Christmas Ditty 2008

Schaffer Highlights of 2008

To the tune of “12 days of Christmas”

In the 12 months of 2008,

The Schaffer’s were up to…

Twelve skiing trips,

Eleven waterfall hikes,

Ten pairs of running shoes,

Nine months of pregnancy,

Eight visits to the Coast,

Seven camping trips,

Six months with a backyard,

Five days in Cancun,

Four days Pioneer Trekking,

Three wheels on a little bike,

Two marathons,

And a jump from an airplane, too!

Have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

 Love, Jim, Melanie & Bridger

Dear Grandma & Papa

I am  sorry we can not be together for Christmas, but I wanted to tell you how much I love to Skype with you and watch our dances together (see post below) over and over and over again - especially on snow days. 

I love you! Merry Christmas

Love, Bridger

P.S. bnbbbbbbbbbbbgeeeeeeeedlllkoox424i9au njjhwuyt6455456

Hours of Fun

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

I'm dreaming of a White Christmas

Today marks the second Sunday in a row that Church has been cancelled due to weather. Last week it was an inch of snow, and we thought it would probably melt in a day. Now, a week layer the snow has been joined by more snow plus a layer of ice below and on top of the snow, making things really interesting for the city that doesn't have the tools to make the roads drivable. 
Despite the unfortunate church cancellations, road closures, and shops shutting down, Jim has gone to work all week, and Bridger and I have been home bodies - attempting to finish all Christmas shopping online. We have had a lot of Pajama Days this past week. Our activities have included drinking hot chocolate, playing the Wii, watching all the Disney movies we own, listening to Christmas music, playing piano, and lots of snuggling.

With this weather, there are two boys in this household that really don't seem to mind...

Jim pulled out his skis the first day it snowed and took a few runs down the driveway.

Trust me, nothing excites my husband more than the day that he can take Bridger skiing with him (on a real mountain). 

I do it...

Bridger's favorite phrase is "I do it!"  This morning we had his latest streak of independence. He had just gotten out of the tub, and ran off (literally). I called after him "Bridger, you need a diaper on!". He comes back a moment later (yes, still naked) long enough to fish out a swim diaper in the cupboard and say "Die, Dipe." (translation: diaper) "I do it".  Then he was off again. 

It took me a moment to pick up toys, wipe up water and drain the tub left behind, when finally I look in Bridger's room and found that he did, in fact, do it! He put on this diaper himself! Hooray!

There was only one small problem... note the left cheek hanging out, and the diaper being backwards. We thought this was so hilarious, we let him run around like this a little longer before explaining we did not have swim class today, and he did indeed still need a new diaper on. 

Yahoo for hilariously independent little boys!

Close encounters of the Santa kind

This will be Bridger's 2nd Christmas, and I thought it was funny to compare his first encounter with Santa with his second. 

In 2007...

He was definitely too young to know why I stuck him on this stranger's lap and as you can see immediately squirms to try and get off. 

In 2008...

'

Now, for any of you who know Bridger - he is a great kid, but VERY active and wiggly. It was so funny to see him sit, be totally still and non responsive. Poor camera guy was doing his best to elicit a response, but Bridger was totally blank. 

You never know how your kid will react to Santa. I wonder what will happen next year!

29 Reasons Why I Love My Hubby!

1. He loves me – no matter what! He is a wonderful husband.
2. He loves our Bridger. He is a great father. He is so excited to have a little girl join our family.
3. He made up “The 12 Weeks of Christmas” for me and has been surprising me with gifts for weeks!
   
4. He is a great provider for our family. He works hard at his job. We have everything we need and most of what we want.
5. He is adventurous. I tease him because he seems to always have “wiggles” that need to come out, meaning he always wants to be doing something active & fun.
6. He loves life.
7. He loves a challenge. He prides himself on being a “problem solver”.
   
   
8. He enjoys a little healthy competition while playing games.
9. He thinks outside the box. He loves to explore all the options, and usually comes up with ideas that would never cross my mind.
10. He is supportive of whatever crazy endeavors I may want to pursue.
11. He isn’t afraid to get down & dirty. Just ask about snaking the tub and pulling out a rat sized hair ball. Ick.
12. He loves to travel and loves to take me along for the ride.
13. He is smart.
14. He loves his family.
15. He loves my family.
16. He is sexy! I better think so – I am his wife.
    
    
17. He has a strong Testimony of Jesus Christ and loves the gospel
18. He served a mission and loved it. We are still trying to work out when we might be able to go visit the Philippines some day.
19. He loves his calling in church.
20. He is committed to whatever he is a part of.  
21. He is strong. I know I can lean on him.
22. He is helpful. He has a knack for knowing just what I need.  
23. He is active and really achieved a lot in his running in the past year.
    
