Snow Picnic!

We were forecasted a HUGE snowstorm a few days ago, which unfortunately only gave us about 3 inches of snow. Fast forward to today and it's almost gone already. But we still bundled up to go play in it! We'll take whatever we can get! It was relatively warm and very sunny so when Cassidy got hungry, she requested a picnic! Why not?

 The sun was right in her eyes!

 Yesterday Kurt scraped together what snow he could to make the kids a mini snowcave. What a Dad!

We have sleds but the kids prefer to be pushed around in our "Yooper-Scooper" mega snow pusher.

2nd Annual Valentines Day Party

We started a new tradition last year and had a blast continuing it this year! The kids hosted their 2nd annual Valentines Day party for their friends. Such fun and an over-abundance of cuteness!

 Joel gave Cassidy a ring...a ring pop, that is. It may be edible, but we still count it as an engagement ring. :)

 Cute little boys caught up in watching Daniel Tiger.

The Girls Schaben: Charlotte 1 1/2 and Ruby, almost 4

Baby Zach aka Sweetcheeks

Zeke! On his bouncy ball, of course. :)

Blake, the soon-to-be big bro. When asked to smile, he said, "Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze!"

 Almost caught this full-on hug between buds...it is Valentines Day, after all. 

Eating pizza for lunch

After pizza lunch, we decorated heart-shaped cookies with frosting and a plethora of fun candy!

Does this face look creative? You bet! Wait till you see his creations!

Great job, Blake!

Cassidy mostly wanted large spoonfuls of m & m's (or Lemon-M's, as she calls them!)

Awesome, Joel!

Cute Baby Charlotte, soon to be a big sister to ????? the Schaben Mysterybaby! 

Picture Perfect

All dressed up for Christmas Eve worship at church. And kids who were actually willing to smile and pose for pictures! Woo-hoo! Turns out, even with everything going for you, getting the perfect shot proves elusive.

 "Stand in front of the tree and smile! Oops, get your hands out of your mouth!"

"You look so pretty in your dress! Oh no, don't pull it up!"

"Okay, how about a picture on your 'stage'? Now look up, and get your hands down, please!"

"Yes, your shoes are verrrrrry sparkly! Where's your smile?"

"Yes, that IS a smile, but it does look just a little forced...how about showing me some excitement?!"

"Now, how about a big smile! Show me your teeth!"

"Okay, Punka. You're off the hook."

Yep, as usual, Trav is a little easier. :)

 

Smiley, easy-going, happy guy.

So then off we went to church. It was a beautiful service with lots of special music, and Kurt even got to sit with us, which almost never happens. On top of that, the kids were behaving really well and enjoying the music and we didn't have to leave to go to the toy room five minutes into the service. Great! This is just great! Until Travis, sitting on Kurt's lap, excitedly moved too quick and bucked his Daddy right in the nose, which caused...yep, you guessed it...a bloody nose. Right before Kurt had to go up and read in front of everyone. That was our cue to excuse ourselves! It was nothing if not memorable!

And finally, late Christmas Eve night, the stockings were stuffed - even one for Jovi. Off to bed to get some rest before the best fun begins!

Almost Christmas

The last weekend before Christmas we wanted to spend doing some fun things in Des Moines but after the snowstorm we had, we weren't able to get down there like we planned. So instead we explored a couple small towns north of us. Here we are having lunch at a restaurant in Iowa Falls.

And before we knew it, Christmas Eve morning was upon us. Our new family tradition includes opening some of our presents that morning. 

 Cassidy, all ready to open her first present. She "needed" to wear a purple bow headband to open presents.

Many wonderful, thoughtful gifts were received this Christmas, but none could compare to the Rapunzel dress, braid, and shoes from Kayla (and Sheri, Aaron, and Khloe of course). 

And Travis, well, once he opened his Letter Factory toy from Dawn, Josh, Jake and Ruby, there was no looking back. Or looking at the camera. Oh well.

My little (snow) angels

Yay! Snow has arrived! And just in time for Christmas. Our entire family couldn't be happier. We made it to Ames and back today for groceries, but the roads were still pretty treacherous so we decided to stay put and just play! We got about a foot of powder but with the high winds, it has blown and drifted to the point that we can almost see the grass under the snow in some spots. Iowa snow isn't Michigan snow, but we'll take it! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

 Kurt thinks Cassidy's getting pretty good with the snow shovel!

 My baby boy, making his first-ever snow angel. Awwwww!!!

 One little snow angel and one just-slightly-bigger little snow angel.

Cassidy and Kurt made caves, or as Cassidy says, "cave-s" (like "caviss"). She made them so a mouse would have a place to live. How sweet. Didn't have the heart to tell her mice aren't allowed that close to my house. :)