Thankful thoughts

Even though it's only been a little over a week, Thanksgiving already feels like ages ago.  It's amazing how quick the switch from Thanksgiving celebration is to preparation for Christmas.  Despite the short holiday celebration, we greatly enjoyed our time spent reflecting on what we are thankful for and enjoying fellowship with family.  We were blessed to have all of Tyler's siblings and other extended family join us for the thankful celebrations.  It was such fun having everyone stay here in our house, and Renae really enjoyed hosting the meals and planning for several days of company.

Around a beautifully set Thanksgiving table, we all drew a question about being thankful and later shared our answers.  It was fun to hear the different things we are all thankful for; for example, the invention Uncle Ron is most thankful for is ...airplanes!  Go figure, in a family of pilots...  In the past year, Renae is most thankful for the gift of being a stay-at-home mom.  Tyler enjoys showing his thankfulness towards others by giving gifts, and expressing words of appreciation or some act of service for that person. 

We enjoyed a little black Friday shopping, and had a Schmidt family Christmas celebration on Saturday.  The Lord blessed our time together immensely!

Tyler, Kyle, and Trevor enjoyed setting up their own obstacle course in the backyard and played a little airsoft

Attempting to get Caleb playing in the snow...he wasn't so sure 

about it!  We got several inches over Thanksgiving week.