    
24. He asks for my advice & feedback on nutrition & exercise topics, helping me to feel that my Exercise Science degree will not go to waste.
25. He is a great example to me.
26. He has good intentions. When it comes down to it, he really just wants what is best for people.
27. He is a lot of fun to be around.
28. He laughs in his sleep. J
29. He is perfect for me.

Happy Birthday Jim! 

Welcome your 29th year of life!

Thanksgiving update

This year we have much to be thankful for. We have loved being parents to our boy, Bridger, who turns 2 this month, and are getting ready for a little girl to join our family in January. Jim's job is going well. We love the area we live in and the friends we have made. We have been able to visit a lot of our extended family on all sides this past year. We feel very blessed.

For Thanksgiving, we were in the Sacramento, CA area to spend time with my Dad's side of the family. There were many reasons to celebrate the week together. One of my cousins returned from his mission, and we went to his homecoming.

We celebrated my Grandpa's 80th birthday. This is my Grandpa & Grandma (seated in the middle) & their kids: Rodney, Don, Linda, Brent, & Paul. (My cousin Andrew snuck into the picture between G & G.) All the grand kids & great grand kids that made it to the celebration. I missed my siblings, but had to represent.

This is how we kept the little ones in line at the Birthday party.

Jim was taping down something with blue duct tape and the kids seemed really interested to have some of their own, so this is the result of them coming back for more and more

They really liked it - I promise...

In the party after the birthday party, we returned to my uncle Paul's home to play Rock Band. I can not describe how entertaining this was. The sound on the video isn't the best, but I want to just point out my uncle Kirk (in red) rocking out the microphone even though he had never heard the song before, my mom (on the couch, without a mic) singing along, Jim's intensity on keeping up the beat on drums, and my uncle Paul (standing) unleashing his inner rock star as he dances around with his guitar.

The day before Thanksgiving, we attended the Loomis (the town we stayed in) "Day before Thanksgiving Parade". Bridger wasn't too into it at first, but then realized people were handing out candy and got very happy and very sticky.

On Thanksgiving day, my dad & I went to support Jim as he ran the Feed the Hungry 10k in Sacramento. Getting up early to spectate a running event may not seem like a lot of fun, but when there is 28,000 participants, it is actually really exciting.

Above is my dad sporting Jim's T-shirt. Below is some random pics we took while waiting for the race to start.

Notice that watermelon under my shirt? Yeah, that is all belly. Jim takes his place among the crowd. We took our spectating positions, and thought we were safe on the sidewalk down the road from the start. However, as you can see from the video - these runners didn't care so much if there was a pregnant lady with a camera innocently standing on the sidewalk. We had to climb up on the shrubbery to keep out of the way and avoid being trampled.

In order to take a safe route to watch the finish, my dad and I actually had to join the crowd and walk some of the race course to navigate our way back to where we should be. Remember that arcade game Frogger? That is what we felt like among the thousands of people. Here is my dad getting in on the action.
Jim ran a great race & set a PR: 6.2 miles in 45 minutes, 45 seconds.
On our way back home to Oregon, we took the long way and drove up through the Redwoods and up the coast. It was beautiful weather for a late November weekend.

Bridger is recently fascinated with Panda Bears, ever since we watched Kung Fu Panda for family date night. This is one of the many carvings we encountered in the Redwoods area.

If you ever find yourself hungry in Port Orford, OR treat yourself to The Crazy Norwegian. Don't be scared if there is a wait, because there usually is at peak times. However, they have great fish & chips, clam chowder & shakes. Yum.

This is the season...

We received this from our friends in Texas, and are going to try our best to do it this year as a family. I love combining the scriptures with songs and this will be a perfect way to prepare for and celebrate Christmas this month.

For the month of December we share a gift with you, so the true spirit of Christmas may join your family too. Now throughout this holiday season, as the days get hectic and long. Gather together at the end of each day, share a scripture, story and song. With your hearts and voices joined together, the spirit will ring loud and clear. We hope this time spent together will fill your holidays with love and cheer!
Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year,
Lyle, Sherilyn, and family

Dec. 1 Isaiah 7:14 Angels We Have Heard On High
Dec. 2 Isaiah 9:6 Away In A Manger
Dec. 3 Micah 5:2 O Little Town of Bethlehem
Dec. 4 Jeremiah 23:5 O Come All Ye Faithful
Dec. 5 Isaiah 40:1-4 Joy to the World
Dec. 6 Jeremiah 33:14-15 The First Noel
Dec. 7 Isaiah 40:11 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
Dec. 8 Psalms 24 Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Dec. 9 Jeremiah 23:6 While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks
Dec. 10 Jacob 7:11-12 Far, Far Away On Judea's Plain
Dec. 11 1 Nephi 10:4 God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Dec. 12 1 Nephi 13:18 What Child Is This
Dec. 13 1 Nephi 11:20-24 O Holy Night
Dec. 14 1 Nephi 11:27 Who Is The Child
Dec. 15 Helaman 14:3 Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus
Dec. 16 Helaman 14:5-6 I Heard the Bells
Dec. 17 Luke 1:30-31 I Believe in Christ
Dec. 18 3 Nephi 1:13 When Christ Was Born In Bethlehem
Dec. 19 3 Nephi 1:19 Star Bright
Dec. 20 Luke 2:4-7 O Hush Thee My Baby
Dec. 21 Luke 2:8-11 How Great Thou Art
Dec. 22 Luke 2:12-14 We Three Kings of Orient Are
Dec. 23 Matthew 2:1-2 With Wondering Awe
Dec. 24 Mosiah 3:5-8 Silent Night Luke 1:26-38, 46-47 Luke 2:1-20 Matthew 2:1-14

