What does Santa Say?

Kale is just starting to talk...In this video he points to the "Santa" we have hanging on the wall...I think it's adorable! :)

Christmas Pictures - 2009

Kale riding Rylee's new Bike - It's a little big for him...

Eli with "Rocky - the Robot Truck
I am not sure if he likes the truck or the tic tacs more!

Rylee with her baby Leopard Cub.

I think she named her Leona!

Christmas Programs 2009

Eli's Preschool Class - Jesus Loves me Preschool 2009

3 yr olds in the back, and 4 yr olds in the front.

Rylee's Kindergarten Class - 2009
(Graduating Class of 2022)

Merry Christmas 09!

Rylee Ann (5 years old)

Elijah Trent (3 years old)

Kale Carl (1 year old)

We had a wonderful Christmas this year, and I hope you all did too! Christmas Eve we headed to Sally and Mike's Church for the candle light serivce. It was a nice service, but all in all it was an hour and 40 minutes long. Let me tell you it is not that easy to keep 5 kids (7, 5, 5, 3, and 1 years old) happy, content, and quite for that long, but somehow we managed to do it! They had a couple dress up as Mary and Joseph with a their young baby swaddled up as Jesus. They walked in from the back of the Church and walked the isle up to the front of the church. I pointed them out to the kids, and Rylee looked at me very seriously and said. I think that Baby Jesus would be all grown up by now. I don't think he would still be that little! That made me laugh! After getting home and getting the kids to bed. Santa had lots of wrapping and assembling to do! So it was a late night.

We were lucky that they kids slept fairly late. We went down stairs to see what Santa had brough them. The kids were very excited to see the gifts that Santa had brought. Rylee got a bike, Eli a Robot Truck, and Kale got a vaccum cleaner. Of course there was lots of other toys and presents too. After playing for awhile, we packed up and headed to Grandma Hendrickson's house for Christmas with Trent's Mom's side of the family. Later that night we visited with Trent's Dad at Grandma and Grandpa Schneider's house for a bit. We stayed overnight at Judy's house, and celebrated Christmas with Trent's Mom and Brother & Girlfriend on Saturday. Then headed home...I was a good thing we have a mini-van cause the kids got so much stuff that we had it packed to the ceiling!

Sunday we headed up to My Mom and Dad's house to celebrate the Hutter Christmas. It was a nice weekend all in all. We were excited to see some cousins that we don't get to see, and meet Rhonda's new boyfriend and his daughter (Riley). It was a good time! By the time we got home on Sunday night it was supper and bed time already.

We still have two more Christmas's to celebrate. We are getting together with Mark (Trent's Dad) on New Year's Day, and celebrating with my family on the 2nd! It's nice to spread out the Christmas "Joy"!

I hope you all had wonderful Holiday's! Merry Christmas!

Twas the Days before Christmas...

Santa's Helper's with Cookies (Eli & Cash)

Helping Grandma make Rice Krispy Treats!

Girl Elves - Posing (Rylee & Mikki)

Girl's Helping Grandma.

Well, The Christmas cards are done and stuff (yet to be mailed...That is a project for Lunch time!) We got almost all of the shopping done (just a few minor things left). The stocking are hung (not by the chimney...We don’t have one, but on the wall) with care of course. For the most part we are ready for Christmas. The kids are very excited for Santa to come. I am excited to spend time with our families, and watch the kids this holiday. They are the perfect ages to really appreciate the magic of Christmas. We are going to go the Church on Christmas eve, I always remember as a kid loving the candle light service, signing Silent Night in the dark. It was always a magical time! I want the kids to experience that, and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

This past week, was a lot of fun. Both Rylee and Eli had their Holiday Programs on Friday. Rylee’s was the kindgarten class. They have over 100 Kindergarteners! They sang several songs! It was very cute. Eli’s Preschool Program was at night. He did fairly well, but in true Eli style he was a bit of a card. He waved to everyone in the “crowd” several times. Then when he was supposed to be playing the Bells, he covered his ears. Apparently it was too loud! Too loud to play, but not too loud to take your hands off your ears and wave at Grandma! That boy! I got video and Pictures, but left my camera at Cheryl’s house on Saturday night. We were there celebrating Taylor’s 15th birthday!

Christmas Cards and Other Projects...

