Continuing Our Christmas Week

Our fabulous Christmas Week just kept trucking along.

 

The day after Christmas, I went to Mom and Dad's house to get the kids ready. Mary and I ran to Target with the kids then we headed to meet Mom, Anne, and Jeremy along with Dad in Hanna City for lunch. We had a delicious lunch and it was great getting to have lunch with Dad. His busy schedule doesn't allow him to take the time to do that with us very often. Then we headed back home. Anne and Jeremy rode with us. We took them through the tornado damage in Washington on our way back home.

 

That night, Anne, Jeremy, Mary, and Chad came over for dinner. We ordered pizza and hung out for a bit. Poor Alex had to work past closing so he had to eat when he got home. It was a fabulous night and it was nice to have everyone over again.

 

On Friday, Mary and I headed down South to start the extended family Christmas's. We drove to Grandma Ann's house that morning. She rode with the kids and I. We hung out at Grandma Ann's for awhile then we headed over to the Villa to celebrate the Schumann Christmas.

 

The weather was so beautiful and perfect for December.

Considering how long and cold the winter was for us, I am shocked it was so beautiful in the days surrounding Christmas.

Our little old man....mess hair, nerdy zip up sweater, sweatpants, and his pants tucked into one boot. He looks like he just rode the senior citizen bus over from the retirement community.

Our outside queen :)

Always climbing on stuff he isn't supposed to climb on....

Uncle Rusty, Aunt Sonya, and their three boys were visiting from North Carolina. They also brought their dog Ruby. Charlotte LOVED Ruby. LOVED her.

My beautiful offspring.

How did Alex and I make such beautiful kids????

 

After we got there and got acclimated to everyone that was there, the kids just went about their business as usual. We had Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Bev, T, Mary, John, me, the kids, Uncle Rusty, Aunt Sonya, Reed, Ross, Rowe, a few of Aunt Sonya's family members, a few of Uncle Rusty's friends, and some of Mom's cousins all came to visit. Reed, Ross, and Rowe even had a few people come visit. It was a full and busy house. Later on, Chet, Vanessa, and Mandy came too!

 

We had a delicious supper. The kids ate all night long.

Great Grandma Millie was looking fabulous :) Cancer isn't getting her down. She looked so good and was a maniac!

We hung out downstairs quite a bit. We watched "What About Bob" and the kids ran around. Charlotte finally paid a bit of attention to Rowe (but not like her obsession last year.) Ross just kept trying to play with the kids. Finally Sawyer hung with him a bit.

The two music loving boys. I couldn't decide who was accompanying who.

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa got this boy some tractors. They know the key to his heart.

 

He found Papa's empty beer can. Also a key to his heart.

Charlotte was helping Great Grandma get all of the presents passed out.

And Great Grandma and Great Grandpa know the way to this girls' heart. A stroller and baby doll!!! Her year has been made. This child was born to be a mommy someday.

Grandma was helping get all of the baby stuff set up.

Grandma and Grandpa and their grandchildren...minus Anne and Bub....and their great grandchildren minus Xander.

Aunt Bev and her clan....minus Andrew. So glad that even Sugar was able to make it :)

 

I had a picture of Uncle Rusty and his family....including Ruby.... but I can't find it!! (He's going to accuse me of deleting it on purpose because he was in it :) I know his type.)

 

Once the kids got too tired, Mary and I headed back across the river. We went to Grandma Ann's house to sleep since it was a full house at Mom and Dad's villa. It was great to see everyone. Cousin Jerry even made an appearance. We have missed him so much.

 

It's crazy how old the Schumann boys have gotten. It's fun to sit around and make fun of stuff and each other with them. We love our time with Chet and Vanessa as always and we hadn't seen Mandy since Mary's graduation.

 

We love the holidays and seeing so many people we love!!!!

 



Celebrating Jesus' Birthday!

Our busy but fabulous Christmas Day!!

 

After all of the hustle and bustle of the morning, we headed down to Gigi and Papa's house around 4 pm. We brought Jesus' birthday cake with us. Charlotte and Aunt Bare took over decorating it.

 

She helped Daddy pick out sprinkles at Walmart the day before.

All of the presents that Santa left at Gigi and Papa's house :)

Uncle Jeremy and Sawyer playing with Papa's Ipad.

The weather outside is frightful but the fire is so delightful...

She is so proud of her cake for Jesus' birthday....even if she is giving a big 'ole fake smile here.

Just a quick taste...

They are crazy.

The final product....and a quick taste by each baby.

