Happy 60th Birthday, Papa...and a Happy New Year Too!

New Years Eve is my father's birthday. When I was a kid I always thought..."that has to stink" but my dad always said "It's great, there is always a party on my birthday." Well, today: 12-31-11 was my dad's 60th. We wanted to do something special but how can you top a New Years Party? Instead we had a surprise breakfast birthday brunch. My mom pulled out all the stops! There was a Egg Casserole, Biscuits and Sausage Gravy, Strawberry Bread, Zucchini Bread, Hash Browns, Sausage links and Fresh Fruit. It was fantastic. We set the alarm and got the girls up and out the door by 8:30...and by 10 AM we were HUNGRY! Dad didn't act to surprised. Mom and I both commented, he acts like she cooks like that everyday, ha! But it was still great. Matt, Cynthia and Colby joined us too.

I am never sure what to get my dad for his birthday...I mean what do you buy the guy who has everything? And if he doesn't have it and wants it he will have it with in a matter of days. I sent out a message on Facebook. I let a whole lot of friends and family know that I wanted birthday cards or messages for my dad on his birthday. Our friends and family did not disappoint. I got cards, I got emails, I got messages typed up on WORD...and they were all fantastic. I put them all in a scrapbook and presented it to Dad for his birthday. It was great. Even I enjoyed reading the stories, memories and well wishes that everyone shared. I wasn't sure how dad would react, but he read the whole thing once I gave it to him. He laughed, he cried and overall I think he really appreciated it. "No man is a failure, who has friends." One of the best quotes from It's a Wonderful Life and so true. Happy Birthday, Dad...We love you: Mitch, the girls and I.

So after our birthday brunch with Papa, we came home to rest up for the New Years festivities. Kiersten and mommy both took good naps and shortly after 5 we packed up and headed to Monticello. Our friends Laura and Bryce McCleary invited us to spend the evening playing games at their place and it sounded great to us because the kids were included. Laura and Bryce have a 2 year old boy and 1 year old girl, and they make perfect little playmates for our little ones. The kids played so well together, loved eating pizza and cupcakes, and watched Snow White while the grown-ups...Laura, Bryce, Ellen, and Mitch and I played Bezzerwizzer, and Mexican Train. And while we didn't make it to midnight, little ones needed to get the bed, it was the perfect way to ring in the New Year. The kids have the noise makers and glow bracelets to help them celebrate for days to come. Thanks, Laura and Bryce for a good time.

Pretty Princesses

Check out my girls! Aren't they super cute? When we were celebrating Christmas in Minnesota in they received these pajamas from the Disney Store as gifts from Aunt Lori, Uncle Todd, Justin, Shelby and Lexi. They LOVE them! They want to wear them all the time and like to dance around in their beautiful costumes. And they picked out the perfect ones. Leah is so into Snow White right now. It was on the Disney channel on Thanksgiving and Leah discovered that she has brown hair and brown eyes just like her. Ever since then it's all about Snow White. And of course the Cinderella one suits Bug perfectly...the blond hair and blue eyes and all. We just wish that Lori, Todd and the kids were around to see how much the girls enjoy them...I will have to put my new flip to use soon. So I can catch some video of the dance parties!

PEACE

So this is what the girls woke up to on Christmas morning. Mitch and I were beyond excited! This was the first Christmas morning since we've been married that we woke up in our own home. In the past we were always traveling from New Jersey to visit family in Minnesota, Wisconsin or Illinois. PEACE is what I felt being in our own home. It was intimate and cozy. Sitting on the couch wrapped up in blankets, sipping cocoa while the girls were occupied with all their new gifts. It was wonderful seeing their reaction to all the presents under the tree and one of my favorite moments came about halfway through the gift opening when Kiersten looked up at us and said "Happy Birthday, baby Jesus!" It was precious and priceless and brought a smile to my face for sure.

After cleaning up the mess, Mitch made us breakfast. Scrambled Eggs, Toast and fruit. The girls ate quickly so they could get busy with all the new toys. They played and played all morning, afternoon and night. Leah even found a gift that didn't belong to her...I had to laugh when she tried on her Daddy's new swimming googles. It's official, he is signed up for his first mini-triathlon this spring in Sullivan. Anyway, As the day went on we enjoyed being home, we enjoyed each other's company. Mitch made pasta carbonara and foccacia bread for dinner and we wrapped up the night watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." ..."Fahoo For-aze, Dahoo Dor-aze," BABY!!! The Girls and I were totally feeling it.

Myerscough Christmas Party!

For the last 10 years or so my mom has been hosting the Myerscough Family Christmas gathering...this is no easy task. There are anywhere from 30-50 of us that attend from year to year. This year my cousin Tara (Bear) and her husband took on the task. They built a new home 2 years ago and just finished the perfect basement for entertaining. It is perfect for parties and she really outdid herself. She had it catered by a local pizzeria with baked mostacioli, lasagna, lettuce salad, pizza and breadsticks...it was all delicious! Not long after dinner we had a visit from Santa Claus. The kids were super excited, especially Jameson. I wish I had better pictures...he was a hoot, asking for his presents and giving Santa a little attitude. Leah was pretty eager to sit on his lap too, What fun! Santa did a great job talking to the kids and dropped off stockings and gifts a day early for them to enjoy. I think we are all hoping that Santa will make a repeat appearance next year. Thanks, Tara for hosting. We don't have the chance to get together as often as we would all like...I'm so glad that at Christmas we really make it count.

A very Gigi Christmas!

Christmas for us was much different this year...No hustle and bustle of the airport, no CRAZY travel plans. We are finally back closer to our family! My sister flew in on Thursday the 22nd so the girls and I went to Charleston to see her. It was the first time the girls slept together at my mom's...normally Kiersten sleeps in the crib but I put them together and look what I found!!! So precious I had to snap a picture of them snuggled up together.

