The Strubhars

WALKING!

2012-02-09T23:26:00.000-08:00

We've got a walker in the house!

We could not be more proud of our sweet boy!! He may be a late walker, but I am just as proud of him walking at 15 months as I would be is he was walking at 10 months!

GO BUBBERS GO!!

Daddy Time

2012-02-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

Having a Daddy who works from home is kinda the best

Makena

2012-02-02T23:29:00.000-08:00

Our afternoon in Makena was such a breath of fresh air.

We were reminded of so many things on this wonderful little family adventure.

We remembered how privileged we are to live on this beautiful island.

We remembered how much we love spending time as a family.

We remembered what an incredible Creator our God is.

We remembered how seeing our son smile is simply our favorite.

We remembered how blessed we are to get to work from home.

We remembered that even though we don't make much money, having time to do these things together is worth far more than having nice cars, a bigger home and nice things.

...not that we ever forgot any of these things. But the reminder is always nice.

These photos will always make us remember.

Baby Days

2012-01-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Haiku Park with friends

QUITE proud about going down the big boy slide by himself!

Pooping in the backseat

Sunset at Big Beach - perfect end to the day

Mama's Boy

2012-01-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

15 Months Old

2012-01-22T13:58:00.000-08:00

Loves tofu & green beans

Says "thank you"

12 teeth

Starting to take steps alone

Loves going down the slide at the park

Has an obsession with whipped cream

Waves at every car that drives by

Knows hand motions to all his favorite songs

Claps and cheers for everything

Still loves to read

Still a mama's boy

Still a snuggle bug

Still our favorite thing in the universe

Just waking up

2012-01-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

Big Beach

2012-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Pickles

2012-01-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

Who would have guessed that the boy who makes a sour face at half the things he eats actually loves pickles?!

Adventures with Mama

2012-01-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Today was full of Carter/Mama adventures. We went to the park, cleaned the house, played in the pool, went to the library, went on a walk, napped, and played toys all before Daddy got home.

Whew!!

At the park

At the library

The Fam

2012-01-05T13:28:00.000-08:00

2012 so far...

2012-01-02T13:25:00.000-08:00

Resolutions

2012-01-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again.

Here's are this year's resolutions...

CHRISTMAS

2011-12-26T17:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T00:02:00.000-08:00

I'll give him my heart

2011-12-24T00:09:00.001-08:00

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb,

If I were a wise man

I would do my part,

Yet what I can I give Him,

Give my heart.

by Christina Rossetti

Merry Christmas

2011-12-18T17:49:00.000-08:00

2011 came with it’s fair share of adventures, milestones and plenty of happy memories. Life with a baby is unlike anything we could have ever imagined and we are loving every single second of it. Carter (or “Bubbers” as he’s known as around here) turned 1 this October. He is our joy and treasure. He is a sweet, sensative and thoughtful little guy. He loves to “help” with whatever we’re doing and will sit and listen to every book on the bookshelf if someone will read them to him. We spend a good amount of time making complete fools of ourselves just to hear his adorable little laugh.

We were blessed to have lots of family and friends come out to visit this year. We are realizing that people are way more excited about visiting us in Maui than Phoenix. This September we got to help welcome another little niece, Briana Christine, to the world. We love having some family on the island and especially love getting to raise Carter with his two little cousins that are so close in age.

December will be Jenna Strubhar Photography’s last month of business. We are so excited to be launching our new business, Nate & Jenna Photography by the new year. We are a jumble of emotions about it - excited, nervous, anxious. But mostly excited! We would appreciate your prayers as we are starting this new adventure together. We find the times that we are really leaning on the Lord and seeking Him for daily provision are the times that we grow closer to Him and closer to each other. We can’t wait to see what God does in our little family in 2012 and look forward to hearing what he does in each of yours. We love you all and hope this card finds you and your families happy and healthy.

Love, Nate, Jenna & Carter

Christmas Party

2011-12-17T23:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas Party at the Lauer's!

Yummy food, and terrific people!

Oranges

2011-12-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

Wreath

2011-12-16T15:59:00.000-08:00

Was feeling crafty and made this Pinterest inspired wreath for Christmas!

I used sheet music, but you could use book pages or any type of paper.

I cut the paper into strips and pinned them into a Styrofoam wreath frame.

