Merry Christmas!

Hope you are all enjoying some time off with your families.  Merry Christmas from the Schlegels!

Santa Claus is likely not coming to our house because he was not met with a nice reception the first time he met our boys

On Thursday night our children took part in the time honored tradition of dressing in uncomfortable clothing ("But ___fill in your child's name here___, don't you want to look nice for the picture?), climbing onto a complete stranger's lap, being prodded to smile by ridiculous bells and plastic toys which would clearly entertain no one and would certainly not make anyone want to smile, crying because this ritual only proves your parents are into torture, especially around the holidays, and then having the entire moment forever immortalized in film.  Here is the proof.

Halloween

Again, act as if it's October.  Act as if we're living out Back to the Future and we're all merely pawns in Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox's scheme.  Man I love those movies.  Which one was your favorite?  I hated 3, loved 2 and liked 1.  All of which is completely irrelevant information.  Don't drink and blog - public service announcement.

Anyways, this whole working on my dissertation, teaching a class, taking care of twin toddler boys while their dad is gone more than half the month, and moving across the country thing (more on this in an upcoming post; work with me, it's only October right now and therefore Ty and I have no idea about this life altering news yet) is no joke. So we're catching up now to Halloween.

Perhaps not surprisingly, it was really warm for Halloween here in Austin.  Ty's mom sent these awesome furry costumes, but we couldn't wear them because it was 85 degrees.  Ty's work had a Halloween party, and I wanted it to look as if we were into the Halloween spirit and not just there for the free food and candy (isn't that what Halloween is all about though?), so I improvised.  Much like all of my parenting thus far.

The boys were golfers. Complete with sweater vests, khakis with tiny golf clubs embroidered on them, clubs (not the best choice for toddlers in an office building with very expensive technology equipment- 2nd public service announcement of the blog post) and golf balls.  We had a great time.

Dad's Surprise Party

Imagine with me if you will that it's October 2012.....Perfect.  Now these aren't two months late in being posted.

We traveled back to Indiana in late October for a surprise retirement party for my dad.  After many years of single-handedly keeping the entire pharmaceutical business running, and developing many innovative ideas for commercials for sexual enhancement drugs (long story, alcohol was involved (duh), my dad claimed to be the brains behind the Lilly commercial where two people are relaxing in separate bath tubs and advertising a male enhancement drug; I don't understand why being in separate bath tubs is a good advertisement for said drug, but that's another story for another day), my dad threw in the towel.  So we came to celebrate him with lots of his friends.  Ty's parents were also able to drive to Indy for the weekend so they got to participate in the festivities as well.  We all wore red for Wisconsin (Bonnie even wore a Bucky shirt in place of her traditional Ohio State attire.  These are the depths of her respect and love for my parents).

We didn't get a ton of photos simply because it's difficult to hold beer, a child, and a camera.  And we certainly weren't putting down our beers.

My dad was continually surprised that people he knew came to his party.  I guess that's the point?

My mom, Carter and my parent's friend from college

My neighbor from growing up and her husband.  They graciously hosted us the night before the party so we didn't spoil the surprise for my dad.  

Nothing is better than drinking and driving with your grandpa.

The day after the party, we relaxed at my parent's house and enjoyed some beautiful fall weather.  The boys had never played in leaves before, so it was a big day.

Uncertain about this Midwesternness

Equally uncertain

The boys really enjoyed relaxing in Grandpa's recliner.  Ty now has claimed that not only he wants a recliner, but the boys do as well.  I may need some more estrogen in my house.

Spontaneous displays of affection were abundant that weekend

In the airport, ready to head back to Texas after a great weekend.  Anderson loves his Grandma.  Carter is ambivalent about his mother.