Christmas #2 in Wilmore & Christmas #3 in TN

Christmas was great this year with it being Ruthie's first Christmas. We had so much fun and enjoyed celebrating as a family of 3 in Wilmore. Here are some pics from the last 2 celebrations we had- one in Wilmore and one in TN with Matt's fam.

First, here are some more new ornaments.

 This one was given to me by my mom- I love crafting these days so she got me a crafting ornament

 Ruthie's First Christmas ornament from Gigi and Aunt Hannah Leigh

 This one was made by Nana Chris.

 for me from my mom

 Ruthie's first Christmas ornament from Nana and Papa Stout and I finally got a pic in it.

 Here is Ruthie enjoying her new high chair and watching some Sesame Street

 I was trying to get a pic of Ruthie wearing her Christmas outfit from Gigi and Hannah Leigh, but she did NOT want to wear the hat.

 Reading her card from Grandmom and Granddad Stout

 Family Christmas pictures

 Momma and Ruthie

 On Christmas Eve, we had some friends over to enjoy Wassail and Cookies and Pie. The Daughtry-Grubbs, Zimmermans, and Wests all came to celebrate after the Christmas Eve Service. It was a beautiful service and a great get together!

The next morning, we awoke for Ruthie to eat at 7 and then headed to the living room to see what "Santa" brought. Here is Ruthie's loot! A leapfrog learning table, a walk and push toy, 2 puzzles, 2 outfits, 2 books, a Christmas rubber duckie, a Christmas cup, and a Christmas bib. She racked up!

 She LOVES her leapfrog table! It was a huge success and is really a great learning tool.

 Ruthie reading her book

 Ruthie and her Duckie

 Ruth and her new sippy cup

 Eating casserole and wearing her new bib

 I love Bananas!

 See our new TV! Momma and Daddy love their new toy!

 Matt reading one of his books and drinking coffee from his new mug

 Momma wrapped up in her snuggy and she got a little sewing machine for small crafting projects and the movie "The Family Stone".

 After going to church and spending the afternoon at home we went over to the Daughtry-Grubbs to have dinner with them and the Thimons and it was delicious. We had green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, salad, and a wonderful pork loin stuffed with cranberries and walnuts. It was one of the best meat dishes I have ever had! I think I will try it my self sometime soon!

On Monday we headed out for TN bright and early. We hung out until dinner time when we went to the Wassons for dinner and played the White Elephant game. We also gave out the calendar presents we bought everyone. They were once again a huge success.

After getting back to Steve and Kathy's we opened presents and Ruthie received lots of clothes, socks, a teapot and teacup set (how appropriate for Baby Teapot Stout), some books, a pop up toy, and a few other small things. We waited until Sarah's boyfriend, AJ, arrived on Wednesday to open stockings. However, here are some pics from present opening.

Steve received an ipad and Kathy got a Keurig coffee maker and boy did we make a lot of coffee with that thing in the few days were were there. And we made apple cider and hot chocolate! yummy!

 Aunt Sarah got a Wii

 Ruthie loves her teacup

 she especially like banging them together! also, here is the pop up toy to the left.

 On Wed we opened stockings and then headed out to a Lady Vols basketball game. It was fun... for a Vols game. On Thursday, we went over to Grandmom and Granddaddy Stout's house for lunch and presents. Here is Ruthie with her new xylophone and she also got a Little People's Noah's Ark and a book. Matt got new Charlie Brown comics to add to his collection and I got more Elvis movies. I now am only missing 8 of his movies!

We also ended up with some money from different people and I had enough to buy a KITCHENAID MIXER!!! It is buttercup in color and will arrive in 7 to 10 days! Matt got all 6 Star Wars and all 8 Harry Potter in blu-ray to watch on our new TV and blu-ray player. I also got all the seasons of Dawson's Creek and finished out my seasons of Home Improvement. From Matt's parents and sister I got some movies and socks and a scarf to name a few things and Matt got some boxers and movies along with both of us receiving money for  the TV and blu-ray player.

Over all it was a wonderful Christmas. We were blessed with some many things and really enjoyed seeing Ruthie face light up as she opened presents and looked at Christmas lights. We also read the Christmas story a few times. We want her to understand that while we get blessed with lots of things but without Jesus we would be nothing. We really are grateful for all we have and for all our family and for our little family of 3. 

We still have no idea what is going to happen in the next few weeks/months, but when we know we will post about it. Thank you for all the texts, calls, and messages. We appreciate your care and concern. It is great to know we have so much support. Just keep praying!

And Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

PS New Years Eve was spent with our friends that Andersons and Thimons. We were really boring and played Rock Band on the Wii, watched Big Bang Theory, and just hung out and ate. We headed to church on New Years day, but when we got there and found out it wasn't our week in the nursery we went back home to care for our pups who are sick with a stomach bug or something. please pray for them (and us) b/c we (mostly Matt) are tired of cleaning up dog poop! And I will end on that note! haha