Happy Holidays!

Welcome to our blog, or possibly ... welcome back! I guess some of you actually noticed this address on the side of our family holiday letter and took a moment to check out the blog. By the way - this year's holiday letter was completely Dennis' idea ... he can take the credit for our "Schnittker Twittker." But he deserves a big "I told you so" too! Dennis, whom I'll hereafter refer to as The Grinch, told me I shouldn't worry that this blog was out of date, because no one would want to read a holiday letter, then run to our blog for more details/photos about our kids and crazy day-to-day activities. But, you like us ... you really, really like us!

Seriously, thanks for being great friends. We have had a wonderful year (if you are interested, you can check most of it out by searching our archives) and are looking forward to 2010. Do check back over the next few days. Before the new year, I would like to fill in some of the holes on this site. My posts became few and far between after school started this fall, and I never did get the majority of the pictures posted from our fabulous trip out West in July. But, I vow to do so, because this is one of our main forms of staying updated with the friends/family members who are scattered all over the country.

Check back soon...
Happy Holidays!

Mandy

A Magical Day

We'll be having a "meeting of the magic" here tonight! Abby's (snaggle)tooth is out and the Tooth Fairy is expected to make a stop while Abby is sleeping tonight, along with Santa (IF Abby can behave herself today! Excitement is at an all-time high here!) What a busy night it will be around here.

Santa Cow

Gotta love Chick-fil-A! They go all out for the kids ... and today was no different. Santa Cow and his Elf Cow greeted all of the children and gave away free kids meals, and they gave us each a complimentary photo. I love Elf Cow's shirt...

Winter Festival

We all had a fun time at the Tallahassee Winter Festival this past weekend. Missed it last year because we were in Orlando doing Disney. But this year, Orlando came to us. Nanny and Grammy joined us for awhile downtown ... until it got a bit too cold for the ladies! By the way, don't you love it when you ask people to take pictures for you? Where's Tyler in this photo? Look down low... Nice antlers Nanny! The Winter Festival is all about the lights, the run, the parade (which we didn't stay for) ... and the greasy food! But I don't know if I would call Turducken (that's a turkey, wrapped in duck, wrapped in chicken) "Christmas on a Stick!" Seriously!
The Schnittkers (well three of the Schnittkers) prefer good old-fashioned corndogs!
And this is not my favorite picture of the kids (Abby looks like she ate something yucky ... although I know it's just hard to smile with that snaggletooth she's sporting!), but it's fun to see how much bigger the kids have gotten since they took a photo with this mouse at the Winter Festival in 2007. If you check out that link, you'll see that Winter Festival 2007 was the first-ever post on this blog. Hard to believe I've (somewhat) kept it going since then!

Ugly Christmas Sweaters!

Dennis and I went to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party this past week ... such fun. Several couples planned this to-do, so there were TONS of people in ugly Christmas sweaters. I had originally thought I'd "shop" for a sweater in my mom's closet (she still owns several "festive" sweaters), but that idea didn't go over so well when I brought it up. And, Mom's sweaters really aren't over the top, like many I've seen (and did see on Saturday). So, I got creative ... and shopped at Walgreen's. Those, my friends, are tree skirts ... the $6, Merry Christmas spelled out in glitter special!I truly can't believe Dennis agreed to wear one, but he was quite on board. They kind of looked like Christmas ponchos! Feliz Navidad, right?!? My friend Deavin made her own outfit too, fashioning a felt gift bag into a dress ... and what you're not seeing in this photo is the "Ho, Ho, Ho" that she tacky (appropriately named for this party) glued to her caboose!

Mom should feel good, as many of the couples there did raid their parents closets in search of the perfect outfit. Tami says her mom has a holiday sweater/outfit for each day of December. And this sweater dress is one of the most special, which she WILL wear this year when Tami returns it! I had to take a photo with her, because I think I owned a similar sweater dress at one point in my life! I had grown tired of the tree skirt at this point ... but Dennis kept his on all night (guess he didn't want anyone "seeing up his skirt!"). HEY, wait Dennis! You mean that wasn't a real turtleneck under your outfit?Tricky! In the spirit of a holiday classic, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Dennis channeled Cousin Eddie and sported a dickey! It's novel really ... and you CAN still buy them. You might not be in the mood to wear a full turtleneck, but you can LOOK like you have one on! :) The funny part is people kept asking us where we found a dickey (on ebay?). Please! I got out my sewing scissors and cut up one of the many turtlenecks I no longer wear. There was no way I was going to BUY one! But, I will admit to having WORN a dickey in junior high (the years when we make REALLY bad fashion decisions) because my grandmother had one and I didn't want to swelter in the California heat! I know, I know. Bad choice!

