Christmas in Carroll 2011

Last weekend we spent the weekend in Carroll celebrating Christmas with the Schmidt side of the family.  Much to Henry's approval, we got to open presents first thing Saturday morning.  The kids each take turns opening presents, starting with the youngest first.  Hannah got two new babies, and got a car seat, stroller, pack n play and high chair for them to sit in! 

All Camron had asked for was a Herkey pillow pet - the excitement on his face was priceless when he opened it!  Now he and Henry both have their own Hawkeye pillow pets!

Hannah played with her babies the rest of the day.  She fed them, put them down for naps, you name it.  It was so cute to watch her!

Henry and Camron were attached at the hip the entire weekend.  What ever Camron ate, Henry ate, wherever Camron was, Henry was.  It was a lot of fun to watch them play together.  It is also nice for us now that we don't have to watch Henry every second, gives us a little breathing time!  (during Hannah's naps that is).

The fam hanging out. 

Hannah also liked to test out her new baby accessories herself. 

We still aren't sure how Nate got the helmet to fit!

Heidi and Nate got a puppy while they were in town.  Her name is Kinnick and she is absolutely adorable.  The kids loved having her around.  Only two months old. 

Playing with Camron's new race track.

Kids all lined up. 

Hannah had to play with Bennett's new boxing ball. 

Kids in their matching jams with Grandma Schmidt Sunday morning.

Christmas 2011 in Carroll a success.  It is a running joke that anytime Heidi and Nate have to drive from Geneseo it either rains cats and dogs, or it is a snow storm.  Not this year - the weather was perfect the entire weekend!! 

Beary Merry Christmas

Does anyone remember this advent calendar?

This was one of my favorite traditions growing up.  Each year, when it was time to decorate the house, this calendar would be hung and we would move the bear from room to room.  Each day, he would move to a new room.  I just loved it. 

I thought it would be a neat idea to buy one for each of my sisters, so that we could start the tradition over again with our families.  I looked online, and found that I wasn't the only one that had the idea.  Check out This Link.

$350!!  Or starting bids on ebay in upwards of $100!

So I called my mom and surely enough she found the old calendar, bear and present included.  I called dibs, and she is wrapping it up for us for Christmas.  I am so excited to get this to our house and get it up next year for our kids to make memories with!! 

It's the little things. 

Santa at the Zoo

Saturday morning we met Kelly, Ryan and Georgia, and Erin, Jake and Peyton at the zoo for a family field trip.  The kids loved walking around the Discovery Zone sprinting from fish tank to fish tank.  Thank goodness there were several of us there to keep track of them - because these girls are not shy and just wander off as they wish.  They loved the fish tanks and the birds.  We don't always hit the indoor area of the zoo when we go, so it was nice to take some time to explore. 

This picture cracks me up!  Hannah and Peyton in awe of the fish - and Georgia in awe of the floor drain!! 

During craft time Hannah got her very own cookie.  She was a disaster!!  But it kept her occupied for a good five minutes - score!

Hannah is at the age where any dressed up stranger is pretty dang scary.  This picture captures it perfectly!

Henry did awesome.  He told Santa exactly what he wants.  And again, it was a racetrack.  Guess mommy and daddy will be buying a racetrack this year!

Henry and Santa. 

Dancer was outside as we left.  Tried to get both kids on the sleigh, but Hannah was beyond tired and throwing a fit.  But Henry jumped right up and grabbed the reigns. 

After the zoo we brought the entire clan to Pizza Ranch for lunch.  I thought it was going to be a disaster, but much to my surprise the kids were so well behaved.  We got our own little private room with doors on all sides (all about keeping the rug rats contained), they ate well, played, and then headed home for a nice long nap. 

Great little Saturday!  

Sweet Baby Emma

Last Tuesday my phone rang super early in the morning.  That is never a good sign.  I was shocked by the news.  My cousin's 5 1/2 month old beautiful baby girl died in her sleep.  SIDS is such a scary thing.  It kept me a nervous wreck the first year of both of my kids lives.  For this to happen to someone so close to me really hits home on how lucky I am with both of my kids being so healthy.  It really puts things into perspective.  My cousin Nicole is just 6 months younger than me.  We grew up very close.  Each summer we would spend weeks together in North Dakota at my grandparents farm.  Over the years we have grown up and started families of our own and don't keep in touch nearly as much as we should.  When I heard this terrible news, my heart just sunk for her.  No one should have to go through this.  It just isn't fair.

Here is a link to Emma's obituary.  Such a beautiful, happy baby girl. 

 Emma's Obituary

I took Henry on the 20 hour round trip drive with me.  And he did a great job.  We were able to break up the drive with an overnight stay at my Aunt Melissa's house in Minneapolis, which helped tremendously.  The funeral was beautiful, Nicole did a great job speaking, and my cousin Ashley, Brianna and I sang and so did Aunt Missy. 

Since we don't all get together that often we had to snap some family pics. 

1st cousins: Jarred, Nicole, Danielle, Brianna, Ashley, me and Justin.

Grandma Marilyn with all her grand kids.

Henry loving all the attention he got over the weekend. 

Henry playing with all the boys.  He had such a fun time!

Nicole's son Nathan (6) and Henry. 2nd cousins I guess? Or 1st cousin once removed as Grandma Loe would say.

Why not pose on the only prop around - the piano!

Santa made a visit to the Sunlac.

Henry loved seeing Santa.  Santa told him he has been a good boy and gave him a race car.  Henry then asked for a race track for Christmas.  Too bad that isn't one of the things I got him....may have to make another trip to the store!

Hanging out with Lucy at Aunt Missy's house in Minneapolis. 

Henry asked a lot of very good questions this weekend, and some that I didn't know how to answer.  I heard my grandma say it best when Nicole cried to her asking why, she said 'I guess God needed that beautiful baby girl up in heaven with him'.  That is the only thing that I can grasp as to why.  It just isn't fair.

Please keep my cousin Nicole and her family in your prayers while they muddle through this awful pain. 

One Big Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving both Andy's family and my family were able to celebrate together, in Des Moines, at our house.  My Grandma would be so proud that we prepared a meal for 18.  It doesn't come close to the 40+ she would have around her table at the holidays, but we are getting closer.

I was very excited to dust off all of my china for the occasion.  We had such a great day, and the food was delicious!! 

Hannah helped me get the house clean for all the visitors.  Is it bad that Henry says "Mom, are we having guests" anytime I take out the vacuum??  Guess that means I should probably vacuum more...

The kids played, and played, and played. 

This doll stroller has been a huge hit lately.  For both dolls and real babies!

Playing 'guns' with Henry's tools.  Anything that can possibly turn into a gun does, oh the imagination of young boys!

Playing sports outside while daddy got the turkey fryer ready. 

Frying the turkey.  An annual tradition at our house!

Getting all the food ready. 

Andy's famous yummy friend turkey with a special garnish on the side. 

We fit all the adults in one room which was nice. 

The kids table. 

Future beer pong players??  Possibly??  20 years down the road of course...

Schmidt family photo. 

Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt with the grand kids.

Salwey family photo. 

We ended the night with an exciting game of Cranium! 

We are so very blessed to have all of our family so close that we can get together for the holidays.  I'm already looking forward to the next get together at Christmas!