The Stiern Family: 2011

In Loving Memory Of Our Katie

We suddenly and unexpectedly had to put our 11 year old female Lab down, a few weeks ago. It was a very-very sad day for us all, but we feel comfort in that she didn't suffer and was able to pass peacefully at home in loving arms...with us ( her family ) all around her! Kinda weird...I had just taken her pics about a month and a half ago. Not sure why I did, but one day I was compelled to and I am soooo glad I did, since we were shocked by her very sudden turn in health, over a 24 hour period. We feel so fortunate to have pictures of her before she pasted! Our Girl...Our "Katie" or as we all called her...Our "Katie Bug"!

Our Family Has Grown

All in the same week our family grew by the addition of "16" babies! First meet "Roadie"! We saved him from death, when we happened upon a car of people trying to catch him up from the middle of the road. The old man wasn't too happy that I snagged him from him...but we are soooo glad that he is now living in our pond, instead of going into the old man's pot!

Now, for more additions...our "15" new baby chicks! :D So the story goes, I have been asking for chickens for 7 1/2 years now (since we moved to Wilton) and Tod has always said "no"...for one main reason, it is just one more thing added to the (very full-over flowing) plate, to take care of and look after! Totally understand, but me and the boys have really-really wanted them...for a very-very long time! So you probably are wondering..."how did you end up getting them"?!?! Well many-many "THANKS" goes to Little Miss Mati! She started telling Tod one day that she wanted baby chicks and whatcha-ya-know...she looked at him and asked very sweetly, if we could please-please have chickens and the next day were we picking out chicks! "YAY"!!! I now know how to use this method to my advantage in the future! heheheh ;) We picked them up, from the feed store, when they were about 24 hours old and sooo cute and fluffy! They are now six weeks old (I'll post newer pic's soon), but til then...here are a few pic's from when they first came home!

We have...Silkies- black and white, Leghorn, Welsummer, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Reds, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Ameraucanas, Light Brahma and a White Crested Black Polish. We can't wait for fresh eggs...yummy! ;)

Gabriel Is "6" Years Old!

WOW!!! Time passes so quickly...Gabriel just turned "6" years old a few weeks ago! We can't believe it, he is growing up too fast! Just the other day he climbed into my lap to snuggle...as most of you know, he is my snuggle bug ;) and as I curled his looooong legs up in my lap and he snuggled right in close, I told him "You almost don't fit in my lap anymore! What are we going to do when you are a teenager"?!?! He then hugged me tight and assured me that he would find a way to always fit in my lap! It absolutely melted my heart! :) Although I don't believe he will stick to this and be snuggled in my lap in his High School years...it was soooo sweet for him to tell me he would always! "Happy 6th Birthday Gabriel"! We all LOVE you soooo much!

Goooo...Team Elk Grove Pride!

This year we decided to make the "BIG" jump/commitment and let Anthony tryout for select soccer with the rest of his soccer buddies (they all made the move to select and played all together on the same team last year)! Ant has been playing with them on various indoor soccer teams over the last few years and was thrilled when he made the EG select team with all of them...we were too...yeah-whooo! :D With the new select season fast approaching the boys have been playing in an indoor series, in Sac, the last 2 months and yesterday they WON the Championship League game! They played so hard and ROCKED the house!!!! :D It has been so fun to watch them all play together and fun to be apart of a team with such great families! We are soooo looking forward to the select season starting in the next few months. Here is a pic of the team and their coaches after their game!

Welcome To 2011

Well we have FINALLY gotten our "Welcome To 2011" cards out! Whoo-wee what a task that was this year! I was trying to be proactive and get this done earlier in the year...but because of a few printing issues (printing presses going down) with the company I use for printing and the horrific weather in the mid-west, we had a 4 week delay! :/ So when they arrived this week...I was thrilled! :D We hope our card finds everyone well and that this year has been good so far for you all! From our family to yours...we wish you all a wonderful 2011, full of good health and lots of happiness! :D

The Last Of 2010- Part 2

So...since it had been sooo long since I had done a post...there was LOTS to catch you all up on! I was bound to forget something?!?! I sure did...I forgot to post pic's from our trip this Fall to Hawaii and pic's from Halloween...oops! ;)' So here is the "Part 2" of the "Last Of 2010"!

*Hawaii-Fall 2010*

We rented an amazing house in North Shore, Oahu for 8 days this past Fall with our good friends...the Hagerman's! My mom went too...she needed a vacation also and offered to watch the kids for us...if we wanted some adult time while there! We stayed in a little old town called Wiailua, which is right next to Haleiwa-the surfing capital of the world! Here are a few pic's! The house was fabulous and one the many totally cool things is that it was right on the beach! So we just walked right out the back yard onto a wonderful beach! Even though it rained off and on while we were there...it was still a great time! My pic's of the house aren't that great because it was overcast the day I took them, but "CLICK HERE" and this will take you to the website that gives all the info and more wonderful pic's of the house!

Mati LOVED playing in the sand!

We had turtles on our beach everyday! It was sooo neat and the kids just LOVED seeing them!

Grammy and Mati relaxing on the beach!

Our favorite little coffee house...that we visited every morning! The locals were sooo nice in there!

We visited a beautiful rain forest and waterfall park called Wiamea Falls. It was amazing! The vegetation was so colorful and lush. Since it had rained the day before, the falls were at full capacity. Here are a few pic's of our walk through the park and up the trail to the waterfall!

A night out just adults...FUN! :)

*Halloween 2010*

The kids had fun this year! We went to our friends house for their court party..."treat-n-trunk"! The kids get to trick or treat from all the neighbors that decorate their vehicle trunks and give out goodies! Here are the kids with Sydney at the school carnival. Syd was an "Avatar"!