Ok, I know it has been a really long time since I actually have posted something. I don't have a good excuse, I have just been lazy. Plus Mike has been trying out new software for the videos, so he has been doing the updates.

Kendal has been enjoying the weather we have had lately, cold one day nice the next. Kendal loves the snow, especially as a snack. We will probably have to get a snow cone machine this summer so she can have her snow cups she enjoys. We have been going on a lot of walks in our new wagon. Maddy and Ben usually come along, but we don't make it very far before the girls are fighting over who gets to pull Ben in the wagon. So much for exercise, since we usually only make it around the block one time.

The kids enjoyed a night out on Sat at Castaway Cafe and got to hang out with Shrek and Puss-n-Boots. I had to work so Mike and his parents took Kendal. Maddy, Jaclynn, Ben, Greg and Sarah also were there. From what I heard the kids had fun running around. Maddy and Kendal made it to the top of the play structure and rode down the big slide with Mike. When they got home, Kendal was telling me all about the kitty and Shrek while I was getting her ready for bed. It is amazing what can come out of this kids mouth.

We have been getting ready for Baby #2. Kendal has her own baby swing, stroller, and pack-n-play that she can put her babies in. We have been working on holding the baby dolls with Kendal. Sometimes she is good other times not so much. I was down in the basement and Kendal was up stairs, I heard a thump thump down the steps. Kendal was standing at the top of the steps and her baby was down stairs. She told me, "Baby downstairs now." I tried to tell her that we don't throw babies down the steps, and she just laughed at me. We are all set for the new baby now we just have to wait. We think that Kendal will be good once we are home with the baby.

Sorry no belly pics, I don't let people take pictures of me. We will keep you updated as our waiting continues. We should start a poll on when Baby #2 is going to arrive and how much she will weigh. I will have Mike start that. Lots of recent pictures and videos below:

Kendal and Maddy Dancing

Kendal and Maddy going down the slide!

Ben's Turn

Greg takes Ben!

Dorks

Maddy's turn with some slow motion replay...

Jaclynn takes Kendal and Maddy

Kendal and Maddy one more time...!

Kendal's mullet

Kendal and Maddy sharing... Very rare!

All the kids eating at the Kreider's

Maddy giving Kendal a hug goodbye

Kendal's Pretty's...

Ben at Castaway Cafe a few weeks ago with Kendal

Ben and Kendal sharing the baby pack-n-play

Kendal watching TV in the baby stroller

Kendal borrowed Ben's bandana

Jaclynn with all the kids

You think Maddy will be a cheerleader?

Kendal and Maddy sharing again...

All grown up heading into Shrek Night at Castaway Cafe

Kendal and Grandma Schmidt

Weeee!

Kendal and Grandpa Schmidt

The kids posing for a picture...

Maddy sneaks a kiss... oh no!

Ben showing off his guns!

Jaclynn taking Maddy and Kendal down a slide

Kendal, Mike, and Maddy up top!

Grandpa Schmidt showing Kendal Shrek... all the kids were afraid of him!

Kendal and Daddy getting a picture with Shrek!

Kendal and Mike ready to go home!

Kendal gives Ben a hug goodbye!

I walked in the door from work yesterday to find Maddy and Kendal both sitting in the toy Pack 'n Play for Kendal's dolls. I have no idea how they got in there together but when Kendal had enough, Maddy gave her one more squish! They truely are just like sisters. The video and some funny pictures are below:

Kendal and Maddy in the Pack-n-Play

Kendal and Maddy in the toy Pack 'n Play

Ranch Mustache for Maddy!

My parents came to visit this weekend and we took Kendal to Castaway Cafe this morning. It's the biggest indoor playground in Michigan and only 5 minutes down the road. We got there at 11am when it opened; by 11:15 the place was packed. Kendal had a great time interacting with all the other kids. After watching some of the older kids take on some of the smaller slides, she finally took the plunge all by herself! A video is below... I even put a little slow mo in there for ya. She was a little scared going down the first time but after that she was hooked. She was worn out in no time. Other pictures from this weekend below as well...

Kendal at Castaway Cafe!

Kendal and grandpa having a tea party! ha,ha Paps

Kendal reading a book

First one through the door!

Kendal at Castaway Cafe

Peak-a-Boo!

Kendal built her first snowman this weekend (with daddy's help)! She saw Ben's snowman next door and had to have one for herself. Pictures below. There is a funny video as well of Kendal sliding down a snow pile we made. This kid can't get enough of the snow. I'm trying a new video hosting site that claims 1280x720 playback in full screen mode (click the "full" button on the bottom right of the video). I have my doubt's so bare with me and give me some feedback on how it plays. Enjoy!

Kendal Snow Slide!

Kendal helping daddy shovel the driveway.

Kendal making her first snowman!

Weeee...

Marnie, Kendal, and I got to see baby number two up close and personal this morning at Marnie's last ultrasound. The growth study did require plenty of blood to be drawn and numerous appointments for Marnie, but she would say it was worth it for the pictures alone. Not to mention the target gift card she got every appointment. Baby number to is beautiful just like her big sister and mom. Check out the comparo below.

Baby number 2 at 32 weeks (Looks like Kendal huh?) She was sucking on her hand the entire time.

Kendal at 31 weeks

So what's new in the last two weeks... First off, Marnie is doing great still. She struggles getting comfortable at night so getting enough sleep is becoming an issue. No major problems though, so we are just counting down the days! We are still concerned about how Kendal will react, but I'm sure it will all work out in the end. We decided to do the first two weeks just like when Kendal was born; no visitors, just us all getting to know each other.

We are still trying the potty training thing here and there. Kendal went twice in one day for me last weekend! Still progressing slowly so we will see.

