Retro Post #1

Inspired by my blogging friends I'm taking a stab at doing a retro post. It seemed fitting since I, too don't have a camera at my disposal at the moment. So I dug this shots out of the My Pictures archives-

December 2007 Belly Shots

I was due with Kate on April 1. I am due with #2 the beginning of June and though I don't have a camera I think I might be nearly as big now with 2 more months to go on the calendar. We had our first OB appointment a week ago tomorrow. Things are looking good thus far and I am off the Prometrium at least for two weeks then another blood test. This babe has been kicking a lot more than I remember Kate moving at this point. No karate chops or flips yet but it is a great feeling to know they're moving in there. I feel blessed.

Caption: I love this maternity sweater- I have another one in purple! Got to love Target sales!

Ok so I'm probably not quite this big yet but I can't wait to get my camera back and take some shots just to see.

A Holy Scene

Before Christmas Kate and I were part of the group that helped to decorate the church for the Holy Days. I actually was busy with other things and one of the ladies from our prayer group was watching her while another lady took these pictures on her cell and sent them just yesterday. I love the interaction between her and the sheep and shepherds. A beautiful Christmas scene!


Kate and Vi petting sheep in the manger.

Vi shows Kate the shepherds. Too, cute!

Ok so I don't have a camera but I'm feeling really guilty for not updating this more often....

Big title, huh? So I couldn't update the pics but I thought I might update the look of the blog. I like it! How about you?

We're finally getting unpacked and reorganized from the hustle and bustle. Kate and I are attempting to get into our regular schedule. There have been some adjustments. Kate is enjoying new found independence and a swiftly growing vocabulary. I am enjoying our weaning process. Kate is nursing mainly at naps and bedtime though I don't think there is much milk to be had. She has been "supplementing" with lots of snacking, books and play. Her new favorite spot is at the toddler table she received for Christmas from her godparents. It is the home of her crayons and paper, playdough and coffee, kitchen dishes and supplies. Needless to say, we sit there often. She has also started the habit of manners. She's gotten so used to saying "_____, please Mommy" whether its food, drink or a toy that she'll even ask in the same way to Dad! It's pretty funny!

Ok, Kurt's in from the garage. Gotta go!

Pity Post

Well, dear readers, if there are any left. I mailed out only half of my Christmas letters (which is another post all together) and in them told friends and family to check my blog for updated pictures. Ha! I've since left my camera at my folks home in Medford, grrrr.



But for your faithful reading- here is the Christmas letter with some exciting news to boot.



Hope you and yours had a Merry Christmas and continue to have a blessed 2010! And I will post pictures as soon as I've got 'em on line, I promise!


Written early December (believe it or not)--

Christmas Greetings from Kieler!

It’s nap time here at the Snyder house and this is the time to get something done. So, rather than snuggle down for a nap myself I’m determined to get this Christmas letter started (and finished) so I can send it out with a package to some friends. Yes, it is early for me to be writing about or even mentioning Christmas-since we’re only in the first week of Advent but a mom has to take advantage of nap time when the opportunity presents itself!

I hardly remember married life before Kate’s arrival. She has become so much a part of our life these days. At 1½ years old she’s quite the little lady with plenty to say and an opinion about everything (I don’t know where she gets that!). This has been a year of milestones for her though I haven’t been the best at recording them, here are a few firsts since I last wrote- she’s walking, talking, singing, climbing, sliding, praying, typing, writing and farming. Can you have a first farming? She and I are busy together most days with regular outings to the library, Mass, Prayer Group, coffee, and our small gathering of Catholic mom’s. The girl as the expression goes is a sponge- WOW! There is never a dull moment and the things she says and comes up with leave me in awe. She would want me to type “Hello” and probably tell you something about, Gram, Pop, Elmo, “Ree” aka Ann Marie her doll or Uncle Ronnie. She might show you how she counts from 2 to 10 (usually leaving out 1 and 9) or sing you her latest rendition of “Rain, rain, go away” I wish I had a video camera some days- you’d laugh! If I think of it after I’m through I’ll let her write a bit on these letters for you.

My year has also included some changes. I feel blessed to have a circle of moms with kids that I meet with weekly- they are all gift to me! I continue to be part of Tuesday Bible study and prayer group and La Leche League. And still blog at “Life in Kieler” so to see recent pictures go to kielersnyder.blogspot.com . Be sure to leave your comments. I’ve also joined the work force again. This fall I took on a part-time job heading up the Religious Education at our parish for 1-8th grades. It has been a challenge but nothing I haven’t been up to yet

Kurt has accomplished much this year. He still works at John Deere in Dubuque and things though they slowed a bit are still busy at least for him. He joined the rank of Master this May with a Masters in Engineering from UW-Platteville! I don’t think he misses homework or studying at all! He has also been keeping up with some favorite hobbies- firefighter, first responder, assistant farmer, home remodeler, amateur gardener, chef and of course super dad! Kate hardly notices when I leave when Dad is home and well I like it that way! On a sadder note, we continue to mourn the loss of Kurt’s mom, Mary. She died this June and is certainly missed. I feel blessed to have had the chance to know her and record some of her stories for Katie and future grandkids. May she rest in peace.

