he's becoming such a big boy

Yesterday, we turned Eli's carseat around so he is facing forward like the rest of us.  As you may recall, we waited until Alli was a little over two years old to do this.  We planned to wait that long with Eli but he was becomming unbearable in the car and he's a little bigger than Alli was when we flipped her around so we decided it was time.  He LOVES it!  He kept pointing at the cars saying "dat! dat!"  (his version of look at that).  Today, we drove to Costco so I put on Praise Baby in the car and he was very impressed ;-)  I cannot believe my baby is growing up so fast.

Then, last night, he had chocolate pudding for the first time and insisted on eating it all by himself with a spoon . . .

He was actually fairly neat for a little while

 But that didn't last too long ;-)

 He was so proud of himself!

 And having so much fun!

 When he couldn't get anymore out with the spoon, he figured out a new way to eat it . . .

You have to love his ingenuity ;-)

Our little man is growing up and we love every minute of it, even if it is happening a little too quickly!

Christmas 2010

Christmas morning was AMAZING!!!

G and I were up by 7 to make sure we were ready when the kids got up.  We actually had to wake them a little past 8 because they were so tired from being up so late the night before ;-)

We came downstairs to find all of our goodies from Santa . . .

 Me and my little ones in our matching PJs on our way to the tree . . .

 Eli spotted his goodies right away . . .

The truck was a HUGE hit!!!

 He had no intention of getting out even to check out his other presents.

He finally got out long enough to enjoy his marshmallow frosty :) 

But then decided he could eat it just as easily in the truck!  Yep, he was eating, drinking and talking on his new cell phone all while driving.  Hmmmmm, guess we have a lot to teach him ;-)

Alli finally decided to open some of his presents for him and tried to show them to him . . .

I love our matching PJs.  Alli does too but we're not too sure what Eli thinks ~ guess he is a lot like his Daddy!

Alli had so much fun opening her presents and stocking stuffers.  She now has twin babies (a boy and a girl) and is the proud new owner of some very fancy princess dresses and shoes!

 Our tradition (since moving back to WA) is to invite our families over for brunch on Christmas morning after we open our presents.  Eli had fun helping both of his grandpas open their gifts from each other!

 After brunch and everyone had left, Alli and Eli hopped into the truck together and had Daddy drive them around!  We thought Eli would love it but had no idea it would be such a hit with both of them!!!

That afternoon, the kids took naps and we cleaned up the house ~ it looked like a tornado hit :)

After naps, it was time to head to the Fishers for some prime rib dinner and more presents.

We had a fabulous time!

As you can see, Miss Alli was very excited for more presents and had fun snuggling with Great Pop!

Eli decided to be a little antisocial and spent most of his time sitting at the computer in their office, where he could see the festivities but do his own thing.  Did I mention he is a silly little guy???

What a fabulous Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2010

Since moving to back to WA in 2008, Alli and I begin each Christmas Eve morning by making red and green Rice Krispy Treats.  This was the first year that G didn't have to go to work so he and Eli were there for the fun, although they left the treat making up to the girls :)  As you can see, they turned out great!

 We decided to have a lazy morning while G went shopping for some last minute gifts.  The kids took the opportunity to play some more with our Little People Nativity set.

 After lunch, the boys decided to put together my craft drawers.  Eli was such a good little helper!

 He was rewarded for all of his hard work with a cookie ;-)

After the kids were up from their naps, we got dressed up and went to my parents for the annual Schneider Christmas Eve bash.  We LOVE this!  My mom puts on a spread of delectable (our new favorite word thanks to Fancy Nancy!) appetizers and desserts.  The kids (big and small) loved sampling all the food.

 This was the best family shot we could get as Mr. Grumpy Pants refused to crack a smile for us.

After enjoying the food, it was time for presents . . .

 Not surprisingly, Eli was more into the boxes and decided to lay on them ~ silly boy ;-)

Both kids wanting Aunt Jenee's attention.  I think Alli was protecting one of her presents by sitting on the box :)

Alli fully enjoyed opening and playing with all of her presents!

After all the presents were opened and my brothers and their families had left, the kids played while I helped my Dad clean up the kitchen.  My folks work so hard to put on such an amazing spread, I figured they may appreciate at least a little help ;-)  We went to the 9 p.m. candle light service at our church.  It was beautiful as always but both kids were very tired, although they both behaved pretty well.  I absolutely LOVE hearing the Christmas story and tear up.  This year I was even more emotional, not too surprising, but I am just so thankful to have such a loving God. 

The kids crashed when we got home, giving Santa plenty of time to drop off presents and stockings.  Another great Christmas Eve!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas . . .

Okay, so definitely not getting a white Christmas this year but will get a green, soggy one ;-)  As long as I am home and have my family, I don't care what the weather is!  I did get to enjoy my FAVORITE Christmas movie last night though . . .



G is such a great sport and watches it with me every year, hopefully the kids understand that they will have to do this too when they are a little older.  G assures me Alli will think it is fun but that Eli may not be as into it.  I have visions of making my son sit there with the family when he's home for his college break watching that movie while grumbling but secretly enjoying it ;-)  G's willingness to watch that movie with me and be silly dancing around our living room while singing White Christmas is just one of the many reasons I love that hubby of mine so much!!!

We pray that you all enjoy a very Merry Christmas with you families!!!

CPA Exam is OVER!!!

G found out tonight that he has passed all four sections of the C.P.A. exam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I thought he was crazy when he told me how quickly he wanted to take the exams, but once again, he showed me how driven and amazing he is.  This does not mean he is a C.P.A. yet ~ he still has to complete so many hours of C.P.A. work before he officially gets the title but the hard part is done!  Just to brag a little, because I am so proud of him . . . he is part of a very small percentage of folks to who pass all four sections their first try ;-)

Santa Visits

This year, we got to visit Santa three times!  Each time he looked a little bit different but the kids didn't seem to notice or mind ;-)

Our first visit was at the McCormick Woods Christmas Party, where we got to see both Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The best part was that this was the same Santa and Mrs. Claus from last year!  Alli was in awe and so excited.  Eli just wanted a cookie :)

We only took a neighborhood picture at this visit but it could not have been more fun or cuter!

Then, we were in for a treat when we went to Church for the Financial Peace University class we teach because Santa was there visiting!!!

For our next visit, we returned to the Port Orchard Log Cabin museum where you get to meet Santa, enjoy cookies and take your own pictures ~ all for free! 

Alli was pretty excited and willing to stand next to Santa and smile. 

 Eli wasn't sure what to think of the big guy in red.

 Of course, we had to get our family picture.  I love that both kids are looking elsewhere and being goofy!

 Our many Santa visits were a huge hit! 

We must have trained Eli well though with the whole not taking candy from strangers because he refused to take candy canes from any of the Santas.  Fortunately for him, his big sister was more than happy to take both hers and his ;-)