The Schlittler Gang Est. 2003

Brock had his John Deere themed birthday party this afternoon. He was surrounded by LOTS of family and even a few friends. His cake was super cute in the shape of a tractor! He went to blow out the candles and actually got them all blown out and when we went to sing to him, he turned into Mr. Shy and fell to the floor hiding his face. It was so funny. He just laid there as we were all singing to him. I recall him not liking being sung to last year, too! He got tons of nice presents. I was about to think we were going to be there all day as he was ripping the paper off one tiny piece at a time. He was so funny because he'd get a really neat gift and want to play with it, but I was trying to hand him other things to open, and he would get all upset. He got some nice books, which I think he would have sat and read for a long time if I hadn't given him something else to open. Any article of clothing he opened went straight to the floor, they just weren't fun enough for him. Then he opened up a colorful dragon and dinosaur stuffed animals from Moi and Papaw. He, along with Jillian, thought those were just awesome! We had a great time, but we were missing one very important person, TJ. We had a bad ice storm pass through on Thursday night. TJ got called out around 1:00 am and he didn't get home until 11:00 pm Friday night, only to then have to be back at work this morning at 5:00. So, after being up for 48 hours and working his buns off in this icy cold weather, he missed his own party since it was his and Brock's party together. Right now he's up north working and we are just hoping that he gets to come home by Christmas Eve!

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner! Still so much to do!! But, I need your help... go to this website http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/spooked-by-santa/382100007/?firstPhoto=true&photoId=3831000 You will probably need to copy and paste it in your browser, but go there and click on recommend up by the photo of Brock and Jillian! I just know that their's is the cutest! THANKS!!!

Jillian got to open one of her Christmas gifts a little early. Santa brought her a little stroller walker so that she could be walking by her birthday. She can go to town on the thing, that is for sure, that is when Brock isn't stealing it away from her! So, I didn't post her 10 month birthday, so this will just be an early 11 month old post. She's just on the verge of walking. She can stand up in the middle of the room without hanging onto anything, but then she just plops onto her knees. She's cutting two teeth up on top and we are trying new foods every chance we get. We are sleeping much better at night now! I can actually put her down now in her crib without her being completely passed out asleep. It's nice! She gets cuter and cuter everyday and we just love her to pieces! Oh, and be sure to check out the shoes...how cute are those?

We celebrated TJ's 31st birthday yesterday. We went out to eat with Moi, Papaw, Kindi, Danny, and baby Dacey to Texas Roadhouse. Going out to eat with this big group is always entertaining. I'm not sure if you can recall back to TJ's cake from last year that was a complete disaster, I did cupcakes this year and over-filled the cups so they were hanging over the cups. One of these years I'm going to get it right! But we took some cute shots when we got home and can I just ask WHEN will they both smile at the camera at the SAME time? I can't even get Buddy to open his eyes!!! Oh, well.... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TJ!!!!!!!

My Mom and I took the kids to see Santa when he was out at the Gordyville craft show. As you can see, Santa wasn't a big hit again this year. When does Santa become less scary????

I can hardly believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone! How fast time flies. We spent turkey day at the Schlittler's for a yummy dinner. Brock and Jillian were both HEALTHY! Shocking. Brock got to play with his cousin, Nathaniel, and Jillian did some riding on Moi's play pony. Friday I got up super early to hit the sales, crazy. And then we headed down to Rolla, Missouri, to see the Roberts family. It was a lot of fun all getting together. We played on the Wii and ate some good food. Later on Friday we went to my Aunt Linda's work at the Centre and Brock and Jillian swam and had fun playing with the balls in the gym. Brock was tuckered out...can you say grouchy? But, it was a fast trip. Well, worth it though to get together with everyone! I'm thankful for such a loving family!

Since we were in Texas for Halloween, my Mom was on dog duty. She dressed Buddy up as a pirate and took him trick-or-treating! Too cute not to post!

We made it back home in time for my grandparents' harvest dinner at their church, so of course I had to dress them in their matching Thanksgiving outfits. But, Mr. Brockers is getting a little too cool for the picture taking scene. I sat them side by side, and just as brothers and sisters do, she pulls his hair and then he of course has to go and lean on her...good times! They really do love each other, promise.

Well, I'm not going to lie... visiting Texas was bittersweet. I miss my BFF's, Jennifer & Cori, tons and tons. I love that when we get together after so long of being apart, it's as if we never left Texas and we can pick up right where we left off. It was just precious getting all our kiddos together and watching them play so sweetly together. But at the same time, it really did make me sad watching them have so much fun together, because I knew it was only a matter of days before we'd be leaving and heading back to Illinois. I so badly wish we were closer and that we could have more playdates together and help celebrate birthdays and holidays together and all that other fun stuff that good friends and their families do. But anyways...enough of my pity party. Can I just tell you how hard it was getting six kids under 4 to all sit and take a photo? Oh, but as soon as the three of us went to get our picture taken, they all are itching to get in there with us! Fun times.

Brock and Jillian got to do some visiting with Uncle Dustin and even Aunt Ashley as we made our trip back to Illinois. We had to make a pit stop in Searcy to break the trip up a bit. We learned our lesson from the trip down! It was so good seeing them, I miss them sooooooooooooo much and wish they were around the kiddos more as they are growing so quickly! No matter how far away we are, their little faces still light up when they see their aunt and uncle.

One day we went over to Fort Worth to see the cattle drive. They actually let longhorns go through the streets of Fort Worth! Brock thought it was pretty neat. They had a little section with a some touristy shops where they had a bunch of electronic horses for the kids to ride. That was probably Brock & Jillian's highlight of the cattle drive.

One night over at Cori & Jason's house the kids were just having a ball playing so I thought I'd snap a few photos of Jillian in Rylee's little chair. Well, all of a sudden that became the picture taking station to Rylee and Brooklyn! They were so funny! Every time, they'd jump in the chair and shout, "Cheerleader!" Hilarious. Then of course they had to do some lovin' on Jillian! I don't think she knew what to think!