Say Cheese --It's Christmas through pictures.

Okay, so this isn't on Christmas, but it is a memorable moment. This is Uncle Bill holding Hunter for the first time!!

Christmas Eve at the Stratman house


Yes, all 3 of us are looking at different cameras/people. But at least we are smiling.


This was the best picture I got of the grandkids with their Grandma & Grandpa. Daddy is wincing in pain I believe. He mumbled something about kneww


Hunter and his meltmyheart smile and giggle. Doesn't he look handsome in his Chaps vest, etc. ?

Jerry and I opening our calendars.

Arissa drew Hunter's name for the cousin gift exchange. She did a wonderful job of getting Hunter this Ocean Wonder Sea Horse. He LOVES it!!

Christmas Morning in Harriman

Hunter getting ready to open his presents from Santa.

Christmas Day at Papaw's with the girls

We got them new bikes!!!!

The girls got Barbie scooters from Uncle Scott and Aunt Becky.

Hunter and Papaw enjoying talking to each other. Papaw still won't hold Hunter, but he will talk to him all day long.

We had a wonderful Christmas!! Hunter made it even more special this year. I am looking forward to next year and the years to follow. I hope everyone had a nice holiday as well.

Safe and Sound

Monday morning I woke up to Olivia and Hunter throwing up!! All before 6:00. I believe they are both sinus related, but icky all the same.
Yesterday, I went to Maryville for a doctor's appt. I was able to visit 2 good friends I hadn't seen in a very long time and Hunter and I went to lunch with Jerry.
Hunter and I went to Target to get his new carseat and were headed down Alcoa Hwy to the Target in downtown west.......
And then it happened in a instant...........
Some teenie bopping, cell phone yacking, didn't see me 2 lanes over and decided to merge anyway chick, hit me and Hunter!!!
We are fine. My first thoughts were to check on Hunter as I am cursing, yes cursing at the girl. My front passenger part of my car hit her driver side back end. I remember laying on the horn and seeing that she never looked up the whole time. I saw her coming. I am very sore today.........but we are safe. Thank the Lord.
Jerry came and got us. Thank goodness he works right around the corner from where the wreck happened. The police didn't take long and we were on our way to get me a rental car. I ended up going to the ER to have my wrist looked at and it is sprained. Again, I am soooo thankful that we are safe.
Life changes in an instant and we forget that sometimes. I am lucky and thankful that the wreck was no worse than it was. ......................

Have a Merry Christmas..................... Be Safe.

Ho Ho Ho -- I'm on Christmas Break : )

Just a quick update............. I am super-excited to finally be on Christmas Break!! 2 weeks with Hunter and doing and sleeping when I want to : ) Hunter came to school with me this afternoon and was talking up a storm and smiling at everyone ...... even for the camera!!


The girls and I when I gave them their Christmas presents........ new shoes!!!


Talking to his Aunt Lana


Smiling with his Aunt Bette

Chillin with Aunt Crystal................

When the wind blows

This is what happens when the wind blows a little too hard and your apparently rotten pine tree cannot handle it anymore!!!!!!!!!! I am standing on my deck at the backside of the house. All I can say is ..................... Thank the Good Lord above! That tree very well could have fallen directly on my bedroom (to your left of this photo). I am VERY fortunate that it did not touch a thing except for the backyard.

It even missed the neighbors shed and the end of my privacy fence.


Again, I know how lucky I am. This tree could have wreaked havoc on my already falling apart house.

Another bonus for the day................. we get a snow day today, so Hunter and I are already snuggling, giggling, and cooing at each other. Olivia and Chloe will be here later, so we must enjoy our peace and quiet now.

Stay warm and if anyone wants some pine wood for anything, come on over!!!!

Paraders

I am officially on the countdown to Christmas Break. I cannot wait to spend all that time with Hunter!!! Although I don't cry anymore when I drop him off, I still miss him sooooo much while we are apart. He makes my heart melt. He has this addictive smile and now laughs when you tickle his pits and thighs. He also "talks" and can tell stories for hours......... okay, minutes. He has so many people that love him and smother him with kisses and hugs on a daily basis.

This past Saturday, we went to watch Olivia and Chloe in the Halls Parade. They are in Girl Scouts (Daisies) this year. (side note: Hunter went to stay with his Aunt Bette and Uncle Doug for the evening. It was too cold for him to go out to the parade.)

They meet the Tuesdays that Jerry has them. He has informed me that he is the only Dad there. Someone at school told me that Dad's are called "Doo-Dads".
Back to my story............. we met the girls with their mom to give them their vests then were on our way to watch for them to come down the street. It wasn't our weekend to have them, so as soon as they passed and waved and Olivia threw candy at us, we left to come home.
We made it about 20 minutes down the road when we recieved a call from their mom that Chloe was wanting to see Jerry and come home with us. We pulled off the interstate and waited for them. We brought them home for the rest of the weekend here. Of course, they smothered Hunter with so much love this weekend. They are enjoying making him smile and laugh. They are such good big sisters.

They were exhausted from the parade and couldn't keep their eyes open on the way home.

Sunday I was invited to a wedding shower for one of my former students. I think Hunter was the hit of the afternoon. I had a great time visiting with my former students and reminsing about old times. I needed to laugh like that.

Jessica (the bride to be) , Myself, and Hunter.

My big boy with a stuffed animal he got from one of my students.

As I type, there are 8 days until my Break begins!!!!! December 19th can't come soon enough. I am looking forward to the holidays. But first, I have to get through semester tests and Christmas parties.................... arggggghghhhhhhh.

Thanksgiving Weekend and the Christmas Tree

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I sure did. This year was the best yet. Jerry and I and the kids.......... Olivia, Chloe, and Hunter......... went to my Mom and Dad's to eat "lunch". Before eating, we had to attempt to get a photo for our Christmas card. Yeah, none of the pictures are perfect. You get 2 of the kids looking and smiling at the camera and one is doing something else. It was fun though.

This is just one picture we took.

We sat around, socializing and letting our food digest. Jerry and I took the opportunity to lay with Hunter on the floor and Kathy was able to get some really good arial shots. Thanks Kathy.

I love this picture.

After lunch it was time to head to Jerry's Dad's for "dinner". His niece Courtney came in from Virginia for the holiday. The girls absolutely adore her and she was excited to meet her newest cousin, Hunter. She was great with him all weekend. We will get to see her again at Christmas.

This picture is my current favorite. I think Hunter looks so darn cute and grown sitting in the recliner at Papaw's. We were watching "Elf" on t.v. All he needs is the remote and a bottle.

Yesterday we got a half day snow day and today we were on a 2 hour delay, so Hunter and I have spent more time together. We snuggled in the bed this afternoon before I got the urge to put up my Christmas tree.

My little man under the covers in Mommy's bed.

Yep, I know our self portrait is blurry. I tried. Sorry.

I had gotten a Pre-lit tree on sale last year and was excited to put it up. That tree kicked my butt. It was heavy. I am still not happy with it, but it will have to do for now. I am tired. I am ready for bed. Here are some pics of the tree decorating. .........

Hunter admiring (staring) at the tree with lights only.

Decorating (watching) a tree is hard work.

The finished product. I think my living room is shrinking.

Peace, joy, good tidings and all that jazz........................