Going to the Zoo...

We had a great time at the Tallahassee Museum (a.k.a. "the zoo") today. Perfect Florida weather ... sunny, but the kids (and Emily Smith who came along) had to wear light jackets. This is a welcome change, as it's been very humid since Christmas. This is our favorite time of year to go to the zoo, because you can see everything in one morning, have time for the playground ... and we can even make an animal encounter (which is often not possible on other days when we jet over between preschool and Tyler's nap). Today, the kids got to meet an Eastern Indigo Snake. Tyler was all about petting him, and reminded me of the rule for doing so ("two fingers!") the rest of the afternoon. This was not really necessary though, as I am just the photographer when it comes to animal encounters (at the Tallahassee Museum or on the farm)! We also got to see "Lucky" the duck ... the duck who attracted national attention earlier this year when she survived a gun wound, encounter with a dog, and two days in the frig! True story...

Our New Nephew!

Dennis' brother (Kevin) and his wife, Kym had their 3rd child yesterday! Daniel Schnittker was born right before lunchtime (mountain time) ... three weeks earlier than his official due date. Here's a photo of Daniel sound asleep - likely the last time he'll get such uninterrupted sleep, as he has an older brother and sister at home. Daniel's birth has skewed the Schnittker cousin count: now the boys outnumber the girls! Will Dennis and I be evening things out by trying for another ... we think not! The two kids we have are plenty. We'll have to hug Daniel an awful lot when we meet him this spring. Congratulations to the Colorado Schnittkers!

In a Sleepover Stuper!

There's something wrong with this picture! Abby (and her good friend Emily Smith) had a sleepover last night ... but THEY are wide awake, and I am in desperate need of my coffee! Does this mean I'm old? Emily and Abby apparently have unlimited energy ... since they stayed up chatting in Abby's bed until after 11:00 PM. Then they woke up at 7:00! And, not to be left out - Tyler thought he'd add to the fun by waking up crying RIGHT after the girls fell asleep. He ended up having a sleepover in our bed last night! The girls had a fun time though. When I asked what they talked about so long last night, Abby said "oh, everything!" Maybe they discussed the nap we'll all be taking today so we can welcome in 2008 ... without falling asleep in our champagne!

Potty Success!

We'll keep this G-rated ... but we did want to share our excitement over Tyler's recent potty training success. He may be a long way from actually being out of diapers, but today Tyler earned SEVERAL M&M candies for a job well done! He seems to be proud of himself too ... and he's loving all of the treats that come with the training process!

Final Seasons Greetings!

As much as we hate to do it (because they are beautiful AND because it's a lot of hard work) we'll be taking down the Christmas decorations over the next few days. Dennis worked so hard putting all of the lights up ... and it truly does look like a winter wonderland in our front yard (even if it is 80 degrees out!) Till next year...

Uncle Gifts ... gotta love them!

What goes around, comes around! Aaron loves to buy "fun" gifts for the kids, but little does he know we're keeping a list, and we're going to get revenge someday. Over the past couple years, we've been blessed with a drum set, an oversized baseball mitt chair, dual slip 'n slides, several whoppie cushions, tons of candy ... and many more wonderful gift ideas from someone who is obviously not yet a father! This year he even gave us a warning that he was going to be watching US ... not the kids ... when they opened his gift! Oh yes, we were delighted when it was this electronic keyboard, complete with demo songs that sound like you're at a wedding or Bar Mitzvah! Dennis is actually really enjoying the gift though. He is very fond of the microphone feature ... he has been emceeing every move the kids make in the playroom, and Abby tells me he "interviewed" her yesterday afternoon. It will be SUCH a shame when the batteries start to wear out. I think I might not have any replacements!

Christmas FRUITCAKES!

No explanation needed ... this family is crazy! Believe it or not, most of this was BEFORE the mimosas!

Abby da Vinci

Abby, with help from her assistant Tyler, was very busy a couple days before Christmas ... creating works of art for family members. Sorry out-of-town family: Abby's other assistant (Mandy) wasn't organized enough to begin these projects early in the season! Abby does architectural portraits (the Little Yellow House for Grammy and Grandan), family groupings (I tried to talk Abby into making Dennis the larger of the two adults in her picture) and landscapes too! Everyone loved the finished products ... and it's a good thing, because it is NOT easy to keep a 4-year old on task and her little brother from painting grass all over the entry way tile!

Santa Was Here!

Abby asked for "new markers" ... and she got 'em! But, they were on this awesome craft/art table that will go somewhere in the playroom. I think Abby has created at LEAST a couple dozen pieces of artwork so far! She loves having space to spread out ... adores all of the new organizers for her markers, crayons, glue, etc., and is finding the table to be a great spot for doing puzzles, reading books, and more!




