Done

Our computer bit the dust this weekend. We've been doing lots of fun Christmas activities but those updates will have to wait.

Any suggestions for a reliable computer used for small business work, pictures, and Internet browsing? We are very open to suggestions as we are in an extremely busy season and don't have time to do our due diligence in computer research. We are currently MAC owners but I'm not opposed to a Windows based computer.

Everyday Cute

I am often guilty of only taking the kids pictures when we are doing a fun activity or they are dressed nicely for an event. Of course they look cute all fancied up, but I honestly think they are the most adorable when they are just being themselves in their everyday environment. But I hardly ever document that. Well the other day Nora and I were outside and I was taking pictures of some Etsy products when I looked over and she had plopped herself down in the grass and I was struck by her cuteness so I turned the camera on her. Could she be any cuter?

A new tradition

A new tradition has been formed in the Schenk household...Christmas tree decorating in our pajamas followed by a round of hot chocolate. In our 7 years of marriage we have never had a Christmas tree! It's a long story but if you want to know why ask Kyle. However, as our children have grown and I have politely asked over and over Kyle began to warm up to the idea. Then when we found out his grandmother's tree was available he gave in. So when we returned home from Thanksgiving travels setting up the tree was a top priority.

So as not to diminish the true meaning of Christmas we talked about Jesus' birthday (aka: Happy Party) and set up the nativity.

Sawyer hanging his 1st ornament, a VeggieTales ornament

Nora hanging one of my childhood favorite ornaments

Nora caught on really quickly. She would pick out an ornament and take it to the tree, Kyle would put it on and she would get really excited. Super cute!

And the final product

I still need to make a tree skirt, but for now a snowflake blanket does the job.

Me and my helpers

Colorado Thanksgiving {cousin love}

While in CO we had the pleasure of meeting our newest family member, Josiah! And the cousins had lots of fun quality time!

cooking up some plan under the table

Nora and Josiah bonding, she was incessant about making sure he had his toy

Noah and Sawyer helping Tache make pumpkin pie

stirring and pouring

Noah giving Nora a ride

Sawyer, Josiah, Noah and Nora

Cuz hugs!

Christmas Decor

Linking up with Kelly's Korner Christmas Home Tour  today. Welcome into my home!

This year I did a simple mantel display for Christmas. This is the opposite of my normal approach. Typically for Christmas I do a more elaborate display then the mantel for the rest of the year is pretty subdued. But this summer and fall the mantel was very full and colorful so I decided I wanted to do something more simple for Christmas. I love the result!

Berry wreath (repurposed from our wedding 7 years ago :) placed over the chalkboard.

Pluse pine garland flanked by a pair of candlesticks at either end of the mantel. Then I finished the look by adding our 4 coordinating stockings.

mini ornament display in the bay window
I love non-traditional Christmas colors (blue and white, lime green, monochromatic whites, neons, etc), but every Christmas I when I am deciding on our holiday decor I just have to go the traditional route. I'm not the biggest fan of decorating in dark colors but for 1 month a year I LOVE it! Just call me old-fashioned.

my DIY yarn ball wreath

and a sneak peek at our very 1st Christmas tree!

Colorado Thanksgiving {North Pole}

Sawyer had a BLAST at the North Pole! He is quite the little daredevil and wanted to ride all the rides. The higher and faster the better! He even rode the roller coaster and the scrambler and he was smiling through it all. The only tears we saw all day occurred because he wanted to keep riding when it was time to go :) I think we know where we will be spending our summer vacations as Sawyer grows. Here's a peek at all the fun:

Sawyer, Kyle, cousin Noah and Aunt Christina ready for their 1st ride

He could barely see over the bar but he has his hands up

Ridin' that motorcycle

Driving a car with Nana

Flying an airplane with cousin Noah

me and my daredevil

Nana and Papa with Noah and Sawyer

ready to ride the roller coaster

serious about his racing

Colorado Thanksgiving {Part 2}

Thankfully Sawyer was feeling better the next morning because on Wednesday we went to the North Pole. Papa and Nana wanted to take the older grand kids for a day at the amusement park. Sawyer had a BLAST! This event deserves a post of it's own so more to come... Wednesday night Kyle made everyone homemade pizza then we played a few card games.

Thursday was Thanksgiving. My parents hosted the event and everyone brought a few side dishes.  The kids ate early and then went down for naps. During naps the adults enjoyed a wonderful meal. Following the meal we took our traditional walk then came home for desserts.  The rest of the day was spent watching football, looking at black friday ads, eating more dessert, playing cards, and wrapping gifts.

Nora eating her 1st Thanksgiving meal she loved the turkey and sweets, not so impressed with the corn

Sawyer eating his Thanksgiving meal, curiously enough he does not eat well when we travel, the only thing he touched at Thanksgiving was broccoli which he normally refuses to eat

Thanksgiving family pic

an attempt at a grandparent pic but obviously the kids were done

Friday morning we made the trek back to Denver and flew home to Canton. We had a wonderful time visiting family in CO. We packed a lot of fun stuff into a few short days but we loved every minute of it (well except for the nights...our kids never sleep well in new places, ugh)

a few last minute pics before we hit the road

Colorado Thanksgiving {Part 1}

We left for Colorado bright and early on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. In fact we landed in Denver at 8:30 am. We spent the rest of the day recouperating from the 4:30 am wake-up call. Sawyer was very excited to ride on the airplane and he did a great job on the 3 hour flight.  Nora is at a hard stage for flying, she wants to be moving and she is not yet interested in watching movies. So she walked the aisle and ate a bunch of snacks. Towards the end of the flight she finally fell asleep.

How cute is he wheeling his suitcase through the airport?

Someone had energy at an early hour

Nora not so amused

On Sunday we went to my sister and brother-in-laws church for a special event, the dedication of Josiah. Tache and Papa arrived on Sunday. It was beautiful weather the whole time we were there so we took advantage by playing outside everyday! On Sunday we took Sawyer to a nearby playground. He had a blast playing with Daddy, Papa and Nana!

Daddy enjoying the playground

What's more fun than playing with sticks?

Sawyer making Nana run home

Daddy showing Nora how to fly

 Monday morning Nana, Tache and I took the kids to Focus on the Family. They have a wonderful play area that we try at visit each time we are in Colorado.  This was Nora's 1st time and she LOVED it!  That afternoon I got a little pampering in the form of highlights and a haircut.  On Monday evening we met Kyle's Uncle Kevin, Aunt Cheryl and cousin Jess at Red Robin for a little reunion.  It was so fun to see them and get a chance to chat.

Nora loving Focus on the Family

Sawyer was a good big bro and helped Nora on the log over and over again

Tuesday the girls went out Christmas shopping while the boys stayed home with the kiddos. I don't get a chance to shop much so it was fun to browse the stores looking for others. That evening we had a birthday dinner for all those in the family who have a November birthday.  We went to a Japanese hibachi grill.  Sawyer had a blast watching the fire! And we learned Nora likes the finer things in life like calamari and tofu! Unfortunately, Sawyer got sick that night so we spent most of the time soothing him.

Tache and Josiah

Nora looking cute in her pig tails and eating her calamari