More Halloween

We had a huge party and our friend Collin dressed up as Nate. Complete with beard, hogs hat, and a shirt that looks like one Nate wears frequently. The funny thing was his wife and little girl dressed as a CUBS fans. Nate and CUBS don't mix.

Trick-or-treating

Our Little Fairy

Ruthie has been wearing her fairy costume for weeks and is still wearing it now that Halloween is over. She dances all around the house and strikes poses. We had a great time going to a YMCA party, having a party and jump castle at our house and going trick-or-treating.

Fall Pictures

Here are random fall pictures.....

We went to Breckenridge mid September and the leaves were already turning. This is the only picture I have of our adventure, because Nate hates taking pictures and hates stopping to allow anyone else to take pictures.

We went to a local apple orchard with some friends to pick apples. Ruth ate 4 apples in 40 minutes while we were walking around. We had a great time and made an apple crisp when we got home.





We went to the Hot Air Balloon Festival again. The weather wasn't quite as good as last year so not as many balloons, but still fun. My sister Pam, Charlie, and baby Zoe were here to visit too, but Pam has all those pictures.


At night they have a "GLOW" where they light up the balloons. Very cool, but very crowded

We went to the zoo and Ruthie had her first pony ride. I cried for some strange reason!?


Nate went to LA and brought Ruthie back a pink guitar with her name on it. She loves it!! She will be releasing a hit song entitled "HEY, HEY POTATO" soon. This is an original Ruth Stratman song, but it is only 3 words repeated over and over....


Our good friend Nancy (aka Nanner or Donkeyhead) came to visit. We had a wonderful time. Ruthie had a blast having dance parties, reading "Fancy Nancy" 400 times, and of course singing.


While Nancy was here we went to a pumpkin contest and a fall festival at a historic ranch. There was apple cider being made, wool being spun, barn dances, hayrides, animals, and tons of other activities. The weather was great and the leaves are changing. It was a perfect fall day!
This is Roo with the pumpkin everyone was saying would win.

Picking a pumpkin

Roping cattle while waiting for the hayride

Chowin' on some kettle corn...like mother, like daughter

Beach Trip

We went to NC and got to see the Guthrie's for a few days. This was Nate's first time meeting his new niece Zoe.

Grandma getting in some grandkid time with Kent, Ruth, and Griggs. (They are all sitting at one time!)

We then headed to Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach to see friends and enjoy the beach.
Heaven!

Roo and Mags walking to the beach. Too cute!


Everyone helped dig to make a baby pool on the beach.

Smith was worn out

The water was sooooo clear the whole time we were there. Beautiful!!!

The boys went fishing one morning and the kiddos got to watch them clean the fish.

Will and the fish

Ruth and Mags played dress up and tea party ALOT!

Kayaking with Mom. Except Mom is really Amelia Bedelia and Ruthie is Missy at this moment from "Amelia Bedelia and the Baby"

Allen, Smith, Ruth and Maggie hanging out in the "Lollipop".

Allen (aka POP) helped Ruthie and Maggie go "surfing" in the "Lollipop".

Nate's Fish

I didn't do this picture justice in the last blog so here is a bigger shot.

Stratman Vacation

We had a wonderful time with the Stratman clan. We hung around the unique town of Boulder, CO for a few days.

We then headed to a cabin in the mountains. We had a incredible time running in the fields, canoeing, 4-wheeling, building rock sculptures, fishing, and just goofing off.






Our time was complete with somores and singing by the campfire.
Everyone cheered Nate on as he built the fire..."FIRE, FIRE, FIRE,..."

Happy 4th of July!

We were thrilled to spend the weekend with the Risleys!!! It was a great 4th!


Lainey is too cute!!!

Ruth, Desha, Andy, Lainey and random boy at the farmers market

Steve and Nate buying fireworks. It was like kids in a candy shop.

Garden of the Gods

Ruth and Desha enjoying dessert

Our city fireworks (1/2 mile from our house) were cancelled this year so Nate and Steve put on a show for us in the backyard.

I love this one!!

ROO and ROO!