You can do it evenly or overlapping (like I did). Either way looks great!

The finished product!

Family Visit

2011-12-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

I thought it would take 10 years before my whole family came to visit, but they surprised me and made a last-minute trip to Maui to visit us! It was a short trip, but it was so fun to spend time with them and watch the kids all play at the beach together.

Joel & Haley pushing their nephew :)

Auntie Haley & Carter swinging

Beach Time!

Thankful

2011-11-24T04:35:00.000-08:00

Thankful for Jesus paying the price for my sins. Thankful for my incredible husband and beautiful baby boy. Thankful for food, shelter and health. Thankful for family. Thankful for friends who are as close as family. Thankful for the opportunity to live in close community with such excellent people. Thankful to be a mother and stay home with my little one. Thankful to spend every day doing what I love. Thankful for grace and mercy. Thankful for laughter. Thankful for lessons learned through trials. Thankful to be married to my best friend. Thankful to know God and to have the opportunity to get to know Him more and glorify Him daily. Thankful.

Riding in cars with dads

2011-11-20T22:33:00.000-08:00

Carter & Nala got to go on a date to the west side with the daddies.

Good times.

The Park

2011-11-07T22:17:00.000-08:00

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

2011-11-07T19:54:00.001-08:00

Seriously, one of the best books I've ever read!

I highly recommend Escape by Carolyn Jessop.

It is definitely not a light read, but Carolyn's story is one of bravery and one that needs to be heard.

The dramatic first-person account of life inside an ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect, and one woman’s courageous flight to freedom with her eight children.

When she was eighteen years old, Carolyn Jessop was coerced into an arranged marriage with a total stranger: a man thirty-two years her senior. Merril Jessop already had three wives. But arranged plural marriages were an integral part of Carolyn’s heritage: She was born into and raised in the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the radical offshoot of the Mormon Church that had settled in small communities along the Arizona-Utah border. Over the next fifteen years, Carolyn had eight children and withstood her husband’s psychological abuse and the watchful eyes of his other wives who were locked in a constant battle for supremacy.

Carolyn’s every move was dictated by her husband’s whims. He decided where she lived and how her children would be treated. He controlled the money she earned as a school teacher. He chose when they had sex; Carolyn could only refuse—at her peril. For in the FLDS, a wife’s compliance with her husband determined how much status both she and her children held in the family. Carolyn was miserable for years and wanted out, but she knew that if she tried to leave and got caught, her children would be taken away from her. No woman in the country had ever escaped from the FLDS and managed to get her children out, too. But in 2003, Carolyn chose freedom over fear and fled her home with her eight children. She had $20 to her name.

Escape exposes a world tantamount to a prison camp, created by religious fanatics who, in the name of God, deprive their followers the right to make choices, force women to be totally subservient to men, and brainwash children in church-run schools. Against this background, Carolyn Jessop’s flight takes on an extraordinary, inspiring power. Not only did she manage a daring escape from a brutal environment, she became the first woman ever granted full custody of her children in a contested suit involving the FLDS. And in 2006, her reports to the Utah attorney general on church abuses formed a crucial part of the case that led to the arrest of their notorious leader, Warren Jeffs.

Breaking the Rules

2011-11-06T22:55:00.000-08:00

I decided to break the rules and not wait for Thanksgiving before decorating for Christmas.

E=MC2

2011-10-31T23:49:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Carving

2011-10-30T14:56:00.000-07:00

Halloween is almost here which mean pumpkin carving time!!

Even better, it means PUMPKIN SEEDS!!!

Everything must be tasted

The finished product

Operation Christmas Child

2011-10-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

Operation Christmas Child is wonderful organization that I have been participating in for almost 10 years now and want to continue doing with my family.

You fill a shoebox with items for a child in need. Things like hygiene items, toys, coloring books, etc. and drop the shoebox off at a designated drop off spot. The shoeboxes then get delivered to third world countries and bless tons of kids who probably wouldn't otherwise be getting anything this Christmas. This is a great, personal and easy way to bless a child and involve your own children in giving. Boxes need to be finished and dropped off by the week of November 14th. You can go to Operation Christmas Child's WEBSITE for more information and drop-off locations.

Photo-A-Day #3

2011-10-28T22:01:00.000-07:00

They're a little late, but better late than never!

