Santa 2015

Santa Success!

Both kids were excited to see Santa this year.  Eastman asked him for a ninja turtle and a race car.  Andi asked Santa for ice skates.

I love love love these Santa pictures.  I have one for each year and at Christmas time, I display them on the entry hall table.  It is so fun to look back through the years of their visit with Santa.

November 2015

Well, not a lot to post this month other than a couple of pictures (even though it was very eventful).

Our little Thanksgiving meal helpers.  They were especially good at licking the spoons.  We had a nice Thanksgiving meal at Shawn and Lynley's house.  Delicious food, as always and fun to get together and so fun to watch the cousins interact.

Sweet darlings watching my cousin, Jenica, dance at her wedding reception.

Andi October 2015

Andi October 2015

Andi is a couple of months into kindergarten and she is loving every minute of it. She wakes up in the morning excited about school and comes home telling us a few things that she did that day. I always look forward to hearing about her day. She has already made some pretty sweet friends too. She loves her teacher (and her teacher adores Andi).

Andi is definitely a stuffed animal girl. She has lots of stuffed animals (way more than I would like to admit) and every time we go somewhere, she wants to pick out a new one. Currently, her favorite stuffed animals are: "Frights" the cat, and "Slick" the fox.

10/19: Andi said that she kissed Hudson today (a boy in her kindergarten class). "He wouldn't let me kiss him on the lips, so I kissed him on the cheek. He kissed my hand like I was a queen. Lots of the other boys wanted to kiss me, but I wouldn't let them." 
Eek! Should I be worried?!  I don't think Daddy is going to like this one bit!  :) 

I stopped at Sonic to get a drink and Andi told me about one day when she went home with Maggie (from preschool last year).  Amy, Maggie's mom, stopped at Sonic to let them get a drink.  Andi said that Maggie got a cherry limeade and Patrick got a blue drink.  Andi continued her story, telling me that she just asked for a water because she didn't know if she could get one of those.  (My  kids really only want to drink water or milk and the iccasional juice box.  I will say that I am proud of the decision she made to just get water that day.)

Eastman October 2015

Eastman October 2015

Oh how I love this little boy! I must officially say little boy or big boy because Eastman is adamant that he does not want to be called a baby. He is growing everyday and continues to impress me with how much he knows and his sayings, as always, are some of my favorite things to record and remember.

10/10: Let me preface by saying that those who know my snuggly boy, know that he likes to hold my neck when cuddling or when he gets sleepy. He not only reaches to hold my neck, but requests to hold my neck. (And let me add that he gets upset if my hair is down and covers the front of my neck. He will say, "ugh! There's hair on your neck!") Ok, on to today's event. We were at a friend's house carving pumpkins. He accidentally cut his thumb a little . He cried a little and then with a pouty lip said, "now I can't hold your neck anymore."  

10/12: When I dropped Eastman off at Nana's house this morning, Eastman wanted to give me lots of kisses. He pulled my face towards him and he kissed my forehead, each cheek, and then gave me a kiss on the lips. My sweet boy!

10/14: In the middle of the night Eastman cried out, "Momma I need you...momma I need you.  I grumbled a little and hesitated to rush up the stairs. I waited. Again he cried out, "Momma I need you...momma I need you." Then he said, "Momma, come give me more kisses." Well he knows he way to his momma' heart. How could I resist that?! I raced up the stairs to hug him, hold him, and give him more kisses. How could I possibly pass up that sweet request?!

Currently, his favorite stuffed animals are: "Blue Puppy" (which is actually a two-inch blue leopard), "Minion", and "other puppy."

When Eastmans prays in the evening, he says, "Dear God, Thank you that we go to Tyler's house and Marley's house. Thank you that we have a good day. Amen."

10/31: Smart boy knows my phone number.  

Anytime we pass by a hotel, he exclaims, "That's a big, big hotel!"

Eastman can count in Spanish. Not sure how long he has been able to on his own, but this month he counted to ten several times and tried counting beyond ten.

Halloween 2015

For Halloween this year, Andi wanted to be a cat (are you surprised?!)  "A sleek, black cat" to be exact.  Her costume was easy for her to pull together.  She had all of it.  All she wanted to go get was a collar, a pink collar, with a bell on it.  Eastman wanted to be a blue puppy.  It sis not matter what other suggestions I made, he was set on being a "blue puppy."  So I went to work on his puppy costume and it came together pretty well if I do say so myself.  It only cost a few dollars and he was thrilled.  Dave and I played along and went dressed as veterinarians.
My cuties in their costumes:

Here are a few pics from trunk or treat at the church:

Haven, Marley, Andi, Maddie, and Reese

Andi and Marley

Small group kiddos

Eastman and Sutton

Halloween night, we got to trick or treat with cousins: Zoey, Quinn, Turner (and Mackenzie).  The kids had a blast and brought home way too much candy!

