Christmas at Nana and Paw's 2006

Auntie Dee came by on Christmas Eve
and brought little gingerbread reindeer kits
for the little ones to make.
Isaac and Nana had a ball rolling out the sweet dough!

Here's, Paw, the Head of the Table or is he in time-out?

Here's Ashley and Shelby and their IPods.
If you look closely, you can see Tom and Lisa stealing a smooch
in the background. OooohhHHH! Smoochy, smoohy!

This year we started a new family tradition called
The Sharing Show where everybody reads or plays or
shares something special with the family.
Phillip, our trumpet player did an excellent job!

Here's Eli getting back to his roots picking out
Jingle Bells and Jolly Old St. Nicholas on his
hammer dulcimer!

The Smiley Accordion Player...

Shelby and Kristen shared a special reading
about the origins of Silent Night.

There were bell ringers too and Nana and
Paw made special Christmas Carole Books
for Everyone. Lisa won the best in show
with her slide show presentation of
family pictures set to special music. It was wonderful fun
and something we plan to do every year!

Paw and his player...

Loungin' Around in Polar Bear PJ's...

Why look, it's little Sophie Schantz, Isaac's twin.
Isn't her little pig-tail on the top of her curly head
so very cute! You sure couldn't tell her and Isaac
apart without that pig-tail!

Little Sophie and her hairdresser cousin Ashley.

You better watch out for these two number twos!

Santa says cheese!

Eli and the bigger kids were mere flashes in the
background for most of the day. It was quite peaceful
with them all glued to Eli's Wii and Phillip's PSP or listening
to their MP3 players all day. Here's a final shot
of A Santa Schantz after everyone finally packed it in
and went home. He crashed on the couch with the Santy Hat on.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning at Home 2006

Ooooh...Santa Baby...OXOXOXXO!

Eli figured out Santa last year and so...
this year he was promoted to
Santa Bubby and after his stuff was under
the tree, he came down to help finish
putting together his brother's stuff!
He's a magic maker!

Who knew that Santa and his Elf were so
ridiculously cute!

Under our tree...

Well...Eli made it until Isaac woke up and here
they are getting ready to open up what Santa left
to celebrate Jesus' birthday!

Eli got his new game system the Wii!
He was estatic!

Stockings were full...

Matt LOVED his present! It was Flight Simulator 2006!

Jeri was SO surprised with her present! Wow!
It was a flash for her camera...

Christmas in Ohio 2006

Caleigh's pull along snake turns out to be
super yummy too!

Isaac helping Grandpa open his presents. Isaac helped
EVERYONE open their presents this year...

Uncle Daniel and Aunt Lori.
Eli and Isaac will tell you that they are also
known as the tickle monsters! They're also
Baby Caleigh's mom and daddy.

Isaac opening his shape sorter school bus!

Eli opening Miss Gwen's present.
Every year she gets the boys a special book.
She buys the most special books ever!
We had a Merry Christmas in Ohio but we sure
missed Miss Gwen who was working at getting all better
at Bethany Village nearby. We got to go visit her
in her room and take her presents to her.
We pray she gets all better very soon!

Christmas Time's A Comin'

Here's the boys' creche that sits near the tree
for them to play with. Isaac especially enjoys
it calling the shepherd, "farmer" and Mary, "girl".
He gets the animals right and knows, "wise man".
Joseph is "daddy" and you should hear him say,
"Babee Jeesus".

Speaking of Baby Jesus, above is the wee bit
of painted wood that symbolizes The Great Gift of Christmas
to all mankind. I keep wondering if it's sac religious to giggle
every time I have to go digging through the trash to find
him. Isaac likes to SWIPE Baby Jesus and hide him
in peculiar places. Our fear, each time we go on
a Baby Jesus hunt is that Isaac has hidden him in the trash!

Eli made the beautiful angel for the top of our tree this year.
Isn't she great!

One of our new ornaments and our fondest Christmas Wish for you!

Christmas Time at our house means that there's
gonna be some candy making!
Here's my fellas with their respective spatulas
covered with fudge!

Cheesy Fudge Faces!
Christmas Time's A Comin'!

Isaac's 2nd Birthday!

Let's see...hmmmn...what does a feller need
for a fun 2nd birthday party?

Well, you need a party theme like
Elmo and Friends.

Lots of pretty balloons...

A Party Hat and a nana (to show you how to hold
up TWO fingers)...

A nummy birthday cake with candles (ours was
a cookie monster cake courtesy of Nana. It had
REAL cookie crumbles on it!)...

Someone that loves you to help you EAT CAKE!

Party Horns that you can try and...

try and try...

to blow...Yea Isaac!

Presents to open.

Safety Goggles are a must when you're working with tools.

An Elmo Tool Belt!

And someone who loves you to put together

all of your new toys!

Letters To Santa...

Eli's School Christmas Play 2006
"Letters To Santa"

December is in full swing with all sorts of special
events, plays, and festivities.
Here's a couple of pictures of
our favorite so far this season...

Santa's Job is a Snap!

Eli had a speaking part...
He did a great job of speaking properly
(i.e. loudly, slowly, and with feeling!).
His line, "But this time its different,
we know what to do. We've made up our minds,
and we've thought it all through."

It was a jazzy little play with some choreography even!
Other songs included, "Zoot Suit Santa and North Pole, North Pole."
The Grand Finale had them all kicking Rockette Style to a song
with the tune of "New York, New York."
--Stinkin' Cute!

Holiday Spirit was everywhere!

Angel Breakfast 2006

I'm not sure HOW Isaac got his halo
but from this picture it doesn't look
exactly certain that he'll be keeping it!

Here my precious tots are WALLERING
all over the poor angel!