Fall!

Fall is probably my favorite season of the year.  There are so many fun family activities to do, and the Schmidt family is known to pretty much tackle them all every year!  I found this tiny little apple orchard that is close to our house a few years ago, and we have come back to it every year since.  It isn't fancy, and doesn't have a ton of stuff, but it is perfect for small kids, and the apple pies are fresh and amazing.  This year, I realized the two older ones are maybe getting too big as Hannah looked at me and said 'mommy, is this all there is??!!'.  That girl...

So last Saturday we visited Iowa Orchard.  We met Danielle and Leah there, and Hannah's friend from preschool Alivia.  It was the perfect day!  The kids got a hay rack ride, got muddy, played in the corn, and climbed up hay bails to the slides.  We also picked out big pumpkins, and left with some baked good.  

Besties. 

Luke trying to push Leah out of the way to poke his head through.  

Cousins. 

Fun on the slides!  We had the place to ourselves.  

We found corn in so many places!!  I think Luke had 3 or 4 more in his diaper!  

Boston and a New Job

Last weekend Andy and I were able to enjoy a last minute getaway weekend to Boston.  Thanks to my new job, and my family for watching our kids at the last minute.  

Back in August I started a new job, working directly for Principal Financial Group in their Corporate Real Estate department.  I feel so fortunate, and am so grateful for this opportunity.  It's what I've been working toward over the past 7 years working on the contractor side serving the Principal account, and am now thrilled to be the Asset Manager for the Principal Campus.  I continue to work with the same team, and oversee the same buildings, just in a different role.  I am now exposed to new opportunities, which allowed me to travel to Boston a week ago for a conference on Thursday.  

Andy met me out there Thursday night, and we stayed the weekend.  We had wonderful weather, and took advantage of all of the sites while we were there.  Boston was on our list of cities to visit, and it lived up to its expectations!  We love seafood, and had seafood every meal, including a lobster omelet for breakfast on Saturday.  

Here is our trip summary - written by the one and only - Andy Schmidt:

Thurs. night: stayed at Hotel Indigo in Newton, too far out of town for princess Carissa but cheaper than downtown free transportation if you take subway/bus, good wings for dinner. 
Friday: Stopped in at Eliot Hotel in a.m. where we stayed the next two nights.  Right off of Newbury Street.  Upgraded to king suite. Went on Harvahd Tour (DD for breakfast), Seafood and Chowda tour in afternoon (James Hook-lobster roll, egg with crab, No name-chowder, Luckies - haddock sandwich, ice cream), for dinner went to italian/american place, halibut fish for Carissa, goat cheese pizza for Andy (Sonsie) 
Saturday: walked the Freedom Trail (breakfast at North 26/Millennium Bostonian Hotel),  Snack at Mike's Pastry(strawberry cannoli and Boston Cream Puff).  Saw Faneuil  Hall, site of Boston massacre, Quincy Market, Little Italy, Paul Revere's house, burial grounds, public library.  Hawkeye game at Barracuda Tavern (winners), Italian dinner at Giacomo's (stood in line for 1+ hour, totally worth it), saw park and swan boats, shopping at Newbury Street, yoga pants (from lululemon). 

Tour of Harvard Campus Friday morning.

Seafood and Chowda Tour. 

By the Boston Tea Party.

Freedom Trail.  Ben Franklin's elementary school.

The blue and red brick trail is the Freedom Trail.  Follow that through the streets in downtown Boston for 2.5 miles for quite the history lesson!  That old building is the old state house, located smack in the middle of everything.  Very cool.

I had more lobster in 3 days than I've had this entire year.  

Faneuil Hall

Hawkeye bar for Hawkeye Game and big W.

Boston Gardens

Tiny Italian restaurant Giocomo's.  Lobster ravioli was so delicious and worth the 1+ wait! 

Such a great last minute trip that we wouldn't have been able to do without the help of my sisters and my mom.  Thank you all so very much!!   Up next - DC next month!  

Luke Turns 1!