Valentines Day was fun... Marnie and Kendal gave me a surprise visit at work with flowers and candy! Thanks hunny! I got made fun of for having flowers on my desk, but I think they are all just jealous that I have such a great wife! Greg and Sarah watched Kendal for us so Marnie and I could go out for a romantic dinner... Quizno's it was since Marnie was not feeling up to a traditional sit down dinner. Either way it was nice to have some time alone. Thanks neighbors!

Volleyball is still going well, we had a few weeks off and then a snow day, but we played again this past Thursday and did well despite being a little rusty. Sarah was this weeks MVP, me on the other hand missed a ball and took it off the head, not good. Funny to watch I assume.

Other than that, we are just hanging in there for a few more months. Work is going well for both of us. The company I work for is struggling just like the entire automotive industry, but I've been surprisingly busy working on some really challenging projects lately. Future development is what I love to do and keeps me going to work every day... just never on time :) I'm heading down south in a few weeks for a long weekend of golf. Very excited about that. Make sure to check out Maddy and Ben's blogs as there are some good pictures and video with Kendal in them. Good stuff. Recent pictures below:

Kendal getting dressed in her Urkel tights...

Kendal and the lid to Greg's birthday cake.

Maddy's turn!

Now Ben's!

Kendal trying to take a nap on the couch.

Kendal imitating a walrus with some green beans.

Kendal and Maddy watching some Saturday morning cartoons!

Another good picture below from this weekend that my mom just emailed me... As well, we just got a copy of Kendal's x-ray from last week. Have a great week!

Long time no post... sorry. All is well in the Schmidt household; we just seem to never get around to posting lately. We will try and do better but I doubt it right now as we close in on baby number 2.

So what’s new with Kendal Marie... we pretty much gave up on the potty training thing for awhile as it got old really quick taking here to the potty 5 times a day to have her just sit there smiling saying "potty" and clapping her hands. She enjoys unrolling to toilet paper and throwing whatever she can in the toilet. Maybe next month.

In anticipation of Kendal's little sister we bought Kendal a little baby doll that looks and feels real to see how she will react when we hold it or put it down for a nap. I have no idea if other parents do this but we figured we would try it as Kendal did not do so well when a new baby started coming to daycare. Kendal was always the "baby" so she was not too nice to the new baby at first. Thus, we seem to be experiencing the same thing with "pretend" baby sister. When we bring the doll out she has to hold it and feed it, but that is as good as it gets. When she is done she just chucks the baby across the room. If you try to take the doll back she pulls an arm or gives it a wack. We are going to keep trying. We are open to any other suggestions???

Kendal had a 1 year x-ray on her left leg that broke last year... how did that happen again? Don't remind me! The results were great! Everything is perfectly healed up and the doctor said you could not tell it was ever broken. The growth plate is fine and both legs are exactly the same length. Great news!

Kendal had a couple visitors this weekend and got some new clothes and toys from grandpa "papa" and grandma "baba" Schmidt this weekend. She really enjoyed getting into all kinds of trouble with them. It is nice to get some help on the weekends that Marnie is working. Thanks.

Marnie is hanging in there. Doing quite well I must say. She looks amazing for being almost 30wks pregnant! Still helping out around the house in addition to taking on a new hobby... cooking! Not just typical pasta or hamburger helper, but real food! From scratch and lots of it! Sometimes more than one meal a day. I'm really proud of her as she is getting really good at it. She watches cooking TV shows, bought a stack of cook books, etc. I'm sure we will me making some upgrades in the kitchen soon. The only downside is the size of my stomach... its been doing a bit of stretching lately.

Other than that, not much else new. The game last night was one of the better Super Bowl’s I have ever seen... our volleyball team is 24-0 and on the lookout for a new name now... Take care everyone! Recent pics below:

Kendal and her "Beep Beep"

Look at my hair now...

Look what I figured out!

Kendal and Maddy

Smile!

Why do you keep doing this to my hair?

Freeze Sucka!

Yes, I know how cute I am!

Weeeeee...

Kendal taking a nap with Grandma Schmidt

No, you cannot get a piano Kendal...

Kendal's first (and only) use on the potty.

Kendal is officially a big girl now! We decided to move her into our other spare bedroom in anticipation of her little sister. We decided to do it early just in case she did not cooperate. Well, the first night was tough, but after a couple nights she is doing great. We repainted the room "girly" colors and bought her some new furniture and bedding. We plan to just leave her old room and furniture exactly as is for the new baby. All ready now... hurry up Marnie! Pictures below:

What else is new...? Our Volleyball team is 18-0 this season thus far. We call ourselves the Patriots! I'm not much help though, we just hit it to Jason and he tomahawk's it off an opposing players head most of the time.

We bought a Wii! We have been looking for awhile and could never find enough free time to wait in line for one so I bought one on eBay. It's a lot of fun! All the neighbors came over a few times for some tennis and bowling tournaments. Other than that I'm still bummed about how football season ended this year... it's only a game. Maybe next year.

Kendal and Marnie are doing great as well. Marnie is much better this time around. She is starting to complain about some swelling, so we will see how she handles it down the stretch. Kendal is still discovering new things everyday. Her latest infatuation is the “potty”. Some kids at daycare are getting trained and Maddy is starting to figure it out so Kendal of course always wants to sit on the potty! We haven’t had that magical moment yet but I’m sure it will come soon. We will see if she sticks to it though. Have a great rest of the weekend! Happy Birthday Paps! Take care everyone!







Greg playing Wii, he is not very good.

Jason... good form!

Sarah... not bad, better than your husband…

Mark, Shelly, Brenden, and Olivia. Brenden is actually really good at tennis (only 3 years old!)

Kendal after a fine meal cooked by Marnie... not kidding, she is actually cooking a lot lately!