Here are some of the highlights of my photo-a-day project from the last 3 months.

July

August

September

Dirty Dishes

2011-10-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

Thank heaven for dirty dishes

They have a tale to tell

While other folks go hungry

We're eating very well

With home, health and happiness

We shouldn't want to fuss

By this stack of evidence

God's very good to us

Being 1

2011-10-26T17:23:00.000-07:00

I know he's only a day older than yesterday, but I swear he looks like he's so much bigger. My baby is becoming a little boy.

Carter's Party

2011-10-25T16:40:00.001-07:00

It's Hawaiian custom to throw outrageous, lavish, over-the-top first birthday parties. If you know Carter, you know being in a crowd this big sounds more like his worst nightmare than a happy party. We decided to keep it simple and intimate for Carter's special day. Our closest friends came over for pizza and dessert in honor of the birthday boy. It was simple and sweet and reminded us how blessed we are by our awesome community who loves and cares for our son.

Here's some shots and a little video from Carter's "Funfetti" birthday party!

The Big Day

2011-10-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

We spent Carter's birthday just chillin' as a fam. We wanted to spend the day doing Carter's favorite things! We started off with cinnamon rolls and coffee at the beach then headed to the park then the beach for some playtime. We had such a blast with our favorite little person. He is so much fun to be with. We are so looking forward to all the days ahead!

Happy Birthday Carter Michael

2011-10-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

My baby is 1!

Carter Michael has graced this world for an entire year. I'll say what they all say - it went by so fast. But I can honestly and gratefully say that I cherished every day. It is SUCH an honor and a blessing to be this little boy's mother and the fact that God chose me for the job just blows my mind. I have loved every snuggle, enjoyed every playtime and book read, cherished every milestone and prayed over this little boy daily. I am by no means a perfect mother and I ask for daily help in that area, but one thing I know is that children are a gift. My son is a gift. I will never take that for granted. The time we waited (sometimes not-so-patiently) for Carter reminds me to enjoy every second with this little person. Our lives are so short - a breath. I want my breath to be full of love and full of thankfulness. With that said, here is a sappy reflection on our last 365 days with Carter Michael Strubhar...

Video Memories

2011-10-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

Some of our happiest video memories from this past year with Carter...

Blowing Kisses

Booty-Scooty

Pull-Ups

Book Kisser

Dancing with Dada

Eating a Lemon

Kissin' Cousins

Stroller Commentary

Carter's Birth Day

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's...

2011-10-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

CARTER MICHAEL!!!

Upcountry

2011-10-20T16:16:00.000-07:00

We were in need of some good family time so one day after Nathan got off work I had a picnic dinner ready and the car all packed up to go exploring upcountry. There are still so many parts of the island that we have never seen! Besides, we needed an excuse to put Carter in his adorable flannel. We stopped for some hot drinks at Grandma's Coffee (their chai lattes are unreal btw) and drove around and explored the beautiful countryside and stopped at a killer lookout for dinner. It's so incredible to see the island from so high up.

It was nice to be in some cooler weather to feel more like fall. :) I love adventures with our little family.

Beachin' It

2011-10-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

Training humans

2011-10-16T19:49:00.000-07:00

Bri

2011-10-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

We got to hang out with baby Bri while Matt & Michelle went out for Michelle's birthday.

Look at that Beauty. She is stunning like her mama!

Getting to know Cousin

Uncle Nate sleeping on the job

Wise Words

2011-10-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

"Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them"

- Richard L Evans

Pumpkin Patch Round 2

2011-10-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

We went for round 2 at the Kula pumpkin patch with Auntie Sarah and Cousin Nala

We got dirty and got pumpkins.

Mission accomplished.

What's your caption for this photo?

2011-10-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-09T19:07:00.000-07:00

So many happy memories at the pumpkin patch. My first time up there was the day Michelle found out she was pregnant! Last year Nathan and I went to the pumpkin patch just days before our Carter-boy was born. It was fun to take him for the first time. Getting to the pumpkin patch at the start of naptime was probably not the best idea. But we still had fun - got Carter his first pumpkin and got some yummy squash and sweet potatoes for dinner that night. :)

Totally in love with this munchkin

2011-10-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

Carmel Apple Cider Cookies

2011-10-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just in time for fall...

These are quite possibly the most amazing cookies ever! Please make these! You won't be sorry.

