Christmas 2015

We spent much of Christmas eve day relaxing, finishing preparations, cooking, and tracking Santa. We introduced Jeremiah to the NOAA Santa tracker and he was very interested in checking Santa's location. Before we headed out to Christmas eve service, the boys sprinkled reindeer food that Levi made at daycare and Andrew made at Kindergarten on the lawn. 

We went to 5 p.m. Christmas eve service. Andrew and Jeremiah were excited to hold their own candles during the candlelight portion. Levi liked watching daddy read at the front of the church. We returned home to a nice dinner. Daddy read the Christmas story from the book of Luke and we opened a few gifts from special friends, Kent and Marilyn Tucker. This proved to be especially exciting, as Andrew considered the drone they gave us to be his most exciting gift when asked on his return to Kindergarten. The boys prepped a few cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Then it was time to get to bed.

Boys all dressed up for church. 

Christmas morning came quickly. Santa treated the boys well. They were delighted to find a Wii U under the tree and their stockings brimming with everything from toothbrushes and new undies to candy and books. We enjoyed cinnamon rolls and then opened gifts to each other.

Jeremiah received legos, a wimpy kid book from his brothers, a hat and photo of him playing football, super hero mashers, and new shoes.

Jeremiah was super excited about his New Orleans Saints winter hat. 

Andrew opened legos, shoes, hat and gloves, new Cardinals hat, and super hero mashers from his brothers.

Andrew's new Cardinals hat.

 Levi received a new bedroom lamp, some shirts, Mickey tools from his brothers, play doh and Spiderman legos.

Levi's Mickey Mouse tools!

The boys played with a few toys while Mom and Dad packed up. We were on the road by 9:30 a.m., headed towards Grandma and Grandpa Todd's house. We spent some time with Ann, Tim and Kinsley before they had to be at another gathering. Levi received magnetic tiles that have proven to be fun for all! He has a new barn and many more cows to tend to thanks to Aunt Ann and Uncle Tim. Grandma gave Jeremiah and Andrew personalized duffle bags. Aunt Carrie gave Jeremiah and Andrew ski passes. After gift opening, the rest of the day was filled with games, movies, and rest with Aunt Carrie, Grandma Todd and Grandpa. The boys contributed Grinch hats for food on Christmas day.

The next day was time for celebrating with the Schnitzler family. Jeremiah played football with Karl and Jacques, who is staying with Sheila & Branden. We enjoyed a special lunch and the boys were blessed with many more gifts! Andrew received a case handmade by uncle Branden to display his ball collection. Jeremiah has new Illini pants from Grandma, which were great to wear to a basketball game that uncle Roger and aunt Sandra sent him to. His nativity piece this year was the shepherd Jeremiah. Levi got new shoes from Grandma and a special truck from Kyle.

Jeremiah loved learning to play 31 with some of the visitors from Costa Rica. Andrew shared his new Spot It game with aunts Karen and Leisa. Andrew and Jeremiah spent the night at Karl's house, while Mom, Dad and Levi headed back to Grandma Todd's house.

Sunday was a special time to celebrate with the extended Schnitzler family. Levi played with a few little cousins who are actually his same age. It was fun to visit with many family members we don't see often enough. The drive back to Grandma and Grandpa Todd's illustrated that the boys were wiped out from a few days of activity. That and some pending yucky weather signaled to us that we should stay put for a couple more days. Monday was a great day to relax, play with the new toys, and prep for the drive home on Tuesday.

Christmas prep

The Christmas season brought much activity to our house.

The first weekend of December brought the Fisher holiday parade. Andrew and Jeremiah were on the 4-H float. Levi napped through it, riding in the truck pulling the float.

Jeremiah visiting the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry on a class field trip. Their main purpose was learning about holidays around the world. The whole third grade class participates in a special project to study holiday traditions. Later in the month, Jeremiah presented with his group about Christmas in Germany. Mom attended the presentation and Dad helped to build a gingerbread house. The day of the field trip was extra exciting at our house, when the neighbors had to drop Leona at our house so they could welcome a new daughter, Lenora.

