This is what's happening in December!

Gioia started to do the army crawl last week.



Now she's getting around everywhere in the house.

Kim was in the kitchen when she heard Gioia laughing. Gioia got stuck in her toy basket.

Already a Vikings fan! Watching them kick butt against the Bears.

This is her way of helping us decorate the house.

She didn't scream. She really didn't know what to think about Santa.

Kim's office decorates a Christmas tree that helps supports a local charity. We went to see it Friday night, amongst all the others in the "Magical Forest." Gioia loved all of the lights and the little train that kept driving by. By the time it was time to go, she was bouncing around and singing with the music. Gioia also got to experience her first few snow flakes as we were pulling up to the house.

Halloween at Big Bear Lake, CA

We headed out to Big Bear Lake in California for Halloween with Jon, Marti and the boys. We wanted to camp in the tent, but the weather was too cold at night (lows in the 20s). The boys went Trick-or-treating in the Village, while we fell asleep at the cabin for a family nap. Here are somes pictures of the trip.





Gioia destroying Mommy's pumpkin from work.



Gioia's Halloween Costume!



The cabin at Big Bear Lake, California.



She lasted 30-minutes on the lake.

Cruise'n on the lake with snow in the mountains

Jon and 2/3 of the troops!

Luke claiming the only catch of the day.

Bobble Head Gioia

We're probably the worse parents in the world for making fun of our kid, but this was just too funny to pass up.

We are going camping and fishing this weekend in California, so we'll post some pictures sometime next week.

Gioia in her new jumpster

Gioia at 5-months old

Trip to California

We went to Los Angeles this past weekend to watch the Twins play against the Angels. Jon came with along with his girlfriend and the "Troops!"

We went to the beach for the boys to play and to try and teach Jon how to bodyboard.

Gioia

Gioia at 6-weeks old

Here's a quick video that I took of Gioia. It isn't much, but I thought it would be a great one to test out posting a video on the blog.

Baptism

Gioia was baptised on May 24th, at Mountain View Lutheran Church.

Grandma & Grandpa Ruzicka and Grandma Schutte

Great-Grandma Fiecke

Godparents - Jake & Wendy Kothe

(Eric & Amy Schutte are also Godparents)

Pastor Lampella

Gioia has been doing great. She is getting spoiled with having grandparents and great-grandma around for almost a week. She keeps everyone entertained, even when she is sleeping.....We had a nice open house for Gioia at our residence community center. Plenty of family and friends showed up to help celebrate.....She is starting to get a daily schedule. She gained her birth weight back within a week and has already grew an inch.....Kim will be going back to work in 3-weeks, when I am finished with school. Then I'll be singing that "Mr. Mom" country song throughout the summer!!!

Gioia Lyn Schutte

Here are a couple quick pictures. More to come!!!

Gioia (pronounced "Joy-ah")

7lbs 12oz, 20in

born 2:02pm on Wednesday, April 29th

Uncle Jon

Grandma Schutte

Godmother Wendy

Girls from Kim's work

Hello Everyone,

Here are a couple photos from our most recent ultrasound on February 20th. The sonographer was unable to get good facial/body images as it's getting a little crowded in there. Baby Schutte appears to be growing beautifully and weighs approximately 3lb 4oz, and has turned to the head-down position. The doctor was able to see the baby's little arm in a 3D image. The right elbow joint is present along with a small portion of a forearm. There appears to be a sufficient amount of tissue covering the tiny bones in the forearm at this point. We are hoping that tissue continues to develop; avoiding the need for surgery after the birth. It is still unknown whether the elbow joint is a functioning joint or not. So, it seems like we basically wait and see.

Springtime is busy. Jay is getting his basketball team ready for the National Lutheran Basketball Tournament at Valparaiso University March 26th -29th. Baseball season begins this Saturday adding to his busy schedule. We are excited to begin decorating the baby's room in the next couple weeks!!