Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Here's a photo from Christmas Eve  - Thanks to Uncle Doug and Dan's camera genius. Maybe for the next Schuster Family gathering I can figure this out with my camera so we can have another full family shot! I better start practicing!

TIGF

I am thankful for a mostly good 2011 and for my family, friends and our health...current cold sniffles aside...Overall, we have a very happy and healthy family and I am so thankful for that! Bring on 2012~

Happy Birthday Uncle D!

Today is my brother-in-law, "Uncle D's" birthday. We want to wish you a very special and happy birthday, Uncle D and we wish you many many more...old man;)

Cousins Invade Build-A-Bear

Today we were supposed to have a play date with my mom and all 6 kiddos, but Mom was feeling under the weather so she suggested we take the kids to Build-A-Bear because 3 of the 6 got gift cards for Christmas/Birthdays. I love Build-A-Bear...not sure I've mentioned it...but I just love it:)

Riley and Rowan Sing Christmas

Fun Project~

I have been waiting to post this picture for a month! I had seen an idea like this in some Kid Craft e-mail I got probably back in June or July. I was so excited when I saw it because I knew I wanted to do this. I drew Josh's mom, Linda for Christmas so this was our gift to her and I couldn't post until now. I already told Josh I want to do this again for my birthday present to myself:) I added the bling cuz Linda likes things sparkly...the original just had a black body for the butterflies.

Happy Birthday Brynn-Brynn!!!

Today our youngest niece turns TWO! Where did the time go? That means in 7 short weeks Rowan will follow! Rowand and Brynnie are best buds and we are so happy to have that spunky little girl in our lives! Happy Birthday Brynn-Brynn!!! We love you!

More Elfish Fun

 Admiring the tree...

 Keeping time...

 On safari...

Making dinner?!?!

On this Christmas Eve morning, we wish that all your elves have had nothing but "nice" things to tell Santa and that you enjoy the people who make this holiday special. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! (see previous post about loving Christmas music...couldn't help it!)

TIGF - Christmas Music!!!

I love christmas music. No secret there, but this year I am especially thankful for my new Celtic Woman Christmas CD and most importantly, our kiddos singing Christmas music this year. (Mind you, I was not a fan of Rowan's 2 a.m. performance of Rudolph...jumping up and down on my bed after having been up for 2 hours for no reason, but...it was still kinda cute). I will try to get them singing on camera, but here is my favorite nephew and Godson Zacky in his school program this week.

Sunday School Singing

More the from "concert" this weekend. They sang two songs. It was very nice of them to put Zack and Riley right next to each other. Made for east picture taking!

Window Washers

Lately whenever Josh goes on his cleaning sprees (give him a pot of coffee on a Saturday morning and watch him go...) The kids want to "help" Daddy. Window washing is something they beg to help with. Thank goodness for Windex wipes!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Today we wish my mom and dad a wonderful Anniversary. Crazy kids got married in December cuz my mom was a teacher. Brrrrrr! Have a great day Grandma Trish and Grandpa Tom. We love you bunches!

In honor of Grandma and Grandpa, here are two of they oldest grandkids singing in church this past weekend.

Note: Shoot...this was supposed to post tomorrow...Happy Early Anniversary I guess:)

Note: For historical purposes: Riley age 5 and Zack 5 and a half!

The Shelf Elf

Ok, so many people know of the Elf on a Shelf now, and we have had one for a few years. "Alf Riley" hides in many places in our house, normally on the kitchen level, but occasionally he wanders downstairs. Here are a few places he has hidden. I will post more when I get a minute to download. Our Elf is partial to places high up because he doesn't trust Rowan not to touch him yet. Because as you may know, if you touch him, he might loose his magic and would not be able to report back to Santa. My friend Jess's Elf has a ton of REALLY creative places including a zipline from their Christmas tree and getting into trouble in the kitchen. Maybe next year our Elf will be more "silly" about his hiding places.

Uncle Dude!

This is what happens when Uncle Dude babysits! (Uncle Dude is what the kids call Josh.)

Happy Birthday Adie-Bug!

Happy Birthday Adie-Bug! Can't believe you are 4 years old today. We love you bunches. Hope you have a year full of ladybugs and fairy dreams!

Doodle in Dress

Riley is teaching Rowan ballet these days. She insists that he dress the part.

Crafting with Shannon

My friend Shannon was over last Friday with her nanny kid, Morgan. We did a bunch of craft projects and had so much fun!

Daddy Story Time

Here's the visual...if you want the audio I posted on Facebook!

Breakfast With Santa at TG

 Furutre Eagles?

 Loves her craft projects!

 Um...go Eagles?

 Give me 5!

Saturday we took the kids to Breakfast with Santa at TG. The kids have already seen Santa a few times so this was more for the event than for seeing Santa...in fact Riley wouldn't tell this one what she wanted because she already told Santa and Rowan wouldn't even sit with Santa, but they had all kinds of activities and a bounce house and we got to see some old friends and teachers and the kids had a great time!

Can I just say the last pic if my fave of the day!

More from Macy's

 Rowan's girlfriend Livia:)

 Noah taking pictures with his mom's phone.

 The BEST part. Cookies!!!

 Birdy!

My personal favorite tree downtown is this one in City Center, although the one in IDS Crystal Court is beautiful too! For some reason, I didn't take a pic of that one.