We decided to not send a letter with our Christmas card this year, but instead update our blog with a recap of our year. As always we have been busy as ever! Jeremy is in the process of completing his 3rd and final (YAY!) year of residency, which means we will once again be moving at the end of June. We will not find out for where we will be going until the end of March, but we are excited to start a new adventure!
Between working at the hospital and still being the Elder's Quorum President for church, Jeremy has kept himself plenty busy by volunteering again this year as the Team Doctor for a local high school football team. He has also been trying to finish up his medical research project and is now in the process of getting it published in one of the journals. As if that wasn't enough, he has still been able to find time to aid those in neighboring states who were affected by hurricanes, be involved with Tayscen's sports teams, and all the while keep his optimistic and infectious smile about him.
Meghan's day usually revolves around whatever activities the kids have going on. After dropping the kids off at school, she can usually be found at the park where she works out with other moms for an hour and then lets the kids play afterwards. She has started running long distances this year and has the hope of completing her first half marathon in the near future. She is now serving in the Young Women's Presidency at church and loves being able to interact with the youth. She also enjoys volunteering at Braylei and Tayscen's schools and finding new recipes to try.
Braylei is in second grade this year and is involved in just about everything. She is still doing gymnastics, choir, and is now a Brownie in Girl Scouts. She has started taking piano lessons at school as well as a new ballet class from a conservatory here in town. She has been practicing 2-3 times a week for the last few months, preparing for her first ever performance in The Nutcracker! She is a butterfly and absolutely loving the experience. She is enjoying school and has had many wonderful learning opportunities this year. At home, she is another "mom" around the house and can often be found drawing, reading, or helping her siblings.
Tayscen started kindergarten this year and loves helping his teacher in any way that he can. He has started reading chapter books, The Magic Tree House series being his favorite, but of course he is most excited about playing outside at recess. At home he can usually be found building with his legos or playing "family" with his siblings. He is a great big brother and him and Kellston have a very special bond. He played t-ball again this past spring and fall and is now playing basketball. He also has continued in gymnastics and has enjoyed being in an all boy class and learning the parallel bars and pommel horse.
Brixlyn turned 3 at the end of October and is full of life! She always has a smile on her face and loves to be silly. She has learned all her letters and sounds and is working on writing her name. She is the daredevil of the family and can often be found riding her car down the hill in the backyard at full speed. She loves to "read" herself books, help make dinner, and play with her baby dolls. She easily entertains herself and will play in her room for hours. She started taking gymnastics this year and loves being the only girl in her class. She adores Mickey and Minnie Mouse and loved every second of Disneyworld this past Fall.
Kellston is almost 17 months and has the most gorgeous curly hair! He started walking about 3 months ago and loves to follow his siblings around. He still has a milk allergy but does well with most other foods. He says about 10 words, but prefers to sign what he wants. He enjoys being outside, dogs, and most of all balls! He loves to try and play t-ball and basketball with Tayscen. He is a momma's boy, but runs to the door every night when daddy comes home. He loves to blow kisses, give high fives, and imitate car and train sounds.
We hope you all have a happy and blessed holiday season!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Sunday, September 2, 2012
An Uneventful Week
We finally had an uneventful week at the Schroeder House! You may laugh at this, but we have had a lot of sickness and activities going on lately that it was nice to have a relaxing week to just enjoy being together. Braylei has been having headaches and nausea for the last few weeks so her doctor ordered a CT Scan on her head to make sure everything was all right. Thankfully, the results came back with only a sinus infection and she is doing much better. We really appreciate the prayers and acts of kindness that our friends and family sent our way; we could not have made it through this uncertain time without all of you.
Since both Braylei and Tayscen are back in school, it has been a lot of fun to just spend time with Brix and Kellston. We have filled our days with building with blocks, coloring, and playing house. Brix entertains herself so easily, that there are times when she doesn't even want me to play:) It has also been really nice for me to be able to start back at my Stroller Strong Workout Class again! I have to admit, the first couple of days were a little rough and I was sore before class was even over, but man is it good to be back! Brix and Kellston enjoy being outdoors too and of course enjoy playing at the park afterwards. Brix has really enjoyed being in charge of the other kids at class and whenever the instructor says to the moms to put their babies in a circle she will turn to me and say, "I not a baby, I'm a big girl. I watch the babies for you mom."
