Stratton's New Room

For his birthday, his gift from us was a room make-over. .  .which included getting rid of the crib- so bittersweet. I had so much fun decorating it and finding all the "stuff" to tie it together! I got my inspiration from the bedding, which we got at Pottery Barn Outlet for a great price!! Stratton LOVES anything to do with tractors, backhoes, or any big machines, so I made art (pictures and wallcling all cost less than $100!)that matched the bedding and also used the vinyl cutter at work to make some wall graphics. We found the blue storage unit and storage unit with the tubs at Target (on sale!) I picked up nick-nacks here and there, and some ladies at church who go antique shopping every Thursday found me the blue night stand (it was $15?!) I think we did really good and probably spend less than $500 on everything! We worked on it most of the afternoon on Sunday (I did have to leave because I was a hostess at a shower Sunday afternoon) and then I stayed up late last night. We are planning on surprising him with it tonight. He went home with my mom and dad Saturday night after his party so we could get it all done. I can't wait to see his reaction!!

 

Stratton's Birthday Party :: #1

Last night we had the "Gibson" side of the family over and some church friends for hot dogs and water fun. The kids had a blast! Stratton didn't even want to open presents!! Its funny because I cleaned the house and had it all ready for company but no one went inside, with the exception of fixing their plates! Jarrod borrowed a big fan from work and we put tables and chairs in the garage, but most of the party-ing took place in the front yard. You can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl! Lol!! Stratton had so much fun! He got lots of great gifts, but we could care less about all that. We just love having all the family together and seeing our kids playing and spending time together! Oh, and my mom made the dump truck cake- Stratton has been talking about a "green cake" for weeks, so it was green and she even made the inside green. He was so happy!

 

  

 

Funny: Encounter with a frog!

TURN YOUR VOLUME DOWN! This is really loud and you can hear me laughing and talking and I sound like a moron!!

FROG!

 

So my parents brought Stratton home tonight, he spent most of the weekend with them so we could work on the house and getting things ready for his birthday and parties! They went and bought fireworks yesterday and shot them last night, so that is all he has talked about. . .  “I saw fireworks!” and “Pops shoot fireworks!”. We played in the yard for awhile after he got home since it was actually not too awfully hot. He of course had to have a popsicle which is evident by the green all over his face! Here are some other random pictures from tonight. . .

July 4th Weekend 2011

When Jarrod and I were dating, we spent the July 4th weekend on the lake. . . ahhhh. The good life! But since we’ve been married it seems like there is always something that has prevented us from doing anything fun! Let me give you a brief history on our 4th of July weekends from the last couple of years. . .

2009: Watched Fireworks on TV from the “cave”.  I was stuck in Little Rock in the Markham House Suites (affectionately referred to as the “cave” because it had no windows) on bed rest. . . Stratton arrived a week and one day later.

2010: Jarrod got the stomach virus, I of course was soon to follow with a sinus infection and colon intusseption on top of that. . . probably the worst I have ever felt. Ever.

So, you would think that this year things would start looking up, right?? Well here’s the story this year.

2011: Jarrod drew the “short stick” at work and had to be on call, therefore we didn’t go anywhere or do anything since he had to stay in J-town. Boo.

We started the weekend out pretty good. . .Saturday morning we got up (actually Stratton woke up, so we all got up) and headed to the ASU Farmers Market. One of the guys Jarrod used to work with retired in January and has since expanded his garden and is selling his veggies  there. So we stopped by their table and visited. There was a magic show, put on by some kids that was super cute. I think Stratton really liked it. We got fresh blueberries, peaches, tomatoes and cinnamon rolls made by the Mennonite ladies! Yum!! Then we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and finished the morning with some grocery shopping at Kroger. We got back home about 11:30 am and Stratton went down for a nap and I made a batch of cupcakes (I need to make about 84 in the next week!) and worked on birthday and shower stuff then I took a nap as well!

About 2 pm Jarrod got called out. But he didn’t think it would take very long.  He got home about 4:30 pm about the same time his parents got into town for a visit. We had planned to take them to Skinny J’s for supper, so we all loaded up and headed down town, and just about the time we hit Main Street, Jarrod’s work phone went off again. He had to go take care of something an hour and a half away. Which meant he probably wouldn’t be home till 10 pm or later. That’s what stinks about his job. The problems  don’t necessarily take a long time to fix, but his area is so large that many times it takes longer to get there than it does to take care of whatever needs fixing! . . . Anyway, so we turned around and went back to the house to drop him off then we went back out to find something to eat. We decided on Outback since it’s close to our house and Stratton was starving!  We had a good dinner and Stratton was being so silly! After we got done we went to the mall to walk around and stayed there till about 8pm. Margie and Terry stayed to give Stratton a bath and then they headed back to Searcy. Jarrod got home just a little before 10pm.

