Christmas on the Schmitz side

Christmas Day we celebrated with all the Schmitz's.  It is always interesting, busy and lots of fun.  Everyone received some fun gifts, we ate lots of food and loved being with each other.  

 Max opening something awesome!

 4 out of 6 grand-kids receiving presents.  

 Even Toby opened a few.

 Emmeric on the chair of cheer!  

Christmas 2012

The Pavelec's~Christmas 2012

Christmas on the Pavelec side

 We had a wonderful Christmas Eve at the Pavelec home.  The boys loved the excitement of opening presents, being together and making memories.  Some of the highlight presents included a homemade chalkboard for me, a new birthstone ring for Sherri, a nativity for Sarah, a gear toy for Emmeric, a game for Maxie, and books for Toby.  It was so nice to just spend time as a family!

Our boys in front of the tree.

Only a start to the fun and wrapping paper.  

Preview of Christmas 2012

Gingerbread House

What would Christmas be without making a gingerbread house.  Everyone worked hard eating and decorating.

 Working hard to get it perfect.

 The gang who  made it all possible.  

Our beautiful house.

Christmas Cookies

 Toby got into the Christmas cookies from Grandma Verdeen.

Blankets

Max has always had a blanket.  He got it when he was a baby and we rarely go anywhere (long distance) without it.  Toby got a blanket from Aunt Sarah before he was born and although he likes to suck his thumb he does love to cuddle up with his blanket while he does it.  Emmeric who is sleeping right now because he is sick also likes a specific  blanket.

Snowflake Express

Saturday, we rode the snowflake Express from the Rotary Reserve to Shell Rock and back.  The kids absolutely loved riding on the top level of the train.  We sang Christmas Carols, listened to the Polar Express and had some quality family time.  We hope we can do it again very soon.

 They starred out the window almost the whole time.

 Love this one.

Even Santa came to visit, giving everyone high fives and a brass bell.

 Grandma and Grandpa Schmitz with their (currently) 6 Grandchildren.  

A visit from Santa Claus

While we were over and Grandma and Papa Pavelec's home Santa Claus came to visit.  The big boys were really surprised and excited.  Emmeric kept asking "did you bring my presents?"  While Santa did not bring all his presents he did bring a few treats to eat and a whole lot of fun.  Thanks for stopping in Santa, we know you're extra busy this time of year!

Emmeric's face says it all. 

Giving Santa hugs for the treats and coming over.

Deck the Halls

The boys love this version of "Deck the Halls" by Tenth Avenue North.  They dance to it, then we watched it on YouTube and they got their instruments out and rocked along with it.  They also sing along.  We have watched/listened to this song 30+ times.  

Original Video found HERE

Christmas Jammies

My little boys in front of our tree in front with their Christmas Jammies on.  I love it!

30th Birthday Surprise!

Eddie turned the BIG 30 on the second but I planned a surprise party for him on the following Saturday.  With the help of family I pulled it off.  The plan was to have everyone be at Zasvoos around 6 PM.  We would show up about 6:30 to have birthday supper with just Ed's and my parents but then low and behold 50 people showed up to help make Eddie's 30th memorable.  It was a lot of fun.  I really think he was surprised and I know he loved to see a whole lot of family and friends.  Happy Birthday Love!

 The initial SURPRISE!

 Singing Happy Birthday!

A few presents and cards to open.  

Our puppy

Our Tobias loves socks.  He is like a puppy.  He gets them out of the cubbies and just carries them around the house.  The boys often have to get a new pair because they are so wet with slobber.

St. Nicholas Day 2012

Once again St. Nicholas visited our house last night.  The boys set out their shoes and he did not disappoint.  Everyone got new Christmas Jammies.  Emmeric got a new domino game, Max got a Christmas mouse book, Toby got a Christmas bib and Mom & Dad  (and boys) got candy.  It was a fun morning.  

 I love that excitement.

One or two treats before breakfast won't hurt, will it? :)

We are Robots....

Happy 30th Birthday!

Eddie's celebrated his 30th Birthday on Sunday.  It was a casual day with a few presents, a few candles and lots of family together time.  Eddie is definitely the rock of this family, he not only takes care of us financially but really keeps everyone calm and patient.  He is always answering the boys questions, teaching them how to do something or just playing.  He always makes time for me and knows when I need a break.  He always puts everyone elses needs above his own.  I couldn't ask for a better husband and my boys could never get a better Dad.  We love you Eddie.  

Capitol Tree Lighting

Last night we went to the Annual tree lighting at the Capitol   It was a nice night out, they had free cookies and cocoa and a high school choir singing.  Governor Branstad made a small speech and then lit the tree.  It was fun for the boys and us to see it and be apart of a great celebration.

Our beautiful State Capitol and the beautiful tree all lit up.

 Eddie and his boys!

 My sweetie and I.

 Our feet inside "POLK" county.  On the Capitol grounds they have a HUGE Iowa map with each county outlined.  

Emmeric & Max on the "bikes."

Thankful Tree 2012

We did our annual Thankful tree.  It was fun to see how it got fuller and fuller with all the things we are thankful for.  Although we could never list all of them we love to hear what our boys are grateful for.  A few of Emmeric's included: school, Sunday School, new friends, brothers and Grandpas.  Max's included: his blanket, Daddy, warm beds and his toys.  I know that the things they are grateful for will get more profound as the years go by but for now they are the perfect things.   We are most grateful for our healthy children.  

Mama's Boy

This is how Toby & I were for about a week.  He would just lay on me and suck his thumb.  Although it was nice to get all that cuddle time in I'm glad he will finally love on someone else also.

A Guest Post by Ed: Part 1

Emmeric, Maximus, Tobias and I (Ed) went for a little trip up to the Capital Grounds.  The boys wanted to go run around; the wide spaces surrounding the capital seemed to be the perfect solution.  It quenched my need for education and history in a site visit, and gave the boys a big place to run around.  There are several statues, vignettes, memorials around the capital; plus the beauty of the buildings themselves. 

 View of downtown from the "Point of Light" sculpture.

Max & Emmeric infront of a bell given to Iowa from Japan in the 1950's. 

 The boys. 

 Our beautiful State Capitol, as seen from the Scott Building.

Emmeric and Max climbing and rolling down the HUGE hill. 

Mr. Fix Its.

While taking a side-rail off a bed the boys were left with their own screwdrivers.  They decided to take apart the little stool   When it was completely disassembled they were left in charge of getting it back together.  They got most of it done but Ed had to come in with the power drill to finish up.

Emmeric with his screwdriver.

Maxie with his.

The Tobs

 Asleep in the car.

Messy baby.

Crazy hair Daddy gave me after bath.

Max telling Jokes

Feel free to Laugh Out Loud!

Pumpkin Patch

We went to "country bumpkin" pumpkin farm while we were in the Dells.  It's a really neat farm where he not only grows pumpkins but all kinds of fruits and vegetables.  It also has a catapult, tractor wagon rides, corn maze, hay maze, petting zoo, pedal tractors and so much more.  We wished it was a nicer day but it was still fun.

 Sarah feeding the animals.  

 Emmeric's face every time the goat at the ice cream cone.  Priceless.

 One of the 2 little buildings the farmer built.  It was the cutest church complete with pews and a bell to ring.  

 Us on a really cold and windy day!

 The child's hay maze.

 The "Trebuchet" the farmer built.  

Max in front of the hay animal.