On Friday night we were able to go see our best friends, the Days, that have recently moved to Auburn, AL. Thankfully, it is only about a 45 minute drive! We hung out and had homemade pizza for dinner, where everyone was able to create their own. The kids had a blast putting all the toppings on their crust and then enjoying ice cream afterwards. They girls were able to play dress up in some old dresses of Bonny's and the boys ran around tormenting the girls of course, but fun was had by all. We ended the night with a pajama movie watching party, where we viewed my favorite movie from when I was a kid "The Great Mouse Detective". We had such a great time and hope to do it again soon!
Jeremy had to go into work on Saturday morning until about two in the afternoon so the kids and I had a lazy day around the house. We all slept in until about 8:00 am and didn't even eat breakfast until about 10:30! Tayscen spent the morning building with legos, which is one of his favorite past times. Braylei painted her fingers and toes and applied some new sticker decals to them that she recently got. Kellston and Brix ended up taking 4.5 hour naps, which worked out well so that I could work on my lesson for church. When Jeremy got home he took the kids to Lowes and Home depot to buy supplies for a balance the beam that he is building for the kids. After they got home, we threw some chicken on the grill and had butter beans and zucchini quinoa for dinner. The kids enjoyed eating outside and playing.
After church today, Braylei decided to give Brix and Tayscen drawing lessons. She loves to do anything where she gets to be in charge:) She kept telling Tayscen that they needed to draw something that was easy so that he could copy it. After much deliberation on his part, Tayscen finally shouts, "I know Braylei, a sandbox!" Way to go T, a square colored in brown should definitely be something that you can copy:)
Tonight for Family Home Evening, it was Tayscen's turn to give the lesson. He decided he wanted to teach us about The Brother of Jared. He had us all help act out the story while he narrated what was going on. Jeremy got to be the Tower of Babel:) The kids were really into recreating the whole story and Taysce did a great job teaching us about how we get to Heaven and what it means to have Faith. We ended the night playing Simon Says, reading scriptures, eating whole wheat apple crisp, and listening to Jeremy read "Harry Potter".
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| Kellston, 13 months old |
Since both Braylei and Tayscen are back in school, it has been a lot of fun to just spend time with Brix and Kellston. We have filled our days with building with blocks, coloring, and playing house. Brix entertains herself so easily, that there are times when she doesn't even want me to play:) It has also been really nice for me to be able to start back at my Stroller Strong Workout Class again! I have to admit, the first couple of days were a little rough and I was sore before class was even over, but man is it good to be back! Brix and Kellston enjoy being outdoors too and of course enjoy playing at the park afterwards. Brix has really enjoyed being in charge of the other kids at class and whenever the instructor says to the moms to put their babies in a circle she will turn to me and say, "I not a baby, I'm a big girl. I watch the babies for you mom."
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| Brix built this castle all by herself |
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| Kellston loves to swing |
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| Brix helping push Kellston on the swing |
On Friday night we were able to go see our best friends, the Days, that have recently moved to Auburn, AL. Thankfully, it is only about a 45 minute drive! We hung out and had homemade pizza for dinner, where everyone was able to create their own. The kids had a blast putting all the toppings on their crust and then enjoying ice cream afterwards. They girls were able to play dress up in some old dresses of Bonny's and the boys ran around tormenting the girls of course, but fun was had by all. We ended the night with a pajama movie watching party, where we viewed my favorite movie from when I was a kid "The Great Mouse Detective". We had such a great time and hope to do it again soon!
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| Brix and Knox rolling the dough out for their pizzas |
Jeremy had to go into work on Saturday morning until about two in the afternoon so the kids and I had a lazy day around the house. We all slept in until about 8:00 am and didn't even eat breakfast until about 10:30! Tayscen spent the morning building with legos, which is one of his favorite past times. Braylei painted her fingers and toes and applied some new sticker decals to them that she recently got. Kellston and Brix ended up taking 4.5 hour naps, which worked out well so that I could work on my lesson for church. When Jeremy got home he took the kids to Lowes and Home depot to buy supplies for a balance the beam that he is building for the kids. After they got home, we threw some chicken on the grill and had butter beans and zucchini quinoa for dinner. The kids enjoyed eating outside and playing.
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| Bray painting her nails |
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| Taysce and his lego creations |
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| Family picnic on the deck |
After church today, Braylei decided to give Brix and Tayscen drawing lessons. She loves to do anything where she gets to be in charge:) She kept telling Tayscen that they needed to draw something that was easy so that he could copy it. After much deliberation on his part, Tayscen finally shouts, "I know Braylei, a sandbox!" Way to go T, a square colored in brown should definitely be something that you can copy:)
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| Drawing lessons with Braylei |
Tonight for Family Home Evening, it was Tayscen's turn to give the lesson. He decided he wanted to teach us about The Brother of Jared. He had us all help act out the story while he narrated what was going on. Jeremy got to be the Tower of Babel:) The kids were really into recreating the whole story and Taysce did a great job teaching us about how we get to Heaven and what it means to have Faith. We ended the night playing Simon Says, reading scriptures, eating whole wheat apple crisp, and listening to Jeremy read "Harry Potter".
