MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas friends and family! It has been a wonderfully quiet few days in this Schoeman home. Scott and I were talking with the kids over dinner one night about what we are thankful for and the list was lengthy! We feel very blessed for lots of things, many pertaining to you as friends and family! Thank you for being such an important part of our lives and the children's lives! I've also realized that 6 people are a lot of mouths to feed on a day to day basis, based on Law's comment last night. Outside in the driveway, next to the fire pit, Law asked "Mom, why are we having the same thing we had last night?" I just had to laugh. There aren't many leftovers these days! We hope you had a fun Christmas!

Feven, Law, Scott, Ezra and Maison first thing Christmas morning!

A-2. Come on Law, you sunk my battleship!
Ezra and Feven try out their gifts from Aunt Angie!
Maison surprises us with her crazy coordination. She was outside peddling her bike last night!

Scott and Law have a war with 'Army' men. Check out the soldier on the gingerbread house!

We are going to FREEZE if we move back east! It was probably in the high 50's last night...we had on hats and gloves! HA

CONGRATULATIONS RYAN AND RENEE!!!

The kids and I made our way back to NJ for Ryan (niki's brother) and Renee's wedding! (THANK YOU ANG for braving the trip with us) The wedding was great...NYC is a fun place to be married! The kids enjoyed fall in NJ...the cooler weather, changing leaves and wildlife! We also visited with lots of family we haven't seen in years! Everyone did well on the trip, and we're happy to be home. Niki's Mom might be the happiest after her quiet trip home to NJ. Its always fun traveling with 4 children! :) Thanks Mom!Ryan and his beautiful bride, Renee.


Ezra and Feven are a little overwhelmed by all the new faces.

Ezra enjoying the LARGE sandbox, aka beach.Uncle Ryan and Maison playing soccer!Scott's favorite picture of Uncle Bob and Law driving the 'tractor'.Maison and cousin Riley...what a family resemblence.Check out all the leaves!!The kids in a corn maze.

Happy Birthday October Schoemans!!

Its hard to believe that Law and Maison are celebrating their 5th and 3rd birthdays! Maisy's birthday is actually today (12th). Its the first year she really understood in advance that her birthday was coming! She was so excited for decorations, cupcakes and presents! It just so happens that Aunt Angie came in today to help me travel back to NJ for my brother's wedding. Maisy was SO excited to have her here for her big day! Here's a few pictures!

We took a one day trip to San Diego while Grandma was here! It was a fun hour on the beach!

Feven's hair before her first haircut. It was wild! She pulled out the top of her hair about 15 seconds after it was put in.

Feven--post haircut enjoying her first cupcake!

Maisy birthday girl enjoying her cupcake!Are those LEGWARMERS?Aunt Ang and Law!
Check out Maisy in the background with her meanest pirate Arg!

Life with three 2 year olds!

THANK you for all your prayers, email, phone calls, and even a few dinners this past week. We have been home now just over a week, and things are starting to settle down. Dave and Barb left Tuesday morning. Barb was an absolute God send. I couldn't begin to list the many ways she helped us, and I couldn't have done it without her! (today is my first day solo until my Mom arrives on Friday) My hats off to all you Moms of large families! It certainly is an art to have some sort of controlled chaos! I have a true appreciation for the Moms at our co-op, many with more than 4 children, that always look put together, with wonderfully behaved children. (we're not quite there yet! HA)

How are we? We're settling in! We've had some rough patches with two new 2 year olds running around, but nothing out of the ordinary for kids that have no understanding of our house rules, boundaries, balanced eating, etc. Ezra and Feven have made tremendous progress. Law and Maisy enjoy their new brother and sister, and are doing well with the changes. Ezra and Feven are both eating and sleeping well, which is fabulous.

I have been enjoying the good life with two children out of diapers for over a year...no diaper bag, no sippy cups or bottles, no stroller. Our food and diaper/wipe budget has just increased enormously! :) Even in the midst of our adjustment, we are THANKFUL that God led us to adopt 2 children. We can see their comfort in each other with similar words or sounds! Thank you for your continued prayers as we transition into a family of 6! (here are a few pictures from the past week!)






My first attempt at Feven's hair. I only got to the front 2 sections! For those of you who know me, and know how much I work on my hair, I'm sure this is funny to you!

Barb tackled the back two sections for me a few days later!Boys play crocodile.Ezra has LOTS of personality.
Sand box fun!

Is it fall yet?

Grandma came to visit and work in Yuma for a while. It was very fun to have her here, sort of like she lived here...we could have dinner and SHE could baby sit! :) Well, it is summer in Yuma, so we are spending lots of time in the pool. Law has made great progress swimming and Maison doesn't want to be out done. It will be fall before we know it, so we're having all the fun we can in the pool. My Mom can attest that if it falls below 100, the pool is COLD! HA...can you believe it?

Maisy at Grandma's salon!

Burning some energy!

Summer Fun!

Its full up summer in Yuma with temperatures in the 110's for a few weeks now. I'm telling you this only to let you know how GREAT it was to have temps in the 80's and NO air conditioning. We were cold at night! Our first stop was at the military campgrounds in Big Bear. Lots of hiking, night time fires, and dirt...no bears. :)

Maisy the jokester!

Law can't get enough of climbing the biggest rocks he could find...I believe I chose not to look at him until he was at the top!Maison enjoys marshmallows cooked over the fire, with a little dirt!

Our next stop was to meet Grandad and Bibi for the 4th of July in San Diego. We hit lots of places, including the Shoe family favorite, La Jolla. We also got a chance to see Forrest and Tamara before Forrest left for Iraq. (no picture) Law and Maisy CANNOT get enough of their Grandparents and were very sad when we had to take them to the airport. We our so thankful for their love. After all the activity over the weekend, they are probably thankful for some quiet time! :)

Lots of beach time!
4th of July in Del Mar.