Each year Kelley, Rosemary, and I get together and decorate Christmas cookies. Of course it's really just an excuse to catch up on gossip, get into the Christmas spirit, and eat some yummy sweets. The guys haven't put up too much of a fight for the past couple of years - I think the trick is that we don't stop them from making anatomically correct gingerbread ladies!
Also, a Nan Schneider tradition is to put together a gingerbread house with her kids - yes, even at 29 and 32 years old we are still 'kids' (Beth is there too, but I won't share her age). This year our kit included a cool tree and red frosting - fun!
We were in Portland for Harvest Festival (aka Thanksgiving) with all of the Oregonian relatives. We mostly spent our time just enjoying being together and playing with the kids. They are so much fun! As Aaron put it, "you can toss Carson around and try to tire him out as much as you want and he keeps coming back for more." And little miss Hadley was just too cute for words. Such a well behaved little one. She hardly ever fussed or cried. Friday night was guys-night-out and the four older boys went to the Blazer's game at the Rose Garden. Aaron reported that the Blazers fans are *way* cooler than the Laker's fans. They are there to actually root on their team, not just to see and be seen. Don't get me wrong here though, he's definitely a Laker fan still!Saturday we had brunch with my first boyfriend (from 5th grade) who I haven't seen in at least 10 years. And then we all went to the Christmas tree farm followed Greek food (a Drews family tradition).Another excellent week with family!
Aaron and I went to Oregon for the week of Thanksgiving and decided to spend some of our time in Warrenton with my brother Nate and his wife Amanda. Highlights of the visit included exploring the Maritime Museum, trying to rent Goonies but settling for Wall-E, and bowling at the local lanes. It was so nice to spend some quality time with them and even better that the weather worked out so nicely for us!
Each year the Schneider family attends the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America's Breath of Life Ball. Grandpa Shel, a retired allergist, founded the non-profit organization back in the day and continues to be a big supporter. This year was especially fun because Aaron and I were actually serious contenders in one of the live auction items. We were the second to the last bidders on a weekend in Aspen at the St. Regis. You'll notice at the end of the photo show that there is a picture of me with Jackie Joyner-Kersee. She was one of the honorees this year (along with two other Olympic medalists who suffer from asthma). I was too intimidated to ask for her photo until just at the last minute when we were waiting in the valet line. She had already changed into her street clothes and was on the way to the airport. She didn't really wear a track suit to the ball!
After a completely random turn of events that involve a Clipper's cheerleader who is a friend of Aaron's, lunch with one of my friends, and a Deloitte partner who is in Korea.... we ended up with 4 free 10th row center court Clipper's tickets! My friends Joe and Iman were able to join us. This photo was taken in the Staples Center lobby as a promotion by AT&T before the game. Good times!
This weekend we got together with our good friends Kelley, Rosemary, Zach, and Andy. It was so warm outside that we bbq'd and ate dinner in the back - never mind the small bits of ash from the wildfires that fell as we ate. After dinner we explored a Santa Monica institution and went for a concert at McCabe's Guitar Shop. For the past 50 years, this shop on Pico Ave (blocks from our place) has been selling guitars and hosting concerts in it's back room. Such a fun spot!
This weekend Aaron and I were treated to a UCLA football game by my friend Nancy. She works there so with the annual faculty/staff appreciation day she scored a huge group of her friends free tickets and food. We were three rows from the field at about the 20 yard line - Aaron was in heaven! I had a great time too, though a little disappointed with the 1/2 time show. They had alumni band members join them on the field, which meant for pretty much no movement. It was cool though that they honored the UCLA students/grads who competed in the Olympics this year; some were wearing medals that they won.
Each year Kelley, Rosemary, and I get together and decorate Christmas cookies. Of course it's really just an excuse to catch up on gossip, get into the Christmas spirit, and eat some yummy sweets. The guys haven't put up too much of a fight for the past couple of years - I think the trick is that we don't stop them from making anatomically correct gingerbread ladies! 
Also, a Nan Schneider tradition is to put together a gingerbread house with her kids - yes, even at 29 and 32 years old we are still 'kids' (Beth is there too, but I won't share her age). This year our kit included a cool tree and red frosting - fun!
