Since Sam and Lindsay's precious new baby, Ruby, was blessed in Fuquay-Varina (the actual blessing was in nearby Garner), NC, we made a quick trip back there to witness and participate in this special occasion. Ruby Marie Dickson is a darling baby and won our hearts completely. I could get her to smile and coo at me every time I picked her up! We are thrilled to have her in the family, even if she lives a continent away from us.
Sam pronounced a beautiful blessing on this loved little girl. She did her best to distract him by wailing periodically throughout, but he was unruffled and the blessed her with empathy, compassion, spirituality, intelligence, temple marriage and many other wonderful attributes. She will fit in well with her very blessed family.
Sam and Lindsay's ward has just been divided and they have their church at 2:30 about 35 minutes away. Since it was fast Sunday, we were so concerned with getting home and putting dinner on the table, that Ruby was about the only one left in her Sunday best--in her case in her beautiful blessing dress--one that all her girl cousins on the Evelyn side have shared. So we failed to get the traditional family group pictures we meant to, but here are a few of our weekend to give you a flavor of what that beautiful little girl looks like and what we did together: 
I especially love this picture of Ruby getting to know her dad. Does he love her!
I surprised Lindsay here. She is such a wonderful, loving Mom. 
Ruby knows when her mom has her and calms right down. 
Reed & Papa with Reed's shelf project. 
This is the face Max makes when you tell him to smile. He has a treat following his soccer practice.
Reed at soccer practice.
Reed had a drill where they put all these hoops on the ground and the children were to run around until told to find a hoop and then sit down in it. Gradually, they removed the hoops until it was a little like musical chairs. Reed quickly learned just to run around and around one hoop and therefore, always have a hoop with a minimum of effort.
Here is Lindsey with Ruby getting her first look at a bowling alley.
From soccer we went bowling, a great activity on a cold and wet day. Of course, many others had the same idea. We had to wait a while. But it was worth the wait.
Max cheered and jumped up and down each time his ball hit the pins. He really loved bowling. He even got a couple of spares. His ball went so slowly sometimes, though, we weren't sure it would make it all the way. He often laid down on the alley to wait for it to get there.
Reed gets a strike and strikes an appropriate pose.
Gutters aren't so bad for Max. A good place to relax while you wait for your ball to roll down the alley. Bumpers are a great invention. Nana appreciated them as well. Sometimes it felt more like pool as the bowling ball ricocheted off the bumpers.
Sam gets to take a turn with Ruby so Lindsay could bowl. He just can't resist kissing her, can he? I see I raised him right.
This picture should be a video. Max loved Wii sword fighting more than anything. He would stand in front of the TV and run his legs off waiving the controller madly. He often won. He definitely got his exercise!
Lindsay's sister Whitney with her little Olivia came Saturday night after being delayed in the NY airport about 6 or 7 hours. Olivia was such a cutie!
Last day with this little family. (Reed was already at school.) When will we get to see them again?
We leave Ruby in loving capable hands.
Precious Ruby, you are loved!