Life around here has been pretty crazy.  Since I last blogged here is what been going on in the Schmidt house:

Luke turned 1
I got a new job
Henry started Kindergarten
Last minute trip to Boston for work which turned into a getaway weekend for Andy and me
Henry started flag football

Here are some pics of our adorable 1 year old.  He sure keeps us on our toes, and still loves his mama.  His sister still drives him nuts, and he loves his brother.  They have started wrestling together and it is adorable.  Luke now says: hi, buhbye, book, ball, mama, dada, cheese, more, sit.  Both times mommy traveled for work we received biting reports.  So hopefully it was due to the stress of mom being gone, and isn't a new trend.  He will follow simple instructions, and continues to eat like a monster!  

He was pretty lucky to enjoy two cake smashings.  One for a photo shoot, and then one at his party in front of all our family and friends.  He sure does love cake:)

Luke 11 Months

One week until the mister turns 1!!  At 11 months this is what he is up to:

 

Taking several steps in a row.  And when he falls down he stands back up and tries again.

 

Down to 2 bottles a day.  One 6oz around 1pm, one 6oz before bed. 

 

Has 8 teeth.  4 on top and 4 on bottom.  He had around 4 - 6 teeth coming in at the same time - not fun.

 

Goes to bed around 7pm, wakes up at 5:40am - argh.  Give us until 6am please Lukey!

 

Understanding when he does something he shouldn't do, and laughs, and already pushes his limits.

 

Talks a lot.  We joke that it sounds like he is speaking Russian with the way he sounds.

 

Points with his index finger. 

 

Blows the most adorable kisses, and gives the most slobbery open mouth kisses accompanied by the kissing noise.

 

Throwing everything.  He loves playing throw and catch with any ball.  The boy in him is already showing through. 

 

Here are pics of our almost 1 year old. 

 

 

Showing off his overhand pitch.

 

Showing off his big brown eyes.

 

The teeth causing us all pain over the past 3 weeks.  Lots of poopy diapers, red bottom, fussiness, and lots of teething ring action.  Now that they have broken skin we are doing much better.  Poor guy!

 

Not our baby anymore, growing into more of a toddler every day. 



Last Minute Trip to North Dakota

Last Sunday night on Father's Day, Henry, Hannah, my mom and dad, and Danielle packed up our Traverse and hit the road with 1700 miles round trip ahead of us!!  Danielle and I decided at the last minute to join my parents on a road trip to North Dakota to attend our step grandfather's funeral. 

 

On the way to Dickinson (which is pretty much to the Montana border) we stopped in Lakota for a visit with Grandma Marilyn!!  She didn't know we were coming, and so surprised!! 

 

 

My travel partner in the back seat of the Traverse.

 

Grandma Marilyn!!  We drove through the night, and arrived at the farm in Pekin around 4am.  Got in a few hours of sleep and then spent the day visiting with family!

 

 

Visited with Great Aunt Ellen and Uncle Fyllis.  They were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary that day!

 

Being silly on the trampoline.   

 

Fun with cousins! 

 

Adventures on the farm in the big town of Pekin (population 200).

 

Grandma Marilyn and her sister Ellen.

 

Playing on the piano at Grandma's farm.  So many memories here!!

 

My cousin Nicole came to visit and we got to see baby Ava and Nathan.

 

Love her rolls. 

 

We took off for Dickinson around 4pm for our 4 hour drive.  Saw some storms on the way. 

 

Got checked into the hotel just before the storms hit.  Grandma Deaner swam in the freezing cold pool with the kids. 

 

Dad and his brother Don at breakfast Tuesday morning before the funeral.  The kids met Grandma Mavis for the first time. 

 

Kids sort of behaving before the funeral.  Too many miles in the car finally caught up to them.  Just in time for the service. 

 

Selfies with Danielle in the funeral home.

 

Clinton was in the Military, so we got to watch a salute.  The gun shots were loud on the kids ears.

 

Right after the lunch we headed south to South Dakota, saw buffalo, and some buttes. 

 

My travel partner - he slept great on the drive.  Me, not so much.

 

Break at Mount Rushmore!  It was a bit out of the way, but totally worth it.  It was nice to stretch our legs, and see the 'Great Faces'.

 

Last pic before getting in the car again for our 10 hour drive back to DM ahead of us. 

 

Bathroom break and souvenir stop. 

 

We got back at 3am on Wednesday morning.  1700 miles in under 3 days.  Tiring, but worth it to see all of our family.