The End

Talk about time flying... here we are at the end of 2008. It doesn't seem possible.

We started the year awaiting the arrival of our sweet baby girl.

She came, at home, 12 days late on 29 March weighing 10 lbs, 8 oz. -- and shocked us all!

Now she's almost a toddler. This first year of her life has been wonderful. I worried how having two children would be... and it's been amazing and perfect and more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed.

We started the year with a countdown to Jake's 2nd birthday and now he's almost 3.

He's changed so much this year. He no longer has his 'baby look', which breaks my heart. He's learned and grown so much. It really is incredible to see how different he looks and acts. What a year it has been for him. We love that boy so much.

We spent our summer visiting family. In June we went to Nauvoo with John's parents and brothers, along with their families. We learned so much about the pioneers and their faith, and we learned about ours. It was so much fun spending time with everyone there. Of course the week went by far too quickly and now we wonder when we'll all be together again. In July we visited by brother and his family at their home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. And, again, the week went by too fast, but it was wonderful and fun and we had such a good time. And we wonder when we'll see them again as well.

We celebrated five years of marriage.

We learned new things about ourselves, our friends, and our families.... so good, some not so good. But all a part of who we are.

We mourned the death of our dear prophet Gordon B. Hinckley and welcomed with open arms and complete faith Thomas S. Monson as prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We witnessed events around the world, and here in the US, as they brought new trials and hope for our lives. Gas prices rose higher that we ever thought imaginable. A black man was elected President of the United States. We took part in protecting marriage with Proposition 8 and stood up for what we believe in.

We ended the year more in love with each other and our children.

With increased faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We've been healthy and happy and blessed.

It's been a fabulous year.

*****

New Years Eve was spent at the Reagan's home again, along with the Keil's and Wilde's. It was a lot of fun. The kids ran, the dad's played games, and the mom's chatted.

Jake & Kyle chased each other in circles... again.


Then they crashed into each other... and Georgie just watched them

Nine.

My baby girl is 9 months old today. For real. Time is just passing by so quickly. I must admit though, it feels like she's always been here, like there never really was life before Georgia. She is such a fun, happy little girl. Her little personality is adorable and she has a great sense of humor.

She's getting so big -- no one believes she's only 9 months old -- but to us she's seriously slimming down. She hasn't gained much weight since she was 4 months old, but she is getting taller and taller every passing day. She completely fits into 18 month clothes now, length and all. {She and Jake are such opposites in so many ways, he was a skinny minnie and fit into 18 month clothes well after his 2nd birthday!}

This has been a busy month with all the Christmas festivities, but she's been keeping us on our toes as well. On Christmas Eve she took her first solo step and we expect that any day she'll just take off after Jake.

We sure love our sweet baby Georgie Girl.

Today while she was napping Jake and I decided to make a little birthday countdown chain for him. For months now he's been saying, "it's my birthday next" and finally it is!! So we are going to be counting down the days until February 2nd, Jacob's 3rd birthday!

Delayed Christmas Gift

My Christmas gift from John arrived today.

I absolutely love it!

Merry Christmas

Well, the kids eventually went to sleep and Santa finally arrived. We climbed into bed close to 1:30am with all the gifts and stocking's prepared.

This morning both kids slept in, we thought we were going to have to wake them up when Gramma got here, but their little eyes peeped open at 7:30. As soon as Jake walked into the living room he spotted his "motorcycle" that Santa brought. He was very excited and wanted to check it out immediately and we let him. Georgie also spotted her very own Little People Nativity and just had to play with it too.

Once Gramma got here we began the gift exchange. There were lots of wonderful and thoughtful gifts for each of us. Jake loved opening everyone's gifts, especially Georgie's and then wanted to play with each thing. The opening gifts process took quite a while because of both kids desire to play with each toy instead of opening another. After a while Jake caught on that if he'd open another package it just might be another toy and that got him moving along.

Georgie loved her baby doll

She carried it around by it's arm {or leg} all morning

But I'm pretty sure this might have been her favorite gift of all. She sat there and played with it and tried to eat it for quite a while.

When all the gifts were open and the living room destroyed we moved to the kitchen to have breakfast. We made Oven Omelet the same Christmas morning breakfast John has had all his life. We also had cinnamon rolls and hash browns, it was all really tasty.

And then we opened stockings and played with all the toys some more.

Gramma & Jake played the "knock knock game" also known as Whack-a-Mole


Georgie watched and ate her butterfly

Eventually we got ready for the day and headed to Papa & Grandma Cheri's house. There we had a fabulous lasagna lunch and exchanged gifts with them. Jake loved his new race track and Georgie cannot stop playing with her 'table'. We had a really nice visit and Christmas afternoon with them.

Our final stop of the day was Gramma's for dinner and a gift exchange with Aunt Linda, Alan, Rox, Angel, & Damien as well as Lester.

