Christmas Day at the Shemanskes

Chloe here. So after Santa came to our house, we headed over to Grammie and Grandpa's for some more Christmas fun.

We had a yummy breakfast. I love strawberries!


Ummm... I think I just ate some ham :(


Mommy attempted to bake Great Grandma Shemanske's famous poppyseed cake which no one has made since she passed away in August of 2009. Unfortunately, this is what happened. Somehow it all cracked right down the middle into multiple pieces. Truth be told, Mommy was devastated. But everyone said it tasted really good and that made her feel better! Then Grammie told her that GG used to put long toothpicks into the cake so that this very thing didn't happen! Mommy said, "NOW you tell me."


See how Mommy's eyes are all puffy from crying? Silly Mommy... it's only a cake!


Megan and Morgan (who looked so nice while we were all in our jammies) tried to get a lovely picture, but all I wanted to do is open presents... like this Elmo shirt they got me!


Cool! A Tonka truck!


I can't remember what was in here, but I'm sure I loved it.


Um, can please open another one?


I got a real cool car ramp from Grammie and Grandpa... and Mommy assembled it!


Daddy must have been naughty... all Santa brought him was coal. Just kidding! He got this charcoal to go with his new grill.


Check out this cool big-girl backpack that Auntie and Momo got for me.


I enjoyed putting it on and running around the house.


All that exercise made me hungry, so I ate some... that's right... frozen corn. Don't ask.


All the Shemanske ladies. Mommy didn't want me to upload this picture because she says she looks "like butt." So please don't tell her.


Later that night I got to hold Baby Ben Schubert!


Ben looks adorable here, but I look like a bored teenager... visions of the future?


Um, he's getting heavy... can someone help me out?

Christmas Morning

Chloe here. As you saw from the videos, Santa came to our house on Christmas!

I woke up and there was a stocking my room. I got to reach in an pull everything out.


It was filled with treats, bath things and matchbox cars. Cool!


Then I went into the living room and got to open a big present from Santa.


I tore off the paper, bit by bit and handed it to Mommy.


I took the paper off with my signature Chloe flourish.


He got me the TagJr. reading system and a bunch of books. Way to go, Santa!


Then I helped Daddy open his present... I got him a Sesame Street shirt. If you want to see it, check out the videos from last post.


Then I went to help Mommy open the present that I made for her.


It made her cry!


See how I decorated the mattes around these pictures?


I made a Badger one for our basement with the family shot we took in November.


And I made her another one to take to school that reminds her that I love her! With a picture of just me and Mommy.


Then I wrote on my chalkboard, "Merry Christmas, everybody!"

Christmas Morning (in Videos)

No explanation needed, really. The first videos are at our house and the last one is at Grammie and Grandpa's. Enjoy!

We're Back

I know, I know. It's been almost 2 weeks since the last blog post. There's nothing big that's been going on, just busy getting back into the routine of the days. So here's one to tide you over. Will will continue our catchup... on Christmas Catchup (pathetic, I know) soon, I promise!

And Go Pack Go!

Christmas Catchup: Chapter 1 - Christmas Eve

Chloe here. I tried to post this yesterday, but immediately after writing it, Blogger was unfriendly to me and erased all of my witty words. So I gave up for the day and am back again today to try.

This marks the first post in what is to be known as the Simek Christmas Extravaganza (SCE). On Christmas Eve, we usually travel to Mommy's Uncle Pete's house for presents and goodies. This Christmas Eve was no different, apart from the fact that the weather was terrible. But, I digress. Let's get to the good stuff... the pictures of me!

Here I am cheesing it up for the camera. This is just minutes after mommy found me out of my crib once again and gave up on nap for the day. (Don't worry, I got to sleep in the car.)

This is the face I now make when someone tells me to smile. Lovely, isn't it?

Watch out, comin' atcha!

After the crib incident, I was trying to look extra angelic.

Do you think it worked?

How do you like my Christmas dress?

Please don't make me take a nap, Mommy!

Check out those baby blues. Thanks, Daddy!

Striking a pose. The matching tights made the outfit, don't you think?

You crazy Mommy! I said no more pictures!

Hey stop that, paparazzi... I'm playing here. No more!

We went to Gramme and Grandpa's house on the way down to Uncle Pete's and I got to open one present.

I got some neat animals and airplanes to play with... and these cool nesting boxes to put them in.

Ahhhh... the official, licensed Simek Holiday Photo.

So here we are at Uncle Pete and Aunt Liz's house. Auntie Megan insisted that I try on her new boots.

Do I look hot?

Then we started opening presents. There were lots for me. Here I am meeting the Grinch... not so sure about him.

I got a cool book about a fairy. Thanks, Aunt Liz!

Opening up my Elmo phone from Uncle Tom and Aunt Kim.

Trying to text Super Grover, but there's no signal.

So Mommy gets on the line to try and get a hold of Ernie or Bert. (They were unavailable.)

Opening my last present... what could it be?

The best one of all... LEGOs! (Actually Duplos.) I. LOVE. THEM.

We ended the night by relaxing while I played with Auntie Megan's hair.

Thanks, Uncle Pete and Aunt Liz for a great party, good food and lots of fun!