A Special Gift

Two years ago we were given a special gift from some special friends. It was a figurine of a women caroling which was amazingly enough made in Pennsylvania. Dan and I thought it would be fun to take a trip to where these are made and sold, so we could add to the collection before we move away from the East coast. The store is Byer's Choice, and I was amazed at how cute and quaint it was. When you walk in you really take a step back in time. I can't imagine as a kid how fascinating it is to see these mock up stores and all the figurines placed just so in their little villages. Sam kept reaching his hand out just wanting to grab one of them to play away.

The skinny:

The late 1960's Joyce Byers, an amateur artist with a degree in fashion design, was disappointed in what she was seeing in the stores: aluminum tinsel trees with garish blue lights. She was looking for holiday decorations with warmth that showed respect for timeless traditions and her own memories of Christmas.

"A scrap of fabric, part of my mother's old fur coat, some hair from the kids, a coat hanger, some plaster and paint. The first ones were made with simple things around the house." She dressed them in plaids and made them cheerfully singing because that reminded her of Christmas." She adorned them on her table and she received compliments from relatives. She then gave them as Christmas gifts. Then a neighbor suggested to sell them and her new business flourished from there.

With Sam's fascination with hats, we had to step into one of the shops and sneak a picture of our family wearing some fun hats. And of course, we like to just be silly.

This is our collection so far. The women was the gift from our friend's the Nortons. We chose the daddy holding nutcrackers because Dan always brings home nutcrackers from his trips to Germany. The boy holding toys represents Sam, and the Saint Lucia we bought as an extra because they have always been special to me. Both Dan and I have Swedish ancestors, and I was born on December 13th, which is known as Saint Lucia day in Sweden. I am pretty much a big deal over there (ha ha).

Sam's First Friend Birthday

This was Sam's first birthday party to attend, so I thought it would be worthy to document.

Kerith is our neighbor who Sam plays with outside when the weather is inviting, and his mom is also my walking partner. Kerith just turned 3 and invited Sam and two other neighborhood friends to his party. Across from Sam is Bryce and next to Sam is our neighbor Sam.

Kerith the Birthday Boy!

Bryce and Sam

Sam Loves Babies?

We pulled out a Toy Story video one day thinking Sam may like it. There was also a short story about a baby and a tin soldier. We had no idea, but Sam loved it! Every time he saw the baby do something he would laugh. Luckily I caught it on my camera phone.

The Results of My Addiction to Facebook

So, I guess while my time is spent being reacquainted with friends on Facebook, Sam's is catching up on all his reading material. This happened not once but twice!!

Stromberg Christmas 2008

This year was really special for our family because we had Dan home for Christmas (with 1 day to spare) and it was Dan's first Christmas to be with his little boy!

We started our holiday with our friends the Norton's, who invited us to their house for Christmas Eve. After our delicious meal we decorated sugar cookies. Yum!

Last year, Sam and I were released from the hospital on Christmas day (Sam had RSV). So this was also my first time at home on Christmas with Sam. You could say he may have been spoiled a little, but we enjoyed every minute of it!

This super cool Geo Trax was from Uncle Joel and his family. This was the first thing Sam saw when he came down on Christmas morning. Anything with airplanes delights Sam!

You may wonder why we gave a boy a vacuum. This was our way of keeping the real one in the closet. For some reason he has a fascination with the vacuum and was always asking us to pull it out of the closet. Now everyone is happy.

So this was just a couple of Sam's gifts. But as I said before, it was by far the best Christmas for the Strombergs. We were all healthy and together as a family!

Go Gos

My son has had this love for his go go's lately, that would be the two "action figures" that are on the side of Pablo. The story is, while Dan and Uncle Joel were watching BYU and the Utes play each other in November they would call out "go,go, go,go,go." Sam has since thought that this is what you call a football player. Now anything wearing a helmet, like the pilot and Darth Vader are football players. He seems to think they need to be with him at all times. He takes very good care of them too. I sometimes find these action figures laying on his diaper changing mat as he is helping to change them. What a good daddy he'll be.

