The Seven Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas the Schulz family, partied with the Schulz family!
We hosted all of the Schulzes for a fun, delicious, merry time. 

Creating a snowman family to welcome everyone to the party

Spot It

Opening presents

The whole crew

Legos with Uzu

Playing Kids On Stage

On the second day of Christmas the Schulz family, traveled all the way to Currie!
Addy and I traveled the two and a half hours to Elizabeth and Matt's house in Currie, MN to celebrate with the Augsburg girls and their families. It was a small gathering this year, but fun to chat about our growing families. We really missed those who could not make it.

Kayla, Elizabeth (and baby Schreier!), Trish, me, and Addy

On the third day of Christmas the Schulz family, battled with the icky-sickies!
Despite our best efforts, a winter cold hit Dax full force right in the middle of our gauntlet of Christmas celebrations. We laid low in hopes that he could kick it quickly.

On the fourth day of Christmas the Schulz family, met the Olsons at the home of Jon & Jean!
While Dax was not well enough for this celebration, Addy and I ventured out. There were only 27 of the almost 40 of us this year, but we enjoyed good conversation, yummy appetizers, the story of Jesus' birth, Christmas carols, and a gift exchange. It was delightful. (video by Aunt Karen Zibolski)

Little Grinches for the party

Opening presents the next morning

On the fifth day of Christmas the Schulz family, did Christmas eve with Gma Amy!
The Pyle family Christmas was our next adventure. This time we all headed out to celebrate together. We started with one of our favorite traditions - the Christmas Eve service at Oak Grove complete with good news and candlelit singing. From there we joined the Pyles at Amy's house and enjoyed our annual Mexican feast, gift opening, a white elephant exchange, and lots of laughter.

Licking the spoon from a batch of Christmas fudge

The Pyle crowd

Ed's elf hat

Loving his presents

New Legos!

Addy with Great Aunt Lesley

Singing with Travis on our way out

Saying goodbye to Superman 2

On the sixth day of Christmas the Schulz family, delighted in the Santa mystery!
Dax could hardly sleep through his excitement about Santa's visit and it was so fun to wake up with him (which could only have been more fun had it been a few hours later!). We found and played with presents from the man in red, exchanged gifts with each other, and soaked up the magic that can only be found during the holidays. Then (after battling a still sick, over tired, overstimulated toddler), we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Olson's house. Breakfast for dinner and another gift exchange rounded out our day. (Videos show Dax right away Christmas morning and a glimpse into how he opened presents - very carefully!)

Testing Addy's blood pressure

Playing with some of his new toys

Underwear!

Playing one of his new games

Our sweet, beautiful girl

Jenga is so funny!

Modeling his new sweater from Auntie Shannon

On the seventh day of Christmas the Schulz family, soaked up our final day of Merry!
Another low-key morning almost turned our toddler monster back into the sweet boy we know and we ended our holiday week with Grandpa and Grandma Schulz. 

Ads and Auntie Anna

Helping Grandpa open the canvas Dax painted for them

Gift opening

Not sure about the face, but sporting his awesome new Gopher hat

Dax found a new toy to play with even before he opened any of his presents!

Whew! We are blessed to have amazing family and incredible friends and feel lucky to get to spend time with so many people throughout the holidays. The crazy schedules, indulgent food, and gifts threw the littlest Schulzes out of whack, but, in the end, there was more joy than tears. And while Dax might be in party withdrawal over the next few days, we are looking forward to playing with all of Dax and Addy's new toys!