We had Piper's birthday party at the pool this past weekend and it was super! It was great for me because I wasn't going to have everyone at my house...which totally stresses me out. Especially after Piper's birthday party last year when we had over 50 people at our house and it was raining. Don't get me wrong, it was a great party but outragous in my perfectionistic eyes. I couldn't handle all the madness and then all the cleanup after. I was looking forward to a no pressure, not much cleanup, and lots of room for people to play.
The pool was the place to be. It was great for all the kids and younger siblings since it was at the "Seashell Pool" as Piper calls it...because it has a fun seashell slide. It also has a beach entrance so the little ones have room to play. God totally provided because there was no rain and it wasn't super hot and there was a nice breeze. He always does but it was extra good since I really seem to get worked up about things like this.
Piper had a fabulous time and got to do what she loved...swim. She was so excited about her princess cake, balloon, and presents. Thanks to everyone who came and brought gifts. She is beside herself with them all so we are getting one out at a time so she can enjoy each one. She wears her Mariposa dressup everyday (Thanks Autumn & Abby!) and she did her best to roller skate today (Thanks Stacy!!) but was a little wobbly. She was done "practicing" after a few minutes. I hope to get all the thanks in for her gifts within the week.
Thanks for all the FUN!!!! It wouldn't have been the same without any one of you all!!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Family
What a fun weekend we had with the family. I can't say enough about how happy we were to have Uncle Bo, Aunt Meg, Dutch, Coby, Ellie and John Wyatt here. Uncle Bo is JB's brother and they don't get to come visit very often so it is extra special when we are all together. I can definitely tell my house is made to house 6 kids but they had so much fun and made great memories this weekend. From playing on the blow up slide to the pool for Piper's birthday to us venturing out to eat at Wings 'n More...with six kids mind you...to the dads fixing breakfast on Sunday in the true Arnold fashion that they have come to enjoy. Little brother JB taking instruction from big brother on how to make the perfect pancake but still putting his two cents in on the matter at hand. Oh add a little more butter and a little baking soda for fluff...oh and a little sugar...about two tablespoons is good. Let's see, how about oh I don't know...a little cinnamon in the eggs. No, no...we didn't do the cinnamon...been down that road. :) But it was rather amusing to see the two of them in the kitchen. Amusing to say the least but the most important part was that we were all together. Even though we are miles apart, when we are together it seems as though we live right next door...never missing a minute of each others lives and picking up from the last moment together.
We were truly blessed to have them here and already miss them. And we can't wait to see them again. Piper still wants to sleep on the floor in the living room because she wants it to be like when Dutch and Coby were here. It pleases my heart to know that these times are forming an unbreakable bond between cousins. We love you guys very much!!
We were truly blessed to have them here and already miss them. And we can't wait to see them again. Piper still wants to sleep on the floor in the living room because she wants it to be like when Dutch and Coby were here. It pleases my heart to know that these times are forming an unbreakable bond between cousins. We love you guys very much!!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Anxiously Waiting
We are super excited about the upcoming weekend. Piper is having her 4th birthday party at the swimming pool and we can't wait to see all the people that are coming into town for it. We are especially excited that Uncle Bo, Aunt Meg, Dutch, Coby, Ellie and John Wyatt are coming...SUPER EXCITED!!!! We don't get to see them as much as we hope and will treasure the time together this weekend.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
More pictures from the Lake
...so I guess you can tell by now that I absolutely loved our trip to the Lake!!!
Monday, July 14, 2008
July 12th - Happy Birthday Piper!!!
Happy Birthday Piper...look how far you've come.
We love you and are so proud of you, our precious angel!!!
Strong Family Reunion
It has been over thirty years since the first Strong Family Reunion and I am proud to say there has been at least one member of our family there to represent us every year. I think I only missed two or three. One because little miss Piper was going to be born any day in 2004. As a matter of fact, she came the Monday after the lake. So for her the lake is extra special because she will get to spend her birthday with lots of family and forever remember the excitement of everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to her and having all the attention for the moment!
I love our family and am very impressed that we have consistently gotten together. Now, I'm not talking just a few of us. The Strong Family reunion began with my grandmother and her five brothers who felt it very important for us all to know our family...even if we only get together once a year. I think this year was a smaller crowd than normal...about 4o when I can remember filling up the whole place with close to 100 people. I love to look back at all the pictures from when I was the first baby of my generation to now having brought into this family the first baby of the next generation. I am amazed at how strong and close this family is even in the midst of all the distance and every year I feel just as close to them all as if we were all together all the time. God has truly blessed us with a wonderful family and I am ever mindful of the strength and love of them all. I love each and every one of you and can't wait to see you all next year!!
Piper, Dad & Will getting ready for first dip in the lake.
Piper in her Uncle Luke's shirt from when he was her age! I love it because he is now 23 it's hard to believe that he once wore it. I'll have to find a picture of him...I'm sure mom has one.
Will and Caitlyn in the lake.
Piper practicing her back stroke...not so easy in the life jacket!
Fishing...well...sort of!
...the fish weren't biting that night....more like posing for pictures...
with Uncle Luke...
and Caitlyn...
...and Jonathan
...and Teensie!!!
But they were the next morning!!
A super catch...wouldn't you say?
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Happy July 4th!
This weekend Piper and I had a girls weekend and went to our good friend Autumn's house. Autumn and I have been great friends since college and her daughter, Abby is three months younger than Piper. They have so much fun together.
The girls have had fun playing dress up, swimming in the pool and being mermaids at the beach. This was Piper's very FIRST trip to the beach and she had an awesome time. It was super windy but not too hot so it was great! She looked for seashells, built sandcastles, and played in the waves. It was funny because Piper just assumed that the water was just like the pool water and tried to swim. She got a rude awakening and realized that the water was much saltier, which made her gag. After that she was much more careful about getting her face in the water. Many thanks to Nick, Abby's daddy, for turning the girls into beautiful mermaids!!
We also took the girls to see the fireworks but they weren't as excited about them as we were. They were more interested in throwing rocks in the water. Autumn's mom has a swimming pool and the girls wanted to swim 24/7 so they did. It was a super fun weekend all around!
The girls have had fun playing dress up, swimming in the pool and being mermaids at the beach. This was Piper's very FIRST trip to the beach and she had an awesome time. It was super windy but not too hot so it was great! She looked for seashells, built sandcastles, and played in the waves. It was funny because Piper just assumed that the water was just like the pool water and tried to swim. She got a rude awakening and realized that the water was much saltier, which made her gag. After that she was much more careful about getting her face in the water. Many thanks to Nick, Abby's daddy, for turning the girls into beautiful mermaids!!
We also took the girls to see the fireworks but they weren't as excited about them as we were. They were more interested in throwing rocks in the water. Autumn's mom has a swimming pool and the girls wanted to swim 24/7 so they did. It was a super fun weekend all around!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Bath Time Fun
I thought I would share the craziness of bath time. I will be honest that I am not the fun bath giver at our house...for me it's one more piece of the bedtime routine and a task that should be completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. (That doesn't sound like me, does it?) Since this is the case, I usually don't give baths. JB is the best bath giver ever. It is FUN, FUN, FUN at bath time with him. He lets the kids get him soaking wet and he plays fun games and even when he just sits and watches it's great because it is a super fun, long bath....which both kids love. Last night was especially fun because I bought the kids bath foam. I don't know who liked it more...the kids or JB? You tell me...
Anyway, JB is such a wonderfully fun dad to enjoy in the play during bath and I am ever grateful. One reason that I love him so much!
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