We celebrated Christmas early on December 19th with Ben's grandparents and the rest of the Schmidt family out at Cedar Lake Home. It was very nice and a great way to start off the season.
Kenzie and Dad
Just thought it was funny!
On the 22st the twins got to celebrate Christmas with their 3K class and had a soooo much fun and even did a little gift exchange which they were thrilled about.
That evening St. Peter's had their Christmas program and we all went. It was great, as it is every year. Cameron had a small speaking part in the program so it was very special to us. He did a fabulous job but I am not bias at all. We are all looking forward to next year when the twins get to be part of the program too.
The whole school!
Cameron is standing second on the left side. 
Calvin and Clayton practicing their Christmas songs -
getting ready for next year I guess.
On the 23rd I skipped out of working again, sent the three little kids to my parents and spent the day at school with Cameron. In the morning the school kids sang at mass and it was so cute. Then we had the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Christmas party. After partying with the kids I went along with the school to see Yogi Bear in the theater. It was very cute even though Cameron wanted nothing to do with sitting by his mom (he did let me sit behind him and his friend and shared his popcorn with me...) I guess he is getting older but I am not giving up yet!!
On the 24th we hung out at home relaxing in the morning before the craziness would begin. Our evening began with getting to 4 o'clock church at 3:15 and making it through church without having to take any of the kids out for bad behavior. I was thrilled. There is something very special to me about attending church with all the kids. I get very emotional and sentimental. I just need God to grant me a little more patience. After church we headed to Gigi and Papa's to have our traditional Christmas eve food and gifts! We decided to do appetizers this year instead of a meal because the kids don't sit long to eat anyway. It worked out well. The kids did great with opening gifts of course. As usual the kids were spoiled and we continue to realize that more and more. After gifts out came the cake and Ice cream and the kids all sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, which was really cute. Then the annual picture DVD of the grand kids. We got home from my parents late and Cameron was still disappointed that Santa had not come yet. We got everyone one tucked in bed quickly and we were all fast asleep.
Clayton
Kenzie
The kids singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!
Our Family - Calvin, Mom, Kenzie, Cameron, Dad & Clayton
Papa and Gigi with all their grand babies.
Calvin, Kenzie, Cameron, Xavier, Isiah and Clayton
On the 25th Ben woke up early (6:30 a.m.) and woke me and the kids all up because Santa had come to our house. WOW. As usual the big man does not disappoint and the kids were very excited about their gifts. They shared their toys nice and we spent much of the morning playing with their new gifts.
Santa came to our house!!! Just look at Calvin's face!
Ring around the nosey game!
Cameron got a Justin Bieber puzzle and was very unhappy about it. He really does not like Justin Bieber but someone thought it was funny!
Clayton loved his Lego's although he looks a little scary here. Maybe he was protecting his new gift?
Calvin was very excited about all of his gifts!
Kenzie and Dad - Being cute!
After a nap the family headed over to Grandma Jane and Grandpa Gerald's house for more celebrating. This was a blast also although the kids had a much more difficult time by this point with sharing and being patient. I think the newness of it all had worn off and they were very greedy and cranky. Santa's little visit there was wonderful but did not change their behavior to much. Yet again our kids were spoiled rotten and now we have to find room at home for all their new stuff but again reminding us of our generous families.
Calvin did good with Santa and liked ringing his bells.
Clayton also liked Santa and the bells!
Kenzie was not a fan this year!
Cameron liked Santa!
Grandma Jane and Grandpa Gerald with our kids. 
We got to end another evening with a picture DVD of all the grandkids but this time it was the Rettler grandkids. Again super cute and nice late evening.
The 26th we got up at a normal time and realized that we had not even given the kids their gifts from us so we opened a few more gifts then made it to church and then back home to spend the day playing with all the kids toys. We also got some great new family games (Ring around the Nosey, Uno Moo & Pop the Pig) and had a great time playing them.
