Merry Christmas Y'all!

We had a Jesus birthday party with some of Ruthie's friends. Complete with cupcakes and singing "Happy Birthday". As the guest were leaving Ruthie waved good-bye and shouted, "Merry Christmas y'all!" Her momma was proud to know she is still a Carolina girl deep down. :) Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Snow Days!

The last few days have been snowy and FREEZING. We spent most of Monday and all day Tuesday inside. Wednesday warmed up to 4 degrees (felt like -3) so we decided to go use our new sled with our friends. We were so layered we actually got a little hot (except for our faces).

Ruthie sledding down the driveway.

I am actually in a picture

Ruthie and Eleanor


Ruth has spent the last three days building. She uses blocks, animals, shoes, spices and other random household items. Here are some of her creations.
Ruthie bulit a stage and we performed on it all afternoon.

Ruthie said this was the wall of Jericho.

Ruth took this picture of me sitting in the jail she built.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Our little Squanto. Ruthie learned all about the first Thanksgiving, Samoset and Squanto. We played Squanto and the Pilgrims most days. Ruthie (Squanto) would pretend to help me (pilgrim) hunt for lobster, turkey and plant corn with fish.

(This is for my mom) Here is the turkey I was telling you about.

We went to the Broadmoor Hotel with Gary and Deb for a tree lighting. Our favorite part was the incredible gingerbread village.


Ruthie's helps to decorate the big tree for the first time.

Grandpa Gary explaining the story of Jesus' birth using the awesome cloth manger scene from Jake, Jules, Ben and Jude

Grandma Deb helped Ruthie decorate her little tree.

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".