Levi's first Illini game!

On September 7, Levi attended his first Illini football game. Illinois got the win and Levi did really well. He wasn't sure about the cheering at first but seemed to adjust, even napping for a bit.

Yee-haw!

 Jeremiah's first grade class had a western unit this fall. They held a class square dance, complete with a caller, and a rodeo with relays, campfire and cookout.

Mommy was able to participate in the square dance and Daddy helped with the rodeo. Here are a few pictures of Jeremiah in his cowboy wear during the square dance.

Levi 4 months

At 4 months Levi is:
becoming more aware of his surroundings.
Starting to wiggle around to move.
Continuing to sleep through the night.
Loves to smile and be tickled.
Chews on his hands constantly.

50 years is alot!

 Labor Day weekend brought a very special celebration for Grandma and Grandpa Schnitzler. This fall marks 50 years of marriage for them! It was fun to spend time with aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family.All the kids and grandkids attended church with them, and some participated in the service. Jeremiah and cousin Karl helped with the communion cup baskets. Leave it to them to have made a competition out of it.
Andrew spent the week before the weekend with grandma and grandpa and then a night with grandma and grandpa Todd. He did cow chores, fed hay, played with second cousin Skye, and walked Bailey the dog. He is now a little too brave around the cows!

Jeremiah had a special role during church on Sunday, getting to hold the communion cup basket with Karl. Of course, the two of them turned it in to a competition of who could get more cups! Jeremiah gave us a custom comment when asking about our anniversary. We told him we had been married 10 year and he then calculated that we would be in our 70s IF we make it to our 50th wedding anniversary. We love his little quips!

The whole clan.

Grandkids doing a funny picture with Grandma and Grandpa.

Sunday afternoon, the family hosted an open house, greeting more than 200 people. The fun included a vocal duo, which played a few songs for dancing. Three generations were found on the dance floor throughout.

Levi made his way around the celebration, getting snuggles from multiple generations, including Sophia, aunt Sandra, friends, great-aunt Pat and more!

Andrew and grandma dance!

Read more »

Andrew starts preschool

Andrew started preschool on September 3. He is going to the same preschool that Jeremiah went to in Rantoul. He was excited to have his own school now! Taking all his first day of school pictures was part of the fun! No tears for this big boy! Mommy took him on the first day. On the second day, he rode with another preschooler and her mom, who treated him to Burger King! We are already hearing songs from school and he is delighted to be earning stars for being a good boy!

Special visitors

In mid-August we welcomed very special friends from Iowa, the Byrds. Jodi was the older boys babysitter in Iowa. This was the first time they had met Levi. We swam, had a campfire and went to the drive-in to see Planes. Jeremiah and Andrew enjoyed playing with Cheyenne, their daughter. It's fun to see how quickly they pick up right where they left off the last time we were together.

Levi 3 months

At three months Levi is a super happy baby! Although he made mom work for his 3 month pictures. I'm still not sure we got any of him smiling but he threw us the below smile just a few hours after the formal pictures. He has started taking baths in the big bath tub, where he loves splashing around. He is also rolling from his back to his front, and trying to go back.

 



 

First Grade

Jeremiah started first grade on August 16. He was excited to have some of his friends from kindergarten in his class with Ms. Norris. He insisted on wearing the same shirt he wore for his first day of kindergarten.



 

Big Boy Bath!

This big guy has started to splash so much that he qualified for an upgrade to the big bath tub! He seemed to like the space and freedom to splash with both his arms and legs.

Big boy bikes!

Because Jeremiah learned to ride on two wheels this summer, we agreed that he could get a new bike. He also had to reach a reading goal. We ventured to the store to let him pick it out, giving him a few requirements. He came home with a bright orange 20 inch bike. 

His upgrade meant that Andrew would get his bike. Daddy put the training wheels back on and Andrew was quick to take possession. We do have to get a new helmet because Andrew's head is so big!