Playing Ball

The older kids have been playing more baseball now that the weather is cooling down. Jack is really good at hitting, it seems, and gets a number of 'home runs' into the pool or on the roof. Luke surprises me by how much he seems to play ball, too. He loves to pick up the bat and ball and go out and hit it around... more like golf than baseball, but the best he can do. I guess it is the influence of older siblings. I don't remember Jack starting that early!

Anna's Birthday Part 1

Anna turned 6 yesterday and we celebrated in a few ways but are having her birthday party with friends on Saturday of this coming week. The day before her birthday, Grandma Hileski came down to take her on an outing like she's done with the others. Anna chose the mini-train ride at a nearby park and then ice-cream afterwards. On her birthday she was excited to take little cupcakes to church for her Sunday School class and that evening she opened presents from her siblings and parents. She got a purse (Leah's choice), a sword (Jack's choice) and velvet coloring poster of Noah's Ark (Luke's choice... really picked by Jack) and from us she got a big horse. She's loving them all!

Diamondbacks

Derek is a fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks now that we are long-time AZ residents... almost a year and a half now. He tries to get the kids as into it as he can. I suspect it is to give him a reason to check/watch the game ('Jack wants to know the score' kind of thing.). When they started the playoffs the other week we set up a concession stand for the kids to get their meal that night and then watch the game. They all had money and could pick what they wanted to 'buy' for dinner based on the cost. I made a few items essential, but they got to pick the rest. This is our selection with the girls making their purchases. I think this will be the only one we do this year... seems the Dbacks are just about done!

The Schut Family Vacation 2007

We just got back from a week of fall in Wisconsin with my family. I posted a bunch of pictures mostly to share with them but feel free to look at them all. There are 10 adults and 13 children, 10 of which are 5 years old and younger... yikes! It wasn't boring and we rarely wondered what we should do next :). The weather was very pleasant and it was wonderful to experience some cool fall Wisconsin weather again. The pictures posted below are in backwards order, from the last days we were there to the first days we were there.

Dad and Mom surprised us all with tickets to the Packer game! No, not Lambeau... we drove up to Minneapolis to the HHH Metrodome. It was a long day with an early morning and long, stormy drive home but it was very memorable since we got to see Favre's record-breaking #421 touchdown pass in person. During this all, Mom stayed home with the kids (all but Sam, who came along with us) so we could go to the game. She had some help from her friend, Sally, thankfully! I don't know who was more tired, us after the 20-21 hour day or Mom after being home with a dozen kids all day.

We also went to Edward's Apple Orchard (a favorite), had a campfire, went to a Children's Museum, had Taco Pizza and celebrated some birthdays, ate at Culver's, explored the woods, played baseball and many other things. The kids had a wonderful time together in a great place to be a kid! Thanks, Dad and Mom, for all you did to make it possible for us to get together. Julie, are you ready for the next one? Better start planning!



Derek at the game.

'The Man of The Hour'

After the victory.

More Schut Family Vacation

Our family.

Grandpa and Grandma with their Baker's Dozen. The Waymeyer's are in the brown, Pools are in the red and Drays are in the green. Johnsons are in the tan.... oh, wait, no Baby Johnsons this time. Addie couldn't make it!

From the Packer Game... those small people down front are Derek, Matt, Dad, Julie, Cher, Kenny and Kathy. Background is the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

At our seats. We were in the red zone and had a pretty good view. Sam was such a great sport!

Schut Family Vacation - Campfire

One evening Dad made a fire for us so we could make the real s'mores, and have pie filling sandwiches and just other fun. Julie brought glow necklaces for the kids and we sang a few songs after it got dark before we went in to bed. A very Wisconsin experience... lots of fun! L to R, Jess, Caleb, Emilie, Bekah, Courtney and Leah.

Anna, Zachary, Julie, Matt, Laura, Derek and Jake in the foreground.

Woa! What is that marshmallow doing??? Courtney, Kathy and Leah.

Derek & Leah with Jack munchin' on a s'more in the background.

More Vacation... Turkey Time

Leah

Emilie

Jacob

Bekah