The Schafer Family Blog

Hannah at Sangamon County Fair 2011

2011-07-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

Our Family Silhouette

2011-07-02T11:21:00.001-07:00

Hannah's 6th Birthday

2010-10-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Twinkle Toes

Noah, Hannah (with her new puppy), and Ben

Hannah passing out birthday treats at school

Hannah sitting with her friend, Abby

Taking the first bite

Cheese:)

At The Pizza Machine with family

Hannah (and the boys helping) blowing out her candles

O Happy Day!

YUM...

Harvest Fest Parade 2010

2010-09-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Hannah

Gathering candy

Waving at Grandpa Schafer on his antique tractor

Greg driving Grandpa's truck pulling the Cub Scout float

Noah

Ben

Noah, Hannah & Ben after the parade

What a fun day in Petersburg!

Hannah's First Soccer Game

2010-09-11T09:20:00.000-07:00

Hannah played her very first soccer game today!

First Day of School 2010

2010-08-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

Here is Hannah sitting at her table in the kindergarten class.

and here is her pretty teacher, Miss Mountain:)

Hello Salt Lake City!

2010-07-20T21:39:00.001-07:00

Hannah was so excited about her first flight! Here she is with her own luggage posing as we arrived at the airport.

It's a girlie trip...Mom (Nana), Libby, Hannah & I...off to Salt Lake City for Stampin' Up! Convention!

"Is the airplane ever going to get here?"

Hannah's first two comments on the airplane went a little something like this...
(As the plane took off)..."Mom, I wonder if there are parachutes on the plane." I laughed...she said "Just kidding." (As the plane was hovering St. Louis)..."Mom, I can see the whole world!"

We had a nice flight. Hannah slept most of the trip, Libby read & listened to her iTouch, and Mom and I finished up some of my swaps to trade at Convention.

Hannah wanted me to take plenty of pictures of her swimming in the hotel pool..so here they are!

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

We spent Saturday, July 3rd, at my sister, Tammy's house in Seymour.

Gotta love the $3 flip-flops and t-shirts from Wal-mart!

This is my sister, Tammy, with Noah and Tim's cool hard hat.

Tim & Tammy

The kids had to try the hat on, too:)

Ben climbing a tree...his usual escapade!

Noah petting Tim & Tammy's dog, dozer.

Just down the block from Tammy's was a car show. Here is Hannah in front of her favorite car! It reminded her of her Grandpa Ronnie's car that he takes to shows.

We met "DoneandGone", 5th in the world for this type of racing! Noah got a t-shirt and a poster signed by him.

Time to cool off with a little treat from the ice cream truck!

Finally dark enough for sparklers!

Thanks Aunt Tammy & Uncle Tim for a fun "almost" 4th of July!

Hannah's First Sleepover

2010-07-02T13:59:00.001-07:00

How stinkin' cute are these two?

Hannah asked her friend, Abbey, to stay for a sleepover last night....the first for both girls! It was so cute...Hannah kept saying before Abbey arrived..."It's my VERY first sleepover, Mom." The girls seemed to have a good time...keeping the boys away was their biggest challenge.

A trip to DQ for ice cream after dinner, some karaoke singing, a movie, sleeping on the pull-out couch, Taco Bell for lunch, and bowling...what more you ask for? LOL!

Waterpark & Zoo Fun

2010-06-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Our quick trip to Chicagoland was filled with fun! Our first stop was to Raging Rivers Water Park in Yorkville, IL. We met up with our good friends, the Grahams while they're in town from Maryland. Noah, Ben & Hannah had a ball and were disappointed when the park closed at 6 PM, an hour earlier than we told them...ooops. These pictures were taken before the bad news:)

Noah

Hannah

Ben

Dinner at a local Mexican restaurant...yummy! Here you see Nana (my mom), Hannah, Ben & Aidan Graham. Ben and Aidan...inseparable:)

Here you see Bailey, she's the Graham's cousin, Liam & Seamus Graham, and Noah. Noah and Seamus...inseparable:) and Noah kinda liked Bailey, too (wink).

The adults got a table to themselves...yes! Here is Meesha & Jim with Greg and I catching up...only one person missing, Katie, their baby girl. She stayed home with her Grandma, so we didn't get to see that little cutie this time:(

Next stop, Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago.

It was a beautiful day to be in the city and walk the zoo.

We had a great time! The kiddos led the way, usually. With Noah and Ben reading the map and showing US where to go, was awesome!