Merry Christmas!

Who's that knocking on my door?

My mom!!

On Saturday Jim told me he had to go help a friend move and at the last minute offered to take Bridger, too. I thought to myself "Great! I wouldn't mind a few hours to myself, and I had not even begun preparing for my primary lesson yet." About 35 minutes later I hear someone knocking at my door and it was my mom! Turns out our friends weren't moving, and Jim & Bridger had successfully gone to pick her up from the airport without me having any clue as to what was REALLY going on. What a great surprise!

So, we had a great long weekend all together. Mom got to participate in our pumpkin party, was able to meet my primary class, watch B & I in his swim class, attend the baby shower my friends threw me (her real motivation for coming out to OR), helped us get motivated to actually purchase drawers for the kids room, and Jim & I had an excuse to see Quantum of Solace during the opening weekend.

Can you tell where Bridger got his blond hair & blue eyes?

I loved seeing her react to the fall colors in Oregon. Being an Arizona native, autumn usually means that the weather finally cools down from 95 degrees to a pleasant 80.

Thanks Jim for a great surprise! And thanks mom for bringing 5 straight days of sunshine!

The Ultimate Showdown

Our Family Home Evening activity this week featured an Ultimate Showdown!

In this corner, weighing in at 33 lbs, 34 inches, and 2T clothing - we have the best, most bodacious B-Man...our very own BRIDGER BOY!!

His strengths are his stealth-like movements around the playing field, signature double ball throw move, boundless energy, and a laugh that can light up a room.

In this corner, weighing in at (we actually don't talk about this while I am pregnant), 6'2", size 12 shoe - we have the brightest, most fun hubby a gal could ask for, a go-getter, our in-house go-to-guy, and why they say "every Superman needs a"... DADDY!

His strengths include making up a fun FHE game on the fly, athletic versatility for switching from running to ball games, and willingness to step up and take over when the grumpy pregnant lady who lives in this house is tired at the end of the day.

The object of this Ultimate Showdown was to get all the balls out of your corner onto your opponent's side - and to be the last one standing!

I don't know if it was more fun to watch Bridger or Jim during this...

Hooray for activities that can tire out an almost 2 year old before bedtime during the winter when it gets dark outside at 5 pm!

Musical Moments...

The following are a few of the ways Bridger enjoys making music.
One of his favorite things to do with Daddy is play "ah-tar". Which means Daddy will play guitar hero and Bridger dances along. Tonight Bridger was showing off his skills and rocking out.

This has been something Bridger has done since he was like 9 months old. Only now, his stamina to sit at the piano and make all the songs play has increased.

I love how happy he gets dancing along at the piano. Also, somewhere along the way he figured out that it was fun to play with his feet. I will need to catch that on video sometime because it is hilarious!

"Treat Treat"

We had two very fun activities to help us celebrate Halloween this past week. First, we had the ward Trunk or Treat, were we made our family appearance as the "Super Schaffers".
Here is our car sporting its Superness.
Jim got a lot of feedback on his "Surfer Dude" wig. Many people thought he was growing out his hair, which is funny because if it ever got near that long, his hair would really look more like an white boy Afro.


Bridger was a little confused at times because he could not recognize all his little friends right away with their great costumes. A little too much stimulation by the end of the night.

Our second fun event for for the week was getting together with our friends in Sherwood and Trick or Treating on Halloween. Bridger was Santa, Jim was a Surfer dude, and I was the Wendy's girl (or Pippy Longstocking if you prefer - it was a flexible costume).

We got to carve a pumpkin...

Caught a ride on Daddy's back...

And really got the hang of the whole 'walk up to a stranger's house and collect candy thing'...

We went trick or treating with 3 Disney princesses, 1 lady bug, 1 bumble bee, 1 adorable flower, 1 Santa, 7 happy parents, and 2 proud grandparents.

We kept trying to get Bridger to say the traditional "Trick or Treat", but he didn't bother with the Trick, and would exclaim: "Treat Treat!!" as he held out his bag.

We had a great time. Thanks for the fun & Happy Halloween everyone!!

Now, I think it is close enough, I can start listening to Christmas music... :) Hey - at least I waited until November.