Scramble Eggs

I'm not sure when it happened, our girls never used to be picky eaters. But somewhere along the way both of them stopped eating eggs. Kate has acutally been boycotting all meat except cheeseburgers for a few months now. I've had to pull out all my Super tricks to get protein in her.

This morning we were out of all our normal breakfast fare, except cereal, and it was too cold to run out to the store or go out for breakfast so I told them I would make eggs. At first they scoffed but I talked it up and they got excited. I had to photograph the event because it's been quite a while since they've even entertained the idea of eating eggs. Today they did, and they liked them.

Look at me mom, I'm going to take a bite!!



Let me try biting my empty fork first.



Put that plate down here.

I won't give you any flack mom.
I'll eat the eggs and ask for more!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

To Target we drove from Schultzville one day.
You see Target, from here, is sort of far away.
We walked right inside and we saw a cat.
The Dr. Seuss Cat, in the red stripe-ed hat.
The kids sat right down and listened a while
and they both left the store with gigantic smiles.

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

The Seuss birthday celebration at Target. How cool!

Mom, can you take my picture in this outfit and send it to Miss Yeagley?

Take my picture too mom!

Hi Miss Yeagley!!

Today was Sarah's first full day of school at St. Pats.

Her new teacher Mrs. Cagle is very nice

but Sarah really misses her good friend Miss Yeagley.

She asked me to take this picture and send it to her.

Hi Miss Yeagley!

Daddy Daugher Princess Ball

This doens't happen every day . . . in the midst of the whole moving thing, buying a house, trying to sell the old house, coordinating movers and everything else, Supermom actually did something right and I have pictures to prove it . . .

When I was out here to buy the house I found a flyer about a Daddy Daughter Ball. I called and it was a bit of a chore but I was able to get tickets for our girls to go. Kate was so excited. She was not old enough to attend that Daddy Daugher Valentines Ball in Chandler last year. This year she got to go and she shined!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Princess Kate

So graceful.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Princess Sarah

Both ladies are escorted by a handsome prince, Daddy.

First Day of School

Baby Kate started school the first week we got here. She's going to Our Savior Lutheran Preschool. All the kids were waiting for her to come. They have made us feel so welcome.

Here she is all bundled up and ready to go.

Sarah and I picked her up after school and took her to McDonald's play area for lunch and play and a first day of school gift ( a Hannah Montana necklace.)

Sarah's first day was Friday. She just went for a few hours to meet her classmates and get the hang of things.

Dressing in Illinois is very different than Arizona. Sarah is wearing a tank top, turtleneck, tights, jumper and a sweater. Topped off with furry boots from Aunt Tiff and later her parka, gloves, scarf and hat. Brrrrrr.

Ready Or Not Here We Come!!

Look out Illinois! Here come the Schultz Girls!!

We got up at 4:30 (aka the Bu(tt) Crack of Dawn, which the girls thought was really funny to say all morning and incidentally is only permitted if you're awake before 5:00 am) We fed the little monkeys and took off for Williams Gateway Airport, which is just a few miles from our Gilbert home. Ironically, we had been staying in Scottsdale with Granie and Grandpa so it was a 30 minute ride.

The airport was surprising crowded for a 7:30 flight. Granie and Grandpa waited in line with us and watched us get through security. It was actually a long wait; with my prosthetic hip I practically get strip searched every time. But we made it through, blew Granie and Grandpa kisses, choked back some tears and headed off for our new adventure. Starting with a trip to the news stand for water, magazine and a small toy. We met a nice lady with a small poodle while we were waiting. Before we knew it we were boarding the plane . . .

Off we go!!

Why did we have to get up so early.

I don't really need this sucker, I can suck my thumb.

Hey Sis, want to play Bratz?

Snowball the white rat even made the trip.

[He has his own story that I'll save for another day.]

Before we knew it we were landing.

It was 29 degrees . . .

I missed you Daddy!

Hello new house!

Hi Lola, we missed you too.

Oh look at the little Laurel ball. She's cold!

Come on Kate. Let's explore.

Here's Sarah's new room.

And Daddy has all our toys setup in the basement.

Hey Topher was right. My toys are here.

The first time they played in snow.

Even if there was just a little on the ground.

Making snow angels.

These are way better than the carpet angels Sarah used to make.

Mommy's car is here.




Hello Roxy Sequoia.

Brrrrr. It's cold!!

So long Arizona . . . for now.

WARNING: This is yet another sappy post. Nothing that will make you cry just a bunch of gratitude.