Moving the Chicken Coop

2010-05-31T16:31:00.000-07:00

Greg was thinking about burning this cute little coop down to expand the hog pens. When I heard this, I thought...."What?!, it would make a darling little playhouse for the kids!" The kids and I were super excited that Daddy agreed:)

I missed the loading of the coop, but here is Grandpa Schafer on his antique tractor pulling the coop from the other side of the farm, while Brian and Greg watch to make sure it makes it to it's new location.

After debating where to place the coop, it was decided that right next to the play equipment in the backyard was the best (flattest & dryest) spot.

So, how many tractors does it take to move a chicken coop? That's right...THREE!

Greg on one tractor, Grandpa Schafer on the other, easing the coop down ever so gently. The coop is so old, it could crumble into pieces with any sudden movements.

I think "the boys" didn't mind this move...they got to rev up the big engines...LOL!

Made it! Whew!

The kids had a ball running in and out of it! I will definately need to make up a list of coop rules starting with... 1. Do not lock anyone inside the coop! (Only Mommy has the authority to lock someone up...lol!)

Ben's School Carnival & Noah's Track Meet

2010-05-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Ben's School Carnival

The school where Ben attends, Petersburg Elementary School, has a carnival for the students at the end of every year. Here is Ben (front) with his buds (from left to right) Jonah, Cody, Aidan & Caden.

The students performed a program for the parents which included a couple of readers' theatre performances and a song. Super sweet! Have I told you that you're singing and musical talent melts my heart, Benny boy?

What a nice class Ben had this year with Mrs. Heubner. She called him "a quiet thinker."

Here is Ben ready for his turn at limbo:)

Noah's Track Meet

Noah was patiently awaiting this fun event for several days! He loves to compete in races. Here, the 4th grade boys are lined up and ready to run!

After giving the race all of his might, Noah came in 3rd place (2nd year in a row). Great job, Noah!

Preschool Graduation

2010-05-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

That's right...my baby, Hannah has graduated from preschool and is officially a kindergartener! Wow, that doesn't seem possible!

Here's Ben having an apple snack before the big event...

Noah was, as usual, waiting on everyone to get ready to go:)

It was a chilly, damp evening and Hannah needed a jacket over her darling sundress!

Here is the graduate posing for an "after" picture with her big brother, Noah! Ben was sitting with a friend and missed this kodak moment:)

Hannah received a few gifts for this milestone...a bouquet of flowers from Noah & Ben, a bracelet from Nana, $ from Grandma Shelia (our babysitter), and a birthstone butterfly pendant from Mommy & Daddy!

Hannah...what a darling little girl you are! We all love you so much:)

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day out at the Schafer Farm! We had a yummy ham dinner, which everyone had a part in preparing! It was so nice having all the "moms" together at once....Mom (aka: Nana), my mother-in law, Marilyn (aka: Grandma), and my sister, Tammy (aka: Aunt Tammy).

Hannah is all ready for the get-together:)

Mom & Me

Me and my precious ones:)

Nana with Noah, Ben & Hannah

Mom, Me, and the kids

Me, Aunt Tammy, Nana, Noah, Ben & Hannah

Aunt Tammy, Nana & the kids

Grandma & Hannah

Grandma & the kids

Marilyn & Beth

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

Easter Egg Fun

2010-03-30T17:20:00.000-07:00

Ben and Hannah were ready for a fun time coloring eggs!

After the kids dyed the eggs, they decorated them with the Stampin' Up! Egg-cellent Eggs decorating kit.

Hannah hid her basket of eggs in the back yard for Ben to find.

Hannah found almost all of the eggs Ben hid. But, he couldn't even remember where the last two were hidden.

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-03-27T17:44:00.000-07:00

Guess who's in the bunny suit? Our good friend, Kim! It was a chilly day for an Easter egg hunt at New Salem Park.

All three kids had a good time hunting for eggs in their age group. It's hard to believe that it's the last year for Noah!

New Piggies

2010-01-09T17:43:00.001-08:00

Our Yorkshire gilt, Claire, had her first litter of pigs yesterday. There are six little darlings, four gilts and two boars. The seventh pig, a boar, didn't make it...he appeared to have a clotting problem from the umbilical cord.

