Chi O Mom Party - 2011

We had such a great day on Saturday!  Three of my sorority sisters came over for a fun filled afternoon.  Three out of the four of us have children, so the day pretty much consisted of watching the kids run around, making sure the big kids were nice to the little kids, and getting down on the floor playing alongside the kiddos.  Mandy and Kara both live in Des Moines and Kelly drove over from Iowa City for the afternoon with her husband Chris and daughter Katelyn. 

Henry and Johnathan.  They are one year apart.  They had so much fun running after each other. 

Trying to capture the group.  Mandy, Kelly and Katelyn (8 months), Kara holding Lilly (4 months) and Johnathan (almost 4), and then me holding Hannah and Henry picking his nose (lovely!).  I love that Katelyn is very interested in what Henry is doing. 

The kiddos playing in the living room.  Andy brought up our old baby stuff from the basement and Hannah couldn't get enough of her old Bumbo!  She seriously spent close to an hour crawling in and out of that chair. 

Hannah and Katelyn playing with the baby toys.  Katelyn only has a couple pounds on Hannah.  Hannah is around 18lbs and Katelyn around 20lbs - Hannah is 4 months older.  It is becoming a common theme with my little peanut! 

Mandy holding the girls.  See - she could totally manage twins one day - right Mandy!!

The kids loved Paul. 

Monkey see monkey do.  Johnathan started posing, so Henry followed right along.

Even though our Saturday nights were completely different from when we were in college, I would say that we had just as much fun as we ever did at Iowa.  We hope to make this an annual Chi O Mom Party that we can look forward to each year!!

Say 'Cheese'!

If you know anything about me, you know I love to take pictures.  I am there with a camera at any photo opportunity.  So I guess I shouldn't be surprised when one of the first words out of my daughter's mouth is 'cheese'.  Check this video out!

And boy does she love her sweet corn too!! 

Can you tell she loves her sweet corn and loves to say cheese??!!  I love this picture so much!!

Angry Birds

Andy upgraded to a smart phone about six months ago.  This has enabled him to do a lot more with his phone, including playing interactive games, his favorite being Angry Birds.  Back when Henry was still learning how to stay in his big boy bed part of the night time routine was for Andy to sit in the rocking chair in his room while Henry fell asleep.  I never had the patience to sit that long, but this 20 minutes gave Andy time to play Angry Birds.  He has long since beat the entire game - but over family vacation he broke it back out and decided to teach the boys how to play.  It was pretty humorous!

Bennett asking Andy for help to beat a level - Henry and Camron looking on.

It was pretty funny to watch Bennett get so frustrated when he couldn't beat the level on his own.

My husband - recent MBA grad, has earned his CPCU and AIAF designations, and now conqueror of Angry Birds.  I couldn't be more proud:)

1st Trip to the Dentist

Big milestone this morning - Henry's first trip to the dentist!! 



Getting ready to get his teeth cleaned - watching cartoons.

 He did such a great job.  He sat still and followed directions the entire time.  The hygienist was able to brush all of his teeth with their special tooth brush, and he even let her floss!  She then washed out his mouth with their sprayer and sucked out the toothpaste with the sucker - all of which didn't phase Henry at all.  Then the dentist came in and used his pick to count all of his teeth.  He has 18 teeth.  He is still waiting on his top two molars.  The bottom right molar is all the way in and the bottom left molar is half the way in.  So that does explain why he has been telling me his teeth hurt lately. 

All done  - big smile! 

The dentist said he did such a good job.  He said that hardly any 2 year olds sit through an entire cleaning like that.  The hygienist was shocked, she said probably 1% of kids do.  So once again, we are so proud of our big boy.  He ended the visit by picking out the Disney Princess stickers for his arm - his dad would be so proud:)

Fireworks

Going back in time a few weeks to finish up the Schmidt Family Vacation:

Sunday night we were able to time the kids naps late in the day over the Fourth of July that they were able to stay up for the fireworks until 10:30pm that night! 

Hannah and Grandma Schmidt getting ready to head to the fireworks in Iowa City. 

Cousin Camron teaching Hannah how to play hockey.

The kids LOVED playing on the bunk beds.  It never got old.  The would jump so high they would hit their heads on the ceiling and laugh at how funny it was. 

On the Old Capitol steps in Iowa City.  It was so neat to be back in the city Andy and I met and spent four wonderful years.  I really love that place!

Beautiful sunset behind the IMU. 

I called my parents up last minute, who live about 20 miles north of Iowa City and invited them along.  It was so nice to have both sets parents there! 

Best attempt at our family photo.  A little too much going on. 

And the fireworks began!  Henry didn't know what to think at first and covered his ears since they were so loud, but by the end he loved them and hasn't stopped talking about them since!

Watching the fireworks with Grandma Deaner and Papa.  Kids behaved very well for being so late.  I was impressed! 

The next morning we hit up the waterpark one last time, then played outside on the wooden playground before taking off.  The boys loved the tire swing. 

Henry could ride for hours.

After lunch we headed back to Des Moines.  What a great trip.  It is so fun to get away with extended family for an entire weekend like that.  We are so lucky to live close enough and truly enjoy each others company that much!  Thank you to Dale and Deb for a great weekend - can't wait to plan next years!

Pretty Girl

Who....me??

Uh oh...already loving her jewelry - going to be trouble!!

