Family Christmas "Christmas Story" style

Well we went to my dad's to open gifts for the kids today. My dad has a HUGE heart and always makes sure everyone has everything that they need to make them happy. He never worries about himself. That's why his idea to go out for Chinese food for lunch was accepted and not mocked. We giggled a little to ourselves but knew why he was doing it and that it was something that dad wanted to do for everyone. Dad is one of those people that is over flowing with love and he is always willing to go overboard to show it. Some times he does this in some very unconventional ways, but we love him even more because of it.
Having Chinese food for Christmas lunch was something I wouldn't have thought of in a million years when mom was still with us. She would have put her foot down and said a definate NO! But now that it's just dad, we try and accommodate his wishes if at all possible. (even if it is a little off center) Being that we had just watched the Christmas Story movie the night before, the kids got a real kick out of going to a Chinese place for lunch. They were even singing the falalalala song just like in the movie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46WcFObgYhI Oh well I just had to share the holiday fun with all of you. Hug those around you that you love and always have a very OPEN MIND!!!

Christmas 2008 @ the Haver's

We had Christmas and Ronda's parent's house on Tuesday. It was so nice getting to see them as well as her brother Ron and kids Mackenzie and Jordan. Christmas is such a fun time of year. Seeing the excitement and joy on the faces of the kids makes it great!!

An OOOOOOPS turns into puppies

Well we thought we got our male puppy Oliver fixed in time but apparently we didn't. Nicki gave birth to five new puppies on Sunday the 20th. Two females and three males. She had a very rough labor but nothing a trip to the emergency vet and $500 couldn't take care of!! Everyone is healthy now and all is good. Nicki is a very good mommy and she keeps Oliver and Rudy at bay. They are so cute though. We will have to get rid of these pups as soon as they are ready to go to another home. (10 animals in our home zoo is more than enough!!!) We will be selling them for $300 for males and $350 for the two females. Pass the word around to anyone that might be a prospective good home for them. Keep in touch!!

I"M FINISHED!!!!!

I'm finally finished with my final student teaching at Miramonte Elementary. My mom would have been so proud of her little boy!!! It has been such a bitter-sweet day. On one hand I am so happy that I have finished the final leg of me becoming a teacher. On the other hand I have grown so fond of the class that I did my final student teaching in that I am kind of sad as well. Room 405 took me in as part of their family and taught me so much. I learned as much from the students in class as they learned from me. What a great experience I have had for the past few months. I will always hold this class of 4th graders in a special place in my heart. Now it's on to a long-term subbing job at Reagan Elementary starting in January. I can't wait for this new chapter in my becoming a teacher. The principal at Reagan is a very nice guy and it should be a great experience. Stay tuned for how things go........

What a great weekend

I went to pro football game this weekend with my dad, uncle Randy, and my cousin Nate. We saw the San Francisco 49ers and the St. Louis Rams play at Candlestick in San Francisco. We had such a great weekend. We tailgated before the game and saw the two 2-7 teams play. My dad and I went up and spent the night with uncle Randy and Nate. Randy took us to a bar/restaurant where they play a game called bocce ball. It's usually a game played by old men but we played it and what a blast!!

Cameron's 16th birthday is next on the agenda....This Thursday he will be the big 16. I can't believe it. Also, i'll be completely finished with my college life as of December 10th!!! Yea I know...FINALLY!!! I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving. We have so much to give thanks for this year.

The first week of the new school year has come and gone and we are all excited to see what this year brings. From Kyle starting a new school (Alta Sierra Junior High - 7th grade!!) to Cameron moving on to his second year of high school (Clovis North High School - a sophomore!!). Ronda and I have started a new school year as well with Ronda back at Alta Sierra Junior High. Yes Kyle is at the same school as mom!!! We'll see how he likes having mom watch over him all day. I'm starting at a new school this year (Miramonte Elementary - 2nd grade) until January and then i'll be back to my old stomping grounds in 3rd grade at Reagan Elementary, both in Clovis Unified.

The boys are keeping the family hopping with plenty of extra curricular activities. Kyle is trying out for the school golf team as well as playing the violin in the orchestra and Cameron is continuing with baseball. He's actually spending the Labor Day weekend in Paso Robles at a baseball tournament.

I hope this blog finds everyone doing well. Please comment on the blog or give us an email of how your families are doing!!

Well it's been a little while since our last post. The boys have been especially busy the past month or so. Kyle has been at a Nike Golf Camp all of this past week and I think he has finally found his niche!! He is improving by leaps and bounds and is having a real blast learning the game. He has absolutely hit it off with one of the instructors named Chad. Chad has been giving Kyle a lot of extra tips and giving him constant positive feedback. On Thursday Kyle's camp moves from the practicing part to the actual golfing the course part. This is where the students get to apply what they have learned the entire week. He is really looking forward to this.

