Where to even begin!

We had such a great Christmas. We went to Mississippi for almost a full week and what a wonderful time we had! The boys did amazing! They had a hard time sleeping but other than that LOVED being outside, being with family, and getting attention.

It's so hard to even know where to begin with pictures.

So here are a few...who knows I might add some more for weeks to come.

So to start we left Tuesday night when Nate got off of work and drove a little over half way to Baton Rouge and used some Hampton Inn points to stay the night. BAD IDEA. The boys have never slept with us. So the fact that we woke them up at 10:30 took them into a hotel and let them play and then expected to just turn out the lights and go to sleep was a little stupid on our part. We had a long night needless to say. But the next morning we were greeted with happy babies, in our bed, who were ready to get on the road.

Here they are helping daddy take the luggage.

Like I said there was lots of playing outside which the boys loved. Here they are playing on Pops and Nini's swing set.

We also got to spend lots of time with our newest nephew, Baby Taylor. He is so sweet! He is exactly 14 months younger than the boys. I have a feeling they will be lots of trouble together in a few years.

Okay, that is all for now. My family will be coming in tonight and tomorrow to stay for New Years. Which means we will have a house of 15 for 3 days! I am so excited!!! So off to finish the prep work!!!

The 80's called

And they want their style back!!! This was Blake the day before we left last week. All of our other clothes were packed! So he was wearing what was left!

Welcome to my world

of complete destruction. This is Blake coming into his new tent.

O Little Town of Bethlehem...

Last night we took the boys to a live Nativity scene at a local church. We had the best time. Nate even said it is one of the most fun Christmas things he has ever done. It was put on by the private school at the church. So all of the "cast" was made up of kiddos. They had real animals including a camel!

They read/acted out the story of Christ's birth and we sang carols in between. The boys really liked it. The whole time they were pointing at the sheep and saying, "woof, woof!"

After we got to go inside for some hit cider and gingerbread cookies.

I love the Holidays with my guys!

I don't if the picture clearly depicts how tightly Owen was clinging to me. He has the same love of animals as I do!!

Blake liked the sheep more from Dada's view point. Not so much his own!

Gingerbread cookies!!!!!

Post cookie happiness!

Hangin with the big boys

Sunday night we had our senior Christmas party...for the seniors in the student ministry...not the old people!

Our boys are so spoiled. The students and adults love them and take them everywhere.

Blake got to hang out with the big boys. They let him wear their hats AND play with (this included licking) their blackberry's and IPHONE'S.

And the answer to the last post... Blake, Owen, Owen!

Presents!

Blake and Owen got their first Christmas present last week. It was a dump and fill wagon filled with Mega Blocks from Auntie and Uncle T. It has been a huge hit. I mean seriously...for a boy, what is there not to love?

Filling it with stuff - check.

Dumping stuff - check.

Building stuff - check.

Tearing down what you just built - check.

Pushing things - check.

Pulling things - check.

And probably the most favorite thing of all, getting in it - check.

And for kicks and giggles...can you guess who is who?

Weekend Recap

We had a good weekend. Nate had to work some on Saturday morning due to the inclement weather. But he made it home in time to take the boys to the neighborhood annual snow day. They didn't care for that artificial stuff...hello...they had already seen the real stuff! We did enjoy some hot cocoa and donut holes - yum!

We then went over to Bill and Angie's to celebrate Holly and Clee's birthday and then off to a birthday dinner with them and Jens and Erin and Katelyn.

Sunday was a drizzly cold day that we used to decorate the outside of the house.

But today is Monday and the boys cried when da-da left. He's their favorite...

Here's proof!

In case you were wondering

This is how Owen feels about snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful

Let is SNOW! Let is SNOW! Let is SNOW!

So cliche' but so exciting and appropriate!
It's snowing in Houston people! I am so excited. The flurries might be tiny but even the boys noticed them and have been sitting in the window ceil watching them this morning.

The past few days we have been working on Christmas card pictures which I assure you is not easy with two 17 month olds...but I think we have a keeper.
So you get all the throw aways! That is until your Christmas card arrives!

I sure love this kid!













And he sure love Blake













And Blake sure loves him - I don't know if you can tell but there was LOTS of laughter and tickling in this picture.













Playing outside in our super cool new fleeces




















Ever had one of those days?

Turkey Trot

Like I said in the last post one thing I did over the Thanksgiving holiday was run in the Ft. Worth Turkey Trot. When I was on bed rest with the boys two things would make me cry while I watched endless hours of TV - watching people on roller coasters and people running on TV. I told myself as soon as I was off of bed rest I wouldn't take being able to be active for granted. So I would run a 5k. I played sports my whole life but have always joked that the only way I like to run is if you put a ball in my hand. I think the furthest I had ever run was MAYBE 1.5 miles for training for a sport. So 3.2 was a good goal for me.