1 cup softened butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 box (7.4 oz) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Original Drink mix -not sugar free- all 10 packets

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 cups all purpose flour

1 bag Kraft Caramels (14 oz)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment. (You really need the parchment!)
In a small bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon.
Cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packages of apple cider drink mix powder, until light and fluffy.
Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla and mix well.
Gradually add flour mixture to butter/egg mixture. Mix until just combined.
Scoop out cookie dough ball about the size of a walnut. (I used a rounded cookie scoop-full. My scoop holds about a Tablespoon.)
Flatten the ball of dough slightly in the palm of your hand. Press the unwrapped caramel into the center of your dough and seal the dough around it, covering it completely. Place on parchment covered cookie sheets 2 inches apart.
Bake 8-10 minutes at 350. Let cool on cookie sheet for a bit before removing.

Family Fun Day

2011-10-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

We spent Saturday on the west side eating pizza, watching the boats in the harbor and exploring Front Street. Love our family dates.

Male Model

2011-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

Big Island

2011-09-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wedding on the Big Island this weekend and decided to take Carter & Nathan along to celebrate Nathan's birthday and have some fun family time. We had such a blast at the Hilton Waikoloa - the largest resort in Hawaii. Carter was an angel and we had an absolute blast bonding with him even more. Happy memories!

Thank God the plane ride is only 30 minutes!

First things first! Stared the trip off right with a visit to Target

SO BIG!

These two went down the water slides about a hundred times

The resort is so big we had the ride the tram to get around

Sun roof

Gramie & Grandpa Visit

2011-09-08T12:48:00.000-07:00

Sihouettes

2011-09-06T17:32:00.000-07:00

I've been wanting to get a really good picture of Carter boy's profile to show off his cute little button nose and wild hair. I didn't realize just how wild his hair was until I actually took the picture and made this! I thought it looked way to mowhawkish and tried doing some on "better" hair days, but they all turned out just as wild.

So here's Bubby boy's little sweet silhouette profile...

I wanted to put it up somewhere in the house so I put it in a frame above his crib with one of my favorite quotes

"oh, cleaning and scrubbing will wait til tomorrow. But children grow up as we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

Briana Christine

2011-09-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world Briana Christine Strubhar!

My second beautiful little niece was born September 4th weighing in at 7lbs 5ounces and 19inches long.

Love you sweet girl!!

Lindsey Faith

2011-09-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

Lindsey has been my BF since Jr High. I have so many fun memories with my Lindsey Faith. Church mission trips to Mexico, slumber parties, watching The Man from Snowy River, countless walks to the store to go clothes shopping and always getting a Wendy's frosty on the way, flame pajama pants, slipping on a burrito in the mall, putting hand sanitizer in your paper cut, and meeting and dating our husbands.

I believe so strongly that bad company corrupts good character and that you become like the people you associate with. That is why I am so grateful for Lindsey. Our friendship protected each other from bad company. Lindsey is so much of the reason I had such great teen years - the reason I grew in my walk with the Lord so much, the reason I never had to lie to my parents about where I was, the reason I kept my purity. God placed an amazing friend in my life who grew and encouraged me during my adolescence - a time when most people struggle and stray the most.

I love you so much Linds and thank God for giving me such a spectacular friend. I love all out happy memories and I look forward to so many more.

Happy Birthday!

If you're facing a trial...

2011-08-31T19:10:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share Charles Spurgeon's morning devotion for today from "Morning & Evening"

"On mine arm shall they trust."

Isaiah 51:5

In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God. Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time. Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.

Lashes

2011-08-24T11:17:00.000-07:00

Car Wash

2011-08-23T11:18:00.000-07:00

10 Months Old

2011-08-22T20:01:00.000-07:00

10 months old today

Carter Michael

Loves blueberries

Would eat only blueberries if we let him

8 teeth

Gives the best kisses

Loves to do dishes

Claps his hands

Is the best dancer I know

Thinks it's funny to cough

Likes animals better than people

Snuggles more than any baby I know

Mama's boy

Loves to play with tupperware

My Landscaper

2011-08-18T19:01:00.000-07:00

He may not always have the best aim when it comes to watering the plants, but at least he's cute.

Mornings at the park

2011-08-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

Camping

2011-08-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

I've been saying for weeks now that I wanted to take Carter camping so yesterday we decided that a last minute camping trip upcountry with our teething, feverish child sounded like fun.