Georgie loved her new 'bike' {as Jake calls it} from Aunt Linda

Jake loved helping Damien open his gifts and checking out what he got

It was pretty much a day of new toys in Georgie's mouth. Every time we'd turn around she had something in her mouth. Silly girl.

This picture also reminds me of a picture that my mom has of me when I was about this age on my first Christmas. My cousin Fred {Freddy at the time} thought he was so funny and put a giant bow on my head. And now here's Georgie in the same position. I'll have to see if I can find that picture.

At the end of the night Jake was caught sneaking the frosting off the Gingerbread Man dessert that he had helped Gramma decorate.

It's been a wonderful Christmas!

The Children Were Nestled All... what in their beds?

So, it's Christmas Eve. Santa hasn't stopped by yet. It could be because both kids are wide awake and it's 10:30. We started the whole going-to-bed process hours ago and here we are with them both awake. John actually just took Jake on a ride hoping that would do the trick. Georgie's been falling asleep in my arms and waking up screaming louder than I ever thought possible as soon as I lay her in her bed. It looks like Santa's going to have a late night here. But isn't that what Christmas is all about?! :) {that was said with mucho sarcasm}

We've actually had a really good day... until about 2 hours ago. I was able to get out the door early this morning and get a few last items on our list, including the piggy bank Jake wanted to get Georgia; we were able to visit G'Gma for awhile and she seemed to know we were there; we picked up our 'traditional' Christmas Eve dinner of El Pollo Loco with Gramma; and we had a nice quiet evening at home with just the four of us. John & Jake made sugar cookies, we read the story of Christ's birth from Luke and explained it to Jake & Georgie using the Little People Nativity set and then Jake told it to us while he put the stickers on his paper manger scene he got in Nursery on Sunday. And then we let the kids open their jammies and took pictures. It was a really great evening.

It went just as I hoped and planned... until it was time for bed.

Then... not so much.

Neither one wanted to be there and it's been a battle ever since. Maybe they're excited about Santa coming {although I think they're a little young at this point to get it}, maybe Jake's afraid of Santa coming, afterall it is a bit frightening that some fat guy in a red suit comes down your chimney in the middle of the night. I don't know what happened but it's not good.

John just walked in with Jake, wide awake, while I was holding Georgie again. It's time to get these kids to bed... so Santa can come and eventually get some sleep...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night...

{here's hoping that includes us!}

We Love to See the Temple

This evening we made our way to the Los Angeles Temple to see the lights. Every year the temple grounds are decorated with lights and it's absolutely beautiful. This year was no different. It was a peaceful evening seeing the lights and enjoying the spirit at the temple.

{I sure wish I had a nice camera that could take pictures without the flash...}

Afterward we headed into Westwood and had dinner at Jerry's Famous Deli and dessert at our favorite place, Diddy Riese.

It was a perfect evening... and both kids stayed awake until it was time to head home. It doesn't get any better than that! :) We're so glad we were finally able to make this trip, it's one we definitely wanted to make before Christmas.

Georgie's 1st Christmas Dress

When I was a little girl my mom made most of my clothes. She was {and still is} really a talented seamstress and for special occasions she would make me special dresses. Even in junior high and high school she would make my formal dresses... and they were much better than most of my friends dresses that were store bought.

She actually saved my first Christmas dress in the hopes that some day I would have a little girl who would wear it as well.

Well, I have that little girl now, but she's a lot bigger than I was at her age and so the dress doesn't fit.

My mom doesn't sew as often as she used to and so I went in search of the perfect Christmas dress to buy Georgie. I looked and looked and found nothing I liked, especially for my baby girls first Christmas dress. I wanted something really special and girly and Christmas-y. I finally found one I really liked but it was $148 and there was no way she would be getting that dress... and so I asked my mom if she could make it instead.

And she did.
And it was perfect.
And she was beautifully Christmas-y in it.

Thank you Gramma.

We loved it.

It was perfect.

The Tale of the Tree

The obtaining of our Christmas tree was a two week process, unintentionally of course. Our original plan was to get our tree on Saturday, December 6th, but since both kids ended up sick that didn't happen. Then life just got really busy, the kids were still not feeling 100%, our Saturday's were jam-packed with fun & excitement, which continued to delay the getting of the tree. John and I were both a little disappointed that as of December 15th we still didn't have a Christmas tree, but what could we do... there just hadn't been time.

{Yeah, we know we could've gone to the store and purchased a fake tree - and we know they're much better than they were when we were kids... and someday we might - but right now we both feel strongly about our kids experiencing the process of going to pick out a Christmas tree as a family. Ideally it would be in the forest, but since we live where we do a Christmas tree lot is sufficient.}

On the night of December 18th the stars aligned: the kids were somewhat healthy and John was home before bedtime and so we ventured out to find our tree. After checking a few different lots we arrived at The Home Depot and by that time both kids were sound asleep in the car. {dang it!} John got out to check out the trees, just to see what they had, and I stayed in the car with the kids. He found some great trees, but they were too tall to transport on the roof of the Honda and since both kids were asleep we decided we'd have to give it a try another day.