So since around Thanksgiving time, I have been telling myself that I need to start taking pictures for the Christmas cards. Well, It's now Dec 16th, and I have yet to take the pictures. I must say that I think I am not the only one that is a little behind this year. Why do I say that? I haven't recieved a lot of cards in the mail yet this year. Well, At least not as many as I normally do. So yesterday I told myself...It's time to figure this out. So I came up with an idea for our cards. The plan was to take the pictures last night. Well, Rylee had to take snack to school today, and she had homework. Eli was crabby, and by the time we got done with supper, homework, and snack it was almost time for bed. Fine...That means tomorrow night instead. We will see! Hopefully everyone is happy tonight, so the pictures turn out, and don't take all night! Wish me luck!

We have a couple other projects to work on this coming weekend to. Christmas presents you know! I really think it will be a crafty weekend! :)

This is how Eli feel asleep the other night!

It doesn't look real comfy to me.

We had a very nice weeked! Friday night I had a game at Wisconsin Heights (3-0). Trent and the kids stayed home and relaxed. Saturday morning we got up and took Rylee to basketball pratice. She seems to really enjoy it! Then Mom came over and watched the kids so I could get some Christmas shopping done! From 11 am until 8 pm I shopped, and at the end of the night I dropped! I did however get a huge chunk of shopping done! Sunday, we talked about doing several different things...Should we go see Santa, fo Sledding? We ended up wrapping presents, playing games with the kids, watching the Packer Game, and reading lots of books. It was definately a lazy day, but it was a nice day.

Last night the kids had their last night of swimming, and I had a game. So Trent and the kids came and watched it after swimming was done. We won big (4-0). After my game the kids hung out for awhile, and then headed home. It was lots of fun! Rylee is going to come with me to practice tonight. It's a short one because there is a band concert at the school. She seems to be pretty excited about it! We will see.

Pictures from Decorating Cookies!

Aunt Judy Frosting the Cookies.

Eli and Cash Decorating...If you can call it that!

Mikki and Rylee working hard...Can you say too many Sprinkles!

Kale Enjoying a cookie. He is still too little to decorate...next year!

Aunt Lynda frosting the cookies she made!

Thanks for all the hard work...The kids love it!

Snow'd In...

Eli and Kale...(KC wasn't sure about the snow at first)

Rylee relaxing after shoveling!

After awhile Kale decided it was pretty fun in the snow!

Eli and Rylee playing in the snow!

Rylee’s school got cancelled yesterday with the Blizzard that hit Wisconsin. I kept saying, I will believe it when I see it! Well, I believe it now! Ha ha! I was going to try and venture out, but by the time the plow finally came through and we got the driveway cleared (mostly Trent) it was already 1:30 P.M. The kids and I went outside for about an hour, but then they were getting cold and wet! Kale did pretty good outside. He got frustrated with the mittens. He couldn’t pick up the shovel or hold it like he normally would. Finally after some frustrations, he started just putting the shovel under his arm (between his side and his arm). I was funny! He seemed to like the snow. Rylee and Eli had a lot of fun climbing around, helping shovel, and playing in it! Eli kept asking Trent when he was going to take him for a snowmobile ride. All day he kept asking. I was actually pretty surprised that he asked, because no one told him about it. He asked all on his own. After shoveling and snowplowing for 3 plus hours Trent did not have the energy to get the snowmobile out and get it running. It’s stored under and behind some stuff in the garage. Eli was crushed! So we will have to work on that one of these days! Both Uncle Mike’s should be proud!

It was nice to just hang out yesterday as a family! Enjoy the snow and take advantage of “being” Snow’d in! It was fun! Well, Everything but the snow removal was fun anyway...

Busy Season...

When you work for a retailer, they always call Christmas their “busy season”. Well, Really I am starting to wonder for who the Holidays isn’t the “busy season”...Well, I suppose there are people, but it seems like everyone is busy this time of year! This weekend was part of our “busy season”.

Friday night the kids went to Sally & Mike’s house, after practice I hurried home, and got ready to go to the Mueller Holiday Party. It was a lot of fun, as always. We had a nice dinner, entertainment, and of course some drinks. We headed home and were up bright and early on Saturday Rylee had basketball and a doctor’s appointment. Then it was home to clean and cook. Trent’s family came over on the Sunday for Thanksgiving. Saturday afternoon we headed to Milwaukee for Tim Hurley’s (Amy’s hubby) surprise 30th b-day party! I think he was surprised! It was a lot of fun! The kids behaved, and played good too! Sunday we had Thankgiving...Ate too much again! Played some games and hung out! It was a nice day. By Sunday night, we were all tired!

