A Schneider Christmas.

Late morning we left to go to my mom and Steve's house in Lapeer. We've been doing some firsts lately...which I'm happy about. Not only did we get our first family picture a few weeks ago...we also all ate together at one table! I think it is a first since we moved from the farm house with the big antique table in 1998. Even cooler because we had extended family there too. We had my mom's brother Chuck and his son, Charlie (and girlfriend Stacy) as well as my Aunt Barb and Uncle Bruce. Plus, with engagements and me keep having kids, our family is growing even bigger. :) This year without any random friends coming, we ended up with 19.

We had a nice time. Thanks for the generosity guys!

p.s. I don't have a picture of it but I got an Ihome for my room which I'm stoked about.

Berlin opening her sit and spin with Grandma.

Aunt Barb, Uncle Bruce, Quilawee, and Elijah

Berlin thanking Aunt Chrissy for her puppy


The table set up in the basement. Yay!

Uncle Chuck showing Eli how to use his race track

Sarah and Ryan's new baby, Cole. Isn't he precious!?

Sarah. Probably going to kill me for this picture. I had her take a BIG bite for me but my settings were wrong so I took another one right after....and this is it. Sarah, with a mouthful. :)

Christmas Morning 2008.

Christmas Eve we decorated the tree in like 10 minutes before going to the Mattila Christmas Eve dinner. It wasn't how I intended on doing it but time just got away from us this year. I plan to make it more fun for Berlin next year but she still liked hanging her own ornaments. We only put about 1/5 of the decorations on for time sake. Anyway, here is our tree. p.s. besides other things the tree decorating was a little thrown off by Eli breaking a window. Yipee!

Anyway, Christmas morning was wonderful! The night before Berlin put some cookies out for Santa (still not sure how to do this Santa thing because I wasn't really a kid that ever believed in Santa...but it seems fun). She was SO excited in the morning that the cookies were gone. She is a bit confused about Christmas at this age. We told her that it is Jesus' birthday and we are celebrating it...so she thought Santa was going to bring us birthday cake. SO funny. She kept saying Happy Birthday to everyone. She also has laid claim to Santa, saying that she loves him and he is hers. After she saw that Santa ate the cookies, she asked me to please put out cookies for when God comes to the house. She had a hard time putting those out...she kept eyeing them and giving me a mischievous look. Silly kid.

The night before we put together Eli's tool set so they woke up and started playing with that right away which was nice because it gave me some time to make coffee. Berlin was surprisingly patient and wanted to take turns to watch James and Eli. Overall, nice and relaxed morning!

That garland was just asking for Eli to pull it.

Elijah checking out the tree.

My christmas coffee mug from Kate with some delicious coffee with cool whip. MY fave!

Working on being a handy boy.

James opening his stocking.

Little People house.

He ended up doing a pretty good job opening in between trying to eat the paper.

Playing with Little People carnival.

James posing with his Chelsea scarf (to wear on game days for his team spirit!) and his book.

Christmas Eve 2008.

Christmas Eve I spent the afternoon baking. Eli had his first beater and couldn't get enough! I know, I could fill a book with how many pictures I take of him eating. We went to James' grandma Mattila's house for dinner with that side of the family. It is always a nice affair. :)

YUM.I took it away for a second...and this is the look I got.

Oh, and the pea on his nose is from the lunch I fed him right before. I love that he is crossing his eyes, watching the giant spoon go into his mouth.

Berlin with Christmas Eve dinner.

So cute with place cards and everything.

Yummy roast beef cooked by Uncle Dan.

Eli learned to levitate for christmas! Odd picture that I thought was funny. :)

YAY, we've moved the annual fireplace picture to just the great grandchildren. Us bigger kids are taking up a bit too much room now.

Berlin opening her Bitty Baby clothes from Aunt Margaret, Aunt Jo, Grandma Mattila, and families.

Elijah opening his new tool bench.

For me?!

James and I looking dorky. This was the 3rd try for a picture...

Berlin in her Christmas jammies...playing with a step that is all the rage for the kids.

Berlin and Eli, Grandma Mattila behind them watching them.

Really, what is with the step? Egan is way in the back, Grandma Mattila, Berlin, Grace, Eli, and in the back is also Grandma Polsgrove.

Egan and Eli.

Egan and Cody

Christmas at Bob & Judy's.

Christmas spanned a week or so again this year and we kicked it off with Christmas at Bob & Judy's (James' parents) on the 21st. We had a nice dinner and then the craziness began with all the gifts. Erin and Timmy joined us via Skype which was nice and it gave me an idea so that my dad can see his grandkids more often. Must get a webcam.

Thanks for all the wonderful food, fun, and gifts!

Berlin checking out the manger.
John and Kaylee reading a bible passage

Owen and Heather lighting the candles

Papa and Eli

James and Berlin listening to the story

Part of Owen :), Grace, Kate, and Eva

Uncle Tim with Elijah

Berlin opening her Doctor's Station. She loves giving us shots!

Plus, it came with her very own scrubs and doctor coat made by Judy! Awesome!

She couldn't wait to play dress up as soon as we were home. Apparently princesses don't need skirts.

AND...ballerinas pose like this for the camera.

And this. :)

AND this is a version of a pliate.

Such a pretty ballerina :)