The newest addition to the Strid Family

This is Copper. He was born October 6, 2009 in Woodland,Maine.

Winter in Maine

This is only the beginning! Quite nice I do say. Even better-I don't have to be the one to shovel it!

Back in the saddle again!

Okay, so it's been a long time since I have posted on here. So here are some new pics of Thanksgiving Day at Aunt Gloria's in Caribou, Maine.

Over the Weekend

Well, the weekend was slow, we had visitors still, played some card games ate banana bread and the kids played with their cousins. We didn't do much to the outside of the house this weekend due to the 6th day of rain. We got cable for the first time in almost 4 years, and we are watching the Disney Channel daily. I of course get my fix of Dr. Phil now in the mornings. Carly has a field trip tomorrow and will be picking a pumpkin, going on a hayride and eating yummy ice cream. Sam has her first violin lesson at school, Katie is wanting to do karate, and Corbin is enjoying his third week of Harvest break. Mable (my mother in law) is doing okay after her surgery, she is entering rehabilitation this morning, but we are a bit concerned with her memory right now. My nephew had his 1st birthday party, and I heard it was a great one. Happy Birthday Connor! Still looking for my picture cable so hopefully I can get some pics up soon. Hope everyone is well!

It's been a long time

Well, as you all know we packed up and moved to Caribou, Maine. We absolutely love it here. It's been great for the kids, lot's of activities and lot's of family visiting. We have family over everynight, and if they aren't here, then we are at their house. Then there's been soccer for Corbin, the girls, and birthday parties, Sammie starts violin lessons at school this week, Carly will be heading to the pumpkin patch with her class on Monday and I've been busy organizing and unpacking.The weather is cool, awesome and the foliage is gorgeous. Tony's been working his behind off and he loves his job. I've got like tons of pictures to download and soon as I find my cord for my camera I'll start downloading them. Thanks to all who still follow the blog.We love you guys!

WHERE DID THE PICTURE GO? OH HERE IT IS!

Glad to Have My Comedian Back Home

Needless to say, I missed Corbin's sense of humor. He brought it back in full swing on the way to Game Stop after re-uniting with his best bud Zack. It's good to have you back Corbin. (Nice pose-great blackmail lol!)

Fashion show with the latest Panama Jack straw hat

The girls love their Daddy's hat he got for his birthday, and decided they wanted for me to photograph a fashion show for them. Here is a few of my favorite pics.

ONE MONTH LATER.....

It's been a whole month since I've updated this page. So here is what's been going on lately. Corbin got back on the 7th of July from Ohio where he spent quality time with Nan, Papa, and Roxie. He already misses it. He also got to spend some time with Uncle Ryan, Aunt Lacey, and his little cousin Connor. He thought he was real cool, but due to some poison Ivy he got from pulling weeds, he didnt' get a chance to really hold him. He said Uncle Ryan was really cool and he loves his Aunt Lacey too! Thanks bro for spending time with him...he really enjoyed it. He also got to see his great Aunt Rinda and Uncle Dave. He thought it was really cool that they came on a motorcycle! (Papa made sure to let him know their were no rides though..lol!) So I got my handsome, tall boy back, and he weighed 20 pounds more! I can't believe he is hitting another growth spurt! I can't believe he'll be a fresman in high school!

Corbin is on his way to OHIO!

At 4:00 a.m this morning I drove Corbin to the RDU National Airport for his solo trip to Ohio. He will be there until July 7th and boy is he excited!

Corbin and Zack-Peace out!

Katie's Lincoln Log Masterpiece

Instant Heart Attack for Mom

The boys being boys out in the pool.Zack, Jonathan and Corbin

Mom and Dad

Tony and I enjoying ourselves watching the kids play in the lake. Had to take a pic of us before we get too old!

Trip to Mott Lake today Sunday May 31st

Butterfly
Lilypads
Mott Lake
Girls
Mom

A Long and Fun Afternoon

Samantha and Carly played in their little pool for hours having a blast "pretending to be snorkeling" and searching for ocean creatures at the bottom of the sea. Then they came in to play some Ratatouille on the gamecube and as Carly watched her sister, she crashed.

Samantha's Play Date with her bff

Sammi having some fun in the pool with her bff.

Corbin and his best bud Zack (our other "son") at the fair. Aren't they gorgeous? Don't have to tell ya we had to beat the girls off with a stick....