Trent is on vacation this week, and Rylee had a late start for school today (planned). I was very jealous that they were both still sleeping when the boys and I left the house! I think with the snow today, it would have been a perfect day to snuggle in and sleep! Although it was a busy weekend it was a lot of fun. Busy, but enjoyable!

Thanksgiving Photos (Thanks Cheryl)

Kale does NOT like Diablo!

Eli Does!

The Game of Life...

(Eli, Stacey, Rylee, Taylor)

Taylor was mad he lost!

Rylee's Thanksgiving Decorations - She had to bring them along for Cheryl!

Eli didn't like the Cranberries!

Eli's Sore Foot!

Eli has had kind of a rough week. He fell at Kara’s house on Tuesday and hurt his foot. Kara and I both didn’t think much of it at first, but he continued to complain about it hurting and he would limp on and off. Tuesday night we had our first basketball game, so it was kind of crazy around our house, but Trent looked at his foot, and it was really swollen, and bruised. So after my game on Tuesday (which we won! YEAH) I asked our Athletic Trainer to look at it. She recommended that we take him in, cause it was really swollen and with kids and growth plates, etc it was better to be safe than sorry. So Yesterday I called the clinic and got him in. The doctor said he had really done a good job on his foot. He X-rayed it, and said that it wasn’t broken, but that it might have a small fracture (it is really hard to tell with kids of his age. Most of their foot is still cartilage! He had definitely broken blood vessels, and damaged tissue. He also said that he may have hurt the cartilage, but there is no way to see that. So, NO cast, just keep him off it as much as possible! Ha ha! Have you meet Eli! He also recommended that we have him wear a hard soled shoe for a couple weeks. Well, That is great, but the swelling (as of the morning) had still not gone down enough that it didn’t hurt him to put a shoe on! By this morning he was definitely walking better! Today was Pajama day at Preschool, so the good news is that he could get away with out wearing shoes! Ha ha!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

I hope you all had great holidays! Gotta love any holiday that gives you a 4 day weekend! We headed up north to Cheryl’s house for Thanksgiving! It was a lot of fun! We ate, watched football, ate some more, played board games, ate, some of us napped, oh and did I mention that we ate! Ha ha! Friday Trent had to work, so the kids and I just hung out, and did some stuff around the house. Then in the afternoon/evening we put up the Christmas tree, and decorations inside. The kids had tons of fun, I was worried that Kale was going to not leave the tree alone. He kept trying to take ornaments off the tree, and touching it. But by the end of the weekend he seemed understand that it’s off limits!

Saturday Rylee started basketball. They are called the “Little Devil Dribblers”. She was tired on Saturday morning (we stayed up late on Friday night), and didn’t want to get up and get to practice. She got upset, and was crying...She said she didn’t want to go, and that she didn’t even like Basketball. When we got there she cried again. She said she was to short and she couldn’t shoot the ball all the way up to the hoop. I told her not to worry about it...That they were most likely not even going to shoot anyway. By the end of the hour, she was smiling ear to ear! She loved it. They did a great job with the kids, and now she can’t wait to go back next week! It was funny! How things change! They also go free jump ropes, so she was excited about that!

Sunday we headed up to Aunt Lynda and Uncle Steve’s for Thanksgiving with my Mom’s side. It was a lot of fun as always. I got to see my Cousin Mandy’s little baby for the first time. The kids played Play-Dough, and decorated Christmas cookies! They had a great time! We sampled some cookies last night for supper and they were great!

Things you notice...

So here I am trying to take a nice picture of Trent and the kids...I didn't get a good picture of Trent and the kids, because Kale was not cooperating, but if I had the Katers would have ruined the background anyway...What is up with those faces?

I love the way Eli and Jade are looking at each other! How cute!

As I am uploading the pictures (finally) from the Badger Volleyball game...I notice somethings. I took a couple pictures that I had to crop, and "highlight" to get my point across, but I think you understand where I am coming from...

Pictures from the Badger Volleyball Game...

Baby Jade enjoying the game...Or the Pretzel, I am not sure which?

Kato and Jade...What is with that face?

Eli - Big SMILES!