Cow poop was stepped in, guns were shot, sunset was watched, campfire was made, marshmallows were roasted, food enjoyed, good conversation had, and full moon slept under.

The highlight of the trip may have been watching my sleepy little baby dressed in his monkey footie pajamas fall asleep in his daddy's arms during our short, rocky, ridiculously bumpy drive in the Bronco from the campsite back up to the truck. It's hard not to get whiplash on that drive let alone fall asleep.

We are so thankful for awesome friends and family and for Uncle Pat's beautiful upcountry property that he let us enjoy.

Few things are greater than watching a beautiful Maui sunset with my favorite little baby on my lap

Bamboo & Hookipa

2011-08-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Carter & I got to go for an early morning beach session and swim in the ocean with Auntie Sarah today. After that, Nathan got off work early so our little family ventured out to the Bamboo Forrest and then to Hookipa. Today is one of those days where I feel so, so blessed to live in a place so beautiful.

Frisbee

2011-08-08T19:05:00.000-07:00

Watching Dada play ultimate frisbee at the park

Michelle's Shower

2011-08-07T18:34:00.000-07:00

I loved getting to celebrate my sister Michelle and sweet little niecelet this weekend. Talyor and Jill did a fabulous job at making this shower beautiful, girly, special and intimate. Can't wait to meet my niece! Her official due date is August 29th, so she could be here any day! :)

Ciara won the the stroller obstacle course!

Family Date Day

2011-07-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome family day today! Carter and I went to church and watched Nathan lead worship. Carter LOVES seeing "Dada" on stage and kept kicking his legs and trying to dance in my arms.

After family nap time we went to Flatbread for dinner. It was Carter's first official time at a restaurant sitting in the high chair and eating the food. He was SO cute and SO fun!

Nathan gave him his lemon and after one taste, just the look or thought of lemons gave Carter a sour face!

We hung out at Paia Bay after dinner and watched Carter scoot on his butt almost all the way down to the water.

Love the little butt trail he left behind!

Ch ch ch changes...

2011-07-30T13:17:00.001-07:00

Today is Nathan's last day at the skatepark!

I know what you're thinking - I'm a horrible, terrible wife who's making him quite his dream job. False.

I have been 110% supportive of this job from day 1 and would continue to be if Nathan chose to stay. Nathan feels ready to move on though. He LOVES the kids, obviously loves skateboarding, and loves working at a park right on the beach in Maui. But he is ready for a change in hours so he can spend more time with family & friends and really wants to be making a little more moolah. So for the last few weeks Nathan has been working on a painting crew with his brother, Matt & he really loves it. Nathan and I are busy getting ready for our new business venture (more to come on that later) and we are hoping that that his new job will make for a great transition into that!

No matter where he works I am so proud of Nathan and how much he loves our family and how hard he works for us!

The Lauer Family

2011-07-30T12:16:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've written about someone we love. This one is about the Lauer Family. We have the privilege of living on the best street in the universe full of wonderful friendly neighbors and tons of young Christian couples and families. One of those families is the Lauer family. Mikey, Shae and their little guy Zeke moved back to Maui about a year ago and we got to be in an ohana group with them for a couple months before we had Carter. I was immediately impressed and refreshed with how sweet, open and honest they were.

Zeke who is 5 months older than Carter has become Carter's best little playmate and nothing makes me smile like watching Zeke try to hug or feed Carter or help me push him around in his stroller. I cannot WAIT to watch these two grow up together.

Mikey is so nice and I love that he never gives up on my little anti-social son. He always tried to include Carter in playing and gives him hugs and kisses despite his grouchiness. He is such an awesome dad.

Shae is amazing. She is a supermom. I love how she actually gets down and plays with kids. She is never put off by dirty hands or crying babies. She is one of the funnest and funniest people I know and Carter ADORES her. While wild and fun, Shae loves her son with a beautiful, boundless love that I rarely see. You can see already that her son feels so safe and secure in his parents - loved enough to go explore and tackle the world because he knows his mom & dad are right behind him. It's such an awesome thing to watch families function in the way that I think God intended for them to.