After fireworks we went on a little parade up the street. They carried paper lanterns and flags and sang "America the Beautiful" the whole time.

Grandma Deb and Grandpa Gary move to Boulder!!!

Grandpa Gary and Grandma Deb moved to Boulder!!!! We are so excited that they are only about 1 1/2 hours away!
They moved here just in time to celebrate Deb's birthday.

The family got Grandma Deb a digital camera for her birthday. She was excited and a little nervous all at once.

Only Grandpa Gary would buy Ruthie a Yiddish book called "Shmutzy Girl"!

North Carolina

We went to NC to visit family and see our new cousin Zoe for the first time. She is absolutely precious!!!!! We had a wonderful time playing with Griggs, Kent and baby Zoe.
(I didn't get any pictures of Pam, Charlie, Chad or Griggs....how did that happen?)


Auntie Debbie painted Ruth's toenails for the first time. I have never seen the child sit so still for so long!

Ruth loves playing with Great Uncle Russ and Great Aunt Nitka..."Nitka, Nitka, Nitka"

Mommy's cousin Jeremy and his wife Laura came to visit

Aunt Debbie has already begun to spoil her neices

Ruthie loved Grandma reading to her before bedtime

Ruthie loves her Jakers

Kenty is a great big cousin

Ruthie and Paw-Paw have matching lollipops

We are resurrected from blog death

Sorry for the hiatus! Quick updates: I've been backpacking for a week with students and head to New Orleans and Vancouver on our high school trips. Kim is heading to Charlotte/Asheville with Ruth to see new cousin Zoe and the rest of the Guthries. We will be in Wilmywood in August. The weather here is psychotic but we are adapting. The aspens are turning white bark and gold leaves in the mountains and my parents are moving to BOULDER, CO THIS WEEK!!!! WOOT WOOT
Not sure who likes the mic more, Nanner or Ruthie.
Ruth wants to fly fish like dad at the neighborhood park. She tells mom to put another grub on the hook.
We think Ruthie's love language is physical touch. Elizabeth feels violated.
momma and roo stalking horses down at Ute Trail (we got to go there for a few nights so I could do some training of guides and staff)
(our new roomie, Miss Ali Jo. Ruthie tries to call Ali on her fake cell phone frequently)

A Few More Easter Pics

The indoor egg hunt. (Thanks to Hartley for the pictures)


Enjoying the candy after the hunt

All the girls over for dinner

Easter 2009

Once again we got tons of snow on Easter, but it was beautiful! Our church service was great and we had a wonderful time with some friends that come over for dinner. We even had an indoor egg hunt for the Ruthster.


We made Easter cookies and invited friends over to dye eggs. I was a little busy, so I didn't actually take any pictures of the dying process. (PS -Thanks Lolly and Pop for the cookie cutters!)




Easter basket time!

The jumprope was a hit

New swimsuit


Trying to put on both dresses that her grandmas gave to her

School Time

Ruthie has started teaching her animals. She announces, "Hi everybody. I am your teacher today." Then she reads to them, gives them snack, with a prayer of course and makes them take a nap. Too cute!

Nap time! Everyone get a washie

Denver Aquarium

We were on our way to a Butterfly Pavilion in Denver when we realized in the traffic we would never make it. Ruthie was so excited and even wore butterfly shoes. We quickly explained that there were fish and sharks there too and exited early to the aquarium. She loved it, but when we got in the car to head back home Ruthie replied, "Where are the butterflies". We explained that they were sleeping and we would have to come again to see them. Can't get anything passed her these days.
Daddy is so silly!

Daddy explaining to Ruthie the different fish

Teeny tiny seahorse


Our favorite part was the sea turtles and sharks

Trip to NC

We went to NC to visit family and friends. We had a wonderful time, but missed Daddy!
Lovin' the Sand

Ruthie had lots of fun with Maggie and Will


Time with Nanny

Treats with Nanner

Playing "America the Beautiful" in Grandma's aprons

Dessert and movie with Kenty

Chillin' with Griggs

Kissing baby Zoe

Enjoying a lollipop with Paw-Paw