Katie's 8th Birthday

Katie celebrated her 8th birthday on this past Friday. We went as a family to the Fort Bragg Fair and rode lots of awesome rides! Katie also went "skydiving" on the slide for life. She rode the scariest rides at the fair and I even got to ride one with her this year! We chose to ride the roller coaster that went upside down forward and backward! It was a blast! Katie picked the Little Mermaid theme for her cake and we had to have that the next day because all the kids passed out in the car on the way home. Katie got a new outfit, a tinkerbell umbrella, a posh puppy (shown in picture) a new pair of shoes and a new bookbag!

The Slide for life-Carly

This is Carly at the fair on Katie's birthday doing the slide for life that the military hosts. She was so brave and she earned her wings!

Dad, here are the pictures you asked for of the house a while back. It just took me some time to finally download them. Don't forget to send a pic of Roxy! We love you!

Update: Corbin got his gradcard and impressed us once again with his consistency in earning all B's and 2 C's. Corbin is looking forward to High School and being on the Raiders team which is like ROTC for high school kids (being in the Army) and competing in very physically demanding events. Corbin's brother (best bud) Zack just spent the last 4 days with us and Corbin went to Zack's Best Raiders Competition to support him.

I have a new job. I am working with my husband as a school bus driver! YAY ME! Right now I am a monitor on the bus for the handicap and I am just in luv with a little boy named Sam who is Autistic and has the brightest smile in the world. He just makes my day! Carly get's to go to work with Mommy and Daddy now and she get's to ride the bus too! We take turns between the morning and the afternoon shift so she gets to go on different routes. There is a little boy named Jake who is in luv with Carly and just loves to touch her hair and is so happy when she rides on Daddy's bus.

Things are looking good in the south here and it's warm already. Last week was in the high 80s this week mid 80's. Can't get any better than that. Hope this finds everyone happy and well.

The Corbinator chillin'

DOES THIS PICTURE EVEN NEED WORDS? HIS FACE SAYS IT ALL! 1 MORE DAY CORBIN IS 14!

The swingset and clubhouse Tony and Corbin slaved over for a week and a half. The paint job is left for me! Yay! Coming soon... pics of the finished masterpieces!

First day back from Spring-Break

The alarm went off at 5 a.m. I heard it. Sure. But did I wake up? No. I knew Tony had to get up and get ready for work but not me. I figured I'd hit the snooze and sleep another good 15 but I wake up eight minutes before it's time for him to leave! Tony takes all the kids to school now where they hop on the bus right from GRAND BUS CENTRAL STATION:) Tony hops on his and starts his route and the little kiddos get on theirs to hitch a ride to their school. So anyway, as I was saying, I had 8 minutes to get them ready. Luckily Corbin was moving. Didn't have to worry about him. Usually he is dead to the world. So I grab the clothes I laid out the night before and rip the covers off the girls and start dressing them while they are asleep. They have no idea what's going on since they are just barely waking up. I had them dressed. Their shoes were on (check) backpacks on (check) brush teeth (check) threw them out the door with stinky morning breath kisses and barely there hugs. They made it though. Safe and sound. Phew!

Easter at the Youth Center

Kids had a great time. Corbin didnt want to go, guess he's too grown up now. Being that he'll be 14 and all in just 4 more days. Least he still gives kisses, hugs and I love you's. Hope that doesn't end with him turning 14.

The Playhouse Tony and Corbin built

This was the "mens" project. From beginning to end.It only took them 4 days to finish. I am now working on the paint job. Tony just built a swing set also in 2 days. All of this from wood being thrown away in the dump at the construction site. I'll have pics of the swing set soon, and the finished paint job.

