CHRISTmas 2011

It was a very Merry Christmas!

We spent Christmas this year with Max's family. We had a wonderful time. The last time we were together for Christmas was in Connecticut 12 years ago! Too long.

                                                                   My candy canes....

 My Shnookums always loving on Charlie.

 I will try and figure out how to post her gift to me. She knows how I love pictures, so she put together a montage of our past Christmas's. It is adorable!

Speaking of gifts, Daddy reading about God's perfect gift to us - Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior.

This is one of the many shaped "bills" Landon gave me for buying goats and chickens from World Vision. He knows feeding the poverty stricken is one of my passions, so this is the forth year he has blessed me, by blessing others. There were as many tears as dollar bills!

I hate posting pictures of me, but I have to show off one of my favorite (store bought) gifts from my hubby. This young man is such a Godly role model for the young (and old alike!) - because of him I've watched a football game for the first time in my life. I cheered like a real fan! I pray God's protection over him because of his blatant love for Christ - he has been, and will continue to be attacked!

Instead of making gifts for each other (which we try to do every year), I decided "a gift of service" would put Christ into Christ-mas. The services include: doing laundry (my gift to the kids), The 12 Months of Cookies (from me to my hubby the cookie monster), Max gave me one to do the grocery shopping, and three - 20 minute foot massages (woo-hoo!), Payton gave daddy one for making his lunch, Landon's helping Max with a construction project (he does it anyway, so he must of figured he'll turn it into a gift!)...and Payton is going to wash Landon's car for him. The list goes on....

 These were some of our favorite gifts this Christmas and will definitely be utilized! 

Payton's 13!

How did this happen so quickly? I feel like I just gave birth, and now, both my babies are teenagers!

We did have quite the celebration! For Landon's 13th birthday, I came up with the idea of solving a riddle for a city wide scavenger hunt.  I really wanted to make sure they would always remember their 13th birthday. I ended up having so many ideas (and fun!) planning it, it turned into a two day affair.

To say Payton couldn't wait for her 13th birthday, is an understatement! ;) She's been biting at the bit waiting for her two days of fun!!  Payton is all about family, food and fun! It's always so easy to plan for her. All she wants is to be together with her family, be active outside and have lots of sweet treats!  

 Here are a few photos of the big 13 celebration. 

Happy 13th Birthday, my Shnookums! (I will forever remember making this number "13" decoration - it is etched into my kitchen table for life. Oops! Next time, I'll be more careful with the utility knife!)

Morning of day 1 

Day 2:  We rode our bikes to get bagels - one of Payton's favorite things to do. (Oh, how I miss the bike trails in Germany!...riding so close to traffic stresses me, and in return - I stress my family.)  Sorry, all!

 We played a round of miniature golf and then hit the batting cage (no pun intended!).  As you can see, God blessed Payton with a beautiful day! Oh, how I love the winters in Tucson.

 Even though we had just returned from NM for Thanksgiving, and she got her fill of horse riding - she still got her traditional birthday horse ride.

 I made all her favorite appetizers, and we watch Tim Hawkins latest DVD.  The perfect end, to a perfect day. ;)

 This year I didn't "try" and create a theme cake. Instead, she requested a chocolate-chip pound cake with homemade hot fudge. If it sounds like a billion calories....it's because, it is! Keep in mind, her birthday is after Thanksgiving and before Christmas!  Yikes!!!

 I had fun making her special decorations. :)

 Daddy buys her roses every year for her birthday, and I made a montage with words that describe her.

This was one of her favorite gifts. I bought 13 (small!) bags of Hot Cheetos. She literally squealed with delight. 

She also got her ears pieced! (I really didnt think she'd go through with it. Payton doesn't like unnecessary pain.) 

We all presented her with a letter we wrote to her (some of us had a hard time getting though it, right Max?).  It was real special. Especially her brother's letter.  (I will pull it out as a reminder next time they fight!) ;)

  Our sweet Payton, you are a precious gift from God, and we love you sooooo very much!        

       Happy 13th birthday, Shnookums!!!

