tree for the whole month. Since neither Sam nor I could carry the tree, the Bywaters were kind enough to meet us and help us get it home. The kids made a great team getting it down the hill.

 This was when Sam was feeling his worst, so after we got the tree home the kids decorated the tree almost completely on their own. Reed is getting taller and it showed in the more balanced placement of ornaments. I thought I'd do some adjusting later, but there really wasn't any need (or energy).

 In the midst of all holiday craziness, the Primary (of which I am a part) was in charge of the ward Christmas party. We switched things up with a focus on both the Bethlehem and Nephite Christmas story. It was a TON of work, but in the end things mostly worked out really well. I think my favorite part was the stellar performance by my boys in the Nativity play as well as our great last minute costumes. I'm pretty sure Sam's Korihor number was entirely held together by safety pins.

Here is my rumpled bunch after church on Christmas Sunday. I think next year I'll be sure to get a picture before church when shirts are tucked in, bows are not flopping and Reed looks a little less like Count Dracula. 

 Not a great picture, but my big belly photos are so few and far between.

 After all the exhaustion leading up to Christmas the actual Christmas Day was nothing but sweetness.

The kids coming down the stairs after waiting patiently for at least 30 minutes for it to really be "daytime".  (Not the best picture I've ever taken, but thanks to Reed how could I not include it.

Reading Luke 2. Max's very sweet primary teacher gave all the kids tiny copies of the New Testament. Max adores his and is thrilled to use his own scriptures at every opportunity.

Hands down my favorite part of Christmas gift giving is watching the kids be so excited about the gifts they are giving. Max gave Reed a book called 1,000 Fantastic Earth Facts. He knows his brother well.

One of the sweetest gifts given was a bracelet and stuffed dog that Reed used all of his classroom auction tickets to get for Ruby.

Max gave me a toothbrush along with a lengthy explanation of why he thought it was perfect for me. I loved it--the toothbrush and especially the explanation of how awesome this model was.

Ruby was pretty adorable with her excitement level too.

Minute 1: Opening...

 Minute 2: Wearing

Minute 3: Rapunzel turned Xena warrior princess.

Every broken neck recovery deserves a new neck tie (and boy did he need a new tie.)

Reed got Max a Bey Blade for Christmas, but I knew he was worried he wouldn't get one to play with him. He was thrilled to find out he was wrong.

Our little ballerina now has real ballet shoes...and loves them.

Between the gifts they gave to each other,  got from us, and from cousins, the boys ended up with at least 8 new "amazing fact" books. They were in heaven and even weeks after Christmas I am still the recipient of an endless stream of random and usually unbelievable information.

For Ruby, you really can't go wrong with clothes. Accessories aren't bad either. She is definitely a little fashionista.

She may be a fashionista, but her only request for Christmas was "two dolls with squishy faces--one with brown hair and one with yellow hair." She never mentioned what size she wanted the dolls to be so when we saw an ENORMOUS brown-haired doll we just couldn't resist. (Actually Sam couldn't resist or stop laughing when he saw it. I, on the other hand, was embarrassed just to be standing in line with it. )

I don't think Ruby knew what to think of the gigantic doll. She looks a little skeptical here, but she has now become her welcome sleeping companion. It's actually pretty funny to check in on her at night and see her snuggled up with her using "Rosie's" face as a pillow.

I know from experience that some toys don't live up to your expectations--others exceed. Reed was very pleased with his levitating UFO.

Another one of my favorite gifts was the ornament Max made at school. You gotta love his hair in his picture. Doing Max's hair is always a battle--and he usually wins.

 But better than the gifts were all the hugs, and there were lots of hugs.

Phew! I made it! I made it through Christmas and this ridiculously long recap. On to 2013!

Ruby is THREE!

Last month my baby girl turned three. I think turning three is officially the end of being a "baby", but until April 10th, Ruby will be my baby girl--although don't tell her that. Whenever I even refer to her as my "little girl" she protests and says that the baby in my belly is little, not her.

Ruby's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so even though we have afternoon church, I was planning to celebrate after church. Ruby, however, had other plans and really, really wanted to be able to blow out her candles before church. She was convinced she was still two until her candles were officially extinguished so we obliged (we seem to do that an awful lot.)

Ruby and her big pink cupcake. (I am certainly getting my money's worth out of that cupcake mold!)  Reed, the cub scout, was very excited about being able to light the candles.

And with one big blow the candles were out...

and she was finally officially THREE years old (actually being able to hold up three fingers is a different story).

The birthday girl in her birthday dress made by my Nana.

I was a little worried she would want to eat the cake as well (and we really didn't have time for that), but thankfully she was completely satisfied with the candles and singing and happily headed out the door for church. (Don't worry we stripped her of her party hat before getting out of the car.)

Ruby was also lucky enough to have Grandmother there for the celebration.

We may not have had time to eat the cake before church, but we didn't waste anytime busting into it the moment we got home.

She is one loved and adored three-year old.

 Birthdays never seem to be one day affairs in our home. We like to stretch them out for at least a week. A few days later Ruby was beyond thrilled to receive her "dream birthday gift" from Nana and Papa---a Cinderella dress and the important accessories.  She put it on immediately and was in heaven wanting me to lift her onto the bathroom counter so she could check herself out. I think these pictures speak for themselves (please ignore what the finger prints all over the mirror have to say).

After she had sufficiently admired her royal self, she headed downstairs, but not without requesting someone hold the back of her dress like a real princess. I hope she knows how lucky she is to have such eager and accommodating brothers.

 We absolutely adore our little princess and can hardly wait to see what year three has in store for this firecracker of a girl. Happy Birthday Ruby!