Christmas sleepover

The girls and I had a sleepover at grandma's last night. We went to the little bean cafe playhouse in the afternoon then met papo at uncle Julio's (best mexican food) for an early birthday dinner for grandma. We came back and the girls and I opened our gifts. Annie insisted on taking a bath first!

This morning we met all the Schmidt's at the phoenix for breakfast with grandpa. It was nice to have us all together. Then uncle Brian , Kathryn, David, Aunt Anna, the girls and I went back to grandma's for a while to visit, take a walk and have lunch. It's been a great week seeing all of our family. But the girls are overtired and at the tail ends of their colds so we are ready for a good night sleep at home!


My aunt Anna and me


The girls in their Christmas pjs


Annie and Mia at the coffee playhouse





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas 2011

It was a sicky sick Christmas this year. Mia got sick with a bad cold virus last week then of course the next day (Christmas Eve) Annie got it. We almost just stayed home but decided to tylenol up Annie and head to Aunt Stacy's in Northbrook for the Christmas Eve party with the Castaneda side of the family. The girls had fun, Annie mostly just wanted me to hold her but she did play a bit and enjoyed a little opening of the gifts. We headed home early to head to our Candlelight service at church but Annie was just so tired, as was Mia, we just put them to bed after we put out cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer then dad and mom got ready for Santa's arrival! He came and delivered lots of fun toys and books for the girls. Annie did not sleep much that night, her and I ended up on the couch for a few hours of sleep so Christmas Day was just a PJ day at our house. We did make our traditional Christmas breakfast and just hung out at home. It was a quiet but nice Christmas.

Monday Aunt Anna and cousin Kathryn and David (from Connecticut) came to our house for a sleepover! It was so fun to see them and the girls had a blast with their cousins. We took them to the brewery for dinner and watched our wedding video for some family laughs. Then Tuesday morning we headed to the city to Aunt Marilyn's house for a pizza party lunch to celebrate our cousin Elisabeth's birthday. Mia had so much fun she did not want to leave!

Not many pictures to post as with the girls being sick, they weren't in the mood for photos. They did have cute matching Christmas morning pj's I will have to get a picture of them another time wearing them.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas party

Yesterday was Mia's class party and last day of school until next year. I read the class "the gingerbread girl" and we did a little gingerbread craft. Then we played a rudolf game, gave the teachers their gifts and had a special snack. Then mrs wexler led the kids in some songs and dance they have been working on. It was super cute and a fun morning!









Today the girls made gingerbread
men. Annie did a great job decorating it! The girls also enjoyed a train ride at the mall today. They did awesome waiting patiently while doing some last minute shopping.






- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wizard of Oz

So like I mentioned Mia has become so interested in Wizard of Oz after experiencing the exhibit at the museum. Aunt Gayle explained a lot of the movie to her and she also knows a few songs from the movie that Grandma has been singing to her. So we promised we'd let her watch the movie and ironically it was on TV Saturday night. Annie even stayed up late (watching a bit but mostly reading her books and sneaking popcorn!). Dad made the girls a little nest and Mia loved the movie. We talked about the movie a lot and explained a lot to her as she was asking us questions, as I was worried she'd get scared at some of the parts. She was mostly interested in the tornado and kept asking when it was going to happen. She really enjoyed it and keeps explaining the movie back to us.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Searcher mans

Mia and Annie have made up a game called "Searcher Mans". It was so cute that I just couldn't bring myself to correcting Mia's grammar (mans=men). They put on their plastic tubs and go around the house looking for things I need help finding. It is the cutest game ever and I love that they created it themselves.


Last week we had a little Christmas get together at our friend Clara's house. The girls loved seeing baby Miguel and visiting with my friend Mary too. It was tons of fun!!





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Candy land express!

Corey and I took the girls to the Hesston Railroad Museum in Indiana a few weekends ago. We rode on the Candy Land Express, enjoyed some hot cocoa and had fun watching the old steam engines blow their steam. The girls both love trains so it was a real treat for them.








- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Detroit trip

Thursday after Mia's dance recital we drove out to Detroit to visit the Caporales. We went to Papa's first and had a great dinner out and a sleepover. Friday Aunt Sue, Aunt Gayle, Papa, Corey and the girls and I went to the Henry Ford Museum. They had a great, hands-on Wizard of Oz exhibit. The kids loved seeing the trains, old cars, toys and all the fun hands on activities. We even heard a story in one of the old train cars. Mia was all about The Wizard of Oz and after learning about the characters really wanted to watch the movie. After the museum we went to Great Grandma and Grandpa's house for a nice visit and to wish Great Grandpa a happy 91st birthday! Later we went out for another nice dinner in Plymouth and despite two late nights, the girls did great! After dinner, we came back to Papa's and put the girls to bed. The Aunts left and Corey and I ended up going back out for a bit while Papa stayed back with the girls. Saturday after breakfast we headed home. It was a great weekend and the girls loved being with their family.



The car Kennedy was shot in.


Papa with Annie while she rides the Wicked Witch's bike.


Us by the big tree!


Dad and Annie by the scarecrow area.


Mia, Annie and Papa enjoying the giant model train layout.


Mia with her Great Grandparents.

Mia holding her portrait that Great Grandpa drew of her.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone