Our First Stop on Christmas - The Reads

Cousin Tarod with his new BB/pellet gun.

Gramp and Gram liked the photobook Mommy made them.

Keith and Christy after he opened up his gift... the new, secret weapon of the Empty Pitchers.

Look at the doggies! Enjoying my gift from T-Rod.

Mommy helping me open a gift. Mommy got a new purse. I showed Mommy what to do with it (acting like it's a sports bag).

Me and my Grandparents.

Here I am opening a gift from Auntie Christy and Uncle Crawdad. It is a football pillow.

Group shot, taken by Crawdad.

Uncle Crawdad shows me his neat football snack holder.

Merry Christmas!!!

Look what Santa brought me! I found it on Christmas morning, next to our tree!

Mommy and Daddy gave me a bounce house. I have lots of fun in it!!

Christmas Lights

It's Christmas eve. Santa is going around the world tonight to deliver gifts to all the good girls and boys. Tonight we went on a drive to go see the Christmas lights of Redding. Our first stop was downtown. There was a huge light display. There was a train for the big kids to ride, a pretty tree, the Peanuts, and Mickey Mouse. I even got to go talk to Santa while I was there. I liked to look at him. He gave me a candy cane. Mommy and Daddy took it away from me though because I ate through the plastic. After stopping downtown, we went to find pretty houses and saw quite a few. I quickly fell asleep, with dreams of Santa and his reindeer.

Decorating the Tree

When we were almost finished decorating the Christmas tree, I got to put the finishing touch on, the star. It goes at the very top of the tree. I missed when I tried to put it on, so Daddy finished up for me. I'll be ready for the job next year!!

Nathan as 'Zoolander'

WE call this... Magnum!

Tarod's Home!!

I missed my cousin Tarod so much! He is back from Colorado for a few days so we are hanging out. He came over to say hello when we were wrapping Christmas presents.

Making Ginger Bread Houses

Here I am with Gramma, Drew and Auntie Coo Coo. We all helped Drew make his Ginger Bread House. I got to eat licorice. Yum!!

Daddy held my new cousin Nathan Henry.

Mark, Cari, and Kiah were there. She is a cuuutie!

Uncle Ray fell asleep at the table. I don't know many people who do that. Colton has been known to do it too!

Here I am with Drew Shaboo and Auntie Coo Coo Reina. She let me play with her camera.

Visit with Uncle John

My Uncle John came to Redding this weekend. Here I am sitting on his lap at Great Gramma and Grampa's house. We had a nice meal together.

I'm going to be a Big Brother!!!

Guess what?!?!? I'm going to be a big brother. My baby sibling is due July 1st. Of course, Mommy made him/her a blog. Check it out at http://www.babystripling.blogspot.com/ Please vote in the poll because I want to know if you think it will be a "Willie" or a "Dolly"

Finally Home

My Great Gramma and Grampa Church are finally home. They went to the East Coast on a 2 month trip. They went to visit their son, Uncle Dave, and his family. I missed them a lot. They brought me a football from the Navy football tailgate party. They went to a few Navy games and even got to see Navy cream Army. Grampa and I played with the ball for a while. I also showed him how I learned how to walk while they were gone.

Meeting Steve and Karen

This weekend I met Steve and Karen Lopez, Mommy and Daddy's friends. Mommy and Daddy met them at Outback when they lived in San Jose. They stayed with us over the weekend. I think I may have reminded them what it is like to have a toddler in the house. I tried to wake them up pretty early in the morning. We had a good time while they were there. We went out to eat and we took an intersting trip to the Jolly Giant Flea Market...what an experience.

I Stole Daddy's Do Rag

If you're smart... you won't mess with me! :)

Here I am riding my "hog".

Look at me standing tall. I'm proud to be an American!

Visit from Papa Ray and Great Gramma Mary

Papa Ray and Great Gramma Mary came to see me all the way from Stockton today. We played a bit, read together and ate pizza. YUM!!

Daycare Pictures

Today I'm having a Christmas picture taken at daycare. Don't I look great in my outfit from cousin David back on the East coast!! Daddy takes me to daycare every morning.

Today I Met Santa Claus!!!

I met Santa Claus today. Mommy thought I would cry, but I liked him.

My cousin Drew Shaboo got to talk to Santa, too. They talked for a really good time. They have met before, so they really know eachother well.

While we were at Sugar Plum Cottage, I played on my favorite radio flyer. My friends and I have played on this before.

Here we are on Santa's lap. I wish my new cousin Nathan could be here, too. Drew told Santa about him, so Nathan will not be missed!!

We got to meet Santa!!! Hooray!

Introducing Cousin Nathan Henry

Introducing my little cousin, Nathan Henry Stripling. Born at 3:54 pm this afternoon. 8 lbs, 1 oz. 20 1/2 inches. Here he is just a few hours old. Can you believe my cousin and my friend were both born today? What a special day!!!

Introducing Landon Renz

Introducing my newest friend, Landon Renz. Born this morning at 3 am. 9 lbs 22 inches. Lots of blond hair and blue eyes! Congrats to the new parents. I can't wait to play with my new friend!

Big Boys Face Forward

Now that I'm one year old, Daddy changed my carseat to face forward. I LOVE it!!!!!