Last Year in my 20's

I turned 29 on Saturday.  Hard to believe it is the last year in my 20's!  I had such a great weekend with family and friends.   I was a little bummed at first since a girlfriend from Atlanta's flight was cancelled on Friday, but thank you to my spur of the moment friends and family plans were changed within minutes. 

Friday night our friends Kelly, Ryan and Georgia came over for dinner and a play date.  It was fun to just sit back, relax, and watch the kiddos play.  Oh how our Friday nights have changed!

Then on Saturday we started the day off at the Farmer's Market, then headed to Adventureland for the day.  It was so hot, and somehow we made it until 5pm!  Henry loved it and never wanted to leave.  The pictures from the day are on my mom's camera, so will post them later. 

Once we got home from Adventureland we cleaned up and headed to a Japanese Steakhouse called Taki for dinner.  The food there is delicious!  After four or maybe five saki bombs we came back to our place and just hung out.  It was a perfect night. 

My parents stayed home and babysat the kiddos while Andy and I went to dinner with my sisters, their significant others and our friends Mandy and Paul. 

Mandy and I. 

You can tell by Andy and my red faces we spent a little too much time out in the sun! 

I love the stage of life we are at right now.  Turning a year older didn't phase me at all.  It honestly continues to get better and better and wouldn't be how great it is without everyone that I have in my life.  Love you all and thank you for celebrating me:)

Henry's Friend Dylan

Henry was invited to his first ever birthday party which we attended Saturday.  His friend from school Dylan turned 3 and his parents graciously invited the kids from school to his birthday party at Monkey Joe's. 

The party was from 10:30am - 12:30pm, which is ideal timing for these crazy preschoolers.  Henry didn't waste even a second before he started running from inflatable to inflatable with his friends.  There were four friends from school there, Camden who turns 3 in August, Caitlin who turns 3 in October, and Dylan the birthday boy.   

Henry and I have checked out Pump it Up before, which he also loved, but I have to say that Monkey Joe's is definitely geared more toward younger kids.  I would probably wait until Henry turned 5 before having a party at Pump it Up where as Monkey Joe's is perfect for 2-4 year olds. 

Loving life.

Big hug for Monkey Joe!! 

Sliding down with Dylan.  I am pretty sure Dylan and Henry get into some trouble together at school.  It was so fun to watch them interact!  They kept asking each other 'Henry - ready to go to the next one??' and they would wait until the other was ready to sprint to the next station.  That night while we said prayers I asked Henry if there was anyone else he wanted to pray for and he said 'pray for my friend Dylan'.  Pretty cute. 

 Waiting patiently.

Time for cake.  Dylan's mom Tara got the coolest dinosaur cake.  The head popped out from the cake automatically!  Henry helped blow out the candles.

Checking out Dylan's new dinosaur while Dylan opened more presents.

Sporting his dino tat that he got in his goodie bag from the party.

Henry had such a fun day, and honestly so did I.  I loved watching him run around with his friends being Mr. Social.  He may have inherited that from his mom... 

Sprinkler Fun

Last night we got out the sprinkler and had some fun in the front yard.  Both kids were very interested, but I think Hannah gets the award for being the most brave!  She wasn't quite sure what hit her!

Celebrating the Life of Morgan

This past Tuesday I headed back to Cedar Rapids to spend time with my best friend since the 6th grade Emilie to celebrate the life of her younger brother.  Her brother Morgan, who was just 28 years old, passed away on July 1st from complications with meningitis after a 3 year battle with Leukemia.  

Emilie is one of the most intelligent and strongest women I know.  Her strength through the past three years has been amazing and I truly look up to her.   

Tuesday night was the visitation, followed by a get together at a local bar called Wild Hogs....yes I said it right, Wild Hogs.  It was so great to catch up with old friends and celebrate the life of Morgan.  Wednesday morning was his beautiful ceremony which Emilie did a great job organizing and speaking at. 



Emilie sporting the hat Morgan bought her.  Heidi, me, Emilie and Kristin - high school friends that have kept in touch over the years!



I am so sad for you Emilie and can not imagine what you are going through.  Morgan was so lucky to have such an amazing sister, and I'm lucky to have such an amazing friend. 

Waterpark Times 2

We went to the hotel waterpark both days we were there.  The kids just couldn't get enough of it.  Henry and Camron weren't quite tall enough to ride the big slides, but they had the perfect smaller slide for them to ride down.  Camron could do it by himself, Henry still needed a lap to sit on.  He loved it and wanted to go over and over again.

Aunt Heidi taking a turn...or 10...down the slide with Henry.

Hannah playing in the splash pool. 

Henry waiting his turn for the lily pads - he did such a great job!

Getting on...

And crossing all by himself!  He also did this a time or ten...

Getting ready for day two of swimming.  Playing in window sills is always so fun for kids.

Grandpa Schmidt made the best peanut butter cookies.  They were SO good.  We definitely ate them for breakfast each morning - nothing better than cookies when you wake up.

Henry didn't forget his goggles the second day.  They were so fogged up the entire time I'm not sure how he could see - but he loved them.  And check out that mohawk!

Grandma Schmidt and Hannah.

Playing pool side with Aunt Heidi and Uncle Nathan. 

Camron jumping into the water!

I highly recommend staying at a hotel that has a waterpark, or at least a pool if you have the chance.  It is so fun to watch the kids play in the water.  What a fun time!