Shae has probably been my #1 most encouraging mother. She encourages me to follow my heart and always parent with love. I have made it my personal goal as a mother and friend to be like Shae - to love and encourage other mothers without giving unwanted advice or casting judgement. With so many things in our world working against healthy, loving families, I feel so blessed to have one of my #1 encouragers living next door.

We love you Lauer family! Thank you for making Maui feel like home to us. ♥

Basil Lemon Raspberry Sorbet

2011-07-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

1 c water

3/4 c lemon or lime juice

1/2 c sugar or agave nectar

1/2 c raspberries

20 basil leaves (minced)

Boil water & sugar and mix in blender with other ingredients. Freeze and enjoy!

Ohana

2011-07-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Love doing life with these people...

Mama's Boy

2011-07-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

My sweet little mama's boy has gone back to wanting to be rocked to sleep. After a few months of not wanting to be rocked so he could put himself to sleep in his crib, he has decided this week that he prefers snuggles. I don't mind one bit. ☺

Big Beach

2011-07-13T16:55:00.000-07:00

The Hair

2011-07-07T22:36:00.000-07:00

Oh the hair! Everywhere we go we get comments on Carter's hair. Strangers can't resist running their fingers through his chick fuzz. The longer it gets, the more out of control it is. We cannot do anything to make it lay down. So as of now Bubs has to go through life looking like a mad scientist or a porcupine. Which do you think he resembles more??

Shower

2011-07-02T14:18:00.000-07:00

2 months old

8 months old

Sunrise

2011-07-02T14:09:00.000-07:00

The good thing about having a baby who gets up at 5am is that we get to see some awesome sunrises. :)

Photo-A-Day #2

2011-07-01T17:20:00.000-07:00

Black Sand Beach

2011-06-27T18:30:00.001-07:00

We had an awesome family date day at Black Sand Beach. Despite working on getting his 5th tooth, Carter was so smiley and so giggly today. Carter and I did lots of digging in the sand and splashing in the water white Nathan went and swam with turtles right off the shore.

Love getting to spend time having fun in the sun with our little crew.

Nathan swimming with a turtle

8 Months

2011-06-22T17:59:00.000-07:00

How is he getting so dang big?! There are some mornings when I lift him out of his crib and swear he gained at least 5 pounds in his sleep.

Carter is now 8 months old. He is his own little person with his own little schedule with his own likes and dislikes and I could not possibly love him any more than I do at this moment.

4 teeth

Loves cheese

Loves the aquarium

Likes stroller walks

Never sleeps past 5:30am

Loves Baby Einstein

Swings at the park every day

Says "dada" all the time

Mama's boy

Favorite toy is a hairbrush

Loves animals

Loves getting licked in the face by dogs

Put everything in his mouth

Fake laughs all the time

Will sit and listen to as many books as we'll read

Loves to be thrown in the air

Loves to be held upside down

Wildest baby I know

Wise Words

2011-06-22T17:01:00.000-07:00

Me & My Baby Boo

2011-06-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T11:30:00.000-07:00

Happy First Father's Day to the very best Daddy in the whole wide world!

Pig-Fest 2011

2011-06-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

We went up to Makawao today for the 4-H Fair (or Pig-Fest 2011 ☺) Carter LOVED seeing the cows, sheep, geese and pigs.

It's important to wear your overalls when attending pig-related activities

Books

2011-06-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

Just read...

Currently reading...

Next up...

PaperBack Swap

2011-06-09T21:55:00.000-07:00

I have recently discovered and fallen in love with Paperback Swap!

It's an online book swapping system where you can list books you no longer want anymore. Others can request your book and you mail it to them (usually costs $2.41). You get a "point" for every book you mail and you can use your "points" to request books from others (each book is 1 point). I posted 12 books and 9 of them were requested in the first 48 hours! That means I got 9 points to request 9 more books! Currently, there are over 5 million books on there ready to be swapped!

Happy swapping!!

Click HERE to visit the site!

Frittatas

2011-06-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Made a Frittata today! Yumm...

Such an easy breakfast meal with things that are usually already in your fridge

Wisk together...

5 eggs

1/4 c grated cheese

1/4 c milk

1/4 t salt

1/4 t pepper

1/2 c veggies (I did tomatoes & basil, but spinach, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, etc. would all be tasty!)

* serves 4 *

Bake in greased 9inch pie plate on 375 for 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Happy 6 Years!