Claire was bred with an all black crossbred boar, so you'll notice that a couple of the piggies have some black markings. We were hoping for a variety:) Noah, Ben, and Hannah are already naming the pigs and claiming which ones they will show at the summer fairs.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2010-01-03T16:25:00.000-08:00

The photo above was included in our Christmas card this year. Not only did I underestimate how many cards I needed/wanted to send out, the cards also went out very late...after Christmas:(

Festival of Trees 2009

2010-01-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

As a family, we always enjoy going to the Festival of Trees festival in Springfield over Thanksgiving weekend.

Hannah asked Santa for an American Girl puppy, named Sugar, and a bathtub to give her baths.

Ben asked Santa for a piano...(choke)...

Noah (still not too big to sit on Santa's lap) asked Santa for a set of Agents Legos.

Snacktime...Nachos and soda for Noah...

Gingerbread cookies for Ben and Hannah...mmm.

Speaking of Teeth

2009-06-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

One front tooth is gone and one more to go...
Here's a cute picture of Ben that I took the other day to get a good look at that front tooth before we pulled it...it was just "hanging by a thread!"

2009-06-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

After a few months of pulling 7 teeth, getting x-rays and records...Noah finally got the much needed first set of braces on his teeth. He was a trooper, but needs a regular dose of tylenol. Noah will have this first set of braces to correct a bite issue and straighten the teeth of course:) But, then after about a year rest period, he will get is second and final set of braces...ugh! Are you thinking what we've been thinking? $$$ We were going to go to the video store the other day for a movie/game rental...and Noah said, "Mom, I don't really need to rent a movie today since you're going to have to pay for my braces." LOL! If he only knew...

Noah at Football Camp

2009-05-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Noah is sporting the new t-shirt and football he received from his last day at PORTA Jr. Football Camp.

SCRIMAGE TIME!

Playing Offense

Noah was so excited when he was chosen to play the position of Quarterback! He takes it all very seriously. Get the snap...

The hand-off is good...

Half-Time

During the break, Noah and another student wanted to continue to practice throwing and catching. Now, that's a dedicated player, don't you think?

Huddle up!

Ready for the snap...

Noah's Long Jump

2009-05-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

Noah's class did some measuring activities today. There were three activities in which the students rotated from. The activity pictured is one where the students jumped from the edge of the blacktop and then measured the distance in inches and in centimeters. I love this photo of Noah in mid-air...taking his long jump...and from what he can remember, he jumped 64 inches.

Noah's 3rd Grade Field Trip

2009-04-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

Lincoln Tomb, Oak Ridge Cemetary in Springfield

Reach, Noah... and thanks, Christopher, for the boost! It's supposed to bring you good luck to rub Abraham Lincoln's nose...notice how shiny the brass is on his nose (from all the rubbing) compared to rest of the brass statue.

The boys are posing in front of the Temporary Tomb that held Lincoln's body for a short time.

The Lincoln Home, Springfield
We took a tour inside the home to see where Lincoln and his family once resided while he practiced law in Springfield and other Illinois towns.

The boys pose for one more group shot just before a movie at the Illinois State Museum. The museum has a Native American display and many other historic artifacts and fossils.

Last stop...McDonald's...bring on the hamburger, fries, and drink!

Noah's Last One-Digit Birthday!

2009-04-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

Happy 9th Birthday, Noah!

Noah's choice of cupcakes...Rainbow Chip cake with blue icing, no sprinkles...oh, and one other thing...a #9 on his cupcake:) Mom made an extra box (notice the top box has sprinkles) for her students.

passing out napkins to his classmates...

Noah's #9 cupcake...

Mmmm...looks good! As Daddy always says, "It's not any good if you don't get any on you."

Cheese:) One advantage of having Mom right next door at school this year...she can pop in anytime to capture a memory!

After school, Noah received his presents...a Pirates Lego set...

and a pair of Nike shox...size 3. Wow, Mom & Dad can't believe how big Noah is getting!

Hannah makes her appearance to celebrate with Noah and for a photo-op...Ben, where are you? For Noah's birthday dinner, he chose to eat at J & B's...cheesy-fries...his favorite!

Greg's First Turkey

2009-04-16T06:44:00.001-07:00

Greg called home this morning as we were leaving for school with news that he had shot a Tom. We met him at the Pizza Hut parking lot to see the gobbler...the kids were very excited and want to keep the fanned tail feathers.

Noah's Biography Book Report

2009-04-15T08:39:00.000-07:00

Noah read a book called Michael Jordan by Richard Brenner for his 3rd grade biography book report. After Noah read and wrote a report about the book, he then dressed up "LIKE MIKE" and presented his biography book report at school today.

