Bunk Beds

We bought the boys bunk beds when Daniel moved out of his crib. They have been set up as two twin beds even since we got them because we thought Daniel was too young to sleep on the top and Josh has a tendency to sleep walk. Well, after sleeping in a bunk bed for two weeks at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we decided it was safe enough for Daniel to be on top and the boys asked us to put the beds together. 

So Joe and I took a Saturday and re-arranged their room. 

These are the beds before....

...and after!

I think they really like it. We have had no problems with it so far. We'll see how well it works with Patrick moving out of the crib soon. 

Josh's Basketball Season

Josh decided he wanted to try basketball this year (in addition to all his other sports). So, we signed him up. This league was a Saturday only league. He showed up to his games 30 minutes early for practice and then played a 30 minute game. The first few games it was evident that we don't watch basketball at home much. He does a great job of listening to his coach, and was learning a lot during practices. During the games, he didn't really know what to do.

Here are a few action shots.

Getting advice from his coach.

Watching the game on the bench waiting to be put in.

The team ended the season with one loss in the championship game. I think Josh learned a lot throughout the year. He definitely showed improvement. We'll see what he wants to do next year.

Go Spurs!

Trip to Iowa to visit Baby Cora

Since the boys have Martin Luther King, jr day off, I thought that would be a perfect time to visit Iowa to meet my new niece that was born January 7th. Unfortunately, it was also the same weekend Josh started basketball. So, Patrick, Daniel, and I loaded up the car and drove out to Iowa leaving dad and Josh behind to play basketball.

We got in Friday night and was greeted by Grandpa. We got to hang out a little and then it was bedtime. 

Side note: Funny bedtime story. Daniel likes Grandpa to put him to bed when he visits so I said good night to him downstairs and didn't see him again. I got up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and noticed the light on in the room in which Daniel was sleeping. I went in to check on him and couldn't find him in there. He was not on the top bunk, or the bottom bunk. I checked in the closet and under the bed. He was no where. I went all over the house and couldn't find him. Finally, I woke up Grandpa to ask where he put Daniel to bed. He told me in the top bunk. So I went back and looked a little harder under the bed at the three storage boxes that are stored under there and inside one of them, with a blanket over him, was Daniel. He had pulled the box out, took off the lid, climbed inside with the blanket and pushed himself under the bed. Crazy boy!

The next day the boys enjoyed a Grandpa, Daniel, Patrick day while Mom drove to Iowa City to visit the newest member of the family. The boys said they had a blast. As did I. I love new babies!

We ended the weekend watching the Broncos win the AFC championship with a giant bowl of popcorn then headed home Monday. It was a great weekend.

Proud auntie!

Isn't she so cute?

Daniel found one of my trophies in the basement and wanted to bring it home.

They really are great little travelers. 

Daniel "ice" skates

Daniel requested to try ice skating over the Holiday break. I found an indoor ice skating rink in Des Moines so we thought we would try it out. Josh did not want to come. Turns out, it was less of an ice skating rink and more of a skate on plastic boards on the floor rink. It was also very small. In the long run, it was probably better than a real skating rink.

This is how he spent most of his time so it wasn't as cold. 

He did try pushing a high chair, but that didn't help much either.

It was bad timing on our part. About ten minutes after we got there they started some organized games. So instead of skating around at his own pace, Daniel had to participate in a race if he wanted to skate. He was a good sport about the whole thing.

He said he had fun. Maybe we will try again.

New Year's Eve

One place that Uncle Aaron always likes to visit when he is in Iowa is breakfast at the Iowa Machine Shed. So Tuesday morning we loaded up and headed over for a hearty farm breakfast.

That night, we were invited to watch an Iowa State basketball game with our good friends the Kibbes and Petersens. We met them for dinner at the Pizza Pit on Welch Ave then headed over Hilton to watch the Cyclones take on Northern Illinois. 

Daniel wasn't so sure about all the noise...

but was fine once he got his clone cone.

The Kibbes made signs for the players.

We ran into Cy on a bathroom break.

Go Cyclones!

Patrick was having a fun night as well. Aren't these kids cute?

Happy New Year's everyone!

Christmas Part 5

Our last Christmas celebration was with the extended side of the family on my mother's side. We started the day with church... 

then lunch over at my Aunt Keri's house. Really it was all of my siblings (and parents) invading her house. One of her sons and his family were there as well so that made us feel better.

Isn't this a cute kids table?

More presents! (My kids are spoiled).

Here is the entire Strutt clan.

Here is an attempt to get the Strutt kids with Grandma and Grandpa Henkes. The kids were not cooperating.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Part 4

We even made time to get together with just the Strutt family siblings. It had been a while (about six months) since we had all been together. 

Of course there were presents.

The three one year olds got their own rocking chairs from Grandma and Grandpa (Patrick was already asleep).

Patrick eventually got to open his presents (and loved them).