The week was a bit calmer. I worked Monday night and a full day Tuesday. Ben worked Tues, Wed, and a half day Thursday. Cam got to have a friend over all day Monday and then on Thursday he went to a friends and later had that friend over. He also spent the week hard at work on his Culture fair project on Saudi Arabia. Cam also had a dentist appointment for a cleaning and that lead to the scheduling of his first ortho appointment in Mid Jan. Kids are funny. Cameron is actually excited about the idea that he may need braces. I am not so thrilled but am glad they are keeping a close eye on his teeth. Ben and I also spent some of our time off getting a couple things done around the house including finally hanging our bedroom curtains and pictures, getting rid of the old washer and dryer and getting some things cleaned up around here. We also enjoyed some time outside playing in the snow before it all melted, watching movies, and just hanging out together.
Cameron snowboarding in the front yard! It was nice and warm and the snow had not melted yet.
Calvin making a snow angel.
Cameron sending Calvin on the snowboard. He is actually pretty good!
New Years eve we decided to lay low and hang out at home. Last minute we invited both our parents over for dinner and some games. Dinner was fabulous thanks to Ben making a great roast! The evening also included a couple rounds of Smart Ass (Ben's new trivia game - thanks Santa) Toy Story 3, Apple pie and ice cream, and a midnight dance party with all the little kids still up for their first New Years Party. It turned out to be such a blast. Man we have great families!!!!!
Kenzie dances at Midnight!
Clayton thought it was so fun!
Dad shows the kids how to have a Happy New Year!
New Years day was another first for the twins as we took them bowling!!! We went with my mom, sister, brother-in-law and their kids. Clayton had been telling us all week that he was just going to go along and watch but he did agree to bowl once we got there. We all used the bumpers and the little kids got to use this great dinosaur ramp that helps them roll the ball. My favorite part was the SHOES. The little boys shoes were SO cute. We bowled one game, ate pizza and snacks and decided that one was never enough so we bowled another game (one would have been enough - they were getting tired by this time). We did make it through and I think everyone had a great time, I know I did. Cameron bowled his all all time high of 108 and beat mom's 99 (yes that was with bumpers).
Ben and Cameron show Clayton how to bowl.
Gigi with Isiah, Kenzie, Calvin, Xavier, Clayton and Cameron!
Isiah, Calvin, Xavier & Clayton
Clayton, Calvin, Isiah & Kenzie
Cameron has some technique!
Calvin and Daddy watch closely!
See what I said about the shoes!!!!
Earlier in the day I had gotten a call from my boss about two unused Bucks Tickets that were for later that evening so Ben and Cam decided to go. They were both excited to go and the tickets were very good so it was a great opportunity. When they got home they said they had a great time and the Bucks even won.
So yesterday I was not ready to say that we had to get back to normal life to we decided to take the boys to see a movie. We told them that they had to be good in church to go to the movie. We also let them pick their seats in church and they choose a couple rows from the front. We tend to stay in the back as they are very noisy but they did really good. I think it helped that they wanted to go to a movie and that they could see everything that was going on up in front during church. Whatever it was it worked. We may have to try that again.
We had never taken the twins to a movie before so I was not sure what to expect. I really wanted to see Tangled and the boys agreed they would go to it. Kenzie is still a bit young for this so she went to hang out with Gigi and watch the Packer game while Ben and I took Cam, Clay and Cal to the movies. They all did great. We did go through a lot of popcorn and soda but it was worth it. The movie was very cute and I only had to make one potty run with the twins throughout the movie.
Calvin
Clayton - a little sleepy after the movie.
In the theater - check out how thrilled Ben and Cam are that I am taking pictures at the movies. Ok, I know it is weird but if I don't take the picture I will not remember it years from now!!!
Well that was our exciting vacation. So today was back to "normal". Kind of. The twins had their first ever dentist appointment which I thought was very cute and of course I took photos of this as well. They did great!!!!
Calvin being cool in the chair!
Clayton checking out what is on T.V.
Then they were off to school to celebrate their half birthday. This was not my idea but their teacher's which I thought was fun as their birthday is in summer so now they get to party with their classmates. The cutest part about it was showing them how to do 3 1/2 with their fingers. I will try and take a picture of this later. Trust me it was cute. Now it is already time for me to pick them up from school. I really need to do my blogs more frequently so that it does not take me an hour for an update. I guess I can add that to my list of New Years Resolutions! Hope you all had a great Christmas and a Happy New Years. See you in 2011!
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