First Date!

C went to a daddy daughter dance over the weekend with Brett and a group of our friends and we are so glad they had the opportunity! Apparently the whole night was awesome - Brett said C was dancing on the dance floor, front and center in front of the DJ, the entire time. With her own moves even! He was so proud of her and said she was completely in her element - confident and uninhibited. I so wish I could have seen her! But I am so thankful for the special night they had. She was so energized when she got home and Brett was pumped about the night as well. Sweet memories!

Fun in the Snow

We had a blast playing in the snow over the weekend. It was the most snowfall we've gotten this winter and the girls enjoyed being out in it. And of course coming in to have hot chocolate, too!

Mini Flyerettes

C did a one time dance clinic with the high school dance team in our district and then all the participants danced with the dance team at halftime of a high school basketball game. She loved the music, the dancing...pretty much everything about it. Lots of friends from school, church and the neighborhood participated and one of our high school babysitters and her family came to watch, too (along with grandparents of course). Here is C with one of her friends from school. What fun!

Snow Days

 

One of our many snow days (we were off for a whole week due to snow or cold temps or both) included Brett coming home a little early from work. And once again he came up with the most fun ideas for the girls. Forts!

Daily Gig

This photo was definitely taken before the start of the bitter cold spell we have been stuck in for the last two weeks began. (Notice the nice sunlight and no winter coats. Ahh. To have a day like that again!) But anyway, I'm sharing this picture because the front passenger seat is the new novelty in our morning and afternoon car rides to the bus stop each day. And after walking C to get on the bus one morning, I came back to E and S who were so proud of themselves for buckling themselves in to the seat...together. Cute.

Skating Party

We all laced up our skates for a special family skate night just for Corinne's school -- first time ever for the girls. Corinne had a blast and embraced the evening -- wobbly but determined! We were proud of her. Soph started off with a bang and lots of can-do attitude as well.  But things went downhill for her after she spotted some toys/prizes in the game section that she wanted and decided she wasn't into the skating afterall. Ellen skated for a bit at the beginning but was the most timid and least impressed by this new pastime. All in all it was a pretty positive night for all of us and Corinne skated right up to the last song, red cheeks and all. Did I mention she loved the loud music and special lights? If she could have danced AND skated she would have. But staying on her feet kept her pretty busy. Surprisingly Brett and I even snuck in two laps by ourselves, much to the girls displeasure! We are thinking about going back again. And looking for some in-line skates (plus knee pads!) for the Schatz fam.

SEVEN!

Corinne had 5 special friends over for her 7th birthday to make glass bead bracelets, decorate cupcakes, and eat dinner. She and I had gone to a special bead shop last week to pick out the beads and charms together. And C's friends were such sweet, delightful girls. Corinne was an awesome hostess and friend and the party was a big success! My sisters were a terrific help and it was really fun to have them here to be a part of her birthday celebration. I know she'll always remember it - what great memories. And seven years old? Crazy. C is growing up into a beautiful girl, inside and out. We are so thankful for her every day!

Girls' Outing

We took a trip to the nail salon on Corinne's birthday and we all got manicures! It was a lot of fun for all of us. Three big girls (my sisters and I) and the three younger girls (C and her sisters). Fancy!

Christmas

We really enjoyed celebrating Christmas with our families this year. Both of my sisters came to town for a week which was extra special, and we were able to see Brett's side as well. Unfortunately we also battled sickness spanning the entire holiday break - beginning even before Corinne got out of school for break - and it's still going. It has just morphed into different sicknesses. But nonetheless, we all made the best of it, even Aunt L and Aunt M who each went home feeling under the weather. There's just nothing better than celebrating with the people in your life that you care most about and we were still blessed to do that, sickness or no sickness. I am so thankful that my sisters make the trip here to be with us. And I'm also thankful for the family we have in town. We are so blessed!

Birthday

Thankfully Corinne was over the stomach bug by my birthday, though she missed her last day of school before break. (So thankful her program and party were on the 2nd to last day before break!) We went out for dinner in our old neighborhood and of course for ice cream as well. Loved our family day on my birthday! Love these people.