1. Caleb Michael joined our family on May 16th.
2. Luke Thomas turned four on June 6th.
3. Luke had his first airplane ride on March 8th.
4. We cheered on the AL Champions Texas Rangers at many games throughout the season
{including my birthday, Luke's birthday, and the 4th of July.}
5. We visited Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham, TX, on March 11th.
6. We had a an ice storm plus a snow day February 1-6th.
7. We had a record-breaking, incredibly hot summer and spent as much time as we could {with a newborn} in the pool or at Hawaiian Falls.
8. Luke started swim lessons in June and had graduated level four by July.
9. My 10 year high school reunion was on October 15th.
10. Caleb was dedicated on December 4th.
11. We ended 2011 happy, healthy, and thankful for all of God's blessings and provisions during this year.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
The Best Gift {Ever}
It's unbelievable how this happened.
Luke has been dying for a swing set in our backyard. We have a large yard with basically nothing in it. He loves to go outside and play, but there is only so much he can do back there. We've wanted to get one, but haven't been able to spend $1000+ on something like that.
He got it in his head that he wanted Santa to bring him a new swing set. In fact, he asked every Santa we saw for a new swing set and a toy dinosaur. I was getting nervous about that - there was just no way Santa was going to be able to bring him a swing set. So I started telling him that I didn't think a swing set was going to fit in Santa's sleigh.
Literally a week before Christmas, it happened. We had just left our Sunday school class's Christmas party when I got a call from my friend, Michelle. She told me about a silent auction going on to benefit the family of a Mansfield firefighter who was injured on the job, and then later diagnosed with ALS. {CBS 11 just did a story on him, click here.} Apparently there were a lot of items in the auction that hadn't been bid on, including a brand new swing set. The starting bid was $900, and there were only 30 minutes left before the auction closed.
That sent our wheels turning, and after about five minutes of discussion, we called her back and she went up to see if anyone else had bid in those last minutes. We told her that if it was still $900, then we wanted it. She got up there (it was down the street from her house, but over 15 minutes from ours so we never would have made it) and it was still $900. So we got it.
This is it:
Not only did we get a brand new swing set {that we found online for at least $1800}, it also came with free delivery AND installation. And the money went to a good cause.
We couldn't get it delivered before Christmas, so that's why I wrapped up the sheet of paper with the picture on it. The earliest we could get it delivered was December 29, so we got to listen to Luke ask, "Is my swing set coming today?" for four days.
We kept telling him "you have to sleep for X nights", so when he got up Thursday morning, he said, "No more sleeps!" He was so excited. I wasn't sure what time it would be delivered, but they showed up a little before 9 AM - and they were gone before 10 AM. I have never seen that little boy so excited. He was still in jammies when they arrived, so he ran to change so he could sit out on the back porch and watch them set it up.
The fort was already assembled so they just had to add the slide, and the swings. I was excited to see the toddler swing so we wouldn't have to get another swing for Caleb. But there's another big swing to trade out with the toddler swing, which will be perfect when our neighbors come over to play.
Luke spent most of the day outside playing. It worked out so well that the weather ended up being amazing the past few days. He is just thrilled.
Caleb likes it a lot, too!
Caleb loves the fort, too. He's been pulling up to standing for a couple weeks now, and it's all he wants to do these days. He was so excited to figure out he could hold on to the slats to stand up. {Don't worry, I was right behind him the whole time...well, except for when these pictures were taken!}
How cute is Luke holding on to him so he doesn't fall?
Watch out, Caleb's driving!
Luke has been dying for a swing set in our backyard. We have a large yard with basically nothing in it. He loves to go outside and play, but there is only so much he can do back there. We've wanted to get one, but haven't been able to spend $1000+ on something like that.
He got it in his head that he wanted Santa to bring him a new swing set. In fact, he asked every Santa we saw for a new swing set and a toy dinosaur. I was getting nervous about that - there was just no way Santa was going to be able to bring him a swing set. So I started telling him that I didn't think a swing set was going to fit in Santa's sleigh.
Literally a week before Christmas, it happened. We had just left our Sunday school class's Christmas party when I got a call from my friend, Michelle. She told me about a silent auction going on to benefit the family of a Mansfield firefighter who was injured on the job, and then later diagnosed with ALS. {CBS 11 just did a story on him, click here.} Apparently there were a lot of items in the auction that hadn't been bid on, including a brand new swing set. The starting bid was $900, and there were only 30 minutes left before the auction closed.
That sent our wheels turning, and after about five minutes of discussion, we called her back and she went up to see if anyone else had bid in those last minutes. We told her that if it was still $900, then we wanted it. She got up there (it was down the street from her house, but over 15 minutes from ours so we never would have made it) and it was still $900. So we got it.
This is it:
Not only did we get a brand new swing set {that we found online for at least $1800}, it also came with free delivery AND installation. And the money went to a good cause.
We couldn't get it delivered before Christmas, so that's why I wrapped up the sheet of paper with the picture on it. The earliest we could get it delivered was December 29, so we got to listen to Luke ask, "Is my swing set coming today?" for four days.
