Christmas 2008

Christmas 2008 was so much fun with the Parker and Sydney.

On Christmas Eve, Patrick, my mom, the kids and I went to Patrick's dad's house. The kids were excited to hang out with their cousins and of course Grandma and Grandpa too. Yummy eats and tons of family fun.

We made it home late but as always we were able to wake up in our house for Christmas morning.

These are some pics on Christmas Eve.

There is Nana hiding back there on the loveseat. Then there is Grandma with Syd and Desiree(cousin). Then Grandpa with Makayla(cousin).

Sydney opening presents with Daddy.
These pics are from Christmas morning at our house. New puzzles!

Some Elmo books from Mommy and Daddy and look at the Elmo Medical Kit that Nana gave them.
Parker wanted to stop opening presents and enjoy them. Sydney actually helped open some of his.

This is Sydney crawling through their new tunnel that Santa brought them.

Parker bringing some toys into the tunnel.

Another new toy.

Here is Sydney hard at work trying to open a gift over at MeeMaw and Papa's later on Christmas afternoon. You can always tell she is concentrating when you see the pouty lips come out.

Parker and Sydney can't get enough of their cousin, Tyler..aka TyTy.
He is so wonderful with them

Sydney hanging out with MeeMaw and Papa.

I will add some video clips of Christmas when I get a chance. Computer has been acting up so it keeps freezing everytime I try.

Sydney's First Nightgown

Aunt Carrie sent our family some Christmas gifts all the way from California! Sydney really loved getting her first night gown along with matching slippers. She carried it around with her the first day and then the next day she begged to put her gown and slippers on. Here is a pic and a quick video of her dancing in it!

Santa's Wonderland Express

On December 13th we went on Santa's Wonderland Express. You may remember we went on this train ride last year. We have decided to make it a family tradition. This year the kids really enjoyed it! Those in attendance were me, Patrick, Nana, Papa, MeeMaw, Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Laura, Uncle Troy, Tyler, Taylor, The Lieblers(Doug, Jen, Big Boy Ben), The Cushs(Christina, Mike, and Baby Mady), and the other Schmidts.

This clip is the beginning of our train ride. They were both just taking it all in.

Sydney was SOOOO excited to meet Santa!! She did not want to wait in line.

When the time arrived for her to sit on Santa's lap, she changed her mind real quick. Check out Parker appearing cool and calm. The thumb always goes in his mouth when he is unsure about something.

This is on the train ride back.

This years picture with Santa...

Parker and Sydney in action

Pictures don't show you just how entertaining these little monkeys are. Thought I would share some video clips from the last couple weeks. Sorry the lighting isn't the greatest. I will work on that next time.

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Here is some video of the kids getting down to Jack's Big Music Show.

Sydney rocking by the Christmas tree.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Talking. Too cute!

Parker and Sydney getting down with Santa here. Parker calls Sydney-Sissy or Sind. He couldn't say his name for awhile and would just say the P sound(you can see him pointing to himself here and saying the P sound). Now he says something that sounds more like Parker. Sydney calls Parker-something like Bupper or Popper. Will try to catch some video of that.

Hello?? Sydney loves any phone she can find. Typical girl!

Some more getting down with Jack's Big Music Show.

Lighting is a bit better.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

We are so excited for Christmas this year.
It's funny how with kids your whole idea of Christmas changes. We have been talking about it for months.
I can't believe the time is upon us already.
In the last week or so we had been talking about Santa and reading some books about Santa too. We have been trying to prepare them for meeting Santa this year.
(don't worry we will also be teaching them the true meaning of Christmas)
Ask Parker and Sydney what Santa says and they say, "ho, ho, ho". It is so cute! I will try to find sometime to get a video of it on here.
So when Aunt Jan and GiGi were still here, we decided to decorate the tree. The kids had a great time decorating it. We learned quickly that although they know better than to touch the tree it was not a good idea to have the breakable ornaments on this year.
Parker is talking like crazy these days and he likes to tell us about his favorite part, the "yights, yights" aka lights.

**Here is a picture of Parker and Sydney helping put the Christmas tree together. Oh no, thats them hanging out in the Christmas tree box

**Sydney putting her first ornament on the tree

**Mommy helping P and S decorate the tree


**Parker putting his first ornament on

**and...taking it off again. hahahaha

**Can I put this one on too, Daddy?

**Mommy reading P and S a Christmas story

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving this year was bitter sweet.
It was the first Thanksgiving without Grandpa.
Grandpa's favorite holiday was always Thanksgiving.
This year we decided to have the family over to our house for the first time.
It was a team effort.
On Wednesday night(Thanksgiving Eve), Aunt Jan and Grandma(newly named GiGi for Parker and Sydney)came from Sarasota. They stayed until Friday and it sure was a nice visit.

We have so much to be thankful for.
**Here is a picture of Parker and Sydney reading with Great Grandma(GiGi). They climbed on the couch and cuddled right next to her.
SOOOOOO cute!

**Here is a picture of some of the team effort. Ok ok so maybe some of us were just standing around.

**Is the bird done yet?


**Here is a picture of my mom and I.
**Here is a picture of GiGi, my mom(Nana) and Aunt Jan**Here is a picture of Uncle Troy and Syd

**Parker digging into his first real Thanksgiving feast!

**Look at Sydney shoveling it in with both hands

**It was great to actually sit and eat at our dining room table. It was a first!
** My honey and I after the feast
**Parker and Sydney playing with Chloe
**MeeMaw reading to Parker and Sydney

**Uncle Bill and Aunt Sabrina stopped by afterwards
Special thanks to everyone for helping to make this Thanksgiving a great one. The food was great and it wouldn't have been what it was without you all here.

Remington Park Fall Festival

On November 15, we attended our annual neighborhood Fall Festival. It is something we look forward to all year. Lots of fun, food, friends, and family!! This year we were joined by the Lieblers minus one. Thanks for joining us Jen and Ben! Jeremy and Krista also came!

**Here is a pic of Aunt Jen, Parker, and Ben.

**Here is a pic of me and Ben. He will be one on December 5th and is almost as big as Parker and Sydney!! Don't you just love the red hair!!

**Parker and Sydney were actaully big enough to join in the fun this year. They LOVED the bounce house and thankfully the older kids were very helpful with them.

Here is a pic of Sydney in the bounce house.

**Here is a picture of Parker in the bounce house.

**Here is a picture of me and Krista. We have known each other since 8th grade.

We lost touch over the years and recently got back in touch! So glad to be back together.