Coming thataaway...

Aloha everyone!
We have booked our tickets back East at an amazing price of $440 rt!!! Anyway, we will be in the DC area on March 19 and will be going to Connies over easter weekend. If anyone wants to join us for a day at the smithsonian or we are trying to get a tour of the White House. Gabriel wants to go to the Library of congress as well. Does anyone know of a hotel that we can stay at that is close to a transit system? Any information will be wonderful!! Can't wait to hear from you all!
Charlotte

A New Rockstar in the Family

You might already know Mason got a drum set from Santa this
Christmas. A few nights ago I heard him laying down a pretty good "We
will rock you" beat. When I enter his room he's wearing his batting
gloves, ball cap spun backwards, and his sunglasses -- just totally
serious about looking the rock star part. It was hilarious, and
totally unprovoked. Check it out:

http://stroudcrowd.com/photos/movies/mason_drumming_1.mp4


(from Pat)

good times

Thanks Charlotte for posting all the pictures, though unfortunately the family had to come together again for another sad event. At least Cameron's wedding is coming up and sounds like Charlotte and her family are also trying to visit the east again soon, so maybe there are happier gatherings in the future! As per Kelly's request--here are some cute pictures of the Stroud's at Christmas time--Madilyn is growing and changing and super cute!

A new year....

Well family, 2008 is here and changes are already happening. Unfortunately, we are all busy and we don't get to see each other very much. It seems to take a funeral (or a wedding) to get a bunch of us together. If you weren't able to make it, Hannahs funeral was very nice. Dad extends his gratitude to all the thoughts and prayers that went out to him during this most difficult time. He sincerly apprciates all the cards and phone calls that were made to both him and to Hannah during her last few weeks. They really mean a lot to him. Please keep in touch with him. I have set up and email account for him - he still has no clue how to use it just yet, but I will make sure he knows before I leave! His email is daddyron44@hotmail.com . He is super excited to receive any email. It may take him a while to respond - but he will definatly read them. I am posting some pictures that were taken (and they are not of my kids!! LOL) Thanks again for all of you who did make it out here - and for those of you who didn't - we know you were thinking of Dad. Enjoy the pictures! Lots of love and aloha!
Charlotte

Where is everyone???

It has been almost a month since Sarah posted the beautiful pictures of baby Madilyn! Who, by the way, is a beautiful baby! Congratulations Mike and Liz! How was Halloween for everyone? Anyone have pictures? Heather did send an email with Halle's pictures - send more Heather! When is your baby due??
Any other news out there? What is everyone doing for Christmas?? Thanksgiving?? Please take lots of pictures for me and post them! This is the time of the year when I start feeling homesick a little and want to be with my family back home - so pictures will definately help!
We will be spending thanksgiving here at home with friends - quiet and nice! And last year, we began what I hope will be a new tradition of going out to a wonderful brunch at a fancy hotel! It was so easy and yummy and with a chocolate fountain for desert - i couldn't have asked for anything more!

Please keep Hannah in your prayers as the news was not good this week when they found an agressive mass near her airway. They will stop chemo and begin radiation this week. Also - Hannah's son Jeffrey lost his dad this past year to Lou Gerrigs disease and I am sure he may be having a hard time with this going on with his mom.

Well, I hope all is well - and of course, I am including pictures of my kids!! LOL, One is at Sea Life park with a friend, Dean was able to go back to MD for a NASCAR race -there is a picture of them....and of course, Halloween! Check out Griffyn's fake teeth she just had to wear! Enjoy!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and please send a post soon!!
Lots of love and aloha!
Charlotte

More of Madilyn

Thanks for all of the well wishes to the new family--I am passing them all on to Mike and Liz! As per the MANY requests, here are more pictures of the new arrival (please note the Redskins blanket--Dad would be so proud!) Most of the pictures are from her first hour of life outside the womb. At the end there is also a picture from Mom's trip to Salisbury. She, Aunt Pat and Uncle Chuck all took off the morning after Madilyn's arrival to visit Uncle Ronnie and Hannah (as well as Connie and Christian + families). They had a great time and were very happy to get to visit with everyone! As you can see they also had a great time on Connie and Henry's farm! Those pumpkins in the background look incredible by the way! I wish we could all take a fall adventure to the Oakley Farm Market! Hope everyone is well!

Love to all!
Sarah

A brand new family member!!

Madilyn Rose Stroud was born this afternoon at 5:08pm.

She is healthy and beautiful (as reported by Mom and Aunt Pat) and weighed 8lbs. 10oz. and is 21 inches long. Liz is doing well, just very tired!