Fun for the Whole Family

Our sweet friends, the Gilberts, got Noah this super cool Plasma Car for Christmas. It is one of the coolest things I've ever seen! No batteries, no sound... Just manpower! It's a mother's dream! You just turn the handles back and forth and it goes. Noah likes to push mommy and John on it almost as much as he likes to ride on it himself.

You Never Know What He'll Say (or Do)

Noah recently called my dad Popcorn and Popsicle on two different occasions. (He normally calls him Poppy.) Of course, we all laughed, so he keeps doing it... (He used to call Popsicles Poppysicles.)

A few weeks ago, we went to our nephew Luke's baptism. Noah was nearly beside himself during the service because he didn't want to get in the water. We told him he didn't have to. Later (when we weren't trying to be quite in church), we explained to him you get baptized after you ask Jesus into your heart. He said, "I want to ask Jesus into my heart." (So sweet!! I thought I would cry!) Then he said, "Now can I get babatized?"

I got a paper cut. I was off getting a Band-Aid. Noah was moping around. I asked him what was wrong. He said, "Now you can't take care of me."

Last night during dinner, I had to keep telling Noah to turn around and eat. (Come to think of it, I have to tell him that every time he eats...) Anyway, he finally looked at me and said, "I am not having this conversation. I'm not having any spankings." I did what any reasonable person would do... I laughed. And of course, that didn't help...

10 Months

Hmmm... I started this post 22 days ago, I'm embarrassed to say. And now, it's already outdated! Oh well! You can never have too many cute pictures!

Christmas: Take 4

Sunday night, we drove to Columbia to Poppy and MiMi's house. We celebrated Christmas with my mom's side of the family on Monday. My aunt and uncle were in from Texas. Unfortunately, my cousin wasn't able to come. She had to work. (Jobs are great, except when they get in the way of your social life.)

Forget the present! I'll just have this chocolate. 

Still enamored with the wrapping.

Rub-a-dub, dub, dub. Three men in a tub.

(I'm not sure who was more wet, the boys or my mom and I.)

Christmas: Take 3

As previously mentioned, we drove to Grandma and Grandpa's on Christmas morning. The rest of the family arrived either later that night or the next morning for the Schuster Christmas.

Sunday morning we went to church. Boy is it hard to keep two wiggle worms who are used to going to Children's Church/the nursery quite and still in church... John didn't make it through (which may have been partly due to the "surprise" he made as soon as we sat down).

We ate lots of yummy food and got to spend time with most of Greg's brothers and sisters and their kids. Before we opened presents, the kids had a Christmas parade. I wish I would have had my video camera going! (What is wrong with me!?!?!? That's twice now in a matter of days!) Mary (Tori) rode out on a donkey (Rosie) and Joseph (Luke) followed behind. There was a drummer boy (Noah), and shepherd (Carter), a cow (Hailey), angels (Bella and Audrey), and three wise men (Brent, Jake, and Garrett).

Greg's mom came out and got the wooden spoon which had been used to spank Noah earlier. Everyone was joking about how funny it would be if he came out with the spoon. And sure enough...

The Baby Jesus was played by a doll. William (who is 4 months older than John, but weighs less) was not interested in playing the part. Grandma wasn't sure Tori could hold on to John. (I think she might have been right... He's a wiggle tail!)

John also got to play in the snow. I brought a bowl in for him to play in. He did not love it.

Christmas: Take 2

We spent Christmas Eve at home. Our original plan was to let the boys open their stockings on Christmas Eve and then open their presents on Christmas morning when we woke up. Greg thought it might be a better idea to just open everything Christmas Eve and let them play with it (instead of jumping in the car as soon as they opened their things). I think he was right. Besides, it's a process for them to open presents.

Before Christmas, Noah was in the Family Christian Store with Greg and saw a VeggieTales train. He kept talking about wanting it. That was the first time he kept saying he wanted something after it was out of sight. It was so cute. So, he got his VeggieTales train. I wish I would have had the video camera running when he opened it. He was so excited.

 And, I go the embroidery machine I've been wanting for years! I had started saving my own money for it. Let's face it, pulling nickles out the washing machine is not a quick way to save up for something!

Our plan was to go to the Christmas Eve service at church and then go out to eat. Church was cancelled because the roads were bad. So, we did what any reasonable family would do: we jumped in the car and went out to eat anyway. Probably not the best idea we've ever had, but we made it home safe and sound. It was a really great Christmas with our sweet little family.

Winter Wonderland

On Christmas Eve, we had lots of snow! It was snowing when we woke up. Noah wanted to go out to play as soon as he saw it was snowing. He finally got his chance! Greg and Noah built a snowman (Noah's first).

When they went out, they told me to have a carrot ready for the nose. I told them all I had was a baby carrot. Greg said they weren't going to make a big snowman... I'd like to know what his idea of big is then!

Noah also had his first go at sledding. The hill in our front yard was perfect for him. He even carried his own sled back to the top.

Christmas morning we went to Grandma and Grandpa's. Noah and Greg had more fun in the snow.

Once everyone got there, all the kids and dads played in the snow. It's questionable as to whether the adults or the kids had more fun.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Noah had a Christmas program at school the week before Christmas. Unfortunately, the video is too long to upload to the blog... But, he was cute as a button! He even had is own line: "God loved us and sent His son." He was not shy at all.

Getting ready for the big performance 

The next day Noah's class had Jesus' birthday party. It was so fun. They made thumb print Christmas tree ornaments, had yummy snacks, read books, and played a game. Noah's sweet teachers got each of the kids a game. Noah is loving it!

Making thumbprint ornaments

Opening his present



John still thinks the wrapping is the best part!

Christmas: Take 1

The weekend before Christmas, we went to Columbia to celebrate Christmas with my dad's side of the family. It was very fun, but too short! Some of them hadn't ever seen John. (I, being a terrible mother, didn't get pictures of him with them either!) The boys played with their cousins, we had a very non-traditional Christmas meal (but a family favorite nonetheless) of Shakespeare's pizza, and there were presents.

John opening his first present (ever)

Taking it all in (and slobbering) 

Let the fighting begin...

MiMi trying to keep John out of the Christmas tree (good luck!)

John enjoying the wrapping more than the presents

 Tissue paper is the best!

John wants to play with his present, but Noah won't let him.

Matching jammies (Noah, John, Aiden)

The grandchildren: Jenna, Noah, John, Aiden, Taylor

MiMi and Poppy with the grandchildren

Reeeeeeeeeeach

Nothing is safe...

A Picture is worth a Thousand Words

Playing together

John thinks it's funny when Noah sits on him or jumps on him (You better watch out Noah!)

Auntie Judy Saves the Day

A couple of weeks before Christmas, I walked Noah into school instead of dropping him off like I normally do. I needed to take care of something inside the church. When I was getting ready to leave he was sort of weepy and wanted to leave with me. I told him we make a surprise after naps. He kept asking what and I told him it was a surprise so I couldn't tell him. When I left, I thought, I have got to think of something! And then it came to me! Last year after Christmas, my aunt sent a little treasure box nativity that you make yourself. So, Noah and I constructed the nativity that day. Thanks, Auntie Judy!