Happy New Year

Well here it is, 2011 already. Christmas to New Years went by in a flash - and I was even on vacation which should have helped it drag out a bit, but it didn't. I started my vacation out with Megan's ear drum bursting so that put a little damper on the "to do" list as we had a doctors visit, prescriptions to get, then monitoring of the fever. She had a miserable day, but we eventually got everything done. One of the projects I am most proud of is the quilt I made for my nephew Theo. Tim's grandmother, Doris Schmidt, would make baby quilts for all the great-grandchildren. She passed away 2 years ago and the last quilt she completed was the one for Megan, so Theo did not have one. I figured - how hard can it be to make a quilt - I have a sewing machine, I can follow instructions.....and so the project began. Thanks to the nice ladies at Appletree Quilting who helped with step by step process and questions, and of course for having toys for the girls to play with so they didn't destroy the store.

The quilt was finished on the 23rd and washed on the 24th and still in one piece! I think it turned out really good for my first quilt and hope Theo enjoys it (and it stays in one piece!).




Christmas Eve we packed up the family and headed to Collinsville, IL for the Dietz family Christmas Eve party which is held at Tim's aunt and uncle's house. Good food and family, and of course gifts that the girls loved.

Here is Megan and Abby scoping out the presents - trying not to get caught.

Abby also discovered Great Aunt Val's iPad which had great kid games on it for her grandchildren that Abby enjoyed playing all night. You'd be surprised how well she can use an iPad.



Our effort to get the kids (that were left) in front of the tree in their PJ's. It was getting pretty late at night and time for bed.


Christmas Day over at Betsy and BJ's house. We did manage to eat brunch before opening presents even though it almost destroyed Abby and Megan to just have to look at presents for 45 minutes.

Our family photo with Gracie before opening presents - as you can see Megan is ready to be opening, enough with the photos.

Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt tried to push a photo in too, and you can see how Theo and Megan are enjoying it - they want presents!

Here's Abby with her favorite present - she has played this game quite a bit. We're already on our second set of batteries.



Here is Megan's favorite - other than trying to steal her sister's Leapster Explorer. Tim had to assemble this immediately.


Here I am with Theo and Betsy after he opened his quilt - we'll see if it becomes one of his favorites down the road.

A Sit N Spin - classic.

And drums - they are actually Megan's but are shared well. They are downstairs now to help contain the noise - Thanks G&G Schmidt!

Sunday we headed back to Columbia to see if Santa had remembered where we lived and if we had good little girls or not - we did of course!



Abby with her loot.


Megan with her pile of presents.


Towels with their names on them from Aunt Colleen and Uncle Tony.

A princess piano - Megan likes it as well.

Rollerskates for this years broken bones to come - Abby has a pair as well.



Then another classic - the Fisher Price Record player - I had this as a child and G&G Papke got this for the girls. It gets played daily and fought over daily as well. Megan is a little indecisive to say the least on what to play.



Our first Mizzou basketball game of the year as well. The cheerleaders were the highlight for the girls I think.

New Year's Eve we went to KC to ring it in. Friday we went to Emporia, KS to lunch with our friend Leann who is due Jan. 7th with her daughter. They are moving to Canada in February so we had to take advantage of seeing her one last time as they will be gone for 2 years.

Here is Jenn's truck breaking down in the parking lot and Tim fixing it.........

Then our adult dinner (with Allison) at Fogo de Chao - a Brazilian Steakhouse - Tim's one request of the trip. All you can eat meat - it was awesome. We had a lovely time and spent over 2 hours sampling all the different meats.

We safely are back in Columbia and in recovery mode from the Holidays and hope to be back to normal by this weekend.