Hilary's Bridal Shower

Our niece Hilary was in town to visit her fiance's family for Thanksgiving, so Jen decided we should throw her a shower from the California Stromberg side of the family.
The "Wishing & Advice Tree."
"Winter Wonderland " theme.

Aunt Jen with Hilary

Eric (groom), Hilary (bride), me, Sam (the happy one) and Danno.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our 2010 Thanksgiving this year was spent with Uncle Jeff's Family at their place.
Sam proudly shows us his Indian attire he made at preschool.

Sam's cousin Jon playing Playmobil with Sam, and Sam is loving every minute of it!

Jeff & Dan

Jen and her kids (Jon, Caroline & Kate)

Me & my boy

Playdate at Zoomars

As one of the room mothers for Sam's preschool, I arranged for a play date at Zoomars recommended by a friend. It was a HIT! Most of the kids loved it. I was shocked to see how Sam showed NO fear in feeding the aggressive goats and sheep and riding not just a pony but a BIG horse. One of the cowboys from Zoomars picked him up and plopped him right up there and Sam didn't reach out or call for me and if you know Sam that's good for him! I was proud of him and told him he was like a Super Hero. To Sam that means a lot, to be a Super Hero.

Farmer Jim Day

Sam's preschool has wonderful field trips that come to the school. This one was the one he was most excited for. He talked about it for days, knowing that Farmer Jim was coming to his school and bringing his animals for him to pet. He was very concerned they would eat their school grass and then they wouldn't have any. Funny boy!

Great Night Great Friends

Some fabulous friends (Tull Family) from Dan's BYU ROTC had made a visit to the states from Fiji and during their stops along the way the Linton's and us were lucky enough to meet up with them at Cheesecake Factory and later at the Linton's house.

Superhero Halloween

Robin was the pick for Halloween this year for Sam. We knew it would be a man of some sort of amazing strengths and powers.

Sam gladly welcomed all the festivities he was able to suit up for in his Robin costume.

Little Red Starts School

Sam started preschool this year and boy was he excited.
He's attending Presbytarian Church of the Masters (PCOM) Preschool. I had heard from ward friends that this was a great school for social, motor skills, christian based and a great place at being a kid.
Sam's school requires a tote bag and Sam wanted Batman, like Pottery Barn's Backpacks. Well finding a Batman tote bag is impossible, so I made it. He was content.

Sam with two of his new preschool friends, Bennett and Tyler and Sam with the look of "Really Mom!"

Sam's teacher Mary Jo and assistant teacher Mrs. Felton.
The first day of school, they grouped the kids at different times in small groups so they could introduce them to the classroom, teachers and procedures of the day. There will be 16 kids in Sam's class.

The "play ground." He was so excited to play on the equipment.

The celebratory lunch at McDonalds, with everyone else from South Orange County. Dan and I were a little glad to escape the place.

Sam with Mary Jo on his second day. Sam saying, "Mom it's okay I'll be fine." Then me leaving with tears, I know I am a SAP.

Sam was the first of his class that got to bring home their class room pet "Mike." Sam gets him for one week and was so proud to be bringing him home!

Last Trip of the Summer

We took one more trip out to Utah before the summer ended and Sam started school.
This is not the best picture, but it was so cute how Sam wanted to help Grandpa Stromberg with their dog Sadie and they were just having a nice little conversation outside before bed time.
Sam was determined that I took a picture of the COOL Batman Motorcycle toy grandma Stromberg bought for him.

Sam with his favorite Baby Cousin Mia, that he loves to "pet."

Some of my family went out for yogurt at Farr's Fresh and of course these three little boys could not stop being silly and loved every minute of each others company.

When Luke, Liam, Tristan and Sam got together this time the main play time was spent as "Super Heros."

Mom, Suzie and I ran an errand to Walmart and you can see that Sam and Tristan were all tuckered out from their hard playing. I was actually able to lift Sam's car seat right out of the car and straight into the cart, they slept the whole time!

A few events happened while I was in Utah this time that made me very glad to be there.

Stephanie Foulk, one of my very first young women from New Jersey was married and had her reception in Utah so I was able to attend that. It was like a reunion from Jersey there. Besides the Foulk Family we saw the Schonemans, Feuz and Nortons. I miss that ward and all the families a ton. Such great people.

Side note: Stephanie's mother-in-law is in the same ward as my brother-in-law's parent's in Illinois. My mom and dad took a trip out their with my sister and brother-in-law and met Stephanie's future mother-in-law, having no idea who she was and that she would see her soon in Utah at her son's wedding. CRAZY!

Uncle Tom giving Sam a bike ride, he LOVED it!

We took my parents to my Mom's favorite place to eat, Sizzler and here are some of the kiddos that drive her batty but they ADORE her!
The Willes Reunion. Ever since I was little they have held this reunion and for the last 13 years of marriage I have not been able to attend one. This time it worked out for me to be there at the same time it was held. Here are the last two of my grandmother's siblings left. I have to admit I got a little emotional seeing them. Here is a little saying that was made up to remember all her siblings names in order:

"Douglas" heard the "Echo" of the "Bell" just a "Hellen" through the "Castle" after "Dean" and "Paul."

Dean is on the right and Paul on left.

My mom with Aunt Sharon at the Willes Reunion.

I love my mom's family. They were so awesome to drive down from SLC to join my family for a birthday celebration.

An Unexpected Visit

Dan's brother Jeff was put in as a 1st counselor in the bishopric for his ward (our church). So their parents decided to make an unexpected visit for the occasion.
Sam really put Grandpa Stromberg to work during their stay. Every morning we found Sam downstairs with grandpa joining him on the floor playing board games, Sam's rules! We know Sam enjoyed it but not sure about grandpa's knees.

SAM

So I was doing a little window shopping on the Melissa & Doug website and clicked on their blog, and low and behold I found Sam's twin! I had to see if my eyes were properly working and to check with Danno. I copied the picture off the website and showed him. His reply was, "I've never seen that toy before." Fooled him, did I fool you? Of course when you see them together you can see the subtle differences, but when we saw it alone it was kind of crazy how similar they were.