ACU Homecoming 2015

Well, it was my 10 year reunion from graduating from ACU, so Dave and I decided it was time to go back out to good ole Abilene and pay it a visit.  It was nice being back on campus and getting to show the kids off and show them where Mommy and Daddy went to college.  There were quite a few familiar faces and it was nice to reminisce.  We wanted to make an appearance at the class of 2005 dinner, and I am sad to say that the turnout was poor.  We had gone to Dave's a few years prior and they had a great turnout.  Of course we had to go to the campus store and buy some Wildcat gear for the kids (and myself).  I think the highlight for the kids was getting to stay in a hotel and going to what they called the magic show with Gram and Grandavs.  It was actually something that the chemistry department puts on during the family fun night on campus.

Eastman's preschool pics. First day of 2 year old class

Eastman was excited to get to go back to school.  Especially since sister had already been in school for a couple weeks before his school started.  His teachers this year are Ms. Roz (who he gets for the second year in a row) and Ms. Faith.  He is going 9am-2pm, M, T, W, Th.
Here are his pics:

Andi's first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!

Still having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that my sweet angel is old enough to be in Kindergarten!  She is so excited to be a big kindergartener.  She has a very sweet teacher, Mrs. Collier, and has already made some really good friends.
Here are some pictures of Meet the teacher and her first day of kindergarten:

Eastman Rex-- August + September 2015

Eastman August

This boy keeps getting bigger and smarter.  Loving every moment.  So fun to watch his sense of pride when he accommplishes something new or tells something he has learned.

7/31: My smart boy knows his left from his right. Eastman said, "Mommy I need my left shoe." (He only had his right one on.)  I had not heard him differentiate left from right before so I was very impressed.

Potty training success!  This boy now consistently goes both tee-tee and poo-poo in potty.  He was actually rather easy to potty train.  (So thankful because everyone told me that boys were difficult to potty train.)  Only took a few days.  He did not like the feel of Pull-ups, so we went right to underwear and ta-da!

8/23: Eastman really likes goin to Chuck E. Cheese.  Today he asked to go to Chuck E. Cheese so that he could tell him that he went poo-poo in the potty and give him high five.

8:24: Eastman went with us to take Andi to her first day of kindergarten.  After dropping Andi off at school, Eastman said, "Go to my class?  See my playground and slide?"  Sure am glad that my kids like going to school.

8/27: I was tell Eastman how pretty he was and he interrupted me to strongly say, "I'm not pretty, I'm handsome!"

8/30: I love hearing this boy pray.  This is his prayer that he prays daily.  Almost always exactly the same: Dear God, Thank you that Gram and Grandavs come over. Jesus name, Amen."

For Andi and Eastman's first birthdays, Gram and Grandavs gave them voice recorded books.  The books are read by Gram and Grandavs.  Eastman loves to read these recorded books.  Gets them out nightly for us to "read."

Eastman September

9/6: Oh how I love this boy.  He enthusiastically said, "Jesus isn't in heaven. Jesus is in my heart!"

9/7: I did not know that my boy knew Spanish, but he just counted one to five in Spanish.

9/8: We went to Eastman's 'Meet the Teacher' and this smart boy introduced his sister as Andi Lynn Strickland and himself as Eastman Rex Strickland top his teachers at his school.  The teachers looked amazed.  They went through the the routine of school and what to bring and when they told us about bringing diapers, the were shocked to hear us tell them that he is fully potty trained.  That he does not need diapers.  They said that he is the only one in their class potty trained.

We were at the dentist and Dr. Rouse said that he was just going to 'paint' a little flouride on his teeth.  Eastman yelled, "I don't want to eat paint!"  I do have to say that he was not a fan of his dental visit.  Not one bit.  I would say that his entire visit lasted five minutes.  He did not want to lay down in that chair.  "Momma, hold me!" 

9/10: Since Andi loves to tell jokes, Eastman has also adopted that love.  His only go to joke is: "What is a pirate's favorite letter... R"

9/27: Would you believe that this boy can spell his name.  And he is so proud of himself.  "He will say "E-A-S-T-M-A-N, Eastman!" 

9/29: Eastman can count to twenty all by himself.

Andi Lynn-- August + September 2015

Andi August

On the way to church we saw a little finder bender and I said, "Awe man.  That stinks.  Someone got into a car accident."  From the backseat, Andi says, "Probably texting!"  I laughed out loud at her response.  She may have been right.  At age five she knows that we should not text and drive.  I pray that at age 16, she still thinks texting and driving its hazardous.  

