Christmas Recap

We made it home.

It feels good to be at home sleeping in our own bed. 

The truck is unloaded and 75% of it is put away.   3 loads of laundry are done and awaiting folding, I estimate at least 3 more loads will still have to be done.   Who am I kidding the laundry is never done.

 

But all that can wait so that I can share pictures from our holiday vacation back home in Kalida. 

Last week we had a blizzard before we left.  The kids had their first snow day on Thursday.  We got 6" of snow and the winds were blowing hard.  While mommy was packing and getting everything ready for Ohio the kids had fun watching movies and running to the widow every hour to see the snow "grow".

 Lil Miss looking out at the snow

 

 Rosie asked if we could do some baking, so I pulled some ingredients out of the pantry and we had all the fixings for Oreo truffles.  We added a little with the peppermint bits on top, but they still tasted good.  For lunch we had a indoor picnic downstairs and watched Tinkerbell as we ate summer sausage, cheese and crackers.  The kids had such a fun snow day that they were disappointed to have school on Friday. 

 Daddy came home early to watch Lil Miss while mommy did her first duties as Head Room Parent in Gigi's Kindergarten class.  We had a class party with games, a craft and snacks. 

 We had a snowman building contest. 

I hope the teacher didn't mind we teepee'd her classroom.

As soon as the kids were done with all their holiday parties, we were off.

This was the first year we took one vehicle home for Christmas. 

I packed light and didn't go excessive on Christmas gifts so we fit everything in the truck with a little breathing room. 

 

Christmas in a Glance --  

{Uncle Nate and Baby Miley} 

{Grandma Pam and Rosie -- Rosie shared her hair chok so they both had purple streaks in their hair}

 

Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.

Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more.

-- The Grinch

 

On both sides of the family we cut back on so many Christmas gifts. 

It made us really think hard about making the gifts meaningful.  Alot of the gifts from us were handmade this year, and I think they turned out really great.  (more on those later)

Even Santa thought long and hard about the few gifts each child got and I don't think any one was upset about the 4 gifts each one got.

 {presents}

 {mini photographer}

 {Megan broke her foot last week so ALL the uncles had to sign her cast and doodle on her toes}

{Christmas happiness} 

 {What was Uncle Neil thinking when he gave Josh swords?  Probably that the boys would LOVE them.  Luckily nothing was broken at Grandma Pam's.}

{lovebirds.  Can't believe my neice is getting married this year!}

 On the 23rd we got together with my whole family. 

The little kids had a blast playing together and I got to enjoy my birthday beating Nate in pinochle.  It was quite the birthday gift to get awesome cards! 

Also my mom and siblings spoiled me with awesome gifts. 

I am blessed.

 {Lil Miss loved opening each package}

 I couldn't wait for my godson Lincoln to open his gift. 

I made him a pirate ship!!

I am so happy on how it turned out.  It came complete with pirate hats and eye patches.

Hopefully they have lots of fun this winter playing pirates in their new "playhouse". 

 

 The grandkids gave Grandma Judy a Steel drum and it didn't take Nate long to hammer out Joy to the World on it.  The music makes me want to sip on a drink with an umbrella in it!

We closed the night by watching a video from my Uncle about my father's company.  

They compiled some interviews of past and current employees and they had such nice things to say about my dad and his brothers.  It makes me proud to be his daughter on how he made an impact in other people's lives.  The DVD is a treasure.

Christmas eve we spent time with the family. 

The girls and I revived an old game we used to play --- Mille Bornes. 

Mom and I were on a team and we had such rotten cards it was quite comical. 

Thanks Kathy for getting us the game, we have been obsessed with it ever since. 

{Me and Baby Miley} 

Just Dance 4 was torn out of the packaging and popped into the wii. 

Rosie had a great time showing off her moves.  All the Schulte Girls got in on it. 

We were all tucked in that night and the kids were dreaming of sugar plums while Santa placed presents under the tree.

The kids knocked on the door the next morning to get us up and show us the splendor under the tree.

By 7 am we were tearing open the packages to what Santa brought.

{Christmas morning}

 

 {gigi got a jewelry box with a key}

{someone was really excited to get her own sewing machine}

 We spent the morning in our pajamas playing with all the toys. 

Mommy learned how fun it is to put together legos. 

I don't know who enjoyed the finished product more Bubba or Me.

 Around lunchtime we got dressed and had a little pumpkin pie treat. 

Lil Miss is a HUGE fan of pumpkin pie and will schmooze anyone who has a piece out of a few bites.

{Lil Miss learned how to gallop around with her pink unicorn} 

The day after Christmas my mom and us sisters headed to the movies in a snow storm.  I had

desperately wanted to see Les Miserables and talked them into going with me. 

It was a slow ride to the movies as the snow was coming down but we had plenty of time to get our popcorn and milk duds to munch on before the movie started. 

The movie was great and I was shocked out how great Russel Crowe's voice was. 

Glad I had some companions to watch it with!  

We had looked through some of my grandma Aggie's things before we went to the movies and I was lucky enough to where this beautiful blue sapphire necklace that was once her's.  It matched my outfit for the day!   

Bubba was excited to show off his new outfit too! 

Santa had brought him a buckeye basketball jersey. 

He was stoked!  

That night we met up with some of our college buddies for pizza. 

It was good to get together and catch up.

Surprise the next morning though when we got a text that Erin had her baby girl. 

Nate was just happy her water didn't break during dinner.  :-) 

Since we had some wonderful snow on the ground from the snow storm the kids were begging to go out in the snow.  Bubba was dying to use his new snowboard. 

So we headed out Grandma Judy's to take advantage of the best hills in the county! 

 

 

The best part of playing in the snow is the Hot Chocolate!!

We warmed up with a bit of the yummy stuff and a movie. 

Best Day Ever!! 

It was an exciting holiday vacation, but we are glad to be home. 

I can look back on our Christmas with wonderful memories that we created and shared with family and friends.  What a great way to end the year. 

 

Rosie said it best as we were leaving the pizza place on Wednesday night. 

"That was fun mom.  Even more fun than getting gifts.  Almost."

Love it. 

All I wanted was the kids to not worry about what was in the pretty packages and to remember it is more fun to be with those you love.  I think they got the point. 

What a wonderful way to celebrate Jesus' birth.