TWO Tooth Wonder!!!

That's right, Eli's second tooth broke through this afternoon (5 months, 1 week, 3 days old)!!!  Now our little guy has both bottom teeth and is still in great spirits :)

A Wonderful Christmas . . .

Christmas could not have been better this year!!!  We had such a wonderful time with our families and are excited that the fun is not over as we are celebrating with more family tomorrow :)

Here's our holiday in pictures . . .

Our little elves after Christmas Eve service ~ it was a late night but they were both in good spirits :)

Alli had such a great time opening gifts at my folks on Christmas Eve.  She had the best time playing with her cousins!!!!

As you can see, little Eli was VERY excited for his first Schneider Christmas Eve :)

Santa came to visit us . . .

He even enjoyed the milk and cookies Alli left for him and was nice enough to leave her a candy cane and thank you note ~ what a sweet Santa!

Alli was definitely a fan of Christmas this year ~ loved opening presents!

Me, Alli & Eli in our matching PJs ~ G refused to participate . . . can't imagine why ;-)

The BEST presents in the world!

My favorite present from G!!!  The funny thing is that he got me my last favorite purse 9 years ago and I thought it was time for a new one but I'm terrible at picking one.  G on the other hand knows just what I like ~ I have such a great hubby!!!!!!

My favorite gift for Alli & Eli ~ Barbie Pop Pop (G's dad) made these for the kids. 

Aren't they too cute?????

Eli was even willing to pose for a picture in his chair ~ Alli was pretty busy with her presents ;-)

Although Christmas is not about the presents, one of our greatest joys this year was watching Alli's excitement over opening gifts.  She loved everything and has been playing nonstop!  We are so happy to be living here again and have the opportunity to spend the holidays with our families and in our own house.  What a gift to not have to travel anymore!!!

Time to remember others this Christmas Eve . . .

As you know, I am extremely proud to come from a family that proudly serves our country in the military.  My dad retired from the Navy after serving 26 years and I had the good sense to marry a wonderful man who also chose to serve our country in the Air Force.  Today is Christmas Eve and I am so lucky to have my family home to celebrate with me but many are not quite so lucky.  So many brave men and women have volunteered (by joining the military) to be separated from their loved ones this Christmas.  I remember how hard it was when Garrett was in Iraq for the 2005 holidays (see pic) so I ask a favor . . . As you celebrate and enjoy the holidays this year, please remember to take a moment to think of those brave men and women of our Armed Forces and their families.  I know that all I wanted that Christmas was for my husband to return safely.

'Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,
In a one-bedroom house made of plaster and stone.
I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this dwelling did live.


As I looked all around, a strange sight to see,
no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking on the mantle, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of far distant lands.


Medals and badges, awards of every kind,
a sobering thought came alive in my mind.
This house was different, it was dark, it was dreary.
I had found the home of a soldier, I could see that most clearly.


The soldier lay sleeping silent, alone.
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.
His face was so gentle, room in such disorder,
Not at all how I pictured a U.S. soldier.


Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up on a poncho, a floor for a bed?
Then I realized the other families that I saw this night
Out there lies the soldiers who are willing to fight.
 

In the morning around the world, children would play
Grown-ups would celebrate a bright Christmas day
But they all enjoyed freedom, each month through the year,
because of soldiers like the one lying here.


I couldn’t help but wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in lands far from home.
The very thought brought a tear to my eye.
and I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.


The soldier awakened, I heard his rough voice,
“Santa, don’t cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don’t ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Core.”


The soldier rolled over, and drifted to sleep,
I couldn’t control it, and I continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent and still.
as both of us shivered from the cold night’s chill.


I didn’t want to leave him on that cold, dark night.
This guardian of honor, so willing to fight.
Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure.
He whispered, “Carry on Santa, it’s Christmas Day, all secure.”


One look at my watch
and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend,
May God bless you this night.

One tooth wonder

Eli cut his very first tooth today (5 months 1 week old)!!!  Bottom right.  He's been drooling like crazy for weeks and we could see both of the bottom ones trying to come through but this afternoon, the bottom right finally broke through.  So cute!  You would never know he was teething by his attitude ~ he is so happy and laid back :)  My baby is growing up too quickly!

It's beginning to look and feel like Christmas . . .

It's been such a busy month that I've gotten a little behind in posting pictures of our holiday fun, including picking out and decorating our Christmas tree, visiting Santa, decorating a gingerbread house and much more.  I warn you, there are lots :) Enjoy!

Alli playing with our stockings

Eli's first taste of candy cane at the tree farm with Great Pop

Off to find the perfect tree . . .

 We found it!!!

Eli was hiding in there :)

Alli was very intrigued by what Daddy was doing with her tree!

