Snow, Snow, Snow

If you have ever seen the movie White Christmas where they sing and wish for snow, that is not the case here, we have plenty of it.  On SuperBowl Sunday we were signed up for two parties, the inevitable work party which happens to be in our neighborhood and one at our friends house by the lake.  The weather was so bad and that included the streets. Sadly we like everyone else did not attend our friends party, who now has enough chili to last the next year, but we did make it to the work party.  TIU's AD lives down the street from us and has a basement perfect for kids.  The kids had a blast.

Here are a few pictures of our pretty snow.

Troy's car buried

thankfully we have a neighbor who 

used his snowplow to clear off the front half. 

Gracie path to get down to the bus

thanks to our snowblower, 

this would have taken me hours

Swimming Lessons

This winter the kids are taking swim classes.  Gracie jumped in from the very start, Nolan was a little hesitant not because of the water but just a little uncertain of the process and us leaving him.  We are in full swing and the kids are doing great.  We are so thankful for all there learning and the confidence they are gaining.

Crazy-town of 4

Welcome to our town, crazy-town!  In the winter crazy-town is in full bloom.  The kids are going stir crazy from being inside and we accommodate with wrestling and lots of games of hide and seek.  On this night we had been wrestling and I wanted a picture and it turned into fun little family shoot.

Daddy & Gracie

it's hard trying to get one with everyone looking

but all of these pictures is normal to get while trying to get the 1 perfect one

Gracie smiles perfect for a few and then..

she gives up and goes silly

there it is the one of us all smiling

to be honest I love the silly ones as well

its shows there personality

silly faces

sweet hugs

serious face

weird silly face

Gracie Girl

It is crazy but we just celebrated 100 days of school and we only have a few months left and my girl will officially be done with Kindergarten.  The time has flown by and she has learned so much already.  We are so thankful for the teacher God has given us she is such a blessing and we are already praying for our 1st grade teacher.  At Gracie's school we have the option to stay with the same teach for 1st and 2nd grade.  Which I love having that option, it makes the transition time so much smoother when the child and teacher already have a working relationship.  I am in love with Gracie's school and how they handle everything.

Anyway all that to say here are some sweet pictures of my girl.

posing

her hair for penguin day

she wanted me to send a picture to daddy

TBT

Found these pictures and video on the iPad taken in 2013 per my Gracie girl enjoy.

Ice Skating

In our sweet little neighborhood we have a lake that we swim in all summer, in the winter we get to ice skate.  Last year it was such a brutally cold winter that we never went ice skating but this year we have watched a few times from the window and even got to view a night game but on this weekend we took the kids down to join in on the fun.  Gracie got her own skates last year and our neighbor has every size you can imagine so I got to also put Nolan in a pair.  I have to admit I was a little weary about going out on the ice but they check frequently of how thick the ice is so I let me fear go and my 17 year old self came out to play hockey and then try and teach my kids how to ice skate.

 Nolan could not stand at all but he loved being pushed around the ice

the Gabby & Megan trying to help him

 we got super lucky as Charlotte teaches hockey, she worked with Gracie on how to ice skate

Gracie doing so well skating with daddy

now I just have to get her blades sharpened 

so she can start practicing with some more speed 

 so much fun with kids from 7 all the way up to there 50's

ice skating 2015 from Candace Schenk on Vimeo.
not sure why the video froze and the sound still came thru but this is all I have of my girl ice skating

My Nolan Boy

I have been told that this little man has me wrapped around his finger.  This statement is so true.  Although he does get in trouble for being too ruff and not listening he still can work his mama.  He is a sweet kid at heart but she asking me for something theres special looks and eyes that go into his work.  Here are a few quick shots I got in his plead for something and the little how he works.

 sweet kisses

 adorable smiles

 and nolan having quiet time with me

Papa Time

My dad travels often for business to the Chicago area.  Even though he is closer then normal he is still about an hour drive from us and often he is so busy that we don't get to see him.  On this trip he came a day early so he could hang out with us.  We didn't get a lot of time but we take what we can get.  We snuggled, played, and of course we wrestled.  Below are the only pictures I took but you can tell they had fun and they love their Papa.