A caroling we go...

On Sunday evening, Grammy and Nanny joined me and the kids as we caroled with our church's Sunday School group. Abby's first grade class made "Chrismon Trees" to take to St. John's parishoners at retirement homes, or to those who aren't able to make it to church on a regular basis. Jeremy, Audrey and Abby (just three of many in the first-grade class who came along) were so proud to take the trees to the people and explain the meaning of all of the ornaments they made this month in Sunday School. Tyler was just happy to be included. No song sheet needed here ... he'll tell you "I can't read!" But I love his face in the photo below. Mom and Nanny really liked caroling (I think), and we all enjoyed riding on the charted bus around town to the various stops. It was like a party on board!I was so impressed with how well Abby and Tyler did greeting the elderly residents at the nursing homes. Little do they know, on Thursday (Christmas Eve), they are helping me deliver Meals On Wheels to people from our church. Hopefully they'll do just as well!

Little Elves

Yesterday was a busy day - lots of holiday cheer, holiday parties ... and gifts! I must admit, excitement about Christmas has reached fever pitch here. The kids definitely have gift fever ... and they are wired on peppermints and Christmas cookies! Above is Tyler testing his "Snowman Soup" (hot cocoa), given to him by his teachers at preschool. His shirt says "Naughty - It's the New Nice!" After getting Abby at school, we headed to the Harrison's house for a holiday party and gift exchange. It's so cool to see the girls mature ... Abby, Shelby, Lucy and Alex all met when they were two-years old ... what a difference! The last time we all got together for a holiday party was in 2007 - look how small they were.After the Harrison's party, it was off to the Smith's house for our family Christmas get-together. Abby and Emily taught Sarah Kate (20 months) how to sport a tutu ... and they giggled profusely about Junie B. Jones books. So cute! And cute is an understatement here. Sarah Kate wasn't too sure about the flower hat we gave her (from Ikea) ... but she was a good sport and tried it on. Between all of this, Abby and Tyler had holiday parties in their classes on Monday ... what a day!

In the News!

Did you all see the "Families" section of the Tallahassee Democrat today? This photo of Abby and Tyler was featured in a story about Santa pictures gone bad! Many of you may have seen this photo before (we've shared it in Christmas cards/letters), but if you haven't ... ENJOY! It always makes US laugh!

All Wrapped Up!

So, have you all heard of Wrap Rage? It's a real thing, they say! The other day I was, coincidentally, wrapping gifts when a guy on the radio said opening presents is a cause of major holiday stress (guess that person didn't have a to-do list like mine, because opening gifts is the LEAST of my stress. If I make it to Christmas, I'll be happy!)


Actually, they say opening presents is also one of the top ways people injure themselves during the holidays. And I believe that! With all of that molded plastic packaging and twist ties, tape, etc. - I'm surprised Dennis and I haven't seriously cut ourselves trying to break into toys on Christmas and birthdays. We keep several pairs of scissors on hand ... and hope for plenty of patience on Abby and Tyler's part as we free their treasures. I have actually been keeping my ribbon and tricky wrapping to a minimum this year ... partially because I don't want to further contribute to the over-packaging madness, and partially because I'm WAY behind on my gift wrapping! The crazy part is ... I really LIKE wrapping gifts. It usually puts me in the holiday spirit. Guess I better break out my most festive paper as I "wrap up" my gift preparations tonight. Everything WILL be set to go tomorrow - mark my word!

Isn't She Lovely?