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| Jeremy as the Tower of Babel |
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Another School Year
It is official….I now have a second grader and a kindergartner! Tayscen has completed two weeks of school and Braylei just finished her first week. Both kids are really enjoying school and embracing the changes fairly well. They are both at separate schools again this year; Tayscen is at Mathews Elemenatry, which is by our house, and Braylei is starting another year at Brookstone. We went back and forth about putting both kids at Brookstone, but Tayscen is very comfortable where he is at and we decided it was important to keep some stability for him now since we will be moving next summer.
Tayscen is really missing his best friend, Owen, who we found out was moving a few weeks before school started, but he has been a trooper. He has such an easy going and friendly personality that making friends comes easy to him, but I don't think anyone will ever take the place of Owen. He is already reading on his own and enjoys music and P.E. at school. He is excited to continue doing gymnastics this year, especially because he is now in an all boy class and is learning the male apparatuses, like the parallel bars and pommel horse. We also just signed him up for t-ball again and he can't wait for it to start!
Braylei is loving school this year, especially because she is now a big second grader, which entitles her to have juice as an option for lunch now:) She has a really nice teacher and a lot of her good friends are in her class. She is excited to once again be in Girl Scouts this year and will now be a Brownie, which means selling cookies and going on campouts! She is starting at a new dance studio this year, the Columbus Ballet Conservatory, and we are all excited to see how it goes. She is also continuing with gymnastics and has now moved up to level 2. She is hoping to do chore as well again this year and will now be taking piano lessons during recess at school. There is much for us all to anticipate as this year progresses!
Brixlyn is anxiously anticipating her 3rd birthday in October when we will be going to Disney World! She loves all things Mickey and Minnie Mouse and can often be found placing one of them in time out when they have done something wrong. She loves "Look & Find " books and dancing with her siblings. The other day I caught her doing Kellston's hair and then saying to him, "Now you're ready to go dancing at the ball Kellston!" She loves to cut and glue anything she can find and is very happy self-entertained kid. She loves helping with Kellston and singing "Popcorn Popping" and "Twinkle Little Star". And watch out….she is obsessed with taking pictures of anything and everything, so beware!
Kellston, also known as K-Man, K, Kellsteve, Little Guy, Kells, and Little Man, is now 13 months old! He is taking a few steps here and there, but refuses to walk probably because his mom carries him everywhere:) He is still highly allergic to everything, so finding things that he can and will eat has been challenging but we are slowly learning. He can have absolutely no milk/dairy. He is not a big fan of Almond Milk, but we are trying. He loves to play in the cupboards and voice his opinion on everything. He loves balls, just like Tayscen always has, and "ball" is his favorite word right now. He signs when he wants to eat, drink, all done, and wants more of something. He also loves to be outside. He is a fairly happy kid and we are having so much fun watching him grown and change on a daily basis. He has started to climb up the ladder on Tayscen's bed and on Brixlyn's as well. He has tons of curly hair and we often think he looks like one of the Beatles.
Tayscen is really missing his best friend, Owen, who we found out was moving a few weeks before school started, but he has been a trooper. He has such an easy going and friendly personality that making friends comes easy to him, but I don't think anyone will ever take the place of Owen. He is already reading on his own and enjoys music and P.E. at school. He is excited to continue doing gymnastics this year, especially because he is now in an all boy class and is learning the male apparatuses, like the parallel bars and pommel horse. We also just signed him up for t-ball again and he can't wait for it to start!
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| Tayscen on his first day of kindergarten |
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| Taysce and his best friend Owen |
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| Braylei on her first day of second grade |
Brixlyn is anxiously anticipating her 3rd birthday in October when we will be going to Disney World! She loves all things Mickey and Minnie Mouse and can often be found placing one of them in time out when they have done something wrong. She loves "Look & Find " books and dancing with her siblings. The other day I caught her doing Kellston's hair and then saying to him, "Now you're ready to go dancing at the ball Kellston!" She loves to cut and glue anything she can find and is very happy self-entertained kid. She loves helping with Kellston and singing "Popcorn Popping" and "Twinkle Little Star". And watch out….she is obsessed with taking pictures of anything and everything, so beware!