8/24: Well this one is an important one for the books!  Andi ran downstairs in the morning and exclaimed, "It's Monday!  My first day of kindergarten!'  I guess our house was full of different emotions that day.  Thrilled that Andi was excited about starting school.  Thrilled.  She was full of excitement and enthusiasm and I pray that continues through the years.  She loves school, loves to learns, and is quick to make friends.  Dave and I, on the other hand, were sad to see our baby start school.  How did the time pass so quickly?!  Dave and I also had the emotion of having to start back to work after being off all of summer.  Dave and I were sure to take Andi to her first day of school.  We would not miss that for the world!  She has happy to go into her class, sit at her desk and get to work.  We lingered a bit and took a few pictures as parents have to do, but she was ready for us to go so that she could get her first day of kindergarten started.  She was rearing to go!  Bittersweet for sure.

I picked Andi up from school so that I would get to hear all about her first day.  She did have quite a bit to tell me, but not able to tell me anyone's name yet.  Sounded like she had a terrific day.  She is eager to go back again tomorrow.  I told her that she could pick what we have for dinner tonight since today was a special day for her.  She chose poppyseed chicken for dinner and wanted to help make it.  This is her favorite homemade dish.

8/25: Only the second day of school and she had a big accomplishment.  They have a clip system in class and you want your clip to stay on '3' for the whole day.  Today, she got to move her clip up to '4' which we have been told does not happen very often.  You must do something wonderful to be on a '4'.  Andi said that she she did two great things.  That she went to sit on the mat quietly when the others talked and sat criss-cross applesauce like she was asked to do.  Proud moment!
Andi was happy to tell me that she learned some classmates names: "Brook, has a ponytail.  I sit by Bella.  And there is a boy named Hudson who kind of acts like Will from my old school, but looks like Ryder from church.  I am so happy that she is already making friends.  Not that I ever doubted that for a moment. 
Andi told me about recess.  "We went to the playground before lunch.  It has tire swing.  Only three kids can ride at a time. It is huge. I was not a pusher."  That's really all she said about recess.  That she played on the tire swing the whole time.
Andi was excited to tell us that she did math today.  (Loves math and is good at it.)  "Our math problem was that zero kids walked to school, one rode the bus, four rode in trucks, and ten rode in cars."

9/1: Today Andi came home talking about Mr. Lee in the cafeteria. She said that he is so funny and did an impersonation of him trying to take their food or trash.

Again we heard about her playing on the tire swing at recess.  Sounds like this is what she enjoys doing and maybe it is so new to her that it is awesome.  I don't think she has been on a tire swing anywhere else.

Andi September

9/7: Andi got a little Hello Kitty box in her MacDonald's happy meal and said that it would be her "give it to God box."  She asked for a few coins to put in her box and said to make sure we take it to church with us s she can give the money to God.  Precious girl.

9/10: This girl loves to tell jokes and hear jokes.  Over and over.  She came up with a few really good ones and Eastman got a kick out of them and has been telling them for several days now.

9/17: On the way home this day, she asked me, Mom, when is Noah's birthday?  We need to celebrate him too."  I told her that she was exactly right.  We always need to be sure we celebrate him too.  She asked if we forgot about him and I told her absolutely not!  That we think about Noah often and she is right about how we need to celebrate him too.  What a sweet heart she has.  Loves her baby cousin and she really does talk about him often.  Talks about Noah and Pop and Ninnie and Dinnie.  About how they are all in heaven.  Now Eastman will talk about them being in heaven.  It really is heart warming to hear Andi talk fondly of them and heaven-what a wonderful place.

9/19: We were outside and walked by a man who was smoking a cigarette and Andi said somewhat quietly, "He's not going to live very long."  Dave and I looked at each other and tried not to laugh.  Oh that girl!

Florida-Disney and Daytona Beach July 2015

I said that I would post pics of our Florida trip and here they are.  The trip was truly magical.  The kids (and grown ups) loved Disney World and Disney Hollywood Studios.  We all loved the beach.  It was beautiful.  Most of us preferred the sand over the salt water, but overall the beach was a big hit.

My princess with princess Sophia 

Watching the parade.  Up close-front row 

So excited to see Minnie

While Eastman napped, Andi played in Honey I Shrunk the Kids Zone

This is how the kids "watched" the fireworks

Sweet matching girls watching the Disney Junior Live show

Fun times with best friends and traveling buddies

 Loved the beach

Busy building sand castles

And the boys would destroy the sand castles

Best buds 

Eastman much preferred being held instead of walking into the ocean

Look at her face...loving the boogie board!

My precious babes.  "This is the life."  Relaxing on the beach with both babies in my arms.

Magic Kingdom!

 We finally got to meet Mickey!

Our Florida trip was marvelous!