Our Charlie

I thought it was time to journal about our Charlie, and how much joy he brings us.  Charlie was a gift from God.  We prayed for a long time for the right dog, and Charlie appeared....well, not really appeared, he flew in all the way from St. Louis to Florida! Max was on a business call (God's timing, of course!) with an old friend from Germany, and she told him that she bought Charlie for her teenage daughter, but he wasn't getting the attention he needed. Next thing I knew, we were picking him up at the airport.  He is the perfect dog for us.  He doesn't shed at all!....(which is awesome for my allergies), he's small enough to take on road trips (and he loves going anywhere!), he's snuggles with Payton and wrestles with the guys.  And he's a great guard dog because he doesn't have a clue he's only 17 pounds. :)

So here are just a few pictures of "Charles Jacob Jingle-Hiemer Schmidt" - or  Charlie for short.

He is always with us in the homeschooling room. The kids couldn't resist putting on my reading glasses one morning, and opening a book by his bed. Too funny! Why does he look so cute in those glasses, and I just look old?

                                          These two are in this position 80% 90% of the time.

                                                                  Charlie serenading us.

 Landon called me into the living room....and this is what I saw.  Charlie with Landon's body, or is it, Landon's body with Charlie's head. Either way, it was funny.  :)

 Charlie will always find a cozy place to lay- he'll lay on Max's duffel bag, pillows, dirty laundry, etc.. anything with a little padding.  He's just a little spoiled.  :)

Here's the cowboy and cowgirl in Florida after winning 1st place in a dog show for "Most Look Alike."

How sad life would be without pets (particularly dogs!).

“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 117:2

Soccer Tournament

We spent last weekend in Phoenix for a soccer tournament. We got the tail end of a cold front, so the weather was beautiful. It's really nice to have the option of a metropolitan city close by, there is so much to do there. The team met at the Cheese Cake Factory on the patio for dinner....if you haven't had their cheese cake, don't wait any longer! ;)

I love the faces she makes. :)

A kick with grace....

.....one with more determination than grace. :)

Bored to Sleep!

This is what Landon thought of my Hallmark movie.  :)

Balloon Fiesta

It was not easy, but we cancelled (lots!) of activities to make it to the Albuquerque for the 40th Anniversary Balloon Fiesta. And, it was well worth it. It was spectacular! Visualize over 550 hot air balloons filling up  New Mexico's beautiful blue sky. The only thing that would have made it more perfect was if daddy could have been there with us. He had his work weekend (UTA), so he had to stay behind in Tucson. Nevertheless, uncle Mike, Auntie Mary and Nana joined us, and whenever this gang is around...there is always lots of laughter and fun! ;)

Filling them up....

Don't let this picture fool you, they were cold. (Maybe next time they will listen to their always-prepared- for-the-cold mother.) ;)

Payton and I taking a picture and video of each other.

 Thanks, my lovely family, for getting up at 4:00 am to join us....it wouldn't have been the same without you!

Lined up and ready to go!

Isn't it amazing what fire and air can do?

New Mexico flag

Up, up and away....

This one is for my dad, who was not willing to fight the crowds. :)

Here's Darth Vader for the Star Wars fans....(which I'm not).

Must be from Tucson?

Elsie the cow

Gotta "love" this one!

I love the size comparison in this pic.


The rest of our day consisted of food and family.  It was a fun packed day!

Arizona the Beautiful

We started school the beginning of August - but then took a short vacation to travel (the very diverse) Arizona.

The Grand Canyon is breathtaking! My pictures don't look real because it's so picturesque.

Thanks to a stranger who was willing to take a family shot for us. (They were from Norway....and honestly, it was rare to hear the English language spoken. There were many, many Europeans.)

          Mr. (or Mrs.?) birdie posing for me.

A beautiful view.... :)

And of course we couldn't leave the Grand Canyon without a joke from Landon. :)  When we lived here years ago, I didn't have any desire to bring my young kids. I was paranoid enough with a 16 and 12 year old falling over!

          The beautiful red rocks of Sedona....

We did lots of hiking. We hiked in Prescott, Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

          The end of our hike...

Here we are walking up to a church in the rocks. Aren't the colors amazing?!

           Here is the church...

         I love Sedona. :)

The natural water slide at Slide Rock Park was a HUGE hit with the kids.

Here's Landon jumping into the "cold" water. It was really refreshing on a hot day, but still tooooo cold for me. I prefer bath water temperature.

          Payton's turn...

          Here they are sliding down the "very" slippery rocks!

Thank you, Lord, for your amazing creation.


“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalms 19:1