 

 

 

It's present time!!

 

Sawyer was helping pass them out too.

Sofia!!!

Hair stuff!!!!

How's that for an excited look!?!?!?!?!

Sawyer got a brand new quilt that Aunt Meem made for him.

Sawyer showing Uncle Chad his new tractor.

Lego blocks!!!!

Chaos.

A new riding toy that has Mickey Mouse on it!!!

 

Kisses for Papa.

Gigi and Papa's big gift to Goose was this vanity that Papa picked out for her.

 

The kids fingerpainted on a picture frame for Aunt Meem. It had a picture of her with each kid in it. She cried :) We had no idea she would love it so much!

 

 

Look at that grown up looking girl....

We opened presents once we were all there and then we had a delicious meal that Mom made. Anne and Jeremy drove up from Missouri and were able to be with us. After we all sat at the same big long table for dinner, Charlotte and Uncle Jeremy decided to play with her new vanity.

Once we were all done eating, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. That's Charlotte's favorite song :)

Everyone singing.

And the candles were blown out by both babes....

 

Charlotte and Sawyer slept at Gigi and Papa's house Christmas night. Aunt Meem and Uncle Jare were there to play with them. It was nice for Daddy and Momma to be able to get a bit of sleep for the night :)

 

We had such an awesome day. It wasn't jammed pack full of stuff. We were able to wake up in our own home in our own beds and the kids were able to play with all of their new toys. We had so much fun hosting people at our house but also leaving to go to Gigi and Papa's house for the evening. And naturally the kids loved getting to have a sleep over with Gigi and Papa.

 

Merry Christmas (five months late since I am writing this in the beginning of June...)



Happy Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve was a fabulous day. Alex was off of work so he and Charlotte ran a few errands. We ate lunch, they took naps, and he and I got supper ready to go. I made my homemade lasagna and he made the appetizers...the man loves his appetizers.  We all got ready and after a MAJOR MAJOR meltdown from our little diva, we all headed to church. We went to the Catholic Church in town...the one I grew up going to. Mom, Dad, and John were playing in the guitar group there for Christmas Eve mass. The kids were pretty good considering what time of the day it was.

 

This was one of the only pictures from the church that looked ok. They were trying to take the nativity apart....naturally.

After church we rushed home to get the lasagna in the oven and get ready for the family to come over.

 

He looks like our little butler or something.

How cute is this kid??????

Crazy girl jumped in. I didn't get her a Christmas dress this year. I didn't really think about it but now I wish I had.

We got a surprise in the mail on Christmas Eve. I had left some things in the hotel room in Nashville when I stayed there in November with my friends. Leslie sent them to me along with some ornaments that made her think of me and she sent the kids presents. After Charlotte opened her present from Leslie she yelled out "This is the best Christmas Ever!!!!!"

Mary had to work Christmas Eve so she was only able to come over for a little bit.

 

I love this picture :)

Alex made the "J" on the wall above the TV. He also made a "W" for mom, a "P" for Anne, and a "K" for Mary. He did a good job!

Oh, Dad. Always the funny guy.... Wearing a toddler's bow tie and drinking wine.

Our First Christmas living in Illinois.... :) The house is abuzz

The kids wanted to leave food for the reindeer. Papa helped them feed them.

Yep. Just throw all of that out the back door onto the porch. The reindeer will find them.

Let's throw some more out there...

The kids were happy Uncle Chad stayed for a bit to hang with us.

It was so nice to have Gigi, Papa, Bare, Chad, and Uncle Poop over for supper. The kids were nuts with excitement to have everyone here.

Good night kisses from Gigi!

That little face in his little trashy get up.

Uncle Chad is just so funny.

 

After everyone left and supper was cleaned up, it was time to back cookies!!!!

Charlotte and Sawyer helped make a chocolate chip pan cookie for Santa.

Delicious!

Love this picture. The kids are at the dining room table writing Santa letters (I should have moved the bag and flowers so you could see them.) Alex fell asleep the minute he sat down on the couch and was out until after the kids went to bed.

Always wanting to help momma in the kitchen.

Checking on that cookie!!!!

All ready for bed in his Christmas jammies!!

Cheese!!!!! (and a Yaya)

We are all set for Santa Clause...they each wrote a letter, Momma wrote a letter with real letters on it from them together, milk is cold and cookies are warm.

 

 

They headed off to bed... with Charlotte sleeping on the floor in our room (she was scared about Santa coming) and Sawyer sleeping in his bed. Hopefully Santa will come visit us!!!!!!!!