I started back in May and was able to run it by August. I chose to do a race later so that I would be motivated to keep running and not be a slacker like I have already started being this week. I did a program I found on women's health if you are interested. Remember, I started from scratch after having atrophied muscles from being on bed rest so long. So anyone can do it!

Here is the link:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/run-walk-program

And I challenge you to - it really was so fun.

Here are a few pictures...and let's be gracious while looking at them...it was like 730 in the morning.

It was also 38 degrees!

Before the race... and My number 1 cheerleader after the race!!!

Thanksgiving

We had a great time this past week in FabEuless with my family. We had a late night drive on Wednesday...but got there in time for some turkey!

We enjoyed yummy thanksgiving with my whole family and I ran my Turkey Trot amidest the 12,000 people in a good time. I had a blast. I will hopefully do it again!

Friday we hung around the house and then Saturday we got to go see the Blind Side and take the boys to meet Santa.
It was a great trip!

Gracey, Lauren,

Cameron, John and Caitlyn

Grand-boys

Not too fond of Santa!!!

Silver Bells

Silver Bells...it's Christmas time in the Stroh House....

Finishing it out

For today, I am thankful for my sweet friend, Erin. I have known this wonderful gal for 10 years! When I first met her it was at our freshman week at HPU and her brother, Clee, introduced us...I thought she was like 14. But she wasn't. She too was a freshman! We soon became quick friends and later roomed together for our sophomore through senior year. We have been in each others weddings, seen our kiddos be born, and just have had fun having life together. When I lived in Charlotte she even flew out to ride home with me that Christmas so I didn't have to drive alone. We even made t-shirts :).
Erin, Jens and Katelyn I am so thankful for you!

Now for tomorrow since I won't be on the computer, I am thankful mostly above all else for my salvation. God is so kind and so gracious to us through his loving kindness of sending his son, God in flesh, to come live a perfect life and to die as an atonement for our sins. He made a way for us when he didn't have too. For that, I am most thankful on Thanksgiving and every day.

So in recap: (Not in order of importance but of listing!)
1. Nate
2. Holly, Clee and Payton
3. HAFBC Student Ministry
4. Blake and Owen
5. Our friends, the Bates' and the Avra's
6. Mom
7. Veterans
8. Dad
9. Pete, Whitney, Tracey and Matt
10. Texas Children's Hospital
11. Peggy
12. Friends from out of state
13. Good health
14. Time with family
15. Jean and Tom
16. Erin!

I really could keep going...there are so many things I am thankful for. But for your sake...I won't!
Happy Thanksgiving!

thought for the day

before I sign out...here is a good thought...by tozer
God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God. He has already lived all our tomorrows as He has lived all our yesterdays.

Memories...

I can't help but remember that this time last year we were snuggled up in a wintry mix of weather surrounded by loved ones at Hotel Freeman in Dover, Ohio.

We were fortunate enough to go and visit Jean and Tom, or more commonly know as Auntie and Uncle T! We had such a great time. But it wasn't just because it was Thanksgiving, or that we got to sit by the fire and watch the snow fall, or that we had help with the boys...but it was because we were with two of our favorite people ever!

So today I am thankful for Jean and Tom. They have not just been an Aunt and Uncle, but dear friends to us. They are two of the most giving people I know. They are unselfish, kind and an amazing example of how to have a godly marriage. Jean and Tom we are so thankful for you and the examples you are to us. Thanks for loving us, and spoiling all of us!!

Above are outfits Jean sent to the boys...they say, "I'm sweet on my Auntie!"

Sheesh Louise!

I missed the weekend! I was so thankful to have time with my sweet family...I didn't blog. So that is what I am thankful for - time with my cute husband and adorable boys. We spent Saturday in our PJ's for the most part. It was cold and rainy, so we stayed bundled with the exception of a run for me (Turkey Trot is Thursday!) and running to Target. We came home and decorated the tree. Sunday was church, huge nap, breakfast for dinner and then Nate went to small groups and I made cookie cakes for his work.

See why I have so much to be thankful for?

On another note here are pictures from the big O's surgery...

Umbilical hernia

I got my 'Raffe and I am ready to go! Feeling good the day after - no pain meds...just tylenol
'

Raffe even got a hospital tag!

Now there's an "innie!" And still some sticky from the bandage...I HAVE bathed him...just can't keep him pinned down to work on the sticky!

Glad to be together again

Just to make you smile...Blake and Dada

Cookie Cakes!