Half of the Gang

(Taylor & His Girlfriend, Chris and his roommate Ryan, Jodi & Cheryl)

Kris, Justin, Jodi...Oh Trent and Kale too!

Lucky Charms?

Take note of his Socks...

Hungry Anyone?

I often think that my kids are my lucky charms! I thank god everyday that they are in my lives! I have never really meant it in the literal sense! Well, Kale decided it was time to help himself to a snack. He went into the pantry (FYI - the Child safety thing wore out), got out the box of Lucky Charms, and dumped it onto the floor. I had just ran downstairs to put something into storage. When I came back upstairs, I found Kale, Eli, Lilly, and Easton eating the cereal off the floor! I ask what happened and Eli replies, "Kale did it! I am just helping him clean it up!" Yeah you are! I get the broom and clean it up...Throw away tons of Lucky Charms and get all the crumbs off the floor. Of course the whole time KC was helping me by eating them...After I got the mess cleaned up I noticed that some of the marshmellows were sticking to his socks...Okay...Maybe more than some. This is what your feet look like after walking around on a bed of Lucky Charms! He thought it was funny! What can you do!

And so the Madness starts!

Last week I was hired to coach Girl’s basketball at Lodi High School. I will be coaching the JV this season. Things around the Schneider Household are going to be a little crazy! I am adjusting my work hours so that I can make it to practices. I can’t thank Trent, my work, and Kara (our sitter) enough for being flexible and willing to work with me as all of our schedules get flipped upside down! I think it will be a great experience and the perfect part-time job for me. But until we all get used to getting up early, and going to bed earlier, we are in for some cranky days.

My basketball team seems to be made up of some great girl’s! I got the chance to get to know them a little bit this weekend. We traveled to Rio to play in a series of scrimmages. If we didn’t get anything else out of the day, at least now I know all of their names! I am looking forward to a great season!

Badger Volleyball Game

Not a very good Family shot, but it's the best we got!


This weekend we headed to the Wisconsin Badger Volleyball Game. There was 20 of us that went! It was a good time. We didn’t see the best of matches, but we still enjoyed the game. I think that Bucky Badger might have been hungover, cause the little bit he was out he wasn’t his normal peppy self. He was just kind of walking around, and then he was sitting on the steps a couple times. After the first game I was looking for him, so we could take the kids over and get a picture with him, and he never returned to the court. I guess I shouldn’t assume he was hungover, maybe he had H1N1!!! We cheered the Badgers on, but they lost in 3 games. Minnesota is ranked 18th in the nation and the Badgers are having a down year. But it was still a great time.

We got home just in time to watch the Packer Game! WOW! What a game it was...They looked like a different Team from the previous two weeks.

Cherishing those Moments...

Trent & His Grandpa Schneider

As many of you know, Trent has played baseball for most of his life. He has specifically played Home Talent Baseball for 18 years, and this was the first time he won the a Batting Title. He was very excited about that! Last month we had his baseball banquet, and he received his gift for winning. It's a very nice, engraved watch that says Trent's Name and Batting Average for the year. When Trent received the award he said a few words...Most of his speech was about his Grandpa and how he owes a lot to him. He was the one that started him playing and taught him a lot of the game. After the banquet Trent told me that he wanted to give Grandpa Schneider the watch. So the other weekend when we went down to see them and Trent gave him the watch. I wasn't sure if he would except it or not. But he was very proud! He put the watch on right away. We took pictures, including his phone (so he could show his poker buddies). It was fun. Trent got to say thank you for all his Grandpa has done over the years for him. I know how much of an influence on Trent he has had. That is why we named Kale after him! (Grandpa Schneider's First Name is Carl, and Kale's middle name is Carl) It was a special day! I know it's one that we will remember for a long time! *Note - The watch is wrapped around the bat handle.*

Eli's view of the world...

Sally & Grandpa (photo taken by Eli)

Darleen & Grandma (Photo taken by Eli)

Daddy & Kale...Way down on the other side

(Photo by Eli)

Eli's Feet (Photo by Eli)

Since Cheryl let Eli use her camera awhile back...He always wants to take pictures now...Here is Eli's pictures from Cash's game on Sunday...I think he is getting better!

A house of Goof Balls!

Eli posing for me.