For Noah's costume, he wore some clothing from last summer that we still had, then added some print-outs from google images with safety pins. Noah had received a new pair of Air Jordan shoes for Christmas from Nana & Pop, which came in very handy today!

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

We spent the day at Nana & Pop's house for Easter. This picture was taken on the front step of their house before we headed for their church for an early breakfast, egg hunt, and Sunday school.

Hannah

Ben

Noah

The 5 of us...Greg, Stacey, Noah, Ben, & Hannah

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hannah and I went to the mall on Friday to do some Spring shopping. After we left Children's Place with a couple of new outfits, we realized that the Easter Bunny was posing for pictures in the middle of the mall! Hannah wanted to change into one of her new outfits and get her picture taken with Mr. Bunny, so we headed to the Macy's restroom and got her all "dolled-up", as Daddy would say. We had to wait in line for about 45 minutes, but it was well worth the wait to see Hannah giving Mr. Bunny high-fives and hugs. Happy Easter, everyone!

Stacey

The Piggies are Here!

2009-04-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Greg is holding our one of our Duroc gilts from Jill's litter. Hannah named both of the gilts in the litter "Pink Rose."

Greg had checked on Jill Saturday morning around 7:30 A.M. and knew she was close to delivery. He came home to pick us up so we could see the birth. By the time we got out to the farm at 9:30, there were four pigs already nursing. The next four pigs were born quickly by 10:45 AM.

It looks as though the pigs have already agressively established teat order. How amazing!

There were 8 healthy pigs born Saturday morning, but later, one gilt was found trapped under Jill and didn't survive. She delivered a ninth still-born pig two days later. That leaves 5 boars and 2 precious gilts, Pink Rose #1 and Pink Rose #2.

Aren't these pigs the cutest things you've ever seen?

Waiting...First Litter of Pigs

2009-04-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Our Duroc gilt, Jill, is getting ready to have her first litter of pigs. We are so excited and anxious for the arrival, but Jill is making us wait! Her due date was Tuesday, the 7th, and we have checked on her several times a day since. Who knows? The piglets may make their appearance during Easter dinner.

Ben's 7th Birthday ~ No April Fool's

2009-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that Benny Boy is already 7! Look at those sleepy eyes...he is our "night owl" and is slow to wake up in the morning. But, on his birthday morning, he was a little easier to wake:) For the cupcakes to share with his classmates, he chose white cake with orange icing and sprinkles. While he slept last night, I made up the little cupcake toppers to add to his surprise this morning.

Miss Hannah would not miss an event like this one...Noah was parked in front of the tv, getting his cartoon fill for the day.

"New boots!" Ben's boots from last year are well-worn after showing pigs, doing chores, and just every day use...the boy loves his boots.

"New coverall bibs...just like Dad's." It's the simple things like this that makes this boy happy. Ben's wish list usually includes less toys than most children his age and more "practical" things. He is definately an "old soul" with a big heart!

Daddy knows just how to adjust those straps! Happy Birthday, Ben! We love you!

Enjoying Bella

2009-02-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Bella is Growing So Fast!

2009-01-15T10:22:00.000-08:00

A puppy's life....sleep, grow, sleep...

Snuggle, grow, sleep...
Our 10 year old labrador, Kate, is so sweet with Bella. She snuggles with her and gently holds toys in her mouth while Bella chews and pulls on them.

Sleep, chew, sleep...
In this photo, Bella had fallen asleep while chewing on this little teddy bear.

Look What Santa Brought!

2008-12-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

Santa surprised us all with a new Bluetick Beagle puppy named Bella! She is the littlest puppy we had ever seen and such a snuggle-bug! Look how cute she is sleeping belly-side up in her puppy bed.

When Hannah first saw Bella, she picked her up and said, "Awww! Is it real? Mommy, it's REAL!" Hannah continued to carry Bella just like this almost continuously for the next several days.

Thanks, Santa! The house hasn't been the same since we lost Abbey, our 14-year old Dachshund last summer. It's just what this family needed...a new little puppy to warm our hearts.

Noah, Ben & Hannah ~ Christmas Card 2008 Photo

2008-12-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

Here is a photo of the kids that was taken at the entrance of our subdivision in early December. Noah (8), Ben (6), and Hannah (4) posed nicely for the photo but as soon as Mom said "We're done," they ran to the warm car as quickly as they could to get out of the cold wind. This photograph was included in our Christmas cards this year...or should I say New Year's cards (the cards were mailed out after Christmas...much after.)