Schultz Family Christmas

Since Mitch's family lives in Minnesota and we live in Central Illinois it works out perfectly that the Wisconsin Dells is smack-dab in the middle of the road between one another. For the second time since we moved to Decatur 18 months ago, we have met for a holiday at the Dells. And the kids love it! Grandma Tootie took care of reserving 2 suites and all 16 of us piled in for a weekend. It was tight quarters but we made it work. Christmas dinner was prepared with crock-pots but for the most part we didn't care what we ate, we just wanted to enjoy one another's company...and that we did.

We arrived around 2 PM on Saturday and the kids were in the water by 4. We did dinner around 7 and then received our stockings from Santa. He is always so good to us. On Sunday  morning we woke up to Monkey Bread and fresh fruit. Again the girls were eager to hit the water parks. We stayed at the Great Wolf  Lodge and their indoor water park is made up of three parts so there is plenty to do. We breaked for lunch around noon and then somehow by the grace of God were able to get Kiersten down for a nap. And since Kiersten was napping, everyone else decided to nap too. Around 2:45 we all gathered back in one suite to share our Christmas gifts with one another. The girls got their Princess and the Pop-Star barbies, pajamas, lots of Art/Creative toys and more. Hattie got the Fisher Price Magical Mirror toy and she loves it already and we can't wait to try out her new frog bath toy from Aunt Lori, Uncle Todd and the kids. What fun! That night we did our adult gift exchange with our gag gifts. It is always a fun time. Since Justin is 18 he got to be entered in the drawing for next year. This year we had Uncle Brian and he wanted a "Fresh Engine" for his race car so we made him a Flaming Eggnog drink. You light the Bacardi 151 on fire...except Mitch was making them in plastic cups...not a good idea and no one seemed to enjoy their drink much. But it sure was amusing.

Monday morning Grandma managed to whip up a great breakfast of homemade pancakes and sausage using electric skillets. After Breakfast the kids and Dads went swimming one last time for an hour or so before we got everything packed up to make the long trip home. It always goes by too fast, but it sure was fun. The girls definitely thought so too!