Gingerbread Houses

Our sweet friends, the Hulses invited us over to build gingerbread houses with them. This was so much fun to see Sam and his friend Lexy squeal with delight to put candy on their house all by their selves, although not all the candy made it on the house.

It was also a great activity to have Dan participate in since he has not spent a Christmas with Sam and we are a little worried it may happen again. At least now he feels that he has done a few Christmas activities with Sam to feel the spirit of the season.I promise Dan was there using his designing abilities to decorate our beautiful house, however he would not let me take a picture of him, so you get me. I think he was feeling a little bit of the jet lag look.

The Latest Since Utah

Since we have been back from Utah we have been busy putting out the Christmas decorations, which Sam enjoyed. It is his first Christmas at our house since his last Christmas was spent in the hospital in Utah.

Dan has been on several missions, Korea, Waco Texas and now Germany and maybe hitting down range (Middle East.) I have been in a whirlwind of food chaos making Christmas Goodies for friends; peppermint brownies, almond balls and sugar cookies and also a Thanksgiving dinner for Dan since he was gone for that holiday.

A little of time, I would have to admit has been spent on Face Book since my brother and Dan persuaded me to join it. It is amazing how quickly it can draw you in as you become reacquainted with childhood friends, high school or college friends and everyone else you have met along the way!

Now we approach the holidays and hope for Dan to be home to enjoy some down time. Here are some pictures of Sam enjoying our chaos since we've been home.

Little A's Wedding in Utah

In November Dan, Sam and I flew to Utah for two weddings. Dan's Sister Susan was married and also my little Sister Ashley. Since my family did most of the preparation for Ashley's wedding I thought it would be good to journal all the work our efforts produced.

Ashley and Jordan's wedding had a country chic feel since Ashley has always had a love for it and Jordan was raised in an area of Illinois that was rural. Ashley asked me to help her come up with the decorations and for my mom and I to plan the food for the reception.

My mom, with the help of all her little chicks made all the food for the reception. Breads, spreads, ham & cheese rolls, veggie tray, mini cheese cakes, homemade caramel and fudge and a cider mixture. YUM!

Ashley's good friend designed the beautiful center pieces and all the flowers.
Since my talented Sister in law designs and sews clothes, Ashley asked her to sew all the little boy's ties. Cute! My other sister in law Kirsten and I found a seamstress on the Internet that was able to make matching flower girl dresses.

Ashley and Jordan had originally decided to be married and have their reception on Saturday the 22nd of November, but because of the BYU & U of U Football game they changed the reception to Friday night. This way they were still able to have good attendance while no one missed the game.

They were married in the Jordan River Temple. After the ceremony we were waiting for them to come out and Sam became slightly interested in the fountain. Dan helped him without allowing him to get too acquainted.
My brothers Tom and Andy being great artists/photographers took all of these pictures and shared them with us. Thanks you guys for capturing all of these fun memories.

Halloween '08

Halloween this year was amazing! Actually, since I spent last Halloween in Baghdad (see below), any Halloween at home was bound to be much better.
This year we were able to have some fun as a family for a change. The festivities started with a pumpkin carving extravaganza. Laura decided to try a "Jack Skellington" pumpkin from the Nightmare Before Christmas, while I went with a couple of different themes for me and Sam. We had a great time carving, and even Sam sat in his highchair and watched us the whole time (at least while we kept him fed with snacks anyway).

Laura's came out really well, as you can see. Sam's tiny one was pretty cool also, but I screwed the eyes up and they ended up falling off. Oh well. Mine was supposed to be a pumpkin getting smashed in on the right side. I think it worked out moderately well, although I didn't end up putting a bat on it like I had planned since I thought it would either get stolen or kids would be too grossed out by it.
Sam got to go trick or treating a couple of nights before Halloween at our ward trunk or treat. Unfortunately I was flying so I missed it again. But I was able to see him dressed up after the party. He went as a tiger which looked great. He hated wearing the hood, but every now and again he would let us put it on for a few minutes.

Sam and his friend Lexy at the trunk or treat.