Sunday we went to church and had lunch at Long Horn Steak House. It was really good! Then we ran to Sam’s, were Stratton sampled cheesecake and Icee popsicles (which we purchased! Stratton LOVES Icees!). We had a laid back afternoon, napping and I made more cupcakes. After church Sunday night, my mom and dad came over and we grilled hotdogs and watched the fireworks going on in the neighborhood. Who needs a fireworks show when you can watch five different neighbors doing them in the streets?? Pretty sure it’s illegal. . .but I’m not complaining- well, not until they set my house or other personal property on fire.

Stratton went home with my mom and dad Sunday night so that Jarrod and I could work on/around the house on Monday. And that’s just what we did. Jarrod washed the house. I made all my party materials for the next weeks, and finished making cupcakes and froze them. I also worked on stuff for Stratton’s new room. He’s getting a room make-over from us for his birthday! So there is LOTS going on right now- things are a little crazy!! Did I mention that I have to make/take around 85 cupcakes this week??

If I am MIA more than normal in the next couple of weeks, it’s just that we have a big week (actually 2 weeks) ahead of us! Here’s the itinerary. . .

Sat July 9th- Stratton’s birthday party with my mom’s side of the family and a few of our church friends at our house.

Sun July 10th- My “team” is hosting a shower at church. I offered (see the “sucker” tattoo on my forehead??) to make cupcakes (in lieu of the standard boring, ugly, store-bought, bakery cake ) with cute cupcake toppers with the baby’s name on them. I also made some other cute decorations.  Sun night- work on Stratton’s room. . . take down the crib (cry a little, I’m sure) move in new furniture, start putting up new pictures ect. . .

Mon July 11th- take off work early, finish Stratton’s room, have the “unveiling” Monday evening! I can’t wait!!! Shhh!!. . .it’s a secret though!!

Tues July 12- Stratton’s birthday! Take cupcakes to daycare for his “party”. . . . I use the term “party” loosely- as it will just be cupcakes (I think. . . .heehee there’s always time for changing my mind) Hopefully we can do something fun Tuesday night. I don’t know what yet though. . .

Weds or Thurs- Jarrod’s mom is probably going to come get Stratton for a few days

Sat July 16th- Stratton’s party in Searcy with the Staggs’, Johnson’s and other Searcy family!

Sun July 17th- Stratton’s party with the Wilson side of the family in Hickory Ridge.

WHEW!!! It’s going to be complete CHAOS!! But it’s going to be REALLY fun!

I dig DIRT!!

Last Friday night we went to Hickory Ridge to eat fish with my mom and dad. Afterwards we went to their house and Stratton had a big time digging in the field behind their house. The beans were just coming up so he was "diggin' up beans" which just goes to show you my parent's will let him get away with anything! : ) We also had to go visit Grandma and Grandpa so he could take them some flowers he picked out of Gigi's yard.

 

Such a BOY!!

After he dumped dirt on his head. . . yes, he's smiling!?!

He gets excited when he sees a crop duster

 

 

Cute Father's Day picture, a little late!

So I just downloaded my camera for the first time in like 3 weeks. I know. It's horrible. But I just haven't had the time!! Here is a cute one from Father's Day. . .

Stratton got Jarrod a personalized handmade turkey call and a power washer- fun, huh!  That boy sure loves his daddy. And lately he is ALL about his daddy! Which melts my heart, and annoys me all at the same time! ha-ha. I will ask him "Stratton are you Mommy's baby?" and he will answer. . ."NO!, Daddy's baby!!". Thanks for the love kid.

Turtle

A few Saturdays back, Jarrod was working in the yard early in the morning. . .trying to fix the holes the dog has dug. . .and he found a turtle. He thought Stratton would get a kick out of it. Of course Stratton wouldn't leave it alone long enough for it to ever come out of it's shell. He didn't want to put it down, and he also dropped it off the side of the porch once, so who could blame him for wanting to stay inside where it was safe??