Week #4 "A Different Perspective"

For this week's assignment, I decided to give the camera to Charlie.  A different perspective...  Hopefully this isn't how he sees us all the time!  We have been really trying to cut down on screen time in this house lately, but we are house hunting and someone is addicted to searching on the web.  So we are cutting out electronic games and TV most nights.

We have had great family dinners with lots of conversation about our days, then gymnastics class, baths, board games, music, reading, and writing.  I think it is so important to cherish those times with your family and do quality activities with our kiddos.  

Week #3 "This makes me wish I could freeze time"

This was an easy one - Freeze time so I don't miss my nieces and nephews changing, so I don't forget the sloppier kisses and wonderful hugs from little arms.

Uncle Tim reading with Baby Zak (6mo.)

Week #2 "This makes me laugh"

Week 2 - I couldn't decide between these two pictures!

Lincoln waking up from a much needed nap

OR

Max lifting Linc up so they can reach M & M's on the back of the counter

Week #1 "Evening Rituals"

Week One of photo challenge with Faye!  

This is our family's favorite night time ritual - snuggle together, read, and snack.

YOU CALL IT MADNESS, WE CALL IT FAMILY!

This will always be home, no matter where life takes us.

Christmas in the hills was amazingly busy, entertaining, loads of fun, exhausting, unforgettable, and cherished!  To try and recap the whole trip would take me too long (a ton of pics!).  Here is the shortened version - 

Mom's delicious homemade chili Thursday night - Sledding and Rush Hockey game Friday - Grandparents/sister pictures, Chucky Cheese, and board games with pizza Saturday - Baby Zak's baptism and Christmas with Mom's best roasted lamb to date Sunday - Shopping and Movie theater Monday - Long trip home on Tuesday!

Auntie Tina holding her big baby Mak

Papa opening his new pic from us - a collage of pictures from the first Haggar's grocery store in Sioux Falls

This generation is HOOKED on electronics!  Everyone with an iPad or reader

Uncle Gabe playing games with the boys

2 of the 6 beautiful nieces in my life

Papa and his 1st granddaughter - Isabelle Lynn

Most of our clan opening presents

Mom and her first

Mom tearing up over her new picture book

(Photos taken from the vow renewal and family weekend)

Tim, Faye, and their adorable Sophia Marie

Gabe and Kyra checking out her new Minnie Mouse suitcase

This was definitely a Star Wars Christmas for our boys.  Auntie Faye made Max and Lincoln blankets with Chewie and Yoda on them!  Max was beside himself!

Auntie Mary and Uncle Chris found Darth Vadar, Chewie, and Yoda slippers for the boys!

Auntie Tina and Jason found Max a Yoda Santa hat!

Can you say "happy" ?!  Yes they are!

On to the baptism for the Schweitzer family!

Baby Zak with ALL of his godparents

Melissa, Faye, Christina

Tim H, Tim O, and Gabe

Zak's grandparents

Doug and Anne Horst

Mom and Dad

Father David is literally part of the family now.  He has married all of us, including mom and dad's renewal, and has baptized 5 of the 8 grandkids.

Two handsome dudes!

Always happy to be home!

One of the happiest babies this family has ever had!

All of Zak's cousins surrounded him during the ceremony and it was amazing to be apart of it.  

Much less stress sitting with Papa

Auntie Tina and the beautiful nieces, Izzy, Soph, and Kyra

Love these lil ladies

Papa asked Santa for a new pencil box for his shop.  Santa delivered it to our house so the boys brought it to the hills.  

Time for games!

I tried to beat Chris but it didn't happen

Didn't matter how much he threw up on me - I still showered him with kisses!

Chillin' with Daddy

Uncle Tim and Maxwell

The Uncles helping all the kids up the hill.

There was barely enough snow but we made it work and had a blast.

Uncle Tim with nieces Kyra and Izzy

The 7 big kids ready to roll

Kyra was hooked to her Uncle Tim on the hill

CT and Uncle Chris ready for a smooth ride

My Sophie and I 

Snow bunnies and Sisters in law

This kiddo went up and down the hill more than anyone!

Maxy always wanted Auntie Faye in the front

Kyra and Mak

Daddy and Max having a blast

The Rush won the game for us!

We couldn't thank Mom enough for watching all the grandsons so we could have a fun night watching the game in the Bud Box!  

Family Fun Night!

Love you guys!

Tim found his Tina at the game!