Spring Cleaning, I mean Catch-up

Yes - I have been horrible about  blogging.  We have been enjoying all the amazing weather and been spending about every moment outside when possible.  So, I am playing catch-up and here it goes.  Teagan danced at Poms Night in February.

 Tate also did a little dancing of his own at preschool prom.  I may have posted this already, but if I did the pics are cute enough to look at twice ;)

 And then Easter weekend...

 A quick visit with the bunny.

 Egg decorating and more Easter fun at Grandpa and Grandma Schaefer's.

 After sunrise (yep 6:30 am people!) we headed out to my parent's and had beautiful weather for a family breakfast...

 and Easter egg hunting.

We had a blast seeing everyone and enjoying today together as a family.  We are truly blessed!!

Being Social

The Schaefer clan has been busy hopping here and there this month.  Between birthday parties, school outings, and sporting events we seem to be on the go (and the sight of my laundry room proves it!)  But we wouldn't change a minute of it.  And it beats doing laundry :)

Teagan on her way to a tea party.  Accessories courtesy of Great Grandma Von Ahsen.

 Teddy Bear Picnic at preschool.  Tate did an awesome job as Papa Bear and we all had a blast with friends!  Just in this picture you can see either a parent or child of someone that we attend school with.  And thats only about half of them.  It is going to be quite the group :)

 Poms Night for Teagan.  She loves performing and getting to hangout with the high school girls.  She was  rock star!!

 Mr. Man all dressed up for preschool prom!  He had a blast dancing and showing off all his moves :)

 The Mommy/Son dance.  Don't let the "cheese" smile fool you - he was all about dancing with Momma!

Tearing up the dance floor with Ms. Tammy and some of his pals.  It will be so much fun to watch them all grow up together!

We have also been attending some high school sporting events to cheer on 2 of our favorite people.

Corbin (on the left) has been making some babysitting appearances at our house and is a total hit!  Hemade it to the state wrestling meet and finished 4th!!  The kids were so proud that they knew him and he is a great role model for them!!  Way to go Corbin!!

And Lindsay - she is awesome with the kids and we have enjoyed watching her and the Lady Raiders this basketball season.  She is a great role model for Teagan and we are cheering for another victory tomorrow night.  We have really enjoyed getting to know her family as well AND she has a sister who is prime babysitting age for my kids - bonus!!

We are very blessed to have had great role models for our kids in terms of babysitters and other high school aged kids that we know.  It can be scary to hear about the negtive things going on with teenagers, but there are some really great kids out there!  If you have a chance, head out to different events they are in with your kids.  It is a great feeling knowing that your son/daughter has someone to look up to.

Have a great week everyone!!

Why wouldn't I...

start a new project, on the second to last day of January, on my deck, in only a t-shirt?

I mean, who wouldn't?  This weather is fabulous and I decided to take advantage and kick start a spray painting project on my list.

 I bought 6 of these for $1 each in the Target Dollar Bins (one of my happy places!)

 I found this lovely discounted ALOT at Lowes a couple weeks ago.

 Some extra brown spray paint I had lying around and good ol' masking tape to cover the hardware.

 This will hopefully turn into a project I found at http://brownpaperpackages/.  I want to use it in my parents' new house to display pictures of the grandkids.  And for those of you who are counting - yes there are only 5 kids now and NO I am not pregnant!! Just trying to plan ahead (you know, just in case) ;)

I think I have decided to start a new segment on my blog labeled "Bargain Brags".  I get so stinking excited about getting good deals, so in order to share my enthusiasm I thought I would force you all to look at them also :)

 So here are my first purchases - again, for my parents house.  I am planning a black entry table and want to accent with silver and yellow.  The plate I found for $2 and the pitcher for $3 at TJMAXX.  I am quickly becoming a Maxonista.

 I found this guy for a little under $6 at Target.  I have a cousin who is having a little boy in the spring, so I thought we could fill it with baby goodies and other items from the registry.  I mean, really, I got a suitcase for about $2 more than a bag and tissue paper!  Whats not to love?

And some birthday gifts for an upcoming party Tate is attending.  The tent was $5 and then game a little under $6, both from Target.  The kids have been going to a lot of birthdays and having a blast!!  I like to give the kids as much as possible without breaking the bank.  And thanks to Target clearnace we are going to look like rockstars!!!

I will be sharing some pics from those parties and other gatherings soon.  As soon as I get one computer to do everything I need it to for my blog.  So frustrating, but it could be worse.  Enjoy this weather everyone!!

