Sterner Family | Made of Sterner Stuff

Falling Behind Instead of Springing Forward

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Robert

Looks like I’m getting behind again on pictures.

Here’s a shot of Levi and I at the zoo walking. We were visiting for his friend Olivia’s birthday.

Here’s the birthday girl.

They had little games to play, like bean bag tossing.

And velcro ball tossing.

And noise makers, which are the blurs in his hands.

And of course safari hats.

And cake

Then there was a carousel ride, which all the kids enjoyed.

Then there was supposed to be giraffe feeding.

But the giraffes weren’t feeling it and all left.

So we checked out the Chimps. They walked right up to the window.

Later we checked out the Komodo dragons. Good stuff.

He really likes them.

We have more space at the new place our church is meeting. One benefit of this is more space to play. We have giant parachutes that we’re working into the lessons and playing with.

The kids really like it.

On the day before my birthday my favorite author, Patrick Rothfuss, came into town for a book signing. His new book had just came out and I was ready for it.

On one of his tour stops there were few enough people that everyone got to get together and take a funny picture. There were WAY too many for that this time, but we decided to do the funny picture anyways.

Way back when Levi won a contest on Pat’s blog. This book that just came out is the one being referred to. There is going to be a new contest with the new book, so I’ll have to see if I can get Levi to do some more pictures.

Lots more photos coming. We went to the rodeo, and kendra and I went on a cruise, so there’s much to talk about.

Posted in birthdays, Levi, Olivia, Patrick Rothfuss, Zoo

Parties, Puppys and an Abominable Snowman

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Robert

Our friends Will and Natalie had a birthday party for their little boy Nathaniel turning 1. We all went over and hung out. He’s a great little guy and I know he’s a huge blessing in their lives.

Here’s Nathaniel with Brooklyn. They were having fun playing with a toy that spins around and shoots little cars off it.

It was apparently cell phone time.

There were also kids wandering around with iPhones playing games on them.

Reagan decided Will looked like a jungle gym while he was down playing with Levi and Nathaniel

Levi and Reagan playing with a toy camera.

For Christmas I got a corn dog maker. We got a chance to go over and hang out with Kendra’s brother Matt and his wife Jennifer, so we decided to make some corn dogs at the same time. It was pretty good.

This is Levi’s buddy Russell, one of Matt’s friends. He hangs out with Levi and plays ping pong and air hockey with him. Russell is one of Levi’s favorite adults, he plays with him and never has to tell him no or discipline him. Good deal if you can get it.

Levi got to go to build a bear for his birthday. He picked out an abominable snowman from the Rudolph the Reindeer TV special.

He was asked what he wanted to name the guy and he said Blanco. I guess because he’s learning his Spanish at school and the snowman is white.

Bathtime at the store.

Blanco is apparently a soccer player.

He really liked him.

We have a bunch of boys on our street around the same age. One of them, Logan, the one in the back seat drivers side, has a power wheel. The boys all went for a ride.

In the back is Levi and Stavro. In the front is Logan and Dmitri.

We also went over to our friends the Ulczynskis house for a visit and dinner. Levi played with Rebecca, who just turned one.

She was doing a better job at sharing than he was.

They had a lot of fun playing in the tunnel.

He did a good job of being gentle with her.

Where’s Levi?

Hey, there he is. Of course, playing with a box.

Our church has a Valentines making party for kids and their families to come and make Valentines cards. Here’s Levi, in the middle between Grace and Kyler. The moms are Genni, Kendra and Priscilla.

Just for fun I looked up youtube videos of cats meowing one day.

The dogs were very confused.

That wraps up most of the photos I have for now. Hopefully I’ll remember to post again before two more months pass.

Posted in Abominable Snowmen, birthdays, dogs, Levi

Birthday Boy

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Robert

Today Levi turned three. He got a cool new shirt and a neat Leap Frog Tag Jr. book set from us. He also got special chocolate milk and a cookie at breakfast time.
Tonight we had an impromptu party for Levi at La Brisa, his favorite restaurant. Lots of friends made it even on short notice.
Levis friend Olivia came with her mom, dad and new baby brother William. Our friends David and Jodi came with their girls Brooklyn and Reagan. Will and Natalie came with Nathaniel. Todd and Priscilla came with Kyler and Brianna. Uncle Matt and his friend Russell came. Russell is Levi’s ping pong buddy. All the grandparents were there too. We had dinner and then cookie cake. The kids had fun moving around in an open area and talking with each other.
It was a good time and Levi got some neat new things as well. When we got home Levi had a package waiting from Uncle Larry and Aunt Sallie. He also got a card from his Grandma and Aunt Janet.
It seems like he had a good day.I’m using the blogger app on my phone to post this, so its a little different. Definitely less features.