Tyler was THRILLED with his new train table, which was topped with the "train track" he asked Santa for this year! I'm surprised he hasn't worn a ring in the carpet, because he has been going around and around ... and around making the trains go and shouting (I do mean shouting) "All Aboard!" Tomorrow, the train table (and all of his trains, cars, etc.) will move into Tyler's room where he can play with them 24/7!

The kids are now even MORE mobile than before ... break out the helmets! Tyler received a cool guy 4-wheeler from Grandma and Grandpa (Martha and Bill) and Abby received a big girl bike from Uncle Aaron. They were both SO surprised when they saw them on the front lawn ... and they loved the fact that they could try them out in their PJs!













This family is all about trains! This Polar Express train is a new addition to our Christmas decor (thanks Santa!) that will circle the tree each year from here on out. Interesting, the big kid in the house (Dennis) likes it just as much as the little ones! This season, I think we watched The Polar Express DVD three times, but Dennis did have to read the book as a bedtime story about 20 times, I bet! Tyler is a train fanatic.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Here it is three days AFTER Christmas, and I'm just now writing about the Night BEFORE Christmas! Hey ... it's tough to regroup after a holiday with this family! We did want everyone to see some photos/hear some stories from this very eventful and extremely fun Christmas. Here are a few shots from the live nativity we saw on Christmas Eve. It's held at a local church - they invite the public - and entertain everyone with a great choral program and real, live animals! I was very impressed that my grandmother (as well as Abby and Tyler) went right up to the camel! I preferred to stay behind the camera to take shots of the wonderful live nativity display ... then I stayed behind the camera at home for Dennis' reading of a Christmas favorite. The kids had a great time getting ready for Santa ... leaving him cookies, sprinkling the reindeer food, and more! If only they knew how lucky they are ... being able to go to sleep early on Christmas Eve!

Florida Snowman

Abby is SUCH a Florida girl ... but she wouldn't definitely know what to do if she encountered snow! She was waiting patiently for me while I was on a phone call today, and I guess she thought my stacking, decorative boxes looked like a snowman. I love the carrot nose (from her playroom kitchen) and the drumstick arms ... but that snowman is making a statement with the pink boa!

Bubble Boy

Martha and Bill (Dennis' parents) sent a package the other day, with instructions that two of the gifts could be opened before the holidays. Well, Abby and Tyler truly did like the gifts ... but they really enjoyed the bubble wrap that kept all of Grandma and Grandpa's gifts from breaking during the long trip from Iowa! In fact, Tyler had so much fun, we had to capture it for the blog. I have a feeling Christmas morning could be similar ... give that boy some tissue paper and a box and we won't even have to break out all of his gifts!

2007 Santa Picture

What a difference a year makes! In 2006, Tyler wanted NOTHING to do with the big guy (see picture below) ... but he was a willing participant this year (top photo). He climbed up next to Santa and said "train track" (his #1 request this year), then when he walked away he said "Bye Santa!" Abby, always a pro, only asked for one thing: new markers! Guess Santa didn't need to shop so much for that little gal!

Secret Santas

We had a great time yesterday at a holiday gift exchange with some of Abby and Tyler's friends. The kids got to make a snowflake craft, decorate gingerbread-shaped brownies (love the picture of Cole decapitating his!) and exchange gifts with each other. Tyler and Hayden are new to this, so Abby kindly helped them out! One thing's for sure - Abby, Alex and Shelby just LOOK like angels in those matching nightgowns (and crayon aprons courtesy of my talented grandma, Nanny)! They're working overtime to make sure Santa visits in a couple days.

Gingerbread Construction Zone!

Grammy and Abby worked together to make a really cool gingerbread house this week! I can't say if more candy made it onto the house ... or into Abby's mouth, but they really had a great time. Maybe Grammy was smart for doing this little project in the late afternoon: expose the kid to tons of sugar then take refuge at your own house. We see how it goes Grammy!

The part of Mary is played by...

... Abby! Our little girl did a fabulous job in her preschool Christmas program earlier this week. She remembered both of her lines ... and didn't drop the baby doll playing Baby Jesus. Thank goodness! Tyler, who had his program the day before, was so proud of his big sister. He loved ringing the bells in his class performance, but was equally (if not more) enthusiastic about the birthday cake for Jesus after his show was done!

Oh bring me some PIGGY pudding...

Tyler cracked me up tonight when I was putting him to bed. I was singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" when he interuppted and asked me to sing the "cow one" too. I was momentarily confused, before I figured out he thought I had said "Bring me some PIGGY pudding..." instead of figgy pudding. Too funny! I did what he asked though - creating yet another Schnittker version of a popular song. My parents did the same thing when I was growing up, and to this day, I am unsure of the real words to The Greatest American Hero theme song and the Mary, Mary Quite Contrary nursery rhyme ... among many others! Sorry Abby and Tyler for any future confusion and ridicule by your friends!