Our Little Sugar Plum and a Waldrup Christmas!

Christmas came a little early this year at the Zellner home. As our Christmas card reads, it was Pure Joy! So... sit back, grab a hot cup of coco, and enjoy a large picture post of  

 Auby's first Christmas with our Waldrup family.

This Christmas season has been exceptionally special. Celebrating with our little girl has made for so many melt your heart moments and fun little traditions for our little family of three. The most important will be to teach her the true reason for the season. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. Luke 2: 13-14.

This year, our Waldrup family came to Dallas to celebrate an early Christmas. They arrived Thursday afternoon and stayed until early morning Monday. This truly was a special visit, filled with Christmas tradition, baby cuddles, and many family firsts. I am so thankful for this special time and so thankful we were able to share this time together, capture these moments on film, and create memories to last a lifetime. 

 

One of the most memorable moments was when my mother, Oma, gave me a few very special gifts. Oma, as her mother was known before her, is German for grandmother. The name has so much more significance than that. My Oma passed away from cancer when I was four years old. While my memory of her is very limited, she truly holds such a special place in my heart. Among the gifts my mother brought, she gave me my baby book, a handmade Christmas pillow from my Oma made in 1985, and her very first letter she ever wrote me.

The card was in perfect condition. The words read,

Dear Alicia,

I shopped and shopped- many stores- with the list your mommy gave me. This was the very nearest to your size and similar to what she wanted you to have. Hope you and your mommy like them. I love you!

Oma

P.S. This is the first letter I have written to you.

Running my fingers over her writing brings tears to my eyes knowing that her very hands wrote these words... Knowing that she took the time, the thought, the care, to send a baby this beautiful letter. The fact that this letter is now in my hands almost 30 years later. I can only imagine the love that she had for that little baby she spoke of. I know she would absolutely love this little girl and I'm so proud she can celebrate her great Oma and share her name. I know that Aubrey will share such a special relationship with her Oma as I had with mine and am so thankful that they will continue to make so many wonderful memories together for years to come.

....

Saturday morning, stockings were hung by the chimney with care and it looked like St. Nicholas had already been there. Our little family of three had gotten up with our little sugar plum and began our morning. Oma came downstairs for baby girl's playtime and some baby cuddles with her granddaughter. After a few hours of conversation and catch up, it was time to begin our Waldrup family Christmas.

One of the most adorable moments was with Aubrey's new Christmas bear (thank you Grammy and Papa Z). It sings Jesus Loves Me. Aubrey LOVED this little bear and gave so many big baby smiles with it. This picture absolutely cracks me up. I think Mattie loved the bear as much as Auby did. (And no my dog is not this huge... you just gotta love puppy photo bombs).

I've learned that everything is more fun with a baby. This was Auby's first stocking. She had lots of wonderful goodies from mama, daddy, and my family. While she has absolutely no clue what's going on, it is so fun to have her share in the celebration.

Enjoy some pictures of our Waldrup family Christmas. From opening up gifts, baby kisses, reindeer socks, playing peek-a-boo, family traditions of lottery scratch offs and bow wearing, this was a fun filled family Christmas in the making!

 

 {Waldrup Christmas Family Fun}

{Opa and Auby}

 {Sweet Reindeer Socks}

 {Bubba and Auby}

 {Oma and Auby}

 {Oma and Opa playing peek-a-boo}

 

 {Christmas scratch offs, a Waldrup family tradition}

 {Auby's Bedtime Story- Good Night Baby Jesus}

 {Gift Time}

 

{Auby's gifts to the family}

  {Daddy Daughter time}

{Gig 'em Aggies... WHOOP!}

 {Our Sugar Plum Angel}

{The Gents}

 

 {Opening gifts with Oma and Opa}

 {Cuddling with Bubba}

One of our traditions is to wear Christmas bows that you unwrap. This is how our family gets decorated!

From Christmas firsts, baby cuddles, conversation and catch up, and a belated birthday dinner, this has been a great visit. Our little Sugar Plum is so loved and had a wonderful first Christmas. Thank you to Oma, Opa, and Bubba for making it truly special.
  

 

 ...sending loves and smiles...
We wish you a blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year!