Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve we went to our Aunts Bev & Marilyn's house and joined the rest of the Schmidgall's for the evening. We had a "finger foods" dinner and then did the traditional gift exchange. I love watching all the cousins play together.
Gracie and Marissa enjoyed opening presents and "awwing" over the toys.
On Christmas Eve we went to our Aunts Bev & Marilyn's house and joined the rest of the Schmidgall's for the evening. We had a "finger foods" dinner and then did the traditional gift exchange. I love watching all the cousins play together.
Gracie and Marissa enjoyed opening presents and "awwing" over the toys.
Christmas Eve...Before Bedtime
Dan and I had been thinking and talking about the traditions we want to start with our children. Neither of our families really had many traditions so it is fun figuring out what would work best with our little family for the future. We decided that we would remember Dan's mom, Heidi Joy, by getting us all family P.J.'s and taking a traditional family picture. To this day, Dan remembers his mom getting matching P.J.'s for his family one year and taking a picture. So, on Christmas Eve, once we got home from the Schmidgall's, we all got to open one gift...guess what it was.
Dan and I had been thinking and talking about the traditions we want to start with our children. Neither of our families really had many traditions so it is fun figuring out what would work best with our little family for the future. We decided that we would remember Dan's mom, Heidi Joy, by getting us all family P.J.'s and taking a traditional family picture. To this day, Dan remembers his mom getting matching P.J.'s for his family one year and taking a picture. So, on Christmas Eve, once we got home from the Schmidgall's, we all got to open one gift...guess what it was.
Marissa opening her Christmas Eve gift from Grandma Schacher (from her in spirit).
Marissa and Dan opening Spencer's gift from Grandma Schacher (from her in spirit).
First Dan Schacher family Christmas PJ photo.
Christmas Morning
In coming up with family Christmas traditions we wanted to make sure that they defined our family and put the focus on Jesus Christ above EVERYTHING else. When we woke up Christmas morning the first thing we did was make some hot cocoa and relax as a family on the couch. We brought in the Avent Calendar and put on the final piece...Jesus. It was fun listening to Marissa recite some of the things we learned about the Christmas story. Then Dan got out a preschool Bible and read the Christmas Story. After that the kids opened 2 gifts. It was a GREAT morning.
In coming up with family Christmas traditions we wanted to make sure that they defined our family and put the focus on Jesus Christ above EVERYTHING else. When we woke up Christmas morning the first thing we did was make some hot cocoa and relax as a family on the couch. We brought in the Avent Calendar and put on the final piece...Jesus. It was fun listening to Marissa recite some of the things we learned about the Christmas story. Then Dan got out a preschool Bible and read the Christmas Story. After that the kids opened 2 gifts. It was a GREAT morning.
Enjoying our hot cocoa.
Putting the last "character" on our Avent calendar on Christmas Morning.
Reading the Christmas Story as a family before even thinking about gifts.
Playing with bows.
Oh, blue eyed Marissa.
This tearing paper thing is pretty cool.
Marissa's Christmas gift was a little kitchen.
Spencer's gift was an exersaucer and a walker all in one (I think I thought it was cooler than Spencer did).
Christmas Day with the Schacher's
On Christmas Day, Dan's family came over to our house for a nice dinner. Dan got a turkey deep fryer for Thanksgiving and insisted on making another turkey. You never know what you are going to get with Dan sometimes. This year it was making the turkey on our front sidewalk (you have to make sure it is a safe place in case it starts on fire), in his new Christmas P.J.'s.
We had a great time with his family. Ian and Lisa (Dan's brother and wife) brought the best gifts of all to the family. Lisa had taken Nerf guns out of their packages, loaded and then wrapped them. It was a GREAT 2 hours of Nerf wars. I have to say it was much better than the traditional "brother's" wrestling that goes on for hours. :)
On Christmas Day, Dan's family came over to our house for a nice dinner. Dan got a turkey deep fryer for Thanksgiving and insisted on making another turkey. You never know what you are going to get with Dan sometimes. This year it was making the turkey on our front sidewalk (you have to make sure it is a safe place in case it starts on fire), in his new Christmas P.J.'s.
We had a great time with his family. Ian and Lisa (Dan's brother and wife) brought the best gifts of all to the family. Lisa had taken Nerf guns out of their packages, loaded and then wrapped them. It was a GREAT 2 hours of Nerf wars. I have to say it was much better than the traditional "brother's" wrestling that goes on for hours. :)
Dan deep frying the turkey in his P.J's.
Nerf gun wars...2 whole hours!!!
There were many alliances made and brothers betrayed on Christmas Day!
Ivan Schmidgall Christmas at the Beach
Every year the Ivan Schmidgall family goes over to the beach for a few days around New Years. This year was so fun...we played DJ Hero (even Rosemary gave the turntables a shot), started planing a wedding, saw the movie Avatar, the boys went crabbing, the girls went shopping, and we enjoyed eachother's company.
The boys playing magnetic darts on the couch.
Every year the Ivan Schmidgall family goes over to the beach for a few days around New Years. This year was so fun...we played DJ Hero (even Rosemary gave the turntables a shot), started planing a wedding, saw the movie Avatar, the boys went crabbing, the girls went shopping, and we enjoyed eachother's company.
The boys playing magnetic darts on the couch.
Dan and Marissa opening gifts out at the beach.
Aiden and Marissa watching "Baby Signing Time" at the beach while the adults enjoy some quiet time.
No comments:
Post a Comment