Sunday, December 26, 2010

CHRISTmas at Our House

The Night Before Christmas
Read the Story of Our Savior's Birth
Lit the Advent Candles
Handed out a special ornament to each child...a tradition we do every Christmas Eve
(something that represented their year)
Will - a rugged cross (1st time at overnight summer camp & his experience w/ the Holy Spirit); Abby - a chandelier (remodeled the playroom into her Princess Palace); Ella - a musical note (started taking piano); Owen - an OU football helmet (self explanatory :-) )

CHRISTmas Morning
This is how we found Abby Christmas morn...I think she was literally "dreaming of sugar plums"
The walk to the manger
Will was the only one brave enough to go out in the cold to get Baby Jesus!
The Christmas room...our formal living that only gets used on this very day
One very large gift awaits our baby girl...
Will's gift to each of us was a handwritten card exhibiting his new skill...writing in Chinese
(he's taking Chinese this year)
One very happy teeny bopper got just what she was hoping for...
And so did one little dude
Time for Stockings!
And our tradition of having a coke together
(only day of the year they're allowed)
See why...they get a little crazy on the stuff!
Mimi's traditional visit
Time for Kid Gift Exchange upstairs
(got them their own "Kid Tree" this year to display all their ornaments & gifts)
Abby handmade me the most precious Gift Certificates:
They each were given a sibiling to buy for...
Ella got Will a balloon maker (which actually ended up a huge hit - you'll see why later!)
Abby got Owen a Championship Wrestling Belt...
Right up his alley!!!!!!
Ella was just counting down the minutes until we could move her new gift into her room...and she spent the rest of the day in that very spot. :-)

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See what that Balloon Maker was capable of?! Balloon Hats for all!!
It truly was a beautiful day...how could it not be...it was Jesus' Birthday afterall.

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Wonder & Joy

Life has been full of *Wonder & Joy* at the Ruley house...
hope it's been the same for you!

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Nights Before CHRISTmas

Smiles for Smores
A fabulous four
Nana & Grandad's Christmas
Yummy dinner was had
Gift opening is rad
a personalized goal for O
Abby w/ her cousin Zo
Sweet dolls unwrapped...Ella like
Grandad reveals Abby's new Bike
"Pretty in Pink" is the Bike's cute name Will's new Ripstik...out it came!
Favorite gift received this year
Time for OU gifts...let's cheer!
Nana received lots of *Bling!
Our 1st iPad made us sing!
CHRISTmas Eve at Mimi's
Some of my Ruley Kin
Uncle Brad with little men
Ella gives Aunt Cindy homemade art
Singamigs warm everyone's heart
Toys that harmonize like a team
Feathers must be this year's theme!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Holiday Locks of Love

Today was the day!
After many months of growing her hair out, my Abby Lou decided it was time to say goodbye.
We measured one last time before heading to the salon...
Yep! We've got at least 10 inches!
(the Locks of Love minimum requirement)
Not only was this a super busy time to decide to do this (the week of Christmas), but this Momma was soooo sad to say goodbye to Abby's gorgeous mane! She has the kind of hair that I work very hard to achieve via products & a flat iron! :-)
We arrived at the salon and asked for "Nish" - the sweet gal who cut Will & Ella's hair over Thanksgiving...I knew she could do a great job!
She measured and then gave us a visual...
I hooked Will up with the video camera while I handled the still photography...
Oh my...here we go!!
Chop...Chop...GONE!
Thankfully Nish kept some hair out of the ponytail up front so that Abby could have
a swing style bob (HIGHLY recommend doing this!)
At this point, I'm still super nervous seeing how absolutely short the back of Abby's hair was...breathe Katie...breathe.
Abby gets her 1st look at her new 'do...can't tell for sure if that's a fake smile or not.
Thank you Nish for doing such a great job!
Once home, Abby went straight to the bathroom to play with her new style...
then one last pic with her donation.
Packaged and ready for shipment...
I think some little girl is going to be very, very happy :-)
And this girl...well, let's just say, she loves her new hairstyle so much that I'm not sure she'll ever grow it out again! :-)
Locks of Love Website:

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Perfect Pairings ~ Nehemiah 8:10

The girls at our Sunday School class annual
*Birthday Party for Jesus*
They were full of *JOY as they danced & pranced all night long....
celebrating the Birth of our Savior!
For the Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10b
(one of my all time favorite scriptures!)