The Holidays are Over

Well, the Christmas decorations are down. The trees were packed away tonight. The new toys are all organized. The old toys are packed away. The kids are getting back on somewhat of a schedule. Below is how Mallory feels after all the holiday hustle and bustle. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas season. We did! She fell asleep standing up last night!!

Family Fun at Christmas

We have had a wonderful week with family and friends. Here are some pictures. Luke playing with one of the many toys from Grandma, Grandpa, and Uncle Keith.
Our living room was much too small for Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve- They look so grown up. Check out Luke's shoes with his spiffy outfit. I realized he doesn't have any dress shoes that fit right before we had to leave.

Opening a gift from Mike and Selena Rossetti.

Visiting at Grandma and Grandpa Schrader's.

Grandma and Grandpa Wolfarth and all the majority of their grandkids.

Brooke, Luke and Peyton

Brooke, Luke, Peyton, and Mallory

Dinner at Uncle Buzzy and Aunt Diane's. Luke, Olly, Mallory, Sean, Toby, and Wyley.

Skating Wannabees

We tried to venture into a realm we maybe shouldn't have. We tried our feet at ice skating. Fun, right? Definitely. We all have bumps and bruises to prove the fun. Luke, Peyton, Brooke, Caitlyn, and Jimmy all had fun. Craig even gave it a go and so did Grandpa Wolfarth and Alison. All in all we had a very fun time, but we decided we'll wait until the kids are at least 8 before we go again. Luke did not want to give his skates back. He didn't quite understand the concept of renting, especially when he saw all the 'professional' skaters leaving with their own skates. Now he's asking for a pair for Christmas.
All the kiddos and Grandpa getting ready to skate.


Grandma Peggy manned the little one and the hot chocolate. She was the smart one!

I'm a big girl now!

Mallory has made the next step towards independence. She probably should just get her own apartment to go with her new bed!! Craig put together a toddler bed that came from a friend in Georgia tonight. (Thanks Molly!). It is so cute and Mallory seems to like it so far. We'll see if she makes it through the night. If she does, we'll sadly, but happily, take the crib down tomorrow.

Our little girl is growing up!!

Here Comes Santa Claus

We are preparing for Christmas here in the Stutzman house. Grandpa and Grandma Wolfarth have arrived and will be here for a week. Luke and Mallory worked a few evenings on their ornaments. We made some fun treats and have made multiple trips to see Santa. This picture is from this morning at the Holiday Shop. This was actually the only time we could get Mallory close enough to sit her on Santa's lap. The other times, she wouldn't even get close.
Luke and Everett Brooks at their babysitter's house.

Luke loves Santa! This is Santa aka Craig Brooks at Luke's babysitter's house. Last year Luke wouldn't get close without screaming. This year, he just runs right up to Santa.

Luke painting his Christmas ornaments.

Mallory eating the paint bottle while mommy paints her ornaments.

Speechless

No words can describe this.

Little Helpers

Luke and Mal have been wonderful little helpers lately. Here they are in action. Mallory...helping me write some checks.
Luke...feeding Mallory her applesauce.

The Finishing Touches

Darrell and Craig have been finishing the last little projects with the house. I would say it's 99.9% done. They did a wonderful job. Thanks Darrell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turkey Bowl Four

This morning was the 4th annual Turkey Bowl held at Community Field in Carrollton, Ohio. The stands were packed!!! (Well, not quite. We had three fans. Four, if you count Steph's unborn baby) Everyone was cheering for us! (That's really not true either) It was a beautiful morning though, about 50 degrees. The best weather we've had yet. It was a lot of fun and no one got hurt this year. Uncle Mike ended up with a bloody nose, but he was able to stuff a kleenex up his nostril and he came back in the very next play. I'm sure everyone will be sore tomorrow!

A Girl has to Accessorize

Mallory is accessorizing her OSU outfit with a few purses and some goggles. What ever it takes!!!
Go Buckeyes!!

Happy (Belated) Halloween

Luke and Mallory supported their family's favorite team this Halloween. Luke is in love with football so Grandma Nellie thought he would make a great football player. Naturally, Mallory had to coordinate with him. She made a very cute cheerleader.
Emma, Mallory, Ellie, and Luke

The Stutzman's and The Shrader's

This was the first year we took the kiddies actual trick-or-treating. Usually we hand out candy. Despite being sick and a little cold, they loved it. Mallory was so excited to see what each person put in her bucket. Luke was the polite trick-or-treater. He did a wonderful job saying trick-or-treat and then thank you. I wish we could have stayed out longer and hit more houses!! It sucks when they're sick.

Flower Girl

Mallory was a flower girl in cousin Lloyd's wedding. Lloyd and Venessa were married outside, on October 24th. It was an interesting weekend. They checked the Farmer's Almanac while they were planning their ceremony and it said the 24th would be a great day for outdoor activities. Well folks...don't always believe what you read!!! It rained for the rehearsal and it rained the morning of the wedding. The sky miraculously cleared about 1/2 hour before the ceremony. It worked out perfect. However, the air was cold and damp. So here are the only pictures I got of her without a turtle neck on under the dress, sweater over top, and the Ohio State blanket wrapped around her.
Toby was the ring bearer.

Craig was the best man. If you look close, Luke is at the top of the stairs.

This is Craig at the bottom of the hill/aisle Mallory had to walk down. She made it to about the last rows of seats and then got scared when everyone started ooo-ing and awing. Craig was already in the front, so he just walked up the hill/aisle and grabbed her.