Ms. Olivia is here!!

 OLIVIA MAE

 It finally happened.  There is another girl in the Von Ahsen family and we can't be more excited!!!  Olivia Mae Von Ahsen made her scheduled arrival on New Year's Eve day and did it in style - just a little over 9 lbs. 

I am already finding myself browsing through baby girl clothes and everything girly.  Having nieces is so much fun.  Don't get me wrong - I love my nephews to death, but nieces just have a special place in an aunt's heart.

Tate loved on her for a couple minutes and was all about little kisses for her.  After a bit though he was ready to play with the boy cousins.  I have no doubt that Olivia will give all of them a run for their money!

And of course Teagan cannot get enough of her.  She has been waiting for a girl on this side of the family forever.  She was the only girl with 3 boys at my parents and the only girl of 10 great-grandchildren on the Trimpe side.  She was due for a playmate and I am sure she will show Olivia how to live life as a girly-girl!

Jackson is a very proud big brother and proctective of her.  Cole actaully came around from some early denials that there was no baby in mommy's tummy :)  We are all so excited to welcome her to the world and came wait to share all of her moments!!

Couldn't leave this one out.  This pretty much sums up what life is like with these guys.  Never a dull moment.  Have a great week everyone!

Christmas - Part 2

We got the kids matching pjs this year.  They were super excited and of course these 2 had to ham it up for pictures.

Teagan and Kate got a lot of matching stuff, but neither of them minded a bit.  Here they are with their new fleeces from Grandma and their dolls with new outfits from Aunt Lindsay (and Uncle Shane, too)

Teagan made out like a fashion bandit this year.  She ended up with 3 new pairs of boots, 2 pairs of jeans, and I can't count how many shirts and sweaters.  She loved them all and has been wearing variations of every single piece since then.

Tater and one of his new toys.  The kid loves numbers, but doesn't show a ton of interest in letters or writing his name.  We are hoping this "texting" phone with help him 

And of course we were all so excited to see Aunt Jill!!  We haven't seen her in person since June.  We are glad to have her back in the "states" - until her next adventure!!

All the kiddos.  I was told Lindsay got a good shot, so I decided this one was good for my file.  Christmas was spread out for us this year, which was awesome!  We all got to enjoy the people we were with and not worry about our next stop.  We are definitely enjoying a little down time right now, but in my next post I will share our newest edition to the Von Ahsen family.  I plan on spending a little cuddling time with her :)

Christmas 2011 - Part 1

 Christmas has come and gone for the Schaefers, but we had an amazing time with our friends and family!

 We started the festivities with a friend gathering with all the kiddos.  Here they are singing us some of our favorite holiday tunes.  They are quite the bunch, but it is crazy how fast they are all growing and can't wait to see what kind of bonds they form together.  If they are anything like their parents it could get interesting :)

Christmas Eve brought the children's service at church and then off to my parents.  Here are the crazies all dressed up and ready to go.

 The program at church.  Its always a packed house and this year was no different.  Tate isn't quite old enough to participate yet which is not a bad thing.  I don't know how ready he is for public performances yet.

 The Von Ahsen clan.  This is as good as it gets in terms of pictures :)  Everybody but the little boys - imagine that!!!

 Teagan made out like a rock star this year.  Just look at her outfit - new shirt, tall black boots, and feather earrings.  All put together with her snowman pj pants - stylin!!!

 Tate was all about Transformers and Power Rangers this year.  Here he is with "Arcee" that he got from Santa.  And you can see his new 2 wheel scooter in the background.  He was all talk before he tried to ride it, but has discovered it is a little tougher than he thought.  Luckily its been nice enough that both kids have been able to ride around outside.

 A new basketball hoop from Dad!  This will definately wait til spring to go up.  But Teagan is already working on her form!

 Can't have a Von Ahsen gatering without Aunt Beth!!  So excited that she lives close and gets to attend our stuff.  And she brought Boyfriend Nick, too - he is a hit with the kids and us as well.

 We moved my Dad's side to Conroy Hall for Christmas since we got just a bit too big for her house.  Thats an understatement.  This works really well for running room, a park across the street, and plenty of table room for BUNCO and Sheepshead.

The greats!  Great-grandma and the kiddos.  Cole wasn't a huge fan of pictures this year so he didn't make it in this one, but was there in spirit :)

Thats installment #1 of our Christmas happenings.  Next up - the Schaefer side of things.  Oh AND a new baby gets added to the mix :)