Sandbox Fun!

Grammy and Grandpa got Chloe this sandbox for her birthday!
She loves playing in it!

Chloe vacillates between being a girly girl and a little tom boy!
It just depends on her mood! Sometimes she doesn't like to get
the sand on her hands and other times she seems to cover herself in it!

Somewhere along the way we decided to lose the shorts!

Pictures!

I took the kids to get their pictures taken today, which is something I always look forward to, and then as I'm asking, begging, pleading, and finally trying to bribe Chloe into sitting and staying in one place for the picture I wonder what it is that I was so excited for! It's only after I've dressed and re-dressed the kids several times, sat and waited to look at our pictures all while trying to entertain a very active and impatient 2 year old, finally paid for our pictures and made it out to our car in one piece that I remember why I get so excited about taking their pictures! It's because one day they will be all grown up and the only evidence I will have other than my memories of their cute little expressions and faces will be these pictures! It was a bit of a struggle today, as you can tell from my rant, but they were worth it! Chloe did really well by herself, it was trying to get her to take a picture with Eli that was the problem... Anyway, here they are!

What a big boy!

Chloe looks like such a big girl here!

Aww! So sweet!

Kisses from Chloe

There's my goofy girl!

And to think I actually combed her hair...

My happy little boy!

Sense of Humor!

Chloe has really started talking lately... A lot! It's so fun to hear what she comes up with and I've been meaning to write this one down so I don't forget! As we were eating breakfast the other morning I said, "No way, Jose" (I really don't even remember what I was saying no for!) Chloe decided to repeat me, but she said "No way, horsey!" I started laughing and told Joe what she had said, so then she pipes up with "No way, cow!" By now I'm really laughing and so is Chloe because she thinks she's so funny... It's so fun to see how her little mind works! I'm sure she thought that since we thought "No way, horsey" was funny that "No way, cow" would be even funnier- and she was right!!!

The Circus!

On Saturday the entire Strassburg clan went to the circus, which more often than not, can turn into our own little three ring affair! I was very excited about going since my memories of going to "The Pickle Family Circus" at the park were happy ones and I hadn't been to a circus in more than 20 years! I wasn't disappointed, and Chloe had a great time! She loved all the animals, but the elephants were her favorites! Elijah just liked all the lights and when it got to be too much he slept right through it all! The pictures aren't great since it was so dark most of the time, but you'll get the general idea.

Yay!!! Chloe getting into clapping for the performers!

This was truly amazing! there were seven-yes, seven motorcyclists zooming around in this metal ball!!!

More clapping!

We're having fun!

It's too much...!

Elephants!

Family picture!

Wednesday Night

Last Wednesday night after giving the kids their baths and getting ready for meeting I decided I should take a few pictures!

Looking at books together!

I can't believe my little boy is already three months old!

He's still sweet as ever and is so much fun!

Company!

Some special ladies that stayed with us! Chloe loved having Virginia, Karen and Tamera at our house!

Another weekend at Camanche

Nicole turned 21 last weekend! We decided to celebrate up at Camanche, so she, Blake and his brother Taylor all came up with us for the weekend.

On Saturday we took the boat out! I got to ski for the first time this year! Yay! It was really fun but my leg was SO sore the next day! I'm not sure if it's because I haven't been all year, because I'm older, or I'm just that weak! :)

Eli all scrunched up in his life vest! He didn't seem to mind though and fell right to sleep!

Juan and Cari came up for the day on Saturday!
Chloe and Scarlett playing around in the cabin.

Sweet little boy!



A collage of Eli sleeping!

Cute cousin Scarlett!

Auntie Cari holding Eli

Nicole and Blake

Blake's brother Taylor

Labor day weekend!

We spent our Labor Day weekend up at Camanche with Joe's family, and had a great time enjoying the sun, water, and relaxing time together! We got up there on Friday night and my sister Nicole and her boyfriend Blake tagged along too. Unfortunately our boat wasn't quite working so we had to leave it at home! Lucky for us Don and Eve's boat is up there for everyone to use and Juan and Cari brought along the jetski's, so there was really no lack!

Chloe and Joe playing in the water!

Oops!! Don going a little too fast on the Jetski!!

Good thing there are some big stong men to get it back into the water!

Juan, Cari, Scarlett, me, Eli, Joe, Chloe, and Don in the water

Blake and Nicole right before they left!
Blake is a new Uncle and they were going
to meet his little niece.

Eli hanging out on the boat with Mama

Chloe getting into the raft

Joe, Chloe, Cari, and Scarlett

Little blue eyes!

Me, Chloe and Joe

Scarlett and Chloe playing in the sand and water!

Joe and the girls

Juan and Cari

All the cousins! Chloe being surly and Scarlett hamming it up for all the cameras!

Happy boy Eli

Close up!

Lacy and Russell joined us on Monday

Alyssa and Jim

The boys playing around on the jetski