Lanier Christmas Lights

We went to Lanier to see the Christmas lights this weekend. It took us 2 hours to get to the entrance gate from the interstate exit. But the kids really enjoyed it though. I have included the pictures we took. The live nativity scence was neat too. Carter liked the live animals. To see the slideshow, click on this link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/schaumleffel/sets/72157611235653921/show/


Carter said his first prayer a few nights ago. It was so cute. After I said the prayer, Abby wanted to say one. After she was done, Carter said, "Mama prayer. " So, Abby and I fed him the prayer line by line and he repeated a word or two at the end of every sentence we said. When he was done, he was so proud of himself that he began to clap.

Abby turns 6

It is hard for me to believe, but my baby girl has turned 6. I swear I just had her. She is such a blessing to us. For her birthday party, she wanted a Pirate party. So, we had the party at a pirate themed jump place. There was a great turn out. Everyone had a great time, especially the birthday girl.

End of the Soccer Season

Abby had her last soccer game this past Saturday. They were given medals after the game. She was also given a trophy on Tuesday night when the team met for a end of the season get together. She has grown so much as the season as gone on. She has made so much progress. She will start the indoor soccer soon with her same team members. She is really excited.

Halloween

I know it has been way to long since I have updated the blogsite. I apologize. It has been so busy around here. Steve has started graduate school. So, we do not get to see him very much. The kids and I have been busy with soccer and getting ready for Abby's birthday party. Can you believe she turned six yesterday?

I am enclosing Halloween pictures from Halloween. Abby was a cat and Carter was a punk rocker. He had a guitar but did not carry it very long. He was scared to go go up to most of the houses. He went up to a few of them and even told them, " I Rock."

Meet the new addition to the family

Meet Lucky, our newest member of the family. Isn't he cute? He is such as a sweet puppy. We got him on Monday. He 's a mutt that the Pet Rescue Club at my school rescued this weekend. I brought him home to see how he would do with the kids. He did great. The kids warmed right up to him and he warmed up to them. I think he is going to make a great family dog!

Pee Wee Penguin

Abby had her Zoo Phonics parade on Friday. She was the cutest penguin. She got really aggitated with her costume though. You can tell a little in the video. She got really hot in it. When I went to give her a hug when it was all over, she said, "Mama, I'm hot. I wanna take this off now. "

It just amazes me that she is in school now. I just had her yesterday. Watching her performance the other day, I started to tear up before she ever came on just thinking about it.

Carter is cute as ever. Steve has taught him to say, " I Rock." It is so cute and funny to hear him say it. He says it all the time now.

I can't decide what to dress Carter as for Halloween. Abby wants to be a cat. I can't think of anything that really goes with that. I thought of a mouse maybe- Mickey Mouse. I have also thought of a pirate. He often makes the "Arrgh" sound like a pirate (sometimes he is being a dinosaur or a monster or a tiger or bear when he makes the sound- depending on the situation)

Steve is getting excited about graduate school. He starts in just a few weeks now. Nothing exciting is happening with me. I have just been working and spending time with the family otherwise.

House of Mouse

Life has been very busy here. Abby seems to be settling in to school. Last Friday was Mouse Day in her class. She had to dress like a mouse (picture enclosed). She was so excited about it. They had a lot of fun! She came home talking all about it. This Friday, they are doing a parade. Abby has to dress like a penguin and she is not happy about it because she thinks it is a boy because of the red bow on her costume.

This past weekend, we got our picture taken at a professional photography place. Carter was very uncooperative. We got lots of good pictures of Abby and only a few of Carter. I am surprised that we got the few that we did. Look for them at Christmas.

Carter's birthday party

Carter's 2nd birthday party was this past weekens. It was Disney Cars themed (of course). He had such a great time and got lots of great new toys. He has been having so much fun playing with all his new toys and watching his new movies. He and Abby have been playing together with all the new things. He loves playing with his "Abbbeee". I have enclosed a few pics from the party and one a few days later playing with some of his new things.

First Soccer Game

Abby had her first soccer game this weekend. I was really proud of her. She did really good. She was the goalie a few times and was also asked to kick the ball first for a play a few times. I have included a few pics and a video of her being a goalie ( She missed the ball in the video, but kept it out of the goal several times). We are so proud of our cute lil' soccer girl. In the pictures, Abby is the player with the number 2.

Carter turns 2

Our baby boy celebrated his 2nd birthday yesterday. It is so suprising, so hard to believe. He is such an amazing child. When we found out that we were having a boy, I remember thinking I would not know what to do with a boy. Now I know: Just love him for the amazing being that he is. I cannot imagine my life without him now. I am the proud mother of a extraordinary little girl and an extraordinary little man.

For Carter's birthday, we took him and his Sissy to the Aquarium. It was great. It wasn't too crowded. We all had a great time. Carter enjoyed seeing all the "fishes." We are having a CARS birthday party this weekend, but we celebrated ourselves at home after the Aquarium with cupcakes after dinner. Enclosed are pictures we have taken over the past few weeks and yesterday. I have also enclosed a video taken at the Aquarium of the kids learning to clean fish.

First week of school

Abby has survived her first week of school. She has made lots of new friends there. She had her first soccer practice last night. I think she will enjoy it once the season gets going. She is really enjoying gymnastics.
We are preparing for Carter's 2nd birthday. The theme,of course, is Cars. With so many Cars, he will probably be on sensory overload.

First day of school

Our big girl started school this week. It is so hard to believe. We are so proud of her. Enclosed are pictures of her first day.

Sleepy Babies

Here is a video of the kids I took of the kids the other night just before bedtime. They are pretending to be asleep.

Carter has had a rough time with his teeth lately. He has got a few coming in and they have made him miserable lately. He has been quite the trouper, though. He has stayed happy even when he was obviously in pain.

Abby is getting excited about going to school soon. She is excited about going shopping for school stuff soon. Hard to believe our baby will be in school soon.

Grandma's 90th birthday

This past weekend we went to Illinois for Grandma's 90th birthday party. She did not know we were coming and was so suprised and excited to see us. She had a great time at her party. There were over 1oo guests. We got to see many relatives that we have not seen in a long time.