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| Getting ready for the ball |
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| Painting at the Phoenix Children's Museum |
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| Kellston on his first birthday in AZ |
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| Loves the camera! |
Sunday, January 8, 2012
September 2011
Wow, I can't believe it has been that long since I last posted! I knew it had been a while, but didn't think it was over 4 months ago! How time flies!! Here is a brief synopsis of September!
September was a BUSY month for us! On September 4 (my birthday) we were able to bless Kellston. Jeremy gave a beautiful blessing, mentioning my sweet niece several times who he is named after, and the spirit was so strong. During his blessing, there was a point while Jeremy was speaking about my niece and how Kellston would carry her name on in this life, when I was completely consumed by the Spirit. The tears flowed freely from my eyes and I know without a doubt that at that moment the veil was very thin and that Kelsey was with us. It was such a sweet experience, one that I will never forget. I am so grateful for a wonderful, worthy husband who is able to bless our home with the priesthood. It was an even better experience to be able to have my Dad fly out for the weekend and participate in Kellston's blessing as well. We wish all of our family could have been able to make it, but know they were with us in spirit!
While my parents were here for Kellston's blessing, we had an early birthday party for Braylei since they were leaving before her birthday. We enjoyed having a family movie night, opening a few presents, and eating an ice cream cake!
We also went to Callaway Gardens for their Balloon Festival during Labor Day Weekend! It was so much fun and everyone had a great time! It was my parent's first time going there and I think they enjoyed playing at the beach as much as the kids! When we first got there, they had a bunch of hot air balloons set up for you to look at and go up in. The kids all decided they wanted to go up in one, and I of course quickly volunteered to stay on the ground with Kellston:) It was only about a 5 minute "ride" but the kids enjoyed it and it was a great experience for them. After the balloon ride, we went and saw the butterflies and walked around the arboretum. The kids had a wonderful time swinging on the swings and running throughout the maze. We then headed to the beach where the kids got to tie dye a t-shirt with my parents, have a picnic, and play in the water. We ended our trip by driving to President Roosevelt's Little White House in Warm Springs, only to find out it was just about to close. The kids were sad we didn't get to tour it but hopefully we will get to go back sometime.
Tayscen had his first full week of school in September and is loving it! He has friends in every class and grade. Some of the kids in the older grades even wait for him to get there in the morning so they can walk him to class and talk to him. One of his first "assignments" he completed in school was a sentence and picture about something he could do by himself:
Braylei had her first Girl Scout Activity in September, which was a campfire sing-a-long to commemorate the 100 year birthday of the Girl Scout program. She had a great time sining songs and roasting marshmallows, as did Tayscen! Later in the month, Bray also participated in the Cougar Trot at her school during homecoming week, where the girls run around the track and each gets a ribbon and t-shirt. After the cougar trot, Bray got to invite two of her best friends from school, Nancy and Catherine, over for the day to celebrate her birthday. They played, ate pizza, went to Monkey Joe's, watched The Lion King in 3D at the theatre, and then had frozen yogurt for dessert!
Tayscen also started T-Ball in September, which was a huge time commitment, but was a lot of fun! He had practice 3-4 times a week and 2-3 games a week! He was the youngest and smallest on his team, but he had the biggest heart. He could often be seen blowing kisses from the outfield and waving as he ran the bases. He had a great coach and learned a lot. By the end of the season he was able to hit the ball without the tee and developed a pretty good throwing arm. We can't wait for him to start t-ball again this Spring and neither can we.
And last but certainly not least, our other big event this month was celebrating Braylei's sixth birthday! Her request for breakfast was our new found treasure "cake" pancakes, which everyone loves. She ate, got ready, and we sent her off to school. As a special surprise, we picked her up from school and went straight to Atlanta. The kids had no idea where we were going but enjoyed watching Bray's new birthday movie as we traveled "Barbie Charm School". About two hours later we pulled up to the mall, right outside of the American Girl Store! Bray was so excited! She got to have a special dinner with Jeremy in the American Girl Cafe and then wandered the store trying to decided which doll she was going to pick out for her birthday. After a long process she finally decided on Kanani, the doll of the year for 2011. She also chose some accessories and a matching dress for herself and her doll. Afterwards, the kids all played at the indoor playground and had ice cream.
We ended up staying the weekend in Atlanta because it was military appreciation day at Six Flags Over Georgia. The kids loved staying in a hotel, swimming, and of course going to the theme park. Bray and Taysce really liked going on all the rides and Brix had a great time until she fell out of the stroller and got the biggest goose egg ever. Although it was a LONG weekend, it was a great celebration of Bray's birthday and our wonderful family!
