Snow Fun

Snow Fun Saturday!

Mati tromping through the snow.

Doug used the bucket on the tractor to pile snow on one set of deck stairs. Its our own Schafer Sledding hill!

My turn!

Everybody Cra-a-a-zy Shake

Mati adores "Team Umizoomi" which is a math-related children's show. I have to admit I like it too. I know this to be true because I find myself repeating lines from the show in the middle of the day, "Pattern Power!" Well, every episode ends with the robot "Bot" saying "I feel a celebration coming on!" Then a song breaks out which makes Mati super excited. You can see for yourself how excited in the following video.

Love Me Tender

This is a super sweet daddy-daughter moment caught on camera. We have a book called "Love Me Tender." It is the lyrics to the Elvis Presley song put to pictures of a father and daughter. Mati loves it, and tries to sing along (getting the last note or two of a few lines.)

Twinkle Twinkle Part 2

Mati performed Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with guitar.

Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas with lots of family time.
The festivities began in Pewamo on Christmas Eve.
Here's Mati with a few of her cousins on the Schafer side.

The next celebration was our house Christmas morning. Santa brought Mati a sled and a hopping ball. Mati loaded her ball and her nativity set into the sled to give them a ride.

Mati also got the Tag Jr. reading system. She's trying out the Dora book with Doug.

Opening a present.

Trying out the pizza set with Doug.

Literally trying out the pizza set. She has since learned that it is wooden and not tasty.

Family photo.

Putting the reindeer in the sleigh with Grandma Christmas morning.

Our tree on Christmas Eve right after Santa came.

Santa's Cabin

We made our annual trip for the train ride to Santa's cabin. It was the snowiest day we've had so far this season, the roads were treacherous at times but the visit to the cabin is always magical.

Here's Santa's cabin at the North Pole.

Definitely a very snowy, but very fun day.

Mati riding a tractor before the train ride.

Mati is trying desperately to check-out Doug's coat zipper hoping Santa will not notice her. She was a little nervous around him this year.

Much happier to be in his sleigh parked outside the cabin.

Thrilled to ride the giant reindeer in the gift shop.

Swinging with Morgan after the santa visit.

Mati's Band

We had Christmas music playing Sunday and Mati decided that required a family band. It must be important for us to be cross-trained on instruments because she kept switching our jobs. We each took our turns on xylophone, harmonica, and lead singing with the microphone. Doug was very busy working on the laptop but Mati would not let him off the hook, she ran back and forth between us to be sure we were both playing in the band.

Mati took over the lead singing duties during Winter Wonderland. She doesn't know the words but she mumbled and danced her way through...