Finally on Saturday, December 20th we were able to get our tree!

Georgie was all bundled up for the adventure. She really didn't seem all that excited... but she is only 8 months old. Maybe next year.

Jake was thrilled to be in the 'forest' and found lots of trees he liked, and a few he didn't. He loved running from row to row asking, "how about this one?"

We eventually made our choice, had it wrapped, paid way too much money, and asked the salesman to place it in the back of John's work car. {We would've rather had it on the roof, but since it is the work car it cannot be scratched and we didn't want to tempt it.}

Too bad on Saturday all we had time to do was bring the tree home and place it in the garage. We had a party to get ready for so we weren't able to get in the stand, bring it in the house or decorate it. It would have to wait. BUT, Jake loved having a Christmas tree in his garage!

Finally... on Sunday after church we re-arranged the living room and brought the tree in. It was a lot of fun going through all our ornaments and remembering the vacations we've taken this past year, as well as throughout our marriage. {We try to buy an ornament on every trip} I love going down memory lane and there were several ornaments and trips I had completely forgotten about.

We also let the kids open their special ornaments for this year. Jake got a "big brother" fireman and Georgie got her "Babies First Christmas" from Papa & Grandma M. They both were a big hit. Georgia just wanted to suck on hers and Jake showed me his over and over again.

Now, we are ready for Christmas...

Little Tease...

We had a rough night. At 3:30am Jake was still wide awake whining. We weren't sure if he was whining because he was tired {I know we were!} or if he didn't feel well.

Around 9:15am I needed to go to a baby shower for Eden I was co-hosting, thankfully, John was home to stay with the kids.

The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. Jake was mellow for the most part.

A little while ago he sat on the couch and started crying that his ear hurts. I worked my *Momma magic* and he fell sound asleep.

Now if I could just get Georgie to leave him alone! She is obsessed with pulling his blankets and socks. The little tease.

Here's hoping this doesn't turn into a full-fledged ear infection and we get a better nights sleep...

What Are the Odds?

Today I received a 'friend request' from Kelsi Doolittle on facebook. I'm not kidding. It was the strangest thing to see myself requesting to be my friend. Turns out Kelsi Doolittle is a college freshman from Long Island. Never thought I'd run into another Kelsi Doolittle, especially with the name spelled right, but there she was requesting to be my facebook friend.

What are the odds?

I know it happens, in fact my friend Elizabeth is the 'younger Elizabeth Jones' in her ward, but that's a fairly common name.

Anyone else ever ran into someone with the exact same name as you?

and... here's the tag i've gotten several times over the past few weeks... the 4th picture in my 4th folder:

Four Generations:
Great Grandma Buhler, Grandma Judith {John's mom}, Gretchen {Scott's wife}, and Abigail
taken in 2006

Schlicher Family Christmas

Schlicher Family Christmas is such a special day of the year. I look forward to it all year long and I know I'm not the only one. It's a day we get together as a family to spend time, catch up on each others lives, and reminisce. It's important and special and magical and rare. And I love it. This year was extra special because my Grandma was able to be there and meet my sweet Georgie girl.

All of my life I have attended Schlicher Family Christmas on a Saturday in December and it's something I have always loved. My great grandparents started it before I was born as a way to get their children and grandchildren together for Christmas and the tradition continues. They've been gone for several years now, and the family continues to grow, but we all know how important it was to Grandma Great that we get together each year. We are now on the great, great, great grandchildren generation, the 'children' {my grandma, her sister and brothers} are not as young as they used to be and I often fear that Family Christmas will disappear.

This year was a rough one for Uncle Don and Aunt Merial medically, in fact Aunt Merial wasn't able to be there today due to a stroke she suffered on Thursday. I know that was so difficult for her to not be there, especially since it is at her home in North Hollywood. Other's in our family have also had their own experiences that have made this a difficult year. But there's also been many wonderful events that have blessed this family in 2008. Through good times and bad this family comes together to celebrate the Christmas season. We've been through a lot together and rely one another.

Most people I know, including my John, don't know who their second or third cousins are -- let alone know them personally, but I have been blessed to be surrounded by them my entire life. When I introduce one of them I always refer to them as my cousin. We've been raised together and love each other. We know each other and interact at least once a year. Schlicher Family Christmas might have a lot of people there, but it is an intimate affair. Everyone chats with everyone. Like I said, it's important and special and magical and rare. It's something I look forward to and never want to end... especially for my Jake & Georgie's sake...

family pictures were taken by the fireplace, like they have for the last 30+ years...

Santa arrived with a gift for each child, just like he always has.

And amazingly enough, neither of my kids cried. Jake hopped right up when his name was called and sat on his lap. And when Georgie's name was called I sat her there on his knee and she just stared at him, checking him out. I love that Santa still comes, although I do miss the singing of Christmas caroles that always brought him when I was a kid.