I think that I live in a house of goof balls! This picture was taken this weekend at Cash's football game. I told Eli to smile for a picture, and this is what I got! Now I think it's adorable, but seriously! What a crazy kid! Kale is just as silly! He will run around the house and giggle! When I ask him what he is doing he turns to me and makes a face and laughs...then takes off in the other direction. I must say that there is never a dull moment at our house. The kids always come up with silly things to say, faces, etc. Every night at the dinner table is an adventure...If it's not Eli being silly, Rylee telling jokes, or Kale giggling, it's something else! Last night Rylee was telling a story about something that had happened at school, when trent interuppted her to ask me a question. Rylee quickly responded with "Daddy, I was talking...Please don't interupt!" I couldn't help but laugh...She told him! After she was done talking...Then I told Trent he could ask his question...I got an eye roll! Then Eli was trying to tickle me later in the night and I called him a "goof ball"...He replied, "I am not a goof ball...I am Elijah Trent Schneider!" Valid point!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today we headed to Sally's house and had lunch with Mom for her birthday! Well, It was also cause we went and watched Cash's Flag Football game too! The kids spent a long time last night making cards for Grandma. Rylee actually got really upset, cause she wanted to make the perfect heart for Grandma's card, and all of the ones she was drawing were not perfect! She was so upset about it, she actually started crying. We had to calm her down and explain to her that Grandma wouldn't care if it was perfect or not...She would like it just cause Rylee made it! Kale even scribbled a little bit on some construction paper! Eli had more fun cutting the paper than making the card, but that was okay too! It was a fun project!

Cash actually threw a touchdown pass today too! I am not sure he knew who he was throwing it to, and I am not sure the kid that caught it knew it happened, but it was a sucessful play anyway! It was really cute to watch! They had a great time!

Go Badgers!

Eli (the Super Fan) was clapping & cheering all night!

Rylee enjoying the game.

Trent and KC

Last night we headed into Madison to the Kohl Center, where the 5 of us watched the Badger Basketball team crush the Bemidji State Beavers! What? You went to a Game with 3 kids 5 and under! Yes we did...You can't turn down free tickets!

The kids had a great time...Eli and Kale loved Bucky! They were waving to him all night long. Rylee was more concerned about the Nachos than anything else, but all in all we had a good time. We were on the Jumbotron (sp?) three times. Trent and Kale were on in the beginning of the game. Then apparently Eli, Rylee, and I were when we were coming back from getting Nacho's and going to the bathroom. And then at the end of the night Kale and Trent were on again. I guess the camera's like the kids! I have been to a million games, and even sat in the same seats, and never been on before! ha ha! Here are a couple pictures from the game!

Halloween Pictures!

Deigo the Animal Rescuer, Cinderella, and the Dragon

Here are the Kids before Trick or Treating on Halloween!

Halloween...

Daycare Group on Friday Night

(Becky Frye...aka Kiss, Eli...aka Diego, Logan...aka Vampire, Alex...aka Wolverine, Kale...aka dragon, Kara...aka fisherman, Rylee...aka Cinderella, Luci...aka Snow White, Liam...aka Darth Vader, and Jade...aka an Elephant)

We had a great Halloween! Tons of fun...Cinderella was stunning in her blue dress, glass (okay plastic) slippers, and crown. Diego looked wonderful in his rescue outfit, complete with binoculars, and rescue pack! The little dragon completed the three some of adventures! It was a lot of fun! Friday night we headed with the Daycare gang to downtown Prairie and Sauk for the business Trick or Treat. We got some good stuff...Free icecream cone at Culver's and a personal Pan Pizza at Pizza Hut! Then Saturday night we went around our neighborhood. Eli only made it like 5 or 6 houses and then he was content to stay in the double stroller. He was cold! He wrapped up in a blanket and went along for the ride. Kale was happy to watch all the activities. Rylee was dedicated. She was on a candy mission. After awhile, I took the boys home (Trent was handing out candy at our house), and Rylee wanted to go back out. So we hit the street down from our house and a couple other houses. It was fun! She was really into it! Then when we got home, Rylee and Eli handed out Candy to the Trick or Treaters at our house. Good thing we had gone to Prairie and Sauk, because we ran out of candy, and had to regift some! Is that legal? Oh well...

Corn Maze Pictures! Thanks Becky!

Becky, Jodi, Stacey, & Amy...Aren't we cute!
I love this picture!

Every woman wants to be "Cinderella"...Right?

In the Corn Maze, (Amy, Becky, Stacey, Jodi)