2011-06-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

6 marvelous years ago I married my best friend.

I am more in love with him today than I was on our wedding day and look forward to falling more in love in the years to come.

I love you Nathan Paul. You are my world and I cannot imagine life without you!

Sniffing

2011-06-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

Carter's new thing is sniffing and he does it ALL the time.

I think it's adorable.

7 Months

2011-05-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

My baby is turning into a big boy. With 4 teeth, standing and sitting up by himself and saying all sorts of baby babbles, he hardly seems like the same baby he was a month ago.

I love every day of life with this little guy.

Mothers Day

2011-05-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

It's m official first Mother's day as a mom. I LOVE it! I love that one of the reasons I get to celebrate this special day is my precious little man, Carter. I absolutely love being a mom and there is nothing in the world I would rather be. Carter started saying "Mama" this week and though he may not associate it with me yet, it is such a sweet sound to hear from my son's mouth and I feel so honored that I get to be "Mama" for the rest of my life now.

Happy Mother's Day! To our wonderful mothers who continue to teach me what it means to be a good mom and to our grandmothers who taught them. To my girlfriends who are excellent mothers to their children and encourage me daily. And to my dear friends and family who's babies went to heaven before you were ready - I will forever be in awe of your strength. My heart grieves with yours today as you remember your little ones.

Oregon Video

2011-04-26T11:38:00.001-07:00

ENJOY!

Oregon Part 2

2011-04-25T09:06:00.000-07:00

The last half of our trip was spent in Portland visiting family, friends & more family. Our trip was crazy jam-packed, but it was so good to finally introduce Carter to the fam. It was so fun to watch my 2 youngest siblings (ages 2 & 4) with Carter. Haley (who doesn't really talk) kept bringing toys out for "Ba-by Caarr...." (as she called him) to play with. Joel was relishing in his new uncle status and would only refer to himself as "Uncle" when talking to Carter. It was pretty hilarious to hear a 4 -year old play peek-a-boo saying, "Where's Uncle? Peek-A-Boo!" By the last half of our trip, Carter started teething again and with the combination of that, time changes, unfamiliar faces and territory, he wasn't the most pleasant baby to be around. The plane ride home definitely wasn't as easy as the way there, but we survived! Overall, our little guy was a great traveler and we are so proud of what a trooper he was on this trip. Makes us love and adore him even more. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends & family & such an amazing son!

Oregon Part 1

2011-04-18T19:52:00.000-07:00

Helllloooo Oregon. You are butt-cold!

Part 1 of the trip is complete. We had so much fun with the Strubhar side of the fam in Redmond. The boys went 4wheeling in the jeep & we went into Bend for coffee. We even got to have a brunch with all the great and great-great grandparents. It was so awesome to see everyone. So far, Carter has been and expert traveler! Who knew?? Nathan and I keep looking at each other saying "who's child is this??"

Here are some pics of our adventures this far...

We were (obviously) stoked that Carter took a little snooze on the plane

Carter & his adorable second cousin Olivia

4 Wheeling

Bubs with Grandpa & Grammie

Way too cold for mid-April

First snow!

Tub Time

2011-04-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Birth Video

2011-04-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!

I was determined to finish Carter's birth-day video before he turns 6 months!

Here is it! Better late than never, right?

(Family friendly ☺)

Glasses

2011-04-08T15:32:00.000-07:00

This boy loves his sunglasses. He smiles and kicks his legs whenever I put them on. I think they make him feel cool.

Big Beach

2011-04-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Photo-A-Day

2011-04-06T15:24:00.000-07:00

You may remember at the beginning of this year, my resolution was to take a photo every day this year. My hope was to try new photography techniques as well as document our first year with Carter. So far so good! I haven't missed a day yet. And yes, at least half of them are of Carter. What did you expect?

Here are some samples of each month!

January

February

March

'Tude

2011-04-04T15:32:00.000-07:00

Household Uses for Vinegar

2011-03-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite ways to use vinegar...

Coffee maker cleaner (automatic):
White distilled vinegar can help to dissolve mineral deposits that collect in automatic drip coffee makers from hard water. Fill the reservoir with white distilled vinegar and run it through a brewing cycle. Rinse thoroughly with water when the cycle is finished. (Be sure to check the owner’s manual for specific instructions.)