Cameron is still playing baseball for the Fresno Blue Devils. He's been starting every game in either left or right field and doing a really nice job. His batting average isn't what he would like but his on base percentage is awesome (he gets walked more than anyone). This past Sunday he had a terrible thing happen to him that just crushed him. His baseball bag with all of his equipment was stolen out of our car. He had three baseball gloves, a bat, cleats, etc. in it and it turns out, after adding it all up, that he lost over $1700.00 worth of gear. As anyone who knows anything about baseball knows, getting new gear purchased isn't all that it is cracked up to be. Sure he gets new fielders mitts but now (in the middle of the season) he has to work like crazy to break them in. Playing with a new glove is darn near impossible until it is softened up and broken in to your hand. Needless to say he was totally devistated.

Ronda and I have been plugging away getting geared up for the new school year that starts on the 25th of August. All seems to be going pretty well here at our house. Send us an email on how you and your families are doing. Take care.

Whoda Thought??

Cameron hit his first official high school home run tonight. He crushed a pitch over the left field fence more than 350 feet. There was no doubt the minute the ball left the bat. There were two guys on when he hit it too. The team won the game tonight 10-1 and on top of that his team's pitchers gave up only one actual hit. Any way, Cam was floating around the bases after his home run and his smile was contagious for the whole team. The best part of this night is what Cam said to me on the way to the game. He said, "dad, i'm gonna contribute BIG tonight". Boy did he have some hind-sight or what?! We're always proud of our boys, but whenever we see them succeed at something they truly love to do, it's just amazing.

4th of July

Our family had a really nice 4th of July this year. My aunt and uncle came down to spend a couple of days with us. We got to go out to pizza and went to the Fresno Grizzlies baseball game. Dad was nice enough to get the tickets for all of us. They put on a fun game (even though we got beat up 6-1), and also a great tribute to the Red, White, and Blue via an awesome fireworks show after the game. It's always fun hangin out with my dad, and any time we get to see Aunt Margie and Uncle Randy it's a good time!!! Uncle Randy told us that as of the 4th of July this year it marked the 39th anniversary of him earning the coveted Purple Heart. (as if we were'nt proud already!! Very cool!!) Hope everyone is having a nice and safe 4th with their families and loved ones. God bless our troops, present and past!!!

New family member(s)

Well we had a BIG night last night at the Schmidt house. Our miniature schnauser Nicki gave birth to 5 new little baby pups. Very cute and hungry!!! She had 3 females and 2 males. That puts our pet count at 10!!!! We won't be keeping the pups though. Any way, had to share.

Ugh.........

Well another week has passed in the Schmidt house. The past week has introduced me to the jury duty process. I made the mistake several days ago of saying to Ronda that I wouldn't mind getting picked on a jury so I could get a feel for the judicial process and to see how things work. Boy should I have watched out what I wished for!!! I was chosen to be a juror, for a 6 week long trial!!! Wow, when i'm given what I ask for i'm really given what I ask for. Oh well, at least i'm off of school right now. The rest of the family is keeping busy too so far this summer. Ronda is gearing up for summer school, Cameron is playing baseball for the high school team and he has been starting in left and right field, and Kyle has been doing a lot of swimming with friends at the house. We don't always lead the most exciting of lives but we are always super swamped with things going on. This summer is showing that it will follow suit. This weekend I will be attempting the last major test before getting my teaching credential. It is called the RICA or the reading instruction competency assessment. It is a veyry extensive exam that basically makes sure that we are able to assess and teach students reading. It tests that we are able to realize any problems the students are having and know ways to overcome these struggles. Should be quite a test. Any way i'll leave you for now. I hope this blog finds you all doing well and having a good summer. Take care. The Schmidt family.

School's Out!!!!!

Well today was the last day of school for everyone. Cameron finished his first year of high school at Clovis North High School, Kyle finished his last year of elementary school, and Ronda (like every year) called me and sang her rendition of "i'm on vacation, i'm on vacation". Her song didn't razz me as much this year as I was already on vacation from my 2nd to last semester in the Fresno State teaching credential program. By the end of December i'll be a full-fledged teacher and finally back in the working world! My wife and family have been so supportive getting me through the program, it's been great. This summer Cameron will be playing some legion baseball with his school team. He also just got his drivers permit this past week!!! ugh!!! Kyle is going to take some golfing lessons or camps. Ronda is going to teach summer school for three weeks or so, and i'm going to be trying to find any and every odd job I can find to make some extra cash. Hopefully we can take a trip as a family camping and to the beach a couple of times over summer too. It should be a great summer hangin out together.