Time to decorate . . .

Eli was more impressed with Ziggy than the tree

Our visit with Santa. . .

Alli's preschool performance . . .

She was so excited to have all of her grandparents there!!!

She was so into the singing and signing ~ so cute!

She even volunteered to play one of the Kings during the story of Jesus' birth.  The crown was about 3 sizes too big but she was so proud and it was adorable!!!

Enjoying a cookie with her Daddy after the performance.

Decorating the gingerbread house ~ way more candy was eaten than used to decorate ;-)

Me with both my babies after finishing the gingerbread house.

Eli rolled over . . .

and G forgot to tell me!!!!  That's right, turns out Eli started rolling from back to tummy last Saturday!!!  G assumed I knew, that there was no way Eli did it for the first time with him, so he failed to mention it.  I only happened to learn last night when I heard G telling Eli to roll over again, and he did!!!  Boys!  I'm with the little stinker all the time but he saved that fun first for his daddy :)  Guess it's only fair since I witnessed Alli's first roll.  He's not thrilled to be on his tummy but is not doing it at night so no middle of the night pages . . . yet.  I'm sure that will come just like it did with Alli.

In Alli news, last weekend's trip to Boston seems to have turned her into a mini monster who throws these incredible tantrums.  Truly hoping this is a very quick phase!  When she's nice, she's very nice but when she's naughty, watch out!!!  I guess my mom's wish came true . . . I had a daughter just like me ;-)

We invaded Massachusetts . . .

G and I took the kiddos to Boston for the weekend to visit with friends.  Although we enjoyed seeing everyone very much and miss parts of our lives there, neither one of us plans to do that again anytime soon ;-)  Let's just say it was a comedy of errors that we have no desire to repeat and little Eli is definitely NOT an E.Z. traveler!  It's good to be home :)

Kyle's Auction . . .

was a HUGE success!!!!  The Auction was last night and we were overwhelmed by the love and support shown to Kyle.  Sadly, Kyle was not feeling well at all and had to leave early but he was glad to have gotten to attend and was touched by the support.

It is impossible to thank everyone as this was such a team effort, but there are a few folks who I must mention:

• My amazing Mom-in-law, Adele Fisher, truly was the brains of this operation and without her, this event would never have happened.  She worked tirelessly to secure volunteers, donations, and everything else we needed.  Thank you so much Adele!!!

• Brady Hammrich, our fabulous auctioneer.  He had everyone in stitches and did a great job of raising bids and donations.  Thanks Brady, I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!

• Keith Garton was our chef and prepared a delicious pasta bar that was enjoyed by all.  Thank you Keith for your wonderful food and for donating your time, it was much appreciated!

• The teachers, staff, students and PTSO of Orchard Heights Elementary School, who secured many donations and showed up in great numbers at the Auction.  It meant so much to have your support!

• The teachers, staff and students of Marcus Whitman Junior High School who helped set up for and helped with the auction and secured many donations.  Kyle is lucky to attend your school!

• Patti Wamsher, Kyle's former day care provider was an amazing help in all aspects of the auction ~ from procuring donations and selling tickets to setting up, baking for and attending the auction.  We could not have done it without you Patti!

• John and Joanne Sprague and Cindy Peterson, who donated their time and expertise to registering everyone for the auction and making the payment process so smooth.  We truly cannot thank you enough for donating your time and expertise!

• Jean Schneider, my mom and Kyle's Gram, who did much of the behind the scenes work and baked all of the yummy desserts that were served at the auction (all recipes are included in Kyle's cookbook available for $15!).

• The many individuals and businesses who donated items to the auction, those who attended and of course everyone who prayed for the success of the auction.  We love and appreciate all of you and your support!

God bless all of you!  Please keep Kyle in your prayers so we can get him feeling better.  This is an amazing young man and I am so proud to be his Aunt.

Alli the comedian

Last night since G was in class, Alli & I had dinner with my folks (Eli was happily snoozing under their Christmas tree).  Alli was sitting across from my dad and half way through dinner says (very innocently) Papa has a big noggin ~ Mom and I bust out in uncontrollable laughter.  This was Alli's clue that she said something very funny and she started smiling and giggling.  Dad didn't seem to think it was quite so funny.  Go figure!  Alli of course loved that she was so funny and kept saying What did I say?  Oh yeah, Papa has a big noggin.  Let's talk about Ducky Papa's head more!

Too cute!  My dad will be thrilled that this made it on the blog . . .

Our "EZ" Angel

Is there anything more precious than a sleeping baby????  G put Eli on his playmat this evening so we could eat dinner.  It was very quiet so we had to check it out, this is what we found . . .

He was zonked ;-)