Quick Update

Things here in the South are booming! The clubhouse Tony and Corbin built is finished now they are adding a swing set to it! I get to paint it... YAYA! The kid went Easter egg hunting on post at the youth center and had a blast. Carly hopped in a sack and beat out all the other kids. I have some video coming but the chance I get to get on the computer is slim so next time I'll add it. She looked like she was flying in that burlap sack! Sam and Kate got their faces painted and kinda let all the other kids beat each other up over finding the eggs. IT amazed me how parents took off like heathans with their kids and practically grabbed up half the eggs for their kids. This was for the kids right? Crazy world I tell you. so many selfish people out there. Anyway, they had a great time then we went home and played scavenger hunt for their Easter baskets. Later on we had our own egg hunt and trust me, it was so cute to see how excited they were. Corbin didn't have to search because the girls all brought him like 10 eggs. It was so funny.
Tony is loving his job as a school bus driver/moniter for the handicapped children. He is so good at it, and I just fall in love with him all over again when I see that. We are currently planning a small wedding in Wilmington at Fort Fisher at the ocean on the 29th of Sept. It will be our 10 year wedding anniversary and I've always wanted to wear a wedding dress. I have lost 32 pounds now and I am just happy to finally feel healthier. I still smoke but hey, gotta have something for myself right? (excuses excuses). Right now it's Spring Break and we are planning our camping trip this week for our BACKYARD! Economy's got us staying home this year. But it will be fun regardless. Board games, campfire (yes we can do that in our back yard now) card games, football, baseball, we are excited. So the Corbinator turns 14 in 9 days. Can't believe it! He just wants some gift cards for clothes. This is the first year he doesn't have to wear school uniforms and he is so excited. He went from skater to preppy now. I would have never guessed. He still loves to read, and now he is reading the story of Audie Murphy, and one of Grandpa's favorite authors, (Cant' remember the guys name right now. Oh yea TOm Clancy.) So that's our update for now, and hope everyone is healthy and happy. Take care and wish we could send this awesome warm weather your way.

Auntie Terry, if read this, you are the best! The kids just are thrilled every time they get a postcard from you. We love you!

Here's Carly taking her swing at "stickball". Pretty darn good she can hit it with a piece of scrap wood! The kids had a blast playing while Dad was working on the playhouse. Stay tuned for finished photos of the playhouse.

Today's thoughts

Just felt like actually blogging. Imagine that. Blogging on a blog! Anyhow, Ryan I hope Connor gets to feeling better. Nothing worse than not being able to take the pain away from the little one that holds your heart.

Dad and Linda,
Hope all is well. I know you are well Dad I talk to you everyday. All that golfing must be so terrible! Ha Ha! Linda I'm sorry to hear about Olga. I hope she is feeling better and gets well fast. If I know you, you are there everyday putting a smile on her face taking care of her and making sure they are doing their jobs right and taking care of her right. Tell her I said I hope she gets better soon. I hope you enjoy your vacation in Wilmington! The weather is supposed to be getting really nice her this week and next so I'm sure you'll have a blast. Tell Missy, Joely, Beth, and Joe we say hello.

Mom,
I enjoyed talking to you on the phone the other day. I believe it was or longest conversation we have had on the phone in years. It was really great to hear from you. You sounded wonderful. We hope to get to Ohio soon so we can see everyone. The kids really want to see you all. Don't forget that mail! The kids are loving it!
Remember the pen pals I always had? That was cool. So anyway, I sewed a few pillows for the livin room out of flat sheets we had that didnt' match any bed sheets. They turned out really well and i finally got that darned machine to work! Call me again soon I forgot to save your number on my phone-oops.

Everyone,
Tony got a job and he will be driving school buses for the Department of Defense schools. I can't believe the money they make! I also got a job the same night babysitting for two awesome little boys at their house. It's a night shift job so I get a break from my house from 6p.m to 3.a.m AND I get my baby fix! The little one is 8 months old and has red hair and blue eyes and falls asleep every night on my chest. The older boy is 5 and reminds me so much of Corbin at that age. Just full of energy and funny as heck! They are in bed by 9 and the rest the night is mine. I couldn't ask for more. I start my cosmetology courses in August and the schedule works out just right. Tony is also going to school full time at home for his assosicates in IT. Right now all his courses are general course but once he finishes those, he will acutally attend campus.

Dad and Corbin found a bunch of scrap wood from the construction site out here and are building a little playhouse for the girls. IT's great to see them spending the quality time together they have been missing out on for so long.

Carly sings all morning, all day and all night. Pop star in the making. For sure. AND she hits all the notes!

Sam got student of the week again, and is in a book club through her school where they read a book and discuss it. She loves it!

Katie brougt me home a sticker and a certificate for Proud Parent of a Terrific kid that I am proudly displaying on our truck and in a frame on the wall.

Things are great here, and life is just treating us real well post-military. Just wanted to update everyone and hope you all enjoyed the updates. Love ALL of you!

thestridbunch