The New Year

We had a very Merry Christmas in Kansas with the Gardners. It was fun this year because Ella was so excited about everything--leaving cookies for Santa, her stocking and of course the presents.
On Dec. 26th, Ruby had her first taste of solid foods. She wasn't that thrilled and is only now starting to enjoy them (a good month later).
The weather was pretty nice in Kansas--warm enough that we went to a park. Unlike Utah that has been fridig with tons of snow. (I'm not even going to bring up how I am missing California)Ruby is mastering sitting up. This was taken on New Year's Eve. She was 5 1/2 months old.
Here is Ella in her pink wig ("just like Stephanie" from LazyTown, her latest obsession--if you don't know, don't ask) that she got for Christmas in her dress up box. My little pixie/rock star.

The Lights at Temple Square

Here's Ruby all bundled up and ready to go. She got in the stroller and fell asleep in her little cocoon.
Here's the beautiful temple at night. This is where Tom and I were married, so we always love coming back.
Here we are all bundled up--it was so cold. We walk straight to the Nativity, into the visitor's center to warm-up and then we were done.
Ella had a great time--she brought her doll, Sabrina, to see the lights.
Here's Tom navigating the stroller through the sea of people.

Ho Ho Ho

Ruby and Santa were instant friends--two jolly ol' souls with rosy cheeks. It took Ella a little longer to warm up to big guy but once they started chatting Ella had plenty to say. This year for Christmas she wants a new green balloon because hers popped. He's gonna see what he can do.
Big loves for Daddy.
twinkling lights
Ella loves holding Ruby. Ruby is not so sure.
Ella's first snowman of the season.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here's Ella and Ruby in the holiday overalls Michelle Gardner and I made over the Thanksgiving weekend. We had a little too much fun.
Two giggle boxes.

Kisses--Ella is so sweet and gentle with Ruby (most of the time).
Ruby's favorite part of her new outfit are the edible pom-poms...kind of a problem.

Thanksgiving Weekend with the Gardner Cousins!

After Thanksgiving dinner with Jared and Sherry, we headed down to Springville to spend the weekend with Robert and Michelle. Ella and Ruby had a great time playing with their cousins. Here are the girls--Ella, Ruby, and Amanda.
Amanda is wearing Michelle's ice-skating outfit and James is just loving the camera. He kept posing for a picture.
Ella really didn't want to take this one but Reed looks so handsome I had to put this one up. I can't believe how big they are all getting.
Here's Ella's "cheese" smile. (She's also dressed in one of Michelle's costumes).

Jared and Sherry's Wedding!

Jared and Sherry were married on October 14th, 2006. Talon was the ring bearer. It was a beautiful ceremony--outside at sunset. We love Sherry and are so happy that Jared found her.
Here's the Cardon Clan.
Ruby is pretty excited to be 4 months. She is one month closer to dancing with Ella.
Here's my littlest beauty.
"Shhhh--don't tell Mommy that I know how to roll over." I'll put Ruby on her tummy and while I'm not looking she'll flip over on to her back again. I know she can do it--I'm just waiting to see it.

Happy Halloween!

Ruby is 3 months old.
Bath time is still her favorite (mine, too...).

The lucky black cats.
Ella was the cutest witch this year. This was my Ebay bidding for blood purchase (and I don't feel bad about it.).

Ruby is 10 weeks

Sisters, sisters. There were never such devoted sisters...
Ella is perfecting her head lock. (Tom, no more wrestling with her). I really am trying to keep this from being a portrait of Ruby's life.
Ruby is getting all chubby. I love it.

Here is Ruby and Aunt Gen on the day of her blessing back in August. I love this picture.

A Little Silliness

Ella helping Mom with the laundry. She sure is good at helping me empty the basket--folding the clothes is a different story. Ah, the life...fruit snacks, a See & Say and a laundry basket. She'd stay all day if she could.
Here's Ella making th 'squishy-chubby-fish' face that Aunt LaDonn taught her.
For play group this week, we learned about circles. This is Ella's circle colage.
She had more fun putting the masking tape on her face, than on her art project.
Here is Ruby lounging patiently outside, while Mommy and Ella swing. Ella just can't wait for the day that Ruby can run and play with her. She always wants Ruby to have a turn.

Ruby's Blessing

Ruby was blessed on Aug. 13th. We were so lucky to have all of the Gardner family here and most of the Cardons. We had a wonderful dinner to celebrate Ruby's blessing and Tom's birthday. It was so fun to have everyone together in our home. It felt like Christmas.
Tom bless Ruby that she would be 'calming waters' in our home. And she truely is. She is pure bliss. She's either smiling, looking wide eyed, eatting or sleeping.
Here she is catching up with Daddy after scout camp (Doesn't he look hot all ruff and scruffy?).
Here's my new favorite picture of Ruby. Karissa, put the camera down and back away. I can't stop taking pictures of my girls.

Some Firsts...

Our first family picture with Ruby. Ella couldn't take her eyes off Ruby.
Ruby's First Bath given by Grandma Cardon.
Ella's first time holding Ruby.
Ruby's first family hike was up at Alta.
One of Ruby's many smiles. She is the happiest, sweetest, most patient baby. She is three weeks in this picture.