Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the Stratman fam.
Our good college friend, Darin Lee, came down from KC to bring in the new year with us. Ben quickly attached himself to Darin and demanded that Darin play trains and catch. We all had fun.
Ben bringing in the new year in style with his new "fuzzy shoes" thanks to Grandma Jo. He looks so trendy with his winter crocs.
It's getting late but Ben still looks good. He didn't quite make it to midnight (none of us did).

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning with Grandma Jo and Grandpa Curt.
Ben opening up some race cars.

Setting up the race track.
Ben showing off his new boots.

Ben in his new chair and looking at his new movie, Stuart Little.

Auntie Andie opening up her gift from Ben.
Mom and Dad opening up a gift from Jules.
I gave dad a gc to the golf course. He was pleased.
Jake showing off some new hiking boots.

S'more pics of the Wimberley 2007 Christmas

Geoffrey enjoying the biggest toy closet of all---Mema's garage!
Jacob ready to open gifts.
Shannon and Geoffrey (Mema is in the background)
Benjamin Bear

Ben and Jacob playing in the garage.
Andie and Mom watching the boys play.

Grandma Donna and Lillian snuggling.
Andie and Lillian
We had a great time with the Wimberley fam in Marionville. We feasted, played games, visited and enjoyed being in each other's company. For some reason I don't have a picture of Mema, Barba and Rex or Uncle Don. But, they were all there. Barba's kids, Chris and Laura, weren't able to come this year.

Merry Christmas 2007

Grandma and Ben looking at pictures of the family.
Here we are playing the family trivia game.

The game led to some great stories and lots of laughing.
Kris asking some questions.
Grandma John and Grandma Jackie had a great time playing the game.
Ben trying to estimate the total amount for Break the Bank this year. I came in third! I won a whole dollar for my estimation!

Ben couldn't get enough of Uncle Nate. His favorite "game" was playing the piano with Nate. Ben's favorite song was Happy Birthday.

Getting some tunes in with Uncle John.
Time for a Christmas trio.

Grandma and Grandpa singing to Ben.

Christmas at Granny and Gramps' on Christmas day. Ben is opening up a movie from Ron and Tracy.

Ben opening up Bob the Builder from Sam.

Ben liked the opening part!
Checking out some new clothes...When Jake put the blue camo pants on Ben, Ben called them his water pants.
new clothes
This is indeed BEN!

The Wimberley great grand kids as of December 2006. Ben, Nicholas, Lucas, Dylan, Jacob, Marcus, and Geoffrey. Nicholas, Lucas and Dylan are my cousin Laura's children. She and her husband, Chris, live in Boise, Idaho. Baby #4 is due January 2008---and it's another girl! Jacob and Geoffrey are my cousin Kelly's children. She and her husband, Shannon, live in Virginia. Marcus is my cousin Chris' son. He and his wife, Erica, live in the Denver area. (Laura and Chris are siblings)

Lillian Strawn! What a beauty. She is the first great grand daughter on the Wimberley side. She is my cousin Carly's daughter and was born summer 2007. They live in Bellingham, WA. (Kelly and Carly are siblings.)
An updated pic of Marcus.
Shannon, Geoffrey, Jacob, and Kelly Wortham. Christmas 2007

Ben playing on Gramps' tractor Christmas day. I think Ben visited the tractor three times today. Once with Grandma Jo, once with dad and Uncle Ron, and once with Aunt Tracy and Uncle Mike. One of Ben's new phrases, thanks to Uncle Ron, is, "Don't step in the cow poop!"

Check it out!

My parent's best friends, Gale and Becky Edwards, recently bought new furniture for their house and they gave us their current furniture. My parents brought the two couches today and we got everything rearranged. They look fantastic! We are so excited to have new furniture and they look great in our living room. The couches and our new "coffee table" really compliment each other :-)

Ready for the snow!!

We bought Ben some boots, a hat, and mittens today. We are ready for the snow! Ben is showing off his birthday coat from Grandma Jo. Put all the pieces together and he will be the best dressed snow bear in Siloam.

Santa Claus

Here's my Santa who loves his new hat, can't seem to keep his hands off our little tree, and keeps throwing baby Jesus from his nativity as if it's the perfect ball for his 100 mph curve ball. Ben is having fun with the Christmas season. He likes Christmas music and reading stories about Santa and baby Jesus. HO! HO! HO!