Most of Friday was a lazy day. Mom started the cooking. Jeff arrived around 1, and Mitch arrived around 3. We watched the Polar Express with the girls and around 4:30 Matt, Cynthia and the kids arrived. Oh, What Fun! The kids were so excited!!! We started the night with a wonderful dinner. Beef Tenderloin, brussel sprouts, twice baked potatoes, dinner rolls...of course most of the grown ups indulged in some fantastic wine. After dinner we headed to the living room to open gifts. Talk about a lucky crew! The kids had so much fun opening up all their gifts.

Colby was so excited to get a train, a firetruck and some tractors. Leah and Macy were overjoyed with their American Girl Dolls and Kiersten couldn't wait to tear into her cupcake kitchen from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Laura. Of course they got tons of clothes too. Laura commented that she has never seen a kid get to excited about clothes, but man does Leah get excited about clothes. The day after Christmas we were at the Carter's Outlet store and Leah informed us that she had to pick out some new clothes...I'm in trouble.







After all the packages had been opened the kids went straight to playing with them. They were so happy...it was great. Papa got in on the action too and played with Colby and his firetruck on the floor. Watching the excitement of opening the presents is fun, but it brings such joy to watch them enjoy them all. Then we settled into the kitchen for dessert. Cheesecake Factory Red Velvet Cheesecake and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake...not to mention the tons of Christmas Cookies too! It was a wonderful time...always is, and always reminds us how truly blessed we are.

Pretty Packages, Tied up with Bows!

I just love pretty Christmas dresses and I can't get over how adorable my two little princesses looked all dolled up for the holiday! Oh, and do they love to dress up. They get so excited about their "princess" dresses, and Kiersten cracks me up when she says "fancy, fancy"...prettiest packages under the tree for sure!

Did you hear...

Yep, another Baby Schultz is on the way. Due June 24th!!!

Sunday with the Schultz's...and Santa too!

On Sunday afternoon we had a special visitor...Santa came to see how the girls were behaving. He even brought his naughty and nice list with him. Leah was so excited to see him...it took her no time to warm up to him. She sat down and told him exactly what she wanted. She said " I want an American Girl horse, do you have horses?" Santa wasn't quite with it, and told her he didn't have horses at the North Pole, only reindeer. She sat by me on the couch and said "Mommy, Santa doesn't have any horses?" I thought she was going to cry. I told her to explain that she wanted a horse for her dolly and sure enough that is just what she got! Talk about a happy girl!

Kiersten was a little more apprehensive. She gave him a brief snuggle which really means that she just leaned in really close to him. She did sit nicely on the couch with him, and was super excited to play with her little people farm that he brought her.

We were so lucky to have Great-Grandma Fran come and spend Christmas with us this year. She is amazing...for an 80+ year old woman, she sat on the floor and played Barbies with Leah for hours. She walked to the park with the grandkids two days in a row and after we returned to her home in Mondovi she gave both the girls quilts that she had made for them. What a very special Christmas with a very special woman.

Minnesota Christmas

Last Thursday after Leah's Christmas Program we hit the road for the long trip to Minnesota. Mitch's Grandmother lives near Eau Claire, WI and it's the perfect middle stopping point. Otherwise it would be a 10-11 hour trek for us. The girls always start the trip out well...
But come 9 o'clock, Kiersten is fussing and we have to keep movies on to keep her from screaming. I don't know what this girls deal is but she is not a car sleeper. By 11:30 she had screamed enough to wake up Leah, and I soothed her to sleep by standing and reaching over my seat, rubbing her head and singing lullabyes to her...whatever works, Right? On Friday we finished the four hours from Eau Claire to Montevideo. The girls did great on this leg of the trip. Friday evening Grandma Tootie had a fish fry. Aunt Lisa, Uncle Brian and Rylee and Bradyn joined us.

Saturday morning daddy made pancakes. After that we all cleaned up and headed to Sanford Elementary. Aunt Lisa had arranged for a photographer to take family pictures. It had been three years since we had them done, so there were no pictures with Kiersten and Leah was 7 months old last time. What an adventure! Trying to get Bug to sit nice and smile all the while looking forward...but we survived and I can't wait to see the end result.

After pictures we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's where we had Christmas dinner. Kiersten took a nap and then we started in on the presents...Oh, the presents! Leah's pile was taller than she was. Proof is in the picture.

It takes us quite some time to get through all the gift opening. We go from youngest to oldest, and the kids do surprisingly well. It helps that they want to play with every gift that they open so they are distracted for a short amount of time. I was so busy with my kids I didn't get to watch much of the other kids and their gifts, but I got Shelby this year. Last year she had the best reaction to her Puma Sweatshirt and this year Lori said she wanted a Shelbyville sweatshirt. I took her and got a picture of her by the Shelbyville sign when she was in Illinois this summer and she wanted a sweatshirt from there. Since she plays soccer I got her a Shelbyville Soccer Hoodie and her reaction was priceless!

Aunt Lori, Uncle Todd and the kids got the girls Pajamas/Dress-up clothes from the Disney Store. To say Leah loves it would be an understatement. She has worn the Snow White dress EVERY day since she got it. She is in heaven. Snow White is her new favorite, ever since she discovered that Snow White has brown hair and brown eyes like her. We finished up the evening with our adult gift exhange and a Pizza dinner. The kids played so well, always do and we were exhausted! I just had to snag this picture of the grandkids with their technology: Justin on the floor with his iPhone, Leah with the iPad, Bradyn on a phone and Lexi with her Nintendo DS...too funny!