Parade at Kimmy's House

FINALLY...we made it out to Kimmy's new house. Love it! The kids had a blast. So much room to roam. They all had to try out Olivia's new Christmas toy. Sawyer kept trying to drive it in reverse. Ansley wanted to drive it FAST. At one point, it looked like we were having a parade around the drive way. FuN, fUn, FUN! Thanks Kimmy for having us.

Yes, we got to be OUTSIDE. Sunny and 50's. We shed the coats quickly.

A Way to Help

Some ladies I know (adoptive moms) saw a need. They started something that is beginning to bloom and grow. Check it out!

Night at the Museum

Judson's scout troup spent Saturday night at Ft Discovery Science Museum in Augusta. Sounds like they had a glorious time. (aside from car trouble) Here are a few pics. I think they were too busy to get many pictures.Yes, that's a TELEPHONE in the Museum.

That's All?

So we didn't have white-out conditions. Hey, it's not like we live in Michigan, right Kelly? We just had cold (dripping the pipes kind of cold. In fact, maybe in the morning, I'll try to remember to take a stalagmite picture of our outside faucet)

Sent Judson out to play and before I could get the camera to take a picture, he was back inside.

Basketball

What a great time we had today. It was our first game. I gotta say. I had a blast. We ended up losing 21-17 but I think the kids had a great time. No pics as I was coaching and Randy wasn't there. Next time.

It's Poppy Dip

Just got Ansley a new dress. LOVE IT! So well made. No raw seams. Super cute quality material. So if you have a little girl who is in need of a cute dress. Check it out.
On top of that, she's raising money for an adoption from Ethiopia. How can I resist?

Birthday No. 5

So our little girl is turning 5 this week. We had her 'party' today because the week is very busy.

For 5 days, she has been counting down to her celebration. She told me how many balloons she wanted. What kind of cupcakes, etc. She couldn't make up her mind what she wanted for her birthday though. So, I had to wing it. I found two princess dresses (shhh, on sale) at ToysRUs. As you can see by the dress she is wearing in the picture, it was time. Judson bought her the big Dora ball with his own money. They are tearing down the house playing with the ball right now.

The good thing about having 4 kids is you have a built in party group without having to invite anyone else. (Have I ever told you, I DON'T do birthday parties? Not my thing.)The sparkler was a hit with the boys and a miss with the birthday girl.

Yes, T's shirt is on backwards. He dressed himself.

One of the new dresses. See how fabulously it coordinates with the new ball!

Good Story (borrowed from another blog)

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf/2009/12/ducks_learn_life_lessons_and_a.html#postComment

WOW

Grab This Button

Happy New Year

Words from Judson after he saw me checking out Reece's Rainbow. "Mom, are we going to adopt again?". I respond, "Not planning to right now. Why, do you think we should". His response, "It'd be okay". I ask, " Don't you think Mom and Dad have their hands full right now?"

His response, " You do okay with me and Turner BUT Ansley and Sawyer are a handful!"

Truer words have not been spoken!!!

More Tennessee Christmas

Sawyer's Christmas

(remember click and drag the bar at the bottom/side to see all pics)

Turner's Christmas
Yes he really did fall asleep in his pack-n-play that way

Ansley's Christmas

Judson's Christmas
Sadly, he was not feeling well at all.
Even More Christmas

Christmas 2009 in Tennessee-Opryland Hotel

We spent 10 days in Tennessee this year for Christmas. We had a great time! Since there are over 600 pictures, I'll post several blog updates over the next few days. The first is Opryland Hotel. Judson was sick much of the time we were gone. So if his eyes seem red or it looks like he was in mid-cough, there is a reason for it. Just click on the picture and it will enlarge to your screen.

The night shots are not very good. It's the best we could do with our little camera though.

Dad and Lad

Tonight was Judson's scout meeting. Together, he and Randy were supposed to make a dessert and bring it to the meeting. The rules were they had to use the oven and they had to do it by themselves. They also had to clean up after. What is funny about this is Randy complained about having to do it. Didn't want to do it. However, once he got into it, he wanted to WIN. Pretzels, Kisses, Rolos, M&Ms, Pecans(roasted)

They drizzled white chocolate on top and plated it on silver tray. Haven't heard if they won or not but I can say the finished product looked very good. (sorry. forget to get a pic)

Happy Holidays 2009

Wishing you and your family a happy holiday season.
Truly, Turner was excited to see Santa UNTIL we put him in Santa's lap.
Then it was not so fun.
The rest were cool with it.
You can see how Sawyer felt.
Ansley asked if he came on his sleigh. Santa said, "No, a truck"
We figured it might be too warm for reindeer.
Judson was fine too.

Hope to visit many of you during the holidays!

Christmas Stricklin-Style

Randy's parents are here this weekend to celebrate the holidays with us. They brought the kids some gifts. The 2 biggest hits were a Melissa & Doug Birthday Cake and the Halloween Costumes. Nana knew how much they loved dressing up, so after Halloween she went a bought some costumes. They loved them!


Ansley is pretty much convinced Nana came just to visit her. This is good since we went to the Karate Christmas Party last night and she was more than just a bit miffed. She thought the party was supposed to be all about her. There wasn't ONE picture of her in the whole montage! (she hasn't tested yet and the pictures were of tests, etc. There were pictures of Judson)

OUR HOUSEIn Judson's Dreams

Play Date

Our friends Alex and Makayla came over to play today. We made cinnamon-applesauce ornaments and iced/decorated cookies! The kids had a blast and my house smells all Christmas-like.

There is COOL

Then there is TURNER COOL!

This is Why

Every drawer and closet in my house is a mess!That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

XPOST FB

Yesterday, I took Sawyer and Judson to the grocery with me. Sawyer was not feeling so well and had his head leaned over. I saw a man come in who looked down and out. Not sure if he'd had a bad day or worse. I just looked the other way. (That is what you do, isn't it? Don't stare)

Not Sawyer. He straightened up and said (very loudly), "HI". The man, I think, did a double take. Then he straightened up a bit and a smile came across his face. He, too, said 'HI'. We all smiled.

Check out this blog post I found. It is a very good description of who Sawyer is. He sees things differently. He sees things most like God would have us see things, I my humble opinion. He looks past the outer shell. Just click HERE.

More Pictures

A man with a purpose

Riding a motorcycle (aka 4-wheeler)

Scorned!!! (he wanted to be first)

(I did not get pics of Judson riding the 4-wheeler but rest assured, he got his turn too)