EL PASO, Texas -- The family of former Border Patrol Agent Ignacio Ramos, convicted of shooting a drug smuggler and then covering it up, has had a difficult year filled with many ups and downs.

As they prepare for their first Christmas together in more than two years, they are facing yet another challenge.

Ignacio and Monica Ramos bought thousands of dollars in unforgettable gifts for this first Christmas. Their gifts were stolen out of their SUV, which was parked outside of their hotel room. The hotel was between their home in Houston and El Paso.

"Our vehicle was empty, I mean completely empty. They even took personal items of ours," said Ignacio Ramos.

Items that were special for this Christmas.

"It was stuff that I had engraved for my wife, showing Christmas '09 together, that can't be replaced," Ignacio Ramos told KFOX.

So while there may be fewer presents under the Christmas tree, at least Ignacio has the present of being with his family on Christmas morning.

"Probably some tears, recollecting the past two years of what I've missed, and seeing them, but happy thoughts and tears knowing that I'm here with them now and that's all that matters and counts," he said.

Ignacio Ramos' friends and family have chipped in with donations to try and help out.

The Ramos now live in Houston, where Ignacio has found work with an oil company.