The Celebration Begins!

We already started Christmas around here and are having a ball. No more time for tears. Now is the time for hope and happiness and sharing! Drove to our hometown this weekend to see family and had SUCH a wonderful time. Have a million things to do today to get ready for everyone coming here tomorrow, but here are a few highlights of the weekend.

Dinner with my Dad Saturday evening.

Dad and his wonderful fiance' Lyn at dinner. Lyn picked out the most adorable pink and black Puma sweat suit for Ruby and a sweet Calvin Klein white puffy coat with pink lining and a faux fir trimmed hood. So thoughtful! Ruby is going to look so cute in them!

Me with the moose Dad & Lyn got for Ruby Kate. My Dad has been doing Bullwinkle impressions for as long as I can remember so it was so fitting! I think he is excited to have a new audience. LOL. We are excited for him to have a new audience, too! :-)

Dinner with LaRae & Woody, Jeff's parents. We had such a great visit with them and I had wonderful talks with his mom. She surprised us with some beautiful wooden pieces from the family for our Ruby. A wooden cradle that was Grandma Wolfgang's with antique dolls - one that was Jeff's moms as a girl! And then a rocker/glider that has been in the Kitzmiller family for generations. Such an incredible thing for them to give to our daughter and how much it means that it was theirs when they were children. We were really touched by their kindness and how excited they are to meet their granddaughter!

Had a really nice time visiting Grandma "Kitzy" as we call her. Such a sweet lady and our last Grandparent between the 2 of us. We sure do love her and enjoyed our time with her.

Love this picture of my guys! This is my brother David with Jeff at Mom's house. Had a nice time seeing all the Kimmels, too, but it was such a rushed visit I forgot to get out the camera! I can't believe it cause I am the mad picture taker!! So Lu, Llara, Greg, Ann, Drew, Reed, Regina, and Alissa...it was great to see you all, too! Also got to stop by and see my Uncle Mike and Sophie who live 2 doors down from my mom. They are just the sweetest, most wonderful people, and they, too, thought of our little Ruby. Aunt Soph had a sweet little summer outfit for our angel. Blue shorts with a sweet little tank with blue flowers on it.

Last, but not least, my dear, sweet Mommy. Had a too-short-but-sweet visit at her house on Monday with her family, but looking forward to her coming down this tomorrow to spend Christmas with us. Can't wait!

Wishing all of you out there are wonderful holiday. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hannakuh or Kwanza or any other celebration of love and peace...I hope it is your best ever! We are so happy for the families that have their children home this holiday and we sit in excitement and anticipation of our girl, along with all the other families still waiting. 2009 is our year and it's coming up fast! 

Peace & Love,

Jennifer & Jeff