Most of you know that my 13 year old nephew Cody is battling cancer. He’s fought very courageously, doing the tough stuff when he has to and having as much fun as possible whenever he can. Seeing Cody last summer while he was in remission, I learned something very valuable.

LIVE.

Live every moment.

Enjoy the time you have with people you care about.

Jeff and I were just kids when we moved to Arizona. 23, just married. In the twelve years we lived here we spent a lot of time working and not enough time with the people we care about. We were very fortunate to make so many good friends in spite of ourselves and we're very glad to have shared so many of our major life experiences with you.

Most of you will recall me mentioning, a lot, how much I treasure friendships on behalf of our girls. Having grown up moving every few years, I don't have friends I’ve known since high school let alone preschool - so to me its really cool that my girls do and I thank you all for being such a wonderful part of our lives. I hope we'll always keep in touch.

Our last outings as Arizona Residents . . .

A bunch of my girlfriends had a

wonderful going away party for us.

Sarah and Sydney skipped school in the morning

so they could see each other one last time.

To Christine, AmyB, AmyW, Monica and Steph - you all have been so good to me through a few really crazy years and I so appreciate you all. Thank you for seeing us off with such a wonderful party. I will miss you all!!

Look at those beautiful faces. How much we'll miss you.

Miss Carrie, Kate's preschool teacher

who helped me out through the whole move.

Carrie, you were like an angel sent to save me; I would not have gotten through this move with any sanity if it weren't for you. We only knew you a short time but I hope you'll keep in touch with us always. You will be greatly missed!

Our precious Miss Yeagley.

You embraced us sappy Schultz girls all year long and you're sincerely loved by our whole family. Sarah is going to miss being with you every day - and I'm going to miss seeing my daughter through your very loving eyes. You've been a friend, a teacher and a shining example of the kind of people we want to be. I am forever grateful for the few months Sarah spent in your class. You've given us all memories that will last a lifetime! I know we'll keep in touch forever; we love you!

Miss Yeagley with Matt, Sarah and Kate

at our favorite place: Cheesecake Factory.

To the Chandler Mall Cheesecake Factory: Granie and I and the girls (born and unborn) spent many great lunches with you. I always tell my mom: when the going gets tough, the Schultz' go shopping which usually include Cheesecake Factory. We'll miss you . . .

Kate and Garrett

Garrett and Amy were our Tuesday/Thursday McDonald's Buddies

Amy - When we started getting together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before preschool I never dreamed how important this time would become to me. Kate and Garrett loved their mornings together - even if they wouldn't make eye contact when they talked to each other. And you inspired me to be a true supermom. I know we'll keep in touch but I will miss you and our morning coffee therapy so much!!

The Last Few Days . . .

Sarah last day of school was on Valentines Day. Her classmate Topher, who has moved a lot in the last few years, was in tears at the thought of Sarah moving away. He had great advice for her telling Sarah that all her toys would be waiting at her new house. Miss Yeagley saw her off with a loving hug, a chance to say goodbye to each classmate and a beautiful cheerleader rag doll with brown pigtails and a blue an white outfit, just like our little West Gilbert Mountain Lion cheerleader!

After all our partying, we picked Sarah up from school, finalized things at our Gilbert home and ventured up to Granie and Grandpa's house in Scottsdale for our last two days in town. I don't have any pictures of us with my parents . . . how crazy is that? Good thing I don't claim the title of SuperDaughter . . .

We were pretty busy and just trying to enjoy every moment together. Dad, if you have pictures email them so I can add them to my post!!

Grandma Betty with Danny and Kate on Valentines Day.
You are so special to us. We love you Grandma!!!

On Valentines night we went to Aunt Pam and Uncle Wayne's for Grandma Betty's birthday party. I don't have many pictures of that night because in the middle of everything Kate had an unknown allergic reaction. We ended up in the emergency room.

Here's video of little Kate in the ER.

Uncle Wayne, I owe you special thanks for hauling a$$ and getting us to the hospital so fast. Thanks for staying all night and keeping my mom company. We love you!!

So long for now . . .

After we found out about the move to Illinois everything went really fast and we were busy getting things ready. There wasn’t time to even think that in a few weeks we wouldn’t be able to see our friends and family any time we want to. I knew it would hit us later on and did my very best to follow sweet Cody's example and LIVE, enjoying each moment. The girls and I enjoyed these very special moments with all our friends. Thank you all for all the fun times we've had together and for taking time to see us off.

We won't say goodbye, just 'so long for now.'