Christmas Day

We spent Christmas Day at Erik's parents house. We had a nice brunch in the morning followed by presents and naps for everyone! Then Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Louise, Uncle Dave, and cousins Mark and Michael came over for dinner and more presents.

Today, we're heading up to Covenant Point for some relaxation and fun at Christmas Camp. We're looking forward to some snowboarding, games, sledding, good food, the sauna, and a fun cabin full of kids! While we're away, make sure to look at "The Austins" blog...Kate and Madison were born this morning at 11:55am and 11:56am, respectively! We are anxious to meet these new little ones.

Christmas Eve

Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve. We did stocking presents at home in the morning, went to church and then headed over to my parents' house. We opened presents with our immediate family and then had all the aunts, uncles and cousins over for dinner and more presents. Caleb LOVED ripping the paper off his presents (and everyone else's)!

Dress Shopping!

Did you all know that my sister Brooke is engaged? Mike proposed on December 13th and they're just starting all the planning for a June wedding. Yesterday Brooke, my Mom, and I went wedding dress shopping for the first time and had so much fun! (For those of you that came to see my dress, we went to the same boutique and had the same crazy lady (Sue) helping us out!) Brooke looked great in every single dress she tried on, but we weren't surprised. She didn't want me to post any full shots of the dress, so here's just a little taste of what a beautiful bride she will be! We're so excited for her and Mike.

13 weeks

Here is baby number two at 13 weeks! I'm still able to fit in my normal clothes (thanks to the "bella band"!), the "morning sickness" is gone, and I'm feeling great. Also, I'm excited that today (Friday) is my last day of work! I know that I'll especially miss my co-workers and the regularity of my job, but I'm definitely looking forward to being at home full-time with Caleb!What more could a mom ask for?

Muscles!

It has been very hard to get a good picture of Caleb showing us his "muscles"...but hopefullly you can get the idea. He does it pretty much on command and we just think it is hilarious.

Caleb's new trick

In the process of "showing off" for Gwen, all of a sudden Caleb starts doing this! We have never seen him doing anything like this before...we still need to check with Uncle Colby!

Caleb and Gwen

We had Cam, Linnea and Gwen over for a nice dinner this evening. Before the kids went to bed they enjoyed some quality time. Gwen was just laying on her belly and Caleb went over to play with her. He would pat her hands and just stare at her. It was great to see him be so gentle with her...signs of a good big brother!

Then we asked him to give Gwen a kiss and here are some pictures to document their "first kiss". Caleb does give really good kisses.

I Love Christmas Lights!

This is what our living room looks like with our Christmas lights on. I LOVE it.

The shirt!

For those of you interested in Caleb's shirt, here's how the back looks. "And then there were two". Many of you have asked us where we got Caleb's t-shirt...we actually made it with the help of my little brother Colby. He helped us with the stencils and then spray painted it on. We love how it turned out! If anyone's interested in making a "personalized" t-shirt let me know - Uncle Colby's the best of the best!

An early Christmas gift

Did you notice Caleb's new shirt?

06-25-07

After waking up to a beautiful snowfall this morning, we made our way over to the doctor's office to hear the tiny heartbeats of Strom baby #2! WE ARE PREGNANT! As you can tell from the proud big brother's shirt (below the drool stain), our next little one is set to arrive on the scene June 25, 2007. We're a little overwhelmed, but absolutely excited that our family is growing!

Caleb is going to be a big brother!

Fun on the slide

We brought Caleb's slide inside for a new twist to play time and he loved it! I think we spent a half an hour going up and down the slide, laughing the whole time. There was one little tumble, but everyone was okay. (Is it just me or does he look so grown up in these pictures?)

This afternoon Caleb followed Erik around as he fixed some things around the apartment. Erik had his hammer and Caleb had his toy hammer. He would watch Erik and then copy him. I am not sure why I didn't think to take any pictures! He is such a little helper these days.

Getting in the Holiday Spirit

This afternoon we went to pick out our tree at Home Depot. Caleb was more interested in the potting soil.
This is the lucky winner!

Tonight we went to "Zoo Lights" with some of my family. My niece Kira loves elephants, so we took this picture for her.

Funny Face

Here is Caleb making a funny face...what a cutie!

Family Portrait

Here's a Strom family picture taken this afternoon at our place. As you can see, Caleb was still a little distracted from the Bears' tough loss. Football game aside, we all had a great afternoon together!

Runny Nose

For the last couple of days Caleb has had a cough and a runny nose. We have had to wipe his nose so much that now he knows what to do with the kleenex! Here he is wiping his own nose.

Happy Halloween

Caleb was Dumbo for Halloween! He was so adorable in his outfit, but he didn't really like it. He couldn't bend over to pick anything up and if he fell down while he was walking he couldn't stand back up! Poor guy.

Tonight we went to Bethel (the church I grew up at) for "Trunk-or-Treat". Here is a picture of 80's girl, Waldo, Dumbo and Gorilla man also known as my cousin Kendell, me, Caleb and Uncle Colby.

Grayden is an ice cream sandwich and Olivia is a ballerina.

Pumpkin Hat

This afternoon we went to a Seminary "Harvest Festival" where you could carve pumpkins, paint pumpkins and eat good food. Caleb wore his pumpkin hat from Ingrid Reese and played with his first pumpkin (he actually was calling it a ball).

He said "football" today and has been saying "bye bye" as well.

Drew Oliver Bramley

My friends Rachel and Grant had their first baby last night. Here is a picture of Karina and I holding Drew for the first time. Drew was born at 11:12 pm on October 27, 2006 - he was 7lbs 4 oz. and has a little peach fuzz. Everyone is doing great.

Sleepy

Recently Caleb became attached to this blanket. When he wakes up in the morning he first hands us the blanket and then reaches up to get out. Then, he will carry the blanket around wherever he goes and take little breaks now and then. Today was laundry day and Caleb wanted to help out!

A picture taken on Wednesday with Daddy. Erik was feeling "artsy" with the natural lighting.

I LOVE BOOKS!

Lately, all Caleb wants to do is read books. It has been so wonderful, I can be in the kitchen making dinner and he will just keep himself busy looking at all his books. In this picture he is pointing to and saying "ball".

An afternoon at the farm

This weekend, while Erik and the guys were backpacking in the frigid weather, Caleb and I spent the afternoon with Linnea and Gwen. Here we are at a farm, looking at the pumpkins. We could not get both kids to look at the camera...this is the best we could do! We were able to see a bunch of animals too. Caleb enjoys looking at animlas in books, however, he got scared when the horse moved and the rooster crowed!