Abby is just about to lose her other top front tooth (the first came out a month or so ago) ... it's hanging on by a thread! And, when you see the pictures below, you'll understand why I'm offering big bucks to whomever can help pull it out. I don't want our Christmas morning pictures to look like an ad for ... well, at risk of offending those in certain regions of the United States ... I don't want this "snaggletooth" in our holiday pictures!Dennis and I have been calling Abby "Ruby Sue" and "Cletus" ... fits, huh?

Mr. Postman

Mailing packages off to Iowa... Tyler was VERY hands-on! He wanted to make sure these got to Gram and Grandma & Grandpa in time. I think they did!

Tyler's Holiday Program

Tyler showered US with gifts after his holiday program at preschool. But it should have been the other way around. He did such a great job singing on stage. We could hear every word he was singing ... LOTS and LOTS of practice all month long! As is the tradition at Advent, we had a birthday party for Jesus after the "show," then we got our annual Christmas banner with Tyler's handprints.

Tyler was so excited to show us the reindeer with his handprint antlers. Next Christmas we'll get our last Advent banner (sniff!) ... which makes a grand total of seven. A friend of mine gave me a great idea: make a quilt out of them and bring it out at Christmastime each year (thanks for the tip Karena!) We just might do that!

Construction Zone

To celebrate the season, Tyler had a few buddies - Shane, George and Charlie - over to make gingerbread houses after school one day. What an adventure ... as evidenced by Tyler's less than traditional method of applying the icing: by hand! Christy and Shane had the right idea ... and their house turned out beautifully!Tyler on the other hand, did quite a bit of candy eating and not so much house decorating. Maybe someone should have told him it's easier to put a peppermint in your mouth and suck on it, rather than licking it like a lollipop! You can see - he had quite the sugar fix ... and a very miminalistic house!

And George got pretty creative with the Easy Accent Decorator. When he had enough on his house, he piped a bit right into his mouth ... much to the horror of Alison (his mom!)I think we'll try this project again next year, when the boys are one year older! But I bet it won't be nearly as comical then!

December Preschool Tidbits

Oh, wouldn't it be fun to be in preschool again?!? This month, Tyler got to do so many fun things, including making gingerbread houses in cooking ... And taking a nature hike on a chilly day. We actually packed a S'mores Trail Mix for each child to snack on after their "long hike," and Tyler got to pass them out. I wish I had taken a picture of the fronts of the bags. Tyler did such a great job of making a "T" and an "M" on each ... then I filled in the blanks. On 13 bags - that's quite a job for a little guy! Lastly, here is a great picture of Tyler's teachers, Lisa and Tami. The class gave them custom-decorated Christmas wreaths as part of their holiday gift. They were quite delighted ... and I just had to post this, as it's an adorable picture of the two of them!

Strange Science Picture

I have no idea what you call this kind of caterpillar ... but I will say it's strange looking! Abby and Dennis found him out back, and just HAD to bring him in for a picture. Abby said he looked like he had a skeleton face...

We're Thankful for ... Sea World!

What fun we had at Sea World the weekend after Thanksgiving. Abby and Tyler got a kick out of seeing Shamu dressed up like Santa! But even more monumental was Tyler meeting the height requirement to ride the Shamu Express. That doesn't happen very often to our "little guy!" But he was VERY proud. Now, if only we could convince Ikea that Tyler is actually 38 inches ... he would be able to play in the kids area while I shop. We've been turned away twice - try explaining that to a very pumped-up child!Back to the roller coaster. Tyler was very excited when he got on to ride ... ... but his bravery only lasted for a short time. Don't you just love the big sister? "Look Mommy - Tyler's crying!" Fortunately, he was able to dry off the tears when we met Santa at "The North Pole" within the Polar Express Experience. No surprise - Tyler isn't tall enough to do the motion simulation part of the ride, so we arrived at the North Pole before Dennis and Abby. This was Tyler's second time telling Santa that he wanted "a big pirate ship and a toy blimp" for Christmas. Dennis got to ride Manta that evening, before we took in the Sea World holiday show and fireworks. I snapped this shot off the preview screen - look at Dennis in the front row (far left). Front row seats at the fireworks show too. Tyler just cracks us up with his sensitive ears. But he's come a long way since July ... I think he enjoyed the display more this time. Who wouldn't? It was beautiful!
Thanks Dad for getting us into Sea World ... again! We love that perk!