Clean the microwave:
Boil a solution of 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar and 1 cup of water in the microwave. Will loosen splattered on food and deodorize.

Deodorize the kitchen drain:
Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar down the drain once a week. Let stand 30 minutes and then flush with cold water.

Clean the refrigerator:
Wash with a solution of equal parts water and white distilled vinegar.

Clean and disinfect wood cutting boards:
Wipe with full strength white distilled vinegar.

Remove Refrigerator Smells
Place 1 cup apple cider vinegar in a glass and set in refrigerator. Within 2 days, any smell is gone!

Bathtub film:
Bathtub film can be removed by wiping with white distilled vinegar and then with soda. Rinse clean with water.

Unclog the showerhead:
Corrosion may be removed from showerheads or faucets by soaking them in white distilled vinegar overnight. This may be easily accomplished by saturating a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the showerhead or faucet.

Kill weeds:
Spray white distilled vinegar full strength on tops of weeds. Reapply on any new growth until plants have starved.

Get Rid of Odor on a Smelly Dog
Wet the dog down with fresh water. Use a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 2 gallons water. Saturate the dog’s coat with this solution. Dry the dog off without rinsing the solution. The smell will be gone!

Bumper stickers:
Remove bumper stickers by repeatedly wiping the sticker with white distilled vinegar until it is soaked. In a few minutes, it should peel off easily. Test on a small invisible area of the car to ensure there will be no damage to the paint.

Worn DVDs:
If you have a worn DVD that has begun to stick or suffers from the occasional freeze-frame, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Ensure the DVD is completely dry before re-inserting in the DVD player. (Note: This only works on DVDs that are scratched of dirty through normal wear.)

Clothes washing magic:
Clothes will rinse better if 1 cup of white distilled vinegar is added to the last rinse water. The acid in vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, but strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents.

Deodorant stains:
Deodorant and antiperspirant stains may be removed from clothing by lightly rubbing with white distilled vinegar and laundering as usual.

Keeping colors fast:
To hold colors in fabrics, which tend to run, soak them for a few minutes in white distilled vinegar before washing.

Keeping potatoes white:
A teaspoon of white distilled or cider vinegar added to the water in which you boil potatoes will keep them nice and white. You can keep peeled potatoes from turning dark by covering them with water and adding 2 teaspoons of vinegar.

Freshen vegetables:
Freshen up slightly wilted vegetables by soaking them in cold water and vinegar.

Fruit and vegetable wash:
Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to 1 pint water and use to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. Research has shown that vinegar helps kill bacteria on fruits and vegetables.

Fresh lunch box:
It is easy to take out the heavy stale smell often found in lunch boxes. Dampen a piece of fresh bread with white distilled vinegar and leave it in the lunch box overnight.

Get rid of cooking smells:
Let simmer a small pot of vinegar and water solution.

Soothe a bee or jellyfish sting:
Douse with vinegar. It will soothe irritation and relieve itching.

Relieve dry and itchy skin:
Add 2 tablespoons of vinegar to your bath water.

Soothe a sore throat:
Put a teaspoon of vinegar in a glass of water. Gargle, then swallow. For another great gargle: 1 cup hot water, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon vinegar, gargle then drink.

Soft Feet
Combine 1 cup white distilled vinegar to 2 gallons warm water. Soak feet for 45 minutes then use a pumice stone or file to remove dead skin from heels and callused areas of feet.

Bug Spray
Combine equal amounts of water, white distilled vinegar and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Use on skin, as needed.

Family

2011-03-22T22:16:00.000-07:00

5 Months

2011-03-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

Bubby Boy is 5 months today!

He is 24 inches long and 15.8 lbs

This month was full of first and glimpses of our little guy's personality. Carter got his first tooth this month (just a few days ago) and had his first bite of rice cereal. The tooth cutting was obviously a very tiring, painful and miserable experience for the whole family, but the first taste of food on the other hand was fabulous. Carter LOVED the cereal. We could not get the spoon in his mouth fast enough. He wanted to hold the spoon himself and probably would have licked the bowl clean if we let him.

He is so strong and loves to walk all around the house while we hold his hands. He is sitting up pretty well and is so responsive to people. We love "swimming" in the kiddie pool together and doinPost Optionsg every ridiculous thing under the sun to get a laugh out of him.

Can't imagine life without this boy.