September was a great month for us with lots of activities and time spent as a family! We are so grateful for our wonderful children and the happiness that each of them bring into our lives!
September was a BUSY month for us! On September 4 (my birthday) we were able to bless Kellston. Jeremy gave a beautiful blessing, mentioning my sweet niece several times who he is named after, and the spirit was so strong. During his blessing, there was a point while Jeremy was speaking about my niece and how Kellston would carry her name on in this life, when I was completely consumed by the Spirit. The tears flowed freely from my eyes and I know without a doubt that at that moment the veil was very thin and that Kelsey was with us. It was such a sweet experience, one that I will never forget. I am so grateful for a wonderful, worthy husband who is able to bless our home with the priesthood. It was an even better experience to be able to have my Dad fly out for the weekend and participate in Kellston's blessing as well. We wish all of our family could have been able to make it, but know they were with us in spirit!
While my parents were here for Kellston's blessing, we had an early birthday party for Braylei since they were leaving before her birthday. We enjoyed having a family movie night, opening a few presents, and eating an ice cream cake!
We also went to Callaway Gardens for their Balloon Festival during Labor Day Weekend! It was so much fun and everyone had a great time! It was my parent's first time going there and I think they enjoyed playing at the beach as much as the kids! When we first got there, they had a bunch of hot air balloons set up for you to look at and go up in. The kids all decided they wanted to go up in one, and I of course quickly volunteered to stay on the ground with Kellston:) It was only about a 5 minute "ride" but the kids enjoyed it and it was a great experience for them. After the balloon ride, we went and saw the butterflies and walked around the arboretum. The kids had a wonderful time swinging on the swings and running throughout the maze. We then headed to the beach where the kids got to tie dye a t-shirt with my parents, have a picnic, and play in the water. We ended our trip by driving to President Roosevelt's Little White House in Warm Springs, only to find out it was just about to close. The kids were sad we didn't get to tour it but hopefully we will get to go back sometime.
Brix also started preschool this year, since Meghan is teaching again, and is loving having new friends to play with. She has already learned all her shapes and colors!
Braylei had her first Girl Scout Activity in September, which was a campfire sing-a-long to commemorate the 100 year birthday of the Girl Scout program. She had a great time sining songs and roasting marshmallows, as did Tayscen! Later in the month, Bray also participated in the Cougar Trot at her school during homecoming week, where the girls run around the track and each gets a ribbon and t-shirt. After the cougar trot, Bray got to invite two of her best friends from school, Nancy and Catherine, over for the day to celebrate her birthday. They played, ate pizza, went to Monkey Joe's, watched The Lion King in 3D at the theatre, and then had frozen yogurt for dessert!
Tayscen also started T-Ball in September, which was a huge time commitment, but was a lot of fun! He had practice 3-4 times a week and 2-3 games a week! He was the youngest and smallest on his team, but he had the biggest heart. He could often be seen blowing kisses from the outfield and waving as he ran the bases. He had a great coach and learned a lot. By the end of the season he was able to hit the ball without the tee and developed a pretty good throwing arm. We can't wait for him to start t-ball again this Spring and neither can we.
And last but certainly not least, our other big event this month was celebrating Braylei's sixth birthday! Her request for breakfast was our new found treasure "cake" pancakes, which everyone loves. She ate, got ready, and we sent her off to school. As a special surprise, we picked her up from school and went straight to Atlanta. The kids had no idea where we were going but enjoyed watching Bray's new birthday movie as we traveled "Barbie Charm School". About two hours later we pulled up to the mall, right outside of the American Girl Store! Bray was so excited! She got to have a special dinner with Jeremy in the American Girl Cafe and then wandered the store trying to decided which doll she was going to pick out for her birthday. After a long process she finally decided on Kanani, the doll of the year for 2011. She also chose some accessories and a matching dress for herself and her doll. Afterwards, the kids all played at the indoor playground and had ice cream. 
We ended up staying the weekend in Atlanta because it was military appreciation day at Six Flags Over Georgia. The kids loved staying in a hotel, swimming, and of course going to the theme park. Bray and Taysce really liked going on all the rides and Brix had a great time until she fell out of the stroller and got the biggest goose egg ever. Although it was a LONG weekend, it was a great celebration of Bray's birthday and our wonderful family!
September was a great month for us with lots of activities and time spent as a family! We are so grateful for our wonderful children and the happiness that each of them bring into our lives! 
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