Oh ELI

 We have had BEAUTIFUL weather this winter.  Yesterday morning (Jan 10th) Eli and I played outside while Henry napped.  Here he is on his bike from Santa (still working on using the pedals).

 Saying "Hi" to the cows, literally.  He says "Hi" and "Bye" every time he sees them. 

 Such a beautiful day. 

This is a picture of Eli sleeping in his big boy bed.  We are still letting him choose which bed he sleeps in, crib or big bed for now.  Pretty soon we are planning on taking down the crib and moving him permanently into his big bed.  He's so precious while he sleeps.

"Let him sleep, for when he wakes he will move mountains" -unknown

Henry's Happenings...

Here is the latest and greatest on Henry...

Henry is SUCH a spunky little man.  He's always smiling, chasing Eli, getting into mischief, etc.  When he starts heading down the hallway to make trouble & we call out his name he crawls faster!  At 9 1/2 months he is walking along furniture and standing without support for a few seconds...this guy wants to walk BAD!  Henry is a pretty good eater, enjoys table food more than baby food and loves to feed himself.  His favorite game is to throw food/cups off of his high chair and have us retrieve them.  Henry takes two naps and is a great sleeper at night, going to bed around 7:30 and waking around 6-6:30.  We are just so blessed with another wonderful little guy!

On my birthday Henry's 2nd tooth broke through!! 

 After his nightly bottle Henry crashes!  Which is great because we get a chance to snuggle him!

 Brushing Henry's TWO teeth! 

Happy 25th Birthday to ME!

This year I turned a 1/4 of a century!  We celebrated by doing a little shopping, dinner and then home for some ice cream cake with my two favorite men!  Henry took the liberty of jumping right in! 

 Oh yeah, and this sleepy mama treated herself to an early bedtime for her birthday...8:30! 

Welcome 2012!!!

For New Years Eve we had a few friends over to celebrate.  While the boys had a bonfire in the backyard, us girls stayed in the house to watch "Bridesmaids".  Eli thought he'd stay up until midnight...not my intention, but he screamed every time we tried to get him to lay down.  Too much excitement I guess, plus I think he just wanted to ring in the new year with us!  Here is Eli kissing daddy to wish him a "Happy New Year!"

 And mommy's New Year/Birthday KISS! 

 Even though he was up until 12:30, he really was pretty good if we left him alone.  This is what Eli does ALL DAY LONG...read Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM (or as Eli says, "Chi-Chi Moom Moom") and play with his alphabet puzzle.  I hope this means he is going to be an early reader! 

CA cousin's in town

Look what my Aunt Beth bought Eli for Christmas...a drum set! 

He's pretty good, even throws his drum sticks to the crowd at the end of a performance! 

 Cousins--Madison, Henry, Caitlin & Eli (consumed with his drums)

 Uncle Pete & Eli rockin out!



Family Pictures/Eli's 2nd Birthday/Henry's 9 Month

Last, but not the Least...Schneider/Driskill Christmas!

Our final stop on Christmas day was at Anthony's parents' home.  A few of Anita's sisters & their families joined in on the fun while we celebrated together! 

Anthony, like a boy on Christmas morning evening!

 Eli & Henry got a rocking chair from Grandma & Grandpa!

 Wore out!  I guess Henry just had too much fun!  He was out like a light, right on schedule at 7:30.  Luckily he sleeps pretty sound so we were able to keep partying while he slumbered. 

 I think we are on track for starting a band!  Pickin' and Grinnin'!

A Hambach Christmas

Grandma & her boys on Christmas! 

Hambach girl cousins (minus 2). It was so nice to see each other this Christmas, it doesn't always happen because of distance.  I wish Kristen the best in her military career, as well as Stephanie, Mike & Anuhea in their upcoming move.  Love you all!

Love is missing someone whenever you're apart, but somehow feeling warm inside because you're close in heart. ~Kay Knudsen

 Eli, enjoying one of Kristen's cake pops!

Both boys CRASHED at naptime Christmas afternoon and slept about 3 hours.  Here is Henry after his much-needed nap!  Ready for round 3! 



Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was SO much fun this year.  I've been looking forward to this day for a long time & it turned out great!  Santa really delivered some great stuff this year!  I guess we were all pretty good!  I made homemade Monkey Bread & eggs for breakfast...what a wonderful way to start the day!  We were also blessed with the presence of my brother Pete, who stayed with us over Christmas.  It was really fun sharing these memories with him as well!

 Eli's first present...A CHOO-CHOO from Uncle Pete!  He LOVES this toy and hates sharing it with Henry.

 Santa brought Henry a couple of fun toys, a basketball hoop and a push/pull wagon.  Both of which Eli has tried to hijack for himself :)  We're working on this sharing thing....an ongoing process.

 Uncle Pete gave Henry a funny binky, unfortunately he doesn't take binkies any more.  So Eli demonstrated how it's used...dork!

 "Can you help me with this Uncle Pete?!" 



Santa Claus Came to Town!!!

Had I known Santa would be coming to the Schneider Christmas I wouldn't have made the trip to town last weekend :)  Oh well, maybe next year he'll let me know ahead of time...hah.  It was SO cute watching all of the kids give Santa their Christmas lists.  What a special memory. 

Here is Eli trying to rob Santa's Sack of Candy...stinker! 

We convinced Eli to sit on Santa's lap for a piece of candy, he stayed preoccupied with the candy pretty much the whole time. 

But we did get one GREAT picture of Santa & Eli!!!!

 Santa & Henry 2011

 Santa gives STICKY candy...the caramel and chocolate kept sticking to the roof of Eli's mouth.