Andrew and Jeremiah's holiday program at school quickly followed. Andrew sported mittens and a hat for his songs and Jeremiah's class did a little dancing. It's hard to believe Jeremiah only has one more elementary school program remaining.

Grandma and Grandpa Schnitzler visited the following weekend. They helped the boys cut out sugar cookies. We joined Sophia for dinner and then took a drive to look at Christmas lights, including one house set to music in Monticello. They were also with us for Andrew and Jeremiah's church program. Jeremiah was a kid speaking about the not-so-perfect meaning of Christmas. He memorized his lines, which we were so proud of. Andrew was a wiseman and also did a great job.

A few days later, Daddy spe
nt the morning with Andrew class during their classroom party. J&A wrapped up school for the year with a trip to the movies on Dec. 18. That was also the same day as Levi's program. His daycare told the story of Jesus' birth. He is still singing (and telling about during church children's sermon) Mary had a Baby Boy (although thanks to a mommy trick, Mary nearly had a purple cat) and Away in the Manger.

With all these activities, we were well in the holiday spirit. We met Santa before heading out to wrap up some shopping. With a little Christmas music, we looked forward to celebrating.

Turkey Time!

The Friday before Thanksgiving, Andrew celebrated with his Kindergarten class. They played games, dressed as pilgrims (girls) and Native Americans (boys) and dined on a feast. Mrs. Sparks also sat them down to visit about things for which they were thankful.

For weeks, Levi had been looking forward to eating turkey with Grandpa, saying nom, nom, nom when we asked him what we do with the turkey. With no school for the older two, we headed north on Wednesday morning. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Wednesday evening with the Todd side of the family. Leave it to our boys to end the evening on a rough spot. Levi managed to throw up in Grandma and Grandpa's living room before bed!

It must have been a fluke because all were fine by the next morning, in time for parades and fun! We spent the day playing with aunts, uncles, and cousin Kinsley. With the Thanksgiving festivities already done, Carrie, Grandma, Mommy, Andrew and Jeremiah headed out to a late afternoon showing of the Peanuts movie. Then, we headed to the G&G Schnitzler. Daddy and uncle Roger left VERY early in the morning to take cousin Kyle to the O'hare airport.

Decorating Grandma Schnitzler's Christmas tree

The boys played with cousins. They helped Grandma and uncle Roger put up Christmas decorations. Andrew and Levi headed off to the farm to do chores. We watched cousin Devin play basketball.

We departed early Sunday to meet aunt Caitlin and uncle Matt for a visit to the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. This was a gift to the boys. Levi LOVED all the fish, and found one special turtle to watch. Jeremiah learned so much and Andrew just had a great time!

It was soon time to head home and prep for returning to our regular schedule.

Levi and Jeremiah checking out frogs

Levi and his turtle friend. 

 

Jeremiah's 8th birthday

Jeremiah has been asking for several years for a birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. This year that wish was granted. Cousin Karl, friends Asher, Logan Deer, Nick, and Cooper were his guests. Grandma Schnitzler, Andrew, Levi and Aunt Leisa also attended.

In addition to playing many of the games at Chuck E. Cheese, Jeremiah took a turn in the ticket machine. Chuck E. also danced with the boys. Jeremiah picked out a pair of inflatable boxing gloves with his tickets. He received a new basketball, bedroom slippers, spending money, and a few books for his birthday.

Aunt Ann, Tim and Kinsley visited for Jeremiah's actual birthday. The boys enjoyed playing with Kinsley and going for a walk on a warm November day.

Andrew turns 6!

Amongst all the Halloween festivities, we celebrated Andrew turning 6! The celebration started on Thursday, when Andrew took treats to school to ensure his birthday received all the due attention, not lost in the Halloween activities.

He welcomed friends Weston, Kenna, Gabe, Zander and Hala for a Halloween
birthday party at home. The Kuipers, Aunt Sheila, Grandma & Grandpa Todd, and Becca also came for the fun! They crafted, played a ghost dice game and pinned the nose on the pumpkin!

Grandma & Grandpa Todd gave him a marshmallow gun. Grandpa Schnitzler picked out a special bat for him at the Louisville Slugger factory.

Andrew's halloween birthday wouldn't be complete without trick-or-treating and a dinner of his choice. He picked pizza!