Las Flores Ward Iron Chef Parables

In my church calling I am over the Beehives (ages-12-13).
My advisor and I helped our young women plan a combined activity, meaning it would be for all the young men and women. They decided on the Iron Chef and so we turned that into the Iron Chef Parables activity I had read about online.
They were placed in their groups with a variety of ingredients and were to turn cakes into something that would tell the story of a parable or any other scripture story.
When time ran out they were to carry the cake up to the judges to present and to be judged.

Judges table!

My advisor Lisa and Laurel advisor Amber.

Smiles from my Beehives and winning award certificate.

I Can Write My Name, "Sam"

Sam has become obsessed with writing his name. He went through one sketch book and asked for a new one so he could keep practicing. It all started when he asked to make Star Wars Valentines for his friends. I said that would be fine, however he has to learn to write his name so he can sign them all. This was his first attempt at putting his letters all together, with the added ocean and sand below.

Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign

Sam and I are the dots on the top far left of the Griffith Observatory.
Sam looking for aliens. He was also looking for everyone from Despicable Me, he thought they would be there.

I know, I know I am so photogenic. Although what the picture did capture is the personality of my TYPICAL, SILLY boy! Me (lovely) and my crazy Sam in front of the telescope. Dan having his intellectual conversation with Mr. Einstein

After very many tight winding turns, we made it to our destination!

Trip to Utah

My niece Hilary & Eric were married in SLC and we flew out to Utah to be a part of this event. This was not the best of flights we have had. We flew Jet Blue with a 7 pm take off and were delayed until almost 11 at night due to weather. Thank goodness Sam was an Angel. Unfortunately on Dan's way home it didn't get any better. He and my in-laws flight was cancelled. Having to get back to work, they decided to rent a car and face the storm by road. Needless to say it was not a pretty trip home but they arrived safe. Luckily the rest of Sam's and my stay went well.
Hilary was once a flower girl for our wedding and now she is the beautiful bride, time flies!

Grandma & Grandpa Stromberg, Jeff & Dan.

Little Red in the Joseph Smith Building.

Since Dan could only be there for the day of the wedding, my family drove up to SLC to see him. Mom, Sam and Mia (Suzie's daughter.)

Our first pictures with Sam on Temple Square.

Perfect timing! My younger brother Andy and his wife Kirsten had their beautiful baby Josie during our stay in Utah.

Andy, Josie and Sam!

My awesome brother Joel offered to take Sam and Joel's daughter Samantha sledding. This was Sam's second time to go sledding and oh boy did he LOVE it!

Yum!!

People may say it's funny I post a picture of a sink full of oranges, but this was part of the excitement that I looked forward to in owning a house in California. This December my tree produced it's first bushel of oranges and oh boy were they yummy!!

Christmas 2010

This was Sam's first Christmas to really get it! He was very excited to set up the Christmas tree this year. Being a "Charlie Brown" fan he felt it was necessary that after we were done setting up we should hold hands and sing around the tree. Oh, the things we do for the ones we love.
Sam, Cousins Kate, John and Caroline. Sam really was happy, I believe the look was from the delay in opening up the gift. This was a family gift that was bells from Aunt Jen. Lots o' fun!!
Sam's Christmas loot.

Oh how Sam loved his gifts. Cupcake set, Playmobil castle, Knight set, talking Spiderman, Dr. Kit and his gift to me, my Angel Sam picture.

Sam's Christmas Program

Sam attends PCOM (Presbyterian Church of the Master) Preschool and they performed a Christmas play for their mommies and daddies. Sam told us he was going to be a Shepard. He would come home from his practices singing his memorized songs; Jingle Bells & Twinkle Twinkle Christmas Star.

Sam did a great job for his performance. The first half he wouldn't take his eyes off of us, but at least there were no tears. We were VERY proud of our Red! In the front row are some of his little friends: Bennett and Max as the lamb.

Disneyland

My friend and I have decided to take advantage of all the Disneyland fun with the kids and to go there a few times a month.
This was a necessary picture, since they will be taking down the famous "CALIFORNIA" letters soon. Tamara, Cora, Sam, Mickey, Logan and me.
Buzz was Sam's favorite ride and certainly not forgotten, however in Tune Town the Gadgets Go Coaster is what gives Sam his biggest thrill!

Sam and Logan had loads of laughs on Autopia.

If you're going to be stuck in jail, Disney is the place to be

Happy 38TH

December was a very busy month and when you throw my birthday in the mix it doesn't help poor Dan much. Although he did an amazing job at making the day special.
This is what I found when I came down stairs.
Very cute! His decided theme for my birthday: Pink Princess!! The special day included: from our favorite bakery; doughnuts for breakfast, lunch with my favorite boys at Nordstrom Cafe with a visit to Santa for Sam (insert tears for Sam), shopping at South Coast Plaza and dinner made by Dan with the company of Dan's brother's family which endedg in an epic balloon fight. Later that week I had lunch again at my favorite Nordstrom Cafe with a friend and then went shopping at the L.A. Fashion District with my cute sister-in-law Jen and niece Kate. So much fun!!

Las Flores Christmas Party

A little more work than I realized but worth the fun it was in doing it.
My ward asked twelve (or so) women to come up with a Christmas theme table for the ward Christmas party. My lovely sister-in-law Jen went shopping with me and then all the creations were sewn and put together, snow people, table cloth, napkins, napkin rings and ribbons tied on the See's chocolates. Yep a lot of work and Dan thought we were CRAZY, but really it was SO much fun!