dopefly.com: Family Blog http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/ family, friends, the weather, you know. en-us mrnate@dopefly.com (Nathan Strutz) Mon, 09 Aug 2004 12:00:00 PST Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:01 PST 30 Oh no, Nathan is 30! http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=283 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=283
So 30 years. I guess I haven't really wasted much. Let's see. I guess some of the bigger things are:

Married for 8 years.
3 kids, with one more on the way.
Graduated high school, didn't try college.
Moved out of the state I grew up in, 4000 miles to an opposite climate.
Owned 4 houses, and love the current one the most.
Have made some great web apps & sites for huge companies, who were all pleased.
Have a great job that I love.
Became an Adobe software user group manager.
Made lots of friends and have a gaggle of people I adore.
Best of all, I made Jesus the lord of our family, and we have been blessed at every turn.

Oh, and Aubri says:
`ff.xfoolol.......ol.ol.ool.9l,]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=283 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:27:00 PST Birthday man http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=275 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=275
Birthday man got messy!

He's convinced that he is much stronger now that he's almost a whole hand old.

We had a little party yesterday with the Watsons and will have the annual chuck-e-cheese ritual next weekend, as we've got new mexican plans for this one.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=275 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:30:00 PST Samantha is writing http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=264 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=264
I LOVE YOU TO DAD
YOUOR MI BEST FRE
ND I LOVE YOO BECUS
YOUR MI DAD I LOVE
YOU SO MUTH   :o) SAM
She made it fancy, too, by rounding the corners with scissors. I think she signed it "Sam" because she was out of space on the page. I hung it on my wall at work.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=264 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:11:00 PST August Update http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=263 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=263
Nathan's mom came to visit at the end of July and we had a wonderful time with her! It was nice that she could finally meet Aubri. The kids had a great time and loved Grammy shopping. Then Nathan's Aunt Heidi came to visit as well, we had a great time with her it's always fun to have a new visitor to do all the tourist things with. It was also her first time meeting our kids!

Aubri is getting big so quickly! She is so sweet, so cute and such a blessing. She really is an amazing baby and so much fun!

Jude has been lots of fun lately. He makes jokes all the time and is super smart. He has been doing School along with Samantha because he is pretty sure he is the same age. (He knows he is only 3, but if you have kids you know what I mean.) He is also one of the best huggers you will ever meet.

Then on the 11th Samantha started school!!! It was very cute. She is mostly doing homeschool but she will be going to a school in Mