Happy Holidays

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and an enjoyable break! In what was probably our last visit while in the UK we had the great opportunity of being able to spend Christmas in St Andrews with the added bonus of free accommodation all thanks to one of Char's friends who's from there.

The town is very interesting and reminded us a lot of Oxford and Cambridge as the town is home to one of the oldest universities in the world apart from also having one of the most famous golf courses. Despite being covered with snow we were free to wander the course and the town and had a very memorable and enjoyable final few days in Scotland.

Our Christmas in St Andrews

Although we missed being with family, our Christmas this year was cozy. It was nice to spend it with just our little family. My three guys are the best things that have happened to me in the past decade.

Schneid Musings from the end of the Decade

And so we come to the end of another decade. A lot has happened this decade, both in and out of the family. The world has seen tragedy and scandal, beginning with 9/11 and Enron, Worldcom, Bernie Madoff, irrational exuberance in housing, wars, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc. But we have also seen the audacity of hope with a new direction in government, both in Canada and the US, and promises of better days to come. We have also seen amazing inventions and advances in medicine.

We have seen many changes in the family as well. There have been many moves and additions, and great blessings. I'm grateful for all of you.

Rico had a great idea for a blog conversation - what stands out for you (good or bad) from the past decade - a person, event, invention, etc? Let's share some ideas.

Luv,

Gramps

Bella Italia

Another really fun thing we did was head to the Olympic peninsula. We took a ferry to Bainbridge and then made our way west to the national park. It was amazing to scout out this land not only because it's BEAUTIFUL, but also because it's the setting for 'Twilight...' ;) I enjoyed reading this series, and found it was a fun topic of conversation with my coworkers and classmates. So it was great to check out the area where the fictional novel supposedly occurred. We even went to the restaurant where apparently Bella and Edward had their first date!!

Christmas Break

Well christmas break has been very peaceful indeed. I have been able to see Avatar twice. I passed the Beatles Rockband, got to go see my first wedding ceremony in the temple, received awesome Christmas gifts, saw the Lord of the Rings trilogy within a 24 hour period, and have been able to hang out with my friends. It has been a bit of tight squeeze riding in the Subaru with the six of us, but I guess it is the small price to pay for a good break. Hope New Year's will be fun with the Whites coming down. Anyway, got to do an Encore on Beatles Rockband so Ill see you all.

Rico

Home for the Holidays

It's my first college break! I must say it's been very fun and relaxing. After a strenuous first semester at BYU, it's been so nice to have nothing to do. I had a great time at pike place with friends. There's definitely a lot of things I've missed about Seattle! It's a weird feeling now, because I can't completely call it my home since I don't currently live here. But of course Seattle will always be home at heart. And Edmonton too. I guess I've always had more than one home so I should be used to the feeling :)

Law School Survival

Well one of these days I will find a picture of me at law school. I sit there straining to hear and dissect each and every word emanating from my professors (the oracles of infinite wisdom who graciously share their knowledge). I have survived my first semester, I don't think I did as well as I was hoping but I have plans to do much better my second semester. The holidays have been great but I fear that it will be very difficult to get back into the swing of things when the holidays come to a close. It has been great visiting the family and I was very sad that I was gone for Thanksgiving. I will be posting again in a couple of days with pictures yeah!!!

Ian: A Really Great Guy-2009 Bragathon

Wow, Ian is a really great guy, and the past couple of months have been unusually exciting. He won the J. Reuben Clark most Outstanding Young Lawyer award from the Los Angeles chapter, which was a really huge honor.


Ian also set a goal to run a marathon this year. It was a big stretch for him because let's just say he hasn't been the most consistent exerciser since... well... awhile. But he did it! He ran a marathon in Sacramento and I'm so proud of him for reaching his goal.

The awards and the goals are neat, but most importantly every day Ian is a wonderful father and husband. He is incredibly helpful and hands-on, I'm always amazed at how much he does as a father. He was really excited for me to bring the boys to visit him at work a couple months ago. He had a really huge office at the time (his division had to move recently to make room for the new Spiderman 4 and 5 crew that have since set up shop on the lot). We had the best time eating lunch with dad and the boys continue to ask to go and 'see my daddy at work'. During this Christmas season I'm especially grateful for him and the way he makes our family work so well.

The Christmas Spirit Rules in Edmonton

Schneid Musings from the Great White

On December 12, the temperature at the Edmonton airport was measured at -46 C. This set a record for the coldest temperature ever measured in Edmonton on Dec. 12 by almost 10 degrees. In addition, it was the 2nd coldest temperature measured that day on the entire planet. Apparently, there was an uninhabited weather station in Siberia that measured -48 C.

Then again, what better way to get in the Christmas spirit. Santa lives at the North Pole and he never complains about the weather. He is unfailingly cheerful, even thought it must be frightfully cold and windy outside when he goes out to feed the reindeer. It must be very tough for the California contingent of the family to get in the Christmas spirit - requiring extra effort since the weather is always summer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I'm hoping everyone has a fabulous holiday season. HO HO HO!!!

Luv,
Gramps

Super Oliver

Oliver likes Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, Mr Incredible. He doesn't even know who Mr Incredible is but loves the preview of it on one of our movies. In fact, unless Jordan has been secretly showing Oilver Spiderman clips - he has never seen spiderman either yet somehow he knew when he recieved a hand me down spiderman shirt that it was the most extrodinary piece of clothing he would ever come across. My little boy just loves superheroes. I noticed the trend and decided to try to use the information to help in my efforts to foster a loving, kind, GENTLE relationship with Ben. One night he woke up and came into our room. He seemed like he needed a little comforting so I cozied up with him in our bed and told him a tale of heroism, bravery and courage beyond belief. I told him the tale of.............SUPER OLIVER!!!! I told him one story and then just changed a few details each time I told it. He never seems to tire of this story and often asks me to tell it while making suggestions as to what the villian and crime should be. Oliver was the one who came up with the ideas for the fates of the villians. The story goes like this:

Once upon a time there was a boy named Oliver who was very big and strong.
One day he heard his little brother Ben crying and so he flew over to him to see what was wrong.
He saw that :

(insert one of the following tradgedies)
a crocodile was eating Ben's shirt
aliens were jumping on Ben
a monster was pulling Ben's hair
a mean guy was shouting in Ben's face

So Oliver said "Hey you! Stop hurting my brother!"
Oliver got a rope, tied up the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy) and threw him into the ocean.
And then:

(insert one of the following fates for the villian)
sharks ate the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy) and went "ha, ha, ha, ha"
pirates came and took the (crocodile, alien, monster, mean guy)

THE END.

Catalina Island

In the Christmas spirit of enjoying being together I wanted to post some of the Catalina photos. We had such a wonderful time with the family members that were there, and we will miss everybody when you are altogether in Seattle! Family and other people really are the things that are the most special about Christmastime.




What a beautiful place!

that's a good-looking bird

Happy Birthday Char

It has been an eventful year for our family and Char has certainly been in the middle of it all.

Some of the highlights have been starting her own successful piano business from scratch, giving birth to little Ben and striving hard to raise two happy wonderful kids while also being a kind loving mother.

Last week when Char found out that one of the blokes in our ward was having a tough time coping as a single parent with his new baby (as per "I'm thankful for my nursing bra" she posted last month) she didn't hesitate to step in and do a few things to help him out. One of the main things she did was taking his little one for a night after he had been struggling which I think was particularly generous given that she knew she had to cope with our own little Ben who is known to cause a lot of sleepless nights himself. I think this is a good example of Char's year - kind and thoughtful for the needs of her own kids and family while also thinking of others.

Another thing that stands out for me was how well Charla endured a very tough pregnancy and birth. In true Char fashion then I don't think it would be a good post without a quote or two -
"all of us have bad luck and good luck. The man who persists through the bad luck - who keeps right on going - is the man who is there when the good luck comes - and is ready to receive it."

Our plans to go back to Canada have meant that there are a lot of people here who will sorely miss Char - piano students, friends from playgroup and church friends (many of whom have already shed a few tears about her leaving) and in the midst of this her three boys feel even more lucky and grateful to have her.

So hope you have a great birthday Char and here's to another great year that lies ahead!

What Happened to Scrooge?

On Wednesday night I hosted A Christmas Carol party for the Relief Society.  I think it was one of my favorite parties ever cause we got to act out a couple great scenes, eat plum pudding and roast 'goose', play games - all inspired from one of my very favorite books.  

I think I like it so much because its so well written,  so theatrical, it's set in Victorian England, it's about Christmas, but most of all it's because the story is incredibly beautiful and moving.  

It's about a "tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone, Scrooge, a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner!"  who through the spirit of Christmas, is transformed.

He becomes, "as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew"  

Just one of my many favorite quotes:

"I'm sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round ... as a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time: the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys ... though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!

Love you, 

Mom

Christmas time

I'm so excited for this Christmas! As I look towards the upcoming weeks, my mind is filled with thoughts about home and family. As I finish up school projects, wrap things up and work, say goodbye for now to friends, and prepare for our ward Christmas program, I can't help but think about the warm cozy rug by the fire at home, the Christmas tree, and the cider or hot chocolate we will surely enjoy together. :) It will be wonderful to relax with family after a busy few months for us all. (or relax in Sacramento, Puentes.) I have a lot on my plate right now but by trying to stay centered on the reason behind why we celebrate Christmas, it's putting things in perspective. I love the story shared by President Monson in the First Presidency Christmas devotional. The inspiring tale of the man in the flannel suit at the Atlanta airport in 1970 really moved me. I am reminded of the power, strength, and comfort that comes from being together as a family, at home, and especially during this season. I am also reminded of the incredible love and kindness that we can show towards others.
L

19 YEAR OLD RACHEL!!

WOW!... RACHEL! Your head must still be spinning from everything that's happened this year. Not only high school graduation and starting college, traveling to Vietnam and Chile and welcoming your brother home, slinging bagels at Noahs and throwing a dinner party for 30 and

earning your YW recognition award and raising hundreds of dollars for the orphanage in Vietnam and volunteering dozens of hours in the community and having tons of fun with your friends and loving every minute you get to spend with your nephews  and always telling people about them- including the newest one! , and applying to colleges, earning scholarships and awards and staying in shape by

running and going to mom-daughter book clubs and performing Viva la Vida on your violin in front of 2,000 people and trying to help everyone with their problems and more, much more but still staying cool and collected through it all.
(That explains the photo of the snowman!)

Rachel, in all the busyness and excitement and challenges and tough decisions of your last year at home there was one moment that really stood out for me. It was the Sunday right after prom. You'd been out all night with your friends. You came home at 8 AM and got ready for church. And then you gave a beautiful talk in sacrament meeting about your favorite New Testament scripture story. You told us about the woman at the well. You said how her story shows how one can learn to recognize, then accept and then love the Savior. And then you said how much you loved the scripture from Mark 4:39, "Peace, be Still". Then I understood why you've decided to make good choices and do the things you do.
Rachel, you've had such an amazing year because YOU are amazing. And for that reason I know the next year also has many wonderful things in store for you.
Enjoy your very last day of being 18 and -
Happy Birthday!

Things to be thankful for!

I'm grateful to be here at BYU. Although I wasn't sure if I would like it at first, I've really come to love it. The people here are great, I've made a lot of good friends already. And my classes are challenging but I feel like I'm learning a lot. I look forward to next semester (even though this one is ending and I still need to finish it strong!) and I love being near the mountains and having snow. Oh and I'm thankful that I turn 19 in two days! Anyways, I love all you guys and of course I'm so grateful for family too.

I'm Thankful for...

So many, many things. I'm grateful for a wonderful weekend we just had with our family, I'm grateful for my beautiful little boys. I'm grateful that at each moment of the day there are about 3-5 things that I need to be doing at that instant because I never have a dull moment and I'm grateful for the joy that being so needed brings to me. I'm also grateful for vacuum cleaners, washing machines, running water, a roof over my head, and all the physical comforts I so often take for granted. Most of all I'm grateful for Ian. Each day is an adventure with him. And, as Caleb told me today, I'm thankful for water, Mom. I'm grateful for the little moments/comments/actions that make life so wonderful. Love to you all!