New Years Celebration

JoHanna, Samantha, Adelynn, Seth & Mustache Josh

A few months ago the Taylor family invited us to join them at Metropolis Resort in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to ring in the new year. How could I say no?! Our only other option would be hanging out at home watching movies or playing Wii.

On one end of the hotel was a nice waterpark with a few slides, lazy river, pool, hot tub and a kiddie area for the little ones. We spent the first day of our arrival there. Addy wasn't too interested in playing in her gigantic bathtub. I'm sure the chlorine was a bit much for her.

On the other end of the hotel is Action City. This is where we spent much of our time. There was so much to do. We purchased unlimited bracelets that were to be good until 11pm, at which point their "Lock-in" Event would begin and run until 2am. We had rock walls to climb, go-carts to drive, bumber cars to spin on, mini-bowling, laser tag, batting cages, arcade games that didn't give tickets were free, and those that gave tickets would cost money. We were the 'no fun' parents and had the kids do things their wrist band would allow. If you want something from the Reward Store, I'll buy it for you rather than spending twice as much in the hopes to win tickets.

At 11pm we were planning to head back to the room and play the Wii since Addy took a three hour nap around 6pm. Instead we realized that our wrist bands were still good. What did that mean? We were going to soak it up and see if their computer glitch would stop our bracelets at midnight. Which they did. We grabbed some free pizza and the unlimited beverages and watched our clocks flip to midnight. There were TVs all over the place. I was disappointed that they didn't have any of the local stations on to watch the ball drop. Instead I pulled up someone YouTube video that they posted ridiculously fast and let the kids watch that.

Happy New Years!!!

We all made it to midnight - yes ALL.

Sam made it three feet from the top. I'm sure her fuzzy
boots didn't offer the best support climbing walls.

Addy was obsessed with this train!

Our hotel room - gotta have a picture of the room.

Addy was helping her dah bowl on the mini
bowling lanes. The pins were supported by strings
which was pretty neat.
She also learned to say "Go" when her dah would say
"Ready? Set? ___" where she'd fill in "GO!"

Addy stood next to the height stick to see if she was tall
enough to ride. We learned that she is as tall as the
shortest woman.

Nick and Sam racing one another. Sam's pink sports car could
bust through any obstacle in the road. Unfortunatly,
she didn't have the driving experience that Nick does.

Go Seth Go!

Nick and Sam trying to stay
in the lead.

It's a Boy!!!!

We are thrilled beyond all means!

Seth was the first boy into the Schiller family and then came Skyler who was born to Cassie (Nick's step-cousin in a sense.) and Todd Knuth November of 2011. He's family like Seth. Not one who can carry on the Schiller name. We were just as thrilled when Adelynn was born. She was perfect! A piece of Nick.

Now, we are blessed with a baby boy too. Life couldn't be any better. Boy, girl, girl and boy. A family of six, that is enough for one house. 20 or so more weeks until we meet our baby boy.

Christmas Eve

It is always hard being away from my children, especially on holidays. I tend to sit and wonder what they are doing, what presents they are unwrapping, and what memories I won't be able to share. We are given their gifts wrapped to bring home from the Schiller Family. Christmas doesn't feel like Christmas when family can't be together.

I understand why they can't be with me and how their dad feels when he is without them. I'd doesn't get easier. It never will.

Tonight we watched Adelynn unwrap her presents. She was so happy to have more to unwrap after her first gift. She crawled around and played with all the little girls, and was held by most of the guys. She sure loves those with beards.

We've had a rough patch with some of the family and a close friend from our wedding weekend. Time has passed, and we're all coming back together. I am grateful for that.

Shut-Out no more

It's been close to four years since Nick has shot a pheasant. He would go out a handful of times each season, and not have any luck. Most days he wouldn't see anything.

Today he went down to the WMA (wildlife management area) in Red Wing which is roughly 500 acres and his luck changed.

Muska, Nick, and Belle

Seth will be sad that he missed this big day. Although, I'm sure he's having a lot of fun with his dad.

Tea for Two

Adelynn got two of the same tea sets for her birthday. Marie, at daycare, says how Adelynn plays with her tea set all day. We had bought her a set, and Marie did as well. Nicky's working, the big kids are with their Dad, so Adelynn and I sit here having tea together. She pours the tea into her cup, then quickly drinks her tea. It's a good thing we are using our imagination, her clothes would be soaked, and she'd would still be pretty thirsty.

My baby is pretty clever, she amazes each and every day with what she does.

A party to kick off winter break

Seth was invited to his first birthday party outside of his best friends, Josh & JoHanna. On Thursday he was pretty nervous since school was cancelled that it would be cancelled on Friday too. If that happened then how could he ride the bus home with Derek and would he still have his birthday party?

We went shopping for a present, which took quite some time. Seth forgot what Derek wanted for his birthday. I pointed out an Ant Farm and Seth knew Derek would love it. "Let's get me one too!" He placed a second one in the cart. "Um, no bud, Christmas is next week." We moved along to the next aisle to fine a second gift. Seth starts pointing out a bunch of things, like a keyboard ($86), remote helicopter ($38), a new pedal bike ($50+), a sporty looking sled with skis ($60+), and the list continued of spendy gifts. We finally settled on a plastic snowboard with a rope and handle. That was even after trying to figure out how he'd get by carrying it to school and taking it on the bus to Derek's house.

Seth had a lot of fun at the party. He told Derek's mom to blame me if the farm broke and ants invaded his house. What a sweet boy I have.

Goodbye Elf

Although it is not Christmas Eve when elf typically returns to the North Pole, he has taken flight early this year with Seth and Sam being gone until Christmas Day.

He snapped a picture with each of our babes as a keepsake until next year.

His stay went by quickly and we all had fun seeking him out each morning to see what he was up to last night. The giggles that accompanied each mornings hunt was all worth the clean-up from the overnight fun.

He will be missed...