Being a family has been such a blessing to Kurt and me. We are excited to be welcoming another addition to our family in June 2010, God willing. We’ll keep you posted. Thus far both I and the little one are well and growing. I am already feeling movement which is way earlier than I did with Kate. And beyond having a full bladder and being tired (which is typical after chasing a toddler all day) I am feeling great.

We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with our families. We'll join the Harris crew for our longest vacation yet in Arizona over the holy days. And we'll have Snyder Christmas after we return. We hope and pray this note finds you and yours well. May you have a blessed Christmas and 2010!

Much Love,
The Snyders ~ Kurt, Angie and Katie and baby #2

Hunting and Thanksgiving Season

Howdy all- sorry it has been awhile. My excuse will be forthcoming but not in this post. Here however you will find a bit of what we've been up to these past couple weeks. Hunting, hunting and Thanksgiving of course!

Kurt spent nearly a week hunting for the elusive buck in Michigan with the Sabatos Gang. He ate well but didn't come home with any venison. Meanwhile, I headed north to spend some time with my family since I was short a husband and a bit o' sanity. Kate enjoyed time at Gram and Pops. We got to visit with Uncles John and Tom, Great Grandma Helen and Trina and Kaylee and Trev. Trina had success in MN hunting and lead the charge the following week in our hunting season.

Kate and I went home and visited with Kurt Wednesday and headed north again on Thursday. Headed to Medford via Stevens Point/Amherst and enjoyed food and visits with the Cibarics and Tina Lepak former colleagues at Pacelli and hopefully lifetime friends. We made it to Medford Friday in time for lunch with the Hunting Gang.

This years hunt was quiet for me but I did get to help Dad track and bring in a nice 8-point buck. And my sister-in-law Trina brought home two more bucks while hunting in with us- a spike and a 5-pointer.


Following a few days of hunting up north, Kate and I headed home Tuesday to prepare for Snyder Thanksgiving that was held Saturday at our house. We had house guests from Wednesday night through Sunday. It was a really good time! Kate enjoyed her cousins from MI staying at our place and I enjoyed the help preparing for 25 people at our home. Thanksgiving went off with only the gravy being forgotten. My mother-in-law would have been stewing in the kitchen had that happened on her watch! But we didn't bat an eye and the food was DELICIOUS. Kurt did an awesome job on the turkeys and pies.

Now that the whirlwind is past and I am finally getting this posted. My hope is to get a few more posts in before the next bout of chaos. For now, I'm trying to enjoy the Advent Season and prepare my home and heart for the coming of Christ.

Gram and Pop?

Hello? Is Gram or Pop there? I am sick of talking to you on the phone so I am coming with Mom to visit soon. Daddy is going hunting. And Mom says sometimes when its just the two of us she goes a little crazy. Oh, and guess what! We're gonna drive the new van. Ok, my arm hurts, see ya tomorrow!

P.S. Mom might be posting more up north...I hope so otherwise she really isn't an avid blogger. And I can't type very well.

All Hallowstide

Happy Halloween- Feast of All Saints and Feast of All Souls!

We celebrated this three day celebration of the dead beginning Thursday with an All Saints Party at our home. Here is Kate in costume; she's St. Bernadette of Lourdes.

One of our younger saints...who found a marker during the craft project. Actually this was her first marker but not her last.

A full shot of St. Bernadette- the dress and the sweater are mine in a former life. My mom made the dress and I don't recall the significance of the sweater but it sure was great to see them brought to life again.

Sts. Joseph, Gianna, and Perpetua working on our saint craft.

St. Helena Empress of Rome with a card of St. Helena and a mini- St. Helena crafty.

Sts. Elizabeth and St. Mary, Our Blessed Mother were present and broke out in spontaneous presentation of the Visitation scene including a beautiful recitation of the Magnificat.

The celebrating continued as the Snyders made the trip north to Medford. My brother Tom had arranged for the best babysitters to watch our kiddos Saturday night (Gram and Pops, as dubbed by Kate) and Kurt and I joined in the masquerade.

Kurt thought up our costumes. He's Drew Carey. And I discovered on our ride that it was the first time he'd dressed up since he was in grade school. Pretty fun!

Here's the cheering section for the evening. Thomasina and Erin had spirit!

Drew and his assistants showcase the prizes on tonight's The Price is Right.

All of us out on the town.

The little pumpkin that Kate painted Saturday at the library with Gram.

Our little cheerleader...her uncle Tom was copying her and not the other way around.

The Cousins- Kaylee-Bug, Trev Bumblee Boy and Cheery Katie

A cute grin that was followed shortly after by tears because no one wants to go home after spending a weekend at Gram and Pops!