We kept telling him "you have to sleep for X nights", so when he got up Thursday morning, he said, "No more sleeps!" He was so excited. I wasn't sure what time it would be delivered, but they showed up a little before 9 AM - and they were gone before 10 AM. I have never seen that little boy so excited. He was still in jammies when they arrived, so he ran to change so he could sit out on the back porch and watch them set it up.
The fort was already assembled so they just had to add the slide, and the swings. I was excited to see the toddler swing so we wouldn't have to get another swing for Caleb. But there's another big swing to trade out with the toddler swing, which will be perfect when our neighbors come over to play.
Luke spent most of the day outside playing. It worked out so well that the weather ended up being amazing the past few days. He is just thrilled.
Caleb likes it a lot, too!
Caleb loves the fort, too. He's been pulling up to standing for a couple weeks now, and it's all he wants to do these days. He was so excited to figure out he could hold on to the slats to stand up. {Don't worry, I was right behind him the whole time...well, except for when these pictures were taken!}
How cute is Luke holding on to him so he doesn't fall?
Watch out, Caleb's driving!
Something Fun...
Wednesday found us bored out of our minds and wanting to do something fun. The weather was gorgeous - finally sunny, not too cold {mid 60's} - so we needed to spend time outside. I made a last minute decision to take the boys to the Fort Worth Zoo. While Caleb took his morning nap, I got everything ready, packed us a lunch, and we headed out when he woke up.
We got there about noon and stayed until after 3:00. And we had fun. It was crowded, but not horrible for a half-price Wednesday. We took our time, we had a picnic, we were chased around by some bees that seemed to really love my shirt, and we saw some animals. Lots, apparently early afternoon is a great time because most of them were up and moving around.
Luke standing like a flamingo. {See his binoculars around his neck? Totally his idea.}
Caleb pretty much just chilled in the stroller. He didn't know or care where we were or why we were there. Every once in awhile I would get him out to look at things. I don't know if he noticed any of the animals or not, though.
Luke climbing on the "African Termite Mound".
As we got closer to the lions, we could hear him roaring. By the time we got there, he was quiet, but moving around. Luke got really nervous when he came to stand in front of us.
Luke was obsessed with all the bamboo around. He wanted his picture with it. I don't know.
We had so much fun! I know I'm with them all day, but it's different when you're out and about away from the house. I was so glad to have this day.
We got there about noon and stayed until after 3:00. And we had fun. It was crowded, but not horrible for a half-price Wednesday. We took our time, we had a picnic, we were chased around by some bees that seemed to really love my shirt, and we saw some animals. Lots, apparently early afternoon is a great time because most of them were up and moving around.
Luke standing like a flamingo. {See his binoculars around his neck? Totally his idea.}
Caleb pretty much just chilled in the stroller. He didn't know or care where we were or why we were there. Every once in awhile I would get him out to look at things. I don't know if he noticed any of the animals or not, though.
Luke climbing on the "African Termite Mound".
As we got closer to the lions, we could hear him roaring. By the time we got there, he was quiet, but moving around. Luke got really nervous when he came to stand in front of us.
Luke was obsessed with all the bamboo around. He wanted his picture with it. I don't know.
We had so much fun! I know I'm with them all day, but it's different when you're out and about away from the house. I was so glad to have this day.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Christmas 2011 {Stroder & Jenkins Family}
Our celebrations began on Christmas Eve with the Stroder/Anderson/McLane/Freels families. It's always exciting - and a lot crazy - when Nate's siblings and their families all gather under one roof...especially when it is raining and disgusting outside so we all have to stay under one roof!
We got down there early to get a picture of the seven grandkids.
After a big lunch and lots of laughing and playing, it was time to open presents!
I love this - Luke helping Caleb open - best big brother ever.
Luke modeling one of his gifts.
After presents all of the grandkids {minus Austin} dressed up in the old costumes that Nate, his siblings and cousins all wore for their old Christmas plays as kids. It was SO. CUTE. seeing them all dressed up as a live nativity scene. That's what Christmas is all about!
I don't think a shepherd is supposed to eat his sheep.
Isn't he the cutest little shepherd you've ever seen?!?!
After the photoshoot, Daddy Matt sat down and read the Christmas story from Luke 2 to his grandchildren. It was pretty cool. Caleb even sat there the entire time. Not sure if he was listening, but he was quiet!
Here's the video...
We got down there early to get a picture of the seven grandkids.
After a big lunch and lots of laughing and playing, it was time to open presents!
I love this - Luke helping Caleb open - best big brother ever.
Luke modeling one of his gifts.
After presents all of the grandkids {minus Austin} dressed up in the old costumes that Nate, his siblings and cousins all wore for their old Christmas plays as kids. It was SO. CUTE. seeing them all dressed up as a live nativity scene. That's what Christmas is all about!
I don't think a shepherd is supposed to eat his sheep.
Isn't he the cutest little shepherd you've ever seen?!?!
After the photoshoot, Daddy Matt sat down and read the Christmas story from Luke 2 to his grandchildren. It was pretty cool. Caleb even sat there the entire time. Not sure if he was listening, but he was quiet!
Here's the video...
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