Randomness....

Leave it to Texas and the crazy weather to send us a snow storm...just when I thought we were going to get out of this winter without one. It has been SUPER cold here! The kind of cold where you can't get warm no matter how many layers you have on or how high the heat is up. Jason took the kids out in the backyard to play in the snow. Ky, of course, lasted over an hr. Beck, not so much. He was crying within 30 seconds. It actually took longer for him to get dressed to go out, than the amount he was out there. Here's a pic of him reaching for me while I'm in the doorway snapping shots....safe to say he wasn't very happy with me prolonging his time outdoors.

Kylie is playing with one of the many super creative things my mom gave her for Xmas. Here is a plate with just a plain head, and you use food to give her features. So much for the old saying..."don't play with your food, eh?"

Beck sharing his recent obsession with sun glasses, albeit his, or his sister's movie star ones.

Jason and I have waited so long for this little bit to get walking. Never did I imagine that he might still be on his hands and knees when the baby comes in a few weeks. FINALLY, yesterday, he took his first steps. He still has a ways to go, and would much rather walk while holding your hand than brave it on his own, but I'm happy. Yes, I know that this means I'll be chasing after him for the next 5 yrs. if not more, but right now, I'm just happy to not be lugging his lil' behind around!

Beck hard at work on his work station. This was an old toy of Ky's that was in the attic. We decided to clean it up and pass it down. He loves all the noises and light the drill and saw make.

My sweet Kylie Grace turns 5 yrs. old tomorrow! I can't believe how fast time flies by! I remember talking about kindergarten like it was a lifetime away, and here we are...I know August will be here before we know it!

Picture time...

I decided early on that we weren't going to do a maternity picture this time around...since I felt like we JUST did it when we were pregnant with Beck. But Jason mentioned that he thought I would regret not doing it since we did it for all the other pregnancies, so I decided to suck it up and book a session for New Years Eve day. The kids did great and I think we got a pretty good shot. I was wanting something more laid back and less serious since we did many serious shots for the other pregnancies. The quality is less than stellar because the pics are scanned in.

We also figured that if we're going to do pics, we might as well try and get one of the kids also. We had a coupon for an entire package, and knew we didn't need that many maternity pictures, so we ordered this one of the kiddos as well...

With the coupon and the fact that we're portrait club members, the entire thing cost us $8, and we got a ton of pics of the two kids and a couple of the family pre-Stratton's arrival in Feb!

A couple more pics from Christmas..

Here are a couple more shots that my in-laws took while in Pitt.

Riding down the hill...

Hard work walking back up the hill to do it again...

Baby, its cold outside!

She would have played outside all day if we hadn't made her come in to defrost!

More holiday randomness...

I also forgot to share that Christmas 2010 concluded with me getting a new car! Jason and I went back and forth about this decision for quite sometime before deciding that the hassle of trying to fit three car seats in the back of my old SUV just wasn't worth it! When we got back in town from our trip, a 2010 Tahoe with grey leather and bucket seats was on its way from Lubbock headed straight for our driveway! I still need to snap a couple shots of it, but its safe to say that it is a very nice looking car! Here's a pic of the car from the internet, it isn't my exact car, but same type and color!

Jason was surprised with an at-home beer brewing kit from my parents, which should be a very interesting hobby for him! However, the decision to unwrap all the pieces with the kids around, ended up to be very costly...

Our living room after the kids got into the box of peanuts.

I think its safe to say that the hustle and bustle of the holidays has finally died down a little. We didn't do anything for New years. In fact, we weren't even up for it, not that this is surprising since we haven't been for the last three years, if not more. Beck is fighting another ear infection, took him to the docs this morning for a change in medicine, and we're hoping this actually knocks it out this time before the doctor starts talking about 'tubes'.....yuck!

The pregnancy is flying by at this point. Almost 6 weeks to go and I'm so ready to get this kiddo out! I'm getting to the point where getting up off the floor is becoming difficult and I'm so tired all the time! I know he'll be here in the blink of an eye and then we can start yet another new chapter in our crazy life!

Christmas, part 3!

After getting back from our trip to Pitt, we woke up Thursday morning to find that Santa had also stopped at our house! WOW! This made three complete Christmas's for the kids! And its safe to say that my house is now popping at the seems with toys!

Kylie's biggest and best present...although I think Beck might like it just as much. He just sits in the middle and laughs while everyone bounces him. Right now the trampoline is shoved in the back corner of the back yard b/c Jason had to put it together before leaving on vaca and we needed it out of sight so Ky didn't catch a glimpse before we left.

Beck checking out his new Cars chair...

Kylie ready to dig in Thursday morning, after getting home from the airport at 1 am the night before...

Christmas and more!

I don't even know where to begin when trying to describe our Holidays this year. The word 'Chaotic' definitely comes to mind though. The Thursday night before Christmas we celebrated at my mom's house where Kylie was spoiled rotten with toys from Polly Pockets, Squinkies, Craft projects, a Leapster Explorer and more. Even I got spoiled with the surprise of a Kindle, and a gift card to a very 'swanky' movie theater. Unfortunately, we found out that morning that Beck had an ear infection, so he stayed home with dad in hopes that he could rest up for our day of travel the following afternoon.

Beck did pretty well on the plane ride with me, but unfortunately, Ky and J's flights were delayed getting in, making it a grand total of almost 10 hrs. of flying for them! (gotta love using free southwest tickets!) A day later, J was at the doctors in Pitt after being up all night with Kylie, who had decided she didn't want Beck to get all the attention and ended up with an ear infection herself. What FUN!!!

Even with all the sickness and delayed flights, it was amazing to spend time with family, and watch Kylie hang out with her cousin Jacob, whom she LOVES! Here are a couple pictures from various activities!

Kylie and Jacob just being strange =)

Love this picture of the two cousins resting with Papap...

Uncle Keith and Casey with the kiddos...

Group shot...

Kylie and Jacob in Papap's Workshop putting together some of their Christmas Goodies...

An amazing dinner and time away from the kids! J's parents surprised us with a night in Pitt. at a restaurant with an AMAZING VIEW!

View from our table at dinner!

Kylie outside sledding..

Getting ready for a winter walk in the woods...

Beck playing with his toys...

Ready to open gifts...

I think Beck's fave. part of the trip was dancing and watching Uncle Keith play his guitar! This kid LOVES music!

It's the thought that counts...

Jason was determined to do a gingerbread house with Kylie this year, since she enjoyed it so much a couple years ago. We borrowed my mom's kit, that you make from scratch, and went to work. One could say the end result wasn't very successful. Here are a couple pics of the first attempt...

Jason, trying everything, even toothpicks to keep this poor house together...

One determined dad...

Nonetheless, Kylie enjoyed decorating the trees and gingerbread people...

Rolling out the dough before things started to go down hill...

While in Pitt visiting J's family, luckily his mom came to the rescue and Kylie was able to fully enjoy a successful gingerbread making experience...

The final product...

Kylie hard at work, trying to decide what to put where...

It was a group effort...