The J's: 2008

12/26/2008

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

We did not get too many still shots this year... we had too much fun just relaxing and enjoying ourselves. The girls were psyched about GIVING Jason and I our presents this year. Although they were really excited about the gifts Santa brought as well...

Jenni got her pony that she begged for, though for money, she was not nearly as excited as we were hoping. She was very excited for her Dora doll that changes colors in the water.

Jaylee LOVES her personal ATM, Littlest Pet Shops, and the Art Kit Jason picked up for her. She was also proud of using her own money to buy Jenni's gift this year.

Jason LOVES his ShamWows that the girls got for him... they came in handy when he installed my new bathroom faucet and when Jenni was done her bath.

I got spoiled this year with a Dyson vacuum from Jason and a new sink vanity & faucet from my parents, a funny sign from Jason's parents ("Christmas is the only time of year when we sit around a dead tree and eat out of our socks") and a GREAT date package from James and Jamie (movie tix, dinner gift certificate, and goodies).

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO MADE MY HOLIDAY MERRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house with my side of the family. The girls loved decorating the table and deciding where everyone would sit...

12/18/2008

Christmas Season 2008

TIS THE SEASON...

And we haven't missed out on ANY of it!!

There's been ccokie baking, card sending, present wrapping, carol singing, and more...

We went to this really cool Christmas Farm in the middle of nowhere tonight. (http://www.koziarschristmasvillage.com/)

Jenni used her Christmas money to buy this, and hasn't yet taken it off!!

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Earlier this week we went to Hershey Park and Rudolph was missing...

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We've also been Carolling with Jennibelle's Preschool Class at a local Nursing Home.

Her BFF is Serenity...

There are many more pix of our trip to Dutch Wonderland, visitting with family and friends, singing at church, decorating the house, and goofing off. But go back and enjoy your time with your fun family!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

11/13/2008

Student of the Month

We are soooooo proud of Jaylee!!!!

11/03/2008

Halloween 2008

Halloween...Of course!

The J's

Jennibelle the Penguin

Mandy the Prego Pumpkin

Jaylee the "Princess Witch"

The one movie of the night...

Jenni's Blues Clues Pumpkin

10/27/2008

Goodbye Booper Doopers!

We Love You Boop...

Enjoy Your Adventure!!!!!

Swim Lessons

Swim Lessons...

In October!!!!!

Jenni floating

Jaylee floating

Jaylee swimming

Jenni in her get-up...
She kept stating "I'm stylin Mama!!"

9/28/2008

Pig Race 08

Jaylee and Jenni wanted to add another animal to our list this month...

THE PIG RACE

It was a good fun time!!

The girls were exhausted!!

The camcorder battery was dead, so I did hte best I could with the digital camera.

Here's the beginning.

Jaylee is in the front, wearing pink pants and a brown top.

Jenni is somewhere in the far back (but trying her darndest).

I thought Jaylee was going to catch the pig in this next clip...

This is my ABSOLUTE favorite.

Jenni comes face to face with the pig (pig is in the shadow)

for literally 2 seconds they STARE at each other

while I am yelling like a crazy person "PICK IT UP!"

This last clip is Jenni running off the field after the 3 pigs were caught.

I just thought she looked so grown up!

We LOVE the pig race!!!

We now have a snapping turtle pet that we found down the street!

9/11/2008

Jaylee the daredevil

More animals...

The next day we had to empty our box of found caterpillars to make room for this toad.

THEN tonight Jaylee was feeling that she wanted a challenge.

So... Jason gave her (and my heart) a few...

#1) Grandma, she specifically asked for a picture of her on the roof to send to YOU!!

#2) Climbing UP the outside of the slide and then coming down upside down

#3) surviving this contraption he made

the video doesn't get good until a full 10 secs into it (sorry)

9/10/2008

Grandma Stringham's Funeral

Talk by Jason Stringham
Given at Grandma's Funeral
September 6, 2008

Grandma Stringham was the most kind and most loving person I have ever met. When I was a young child, I truly believed that I was her favorite person on the planet. Every time I had a story or had achieved even the smallest of victories, I could always count on her to listen, to laugh, to congratulate, and to give me my due praise. I knew she clung to every word I said because, me and my life, was so important to her. It was obvious in everything she did.

As I grew a little older, and slightly less self centered, I began to realize that love and kindness defined Grandma to everyone who knew her. She loved us all. Everyone here knows, without a shadow of a doubt, that you are her favorite. She showed us in everything she did.

When I met my wife, I made a special detour on my way to introduce her to my family. I first had to stop to show Grandma the girl I wanted to marry. I remember prior to me letting her know I was to propose, she pulled me aside to tell me what a special and beautiful girl she was. Something that I remember from that visit was when the three of us were leaving to a restaurant for dinner and on the way there Grandma refused to sit in the front seat. She told me that is where your wife belongs. I laughed to myself as Jenn tried to convince her that she wanted her to have the front seat… that it wouldn’t be right to put her in the back. I knew how stubborn Grandma can be about things like that so I pretended to be doing something else and just listened. After a good five to ten minutes, Jenn finally convinced her to take the front seat. Grandma must have been very hungry. Afterwards Grandma made me promise that my wife will always get the front seat… a promise I have tried to keep.

When I was younger, our family had a great big dog. I was in the army at the time and planned my vacation home so that I would be there at the same time as my Grandma was visiting. When I arrived, I found out our dog had to be put down because his hips had given out and he was in a lot of pain. At one point, during my visit, Grandma was being helped up and I said to her, “Don’t show any sign of weakness around these people Grandma, you heard what they did to the dog.” Grandma laughed and replied, “If only I could be so lucky. I miss Grandpa and look forward to being with him again.”

As painful as it is that you are no longer here with us, I rejoice in the knowledge that you are reunited with him. And I’m sure it didn’t take you long to remind him that he is your favorite.
I love you very much and I am truly honored that I could speak today.