HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE

Dec. 31, 2009 ~ Cade wanted to get a bottle of sparkling cider
so we could toast the New Year. He couldn't wait until midnight
so we opened it early.

Cade pours a glass for all of us.

Cheers!!

Here's to 2009, for all it was. The good, the bad and all the

in between. And here's to 2010, may it be full of health,

happiness and prosperity for all of us! Happy New Year

to all of our family and friends!

Garrett's Surprise Party

Wed. Dec. 30th, '09 ~ SURPRISE Garrett!!
Bernie and I planned a surprise birthday party for Garrett
today. It took both of us colaborating to pull it off. I sent out
invites last week and hoped noone would slip and tell Garrett.
This morning, while Garrett was at basketball practice, Tyler
and I headed to North Platte to get things for his party at the
North Platte Rec Center. On the way there, we met Garrett
on the road coming home from practice, dang...we waved as we
went by and it wasnt long when my cell phone was ringing and
Garrett wanted to know where we were going....so............I lied!
I told Garrett I was dropping Tyler off at a friends and going to
my sister Jenny's to visit with my neice who was home for Xmas.
He totally bought my story! Bernie had to do chores this morning
at work but got home about the same time that Garrett got home
from practice. Bernie then told Garrett he wanted to run to NP to
get some stuff from Menards. Garrett did NOT want to go to Menards!
But, Bernie got him to go. Once in NP, they drove over to the Rec Center.
Tyler and I were waiting when they pulled in.

The look on Garrett's face when they pulled into the parking
lot and he spotted Tyler and I waving from the door was
priceless!! He looked shocked and confused...then he just
had a big smile on his face!

Once inside, Garrett saw all of the 'party stuff' and asked
what was going on. He was sooo surprised! He couldn't
believe we pulled off surprising him!!

It was so funny to trick Garrett! He said I was a good liar! :)
We couldn't let his 16th birthday go without a celebration tho.

Guests start to arrive. Kyle, Carli, Kailen and Jordan were
the first to arrive. We had pizza and cupcakes.


Time to sing and blow out the candles!

Garrett's friend made him sit in the 'birthday chair'.
Jordan, Justin, Carli, Riley, Alecia, Kailen, Kyle and cousin Dani.

Classmate and friend Wade made it later.

The guys' had fun playing tennis on the Wii.

Cousin Dani and friend Alecia play ping pong.

The guys' changed their clothes and it was time for some
basketball. Even Bernie got in on the action!

The guys' had lots of fun playing basketball. They had quite
a game going. They played for several hours. Some got in the
pool too. Everyone had a great time and we were so
glad for everyone that came and helped Garrett celebrate his
big day! Garrett said his party was great and he was SO surprised!
We're glad he had a great day. Happy 16th Garrett!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT

Wed. December 30th, 2009 ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARRETT!!
16.........WOW, how did that happen?! I remember the day you
were born like it was yesterday! Was it really 16 years ago??
We got you up early by all of us singing 'happy birthday' to you
then we had breakfast and you opened gifts. Did I mention it was
early? You said it was too early to smile... We're very proud of you
and hope you have an awesome birthday today! Enjoy being 16!

You were such a sweet and gentle child, and what a COWBOY!
It has been a pleasure watching you grow up into such a fine
young man. I think you've given me some gray hairs....but,
thats all part of growing up. And you are doing just that...
and way too fast! We love you Garrett!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Okay, I thought I was doing good putting these
in order til I finished and realized I forgot these.
This is Garrett with his stash of gifts.

He loves his new mad bomber hat!

December 25th, 2009 ~ Christmas morning! The boys' woke
us up a little after 6am. They were wound up and ready to
open gifts. As tradition, stockings first!

Tyler was being silly all morning!

The tree has lots of presents under it!

The boys' pass out all of the gifts.

Garrett's 'pile' wasn't as big as the others.....i guess it's the down
fall when you're older and the things you want cost more! :)

Tyler with his pile of presents.

Wow, Bernie must have been good this year!

My sisters' and I weren't able to get together this year so
I had 'extra' things to open this morning. I got lots of really
nice things! Clothes, candles, scrapbook supplies, a wall saying,
canister set, a new wallet, a bracelet, a new bowling ball and
lots of other neat things, including a brand new camera that
I've been wanting and needing!! Thank you honey!! :)

Cade with his presents. He was ready to dig in!

When it was all over with this is what Cade got.

Tyler got lots of hunting things, including the deer license
he's been wanting!

THE AFTERMATH!!!!

Cade got busy right away putting together his new farm lego set.

For those of you on the Schimonitz side,
you'll recognize our breakfast....dough jenny's!
Bernie did try building a fire outside but we are
having blizzard conditions so not good for a fire!
I made sausage and bacon too. Yum.

It's hard to tell in this picture but the wind is blowing terribly.
Not a good day to be out and about so we are staying in today.
We have several new movies to watch and enough food to feed
an army! I have a big pot of homemade vegetable beef soup on
the stove and made a turkey to slice for sandwiches. We have
all sorts of cheese and salami and crackers and cookies and candies
so we're set for a few days!
We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Thank you to
all who gave us gifts!! We hope you all have a great day and stay
safe and warm.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Christmas Eve ~ before church. Cade is going through the
"i'm not going to smile" stage! grr.

Lisa, Dave, Joe, Brooke & Mason stopped by before church.

Lisa and I at the Farm. Hey, we didnt match this year!
Usually every year, without trying, we're dressed in the
same colors!

Garrett and Cousin Dani.

Tyler and Cousin Joe.

This is all of the grandchildren on the Schimonitz side.
Remington, Mason, Brooke, Cade, Tyler, Joe, Dani & Garrett.

Joe, Dani and Garrett.

We had a nice Christmas Eve. It was different this year
with Bernie's Dad being gone. We froze in church, literally!
The heater broke and everyone was huddled in the pews
bundled up in their coats and you could even see our breath!
It was ridiculous! Luckily Father kept it short and sweet!
Afterwards we went to the Farm for supper and visiting and
the kids opened gifts from Grandma Grace and Santa.
The boys' are bound and determined to stay up all night to
catch a glimpse of 'Santa'................. :{
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JENNY

Wednesday Dec. 23, 2009 ~ Happy Birthday Sister Jen!!
She's the Big.....Ooooo, I won't tell! :)
Her kids pulled off a surprise birthday party on Sunday
for her that was a lot of fun. She enjoyed her day with family
and friends.

Jen's oldest son, Jared and wife Missy.


Neice Tracy, Taya and Ethan stopped by to
wish her a happy birthday! Isn't my God-
daughter beautiful!?

Jen's youngest daughter Katie, husband Shane
and adorable daughter Emma!

Jen's oldest daughter Britni and her ( HOT )
husband Brad! Ha Ha, sorry Brad, had to do
it! :) Little joke for those of you who aren't
in the family.

It was quite a party! It wore out little Miss
Abby, Jared and Missy's youngest daughter.

Lots of good food, family and friends. A great
way to celebrate a birthday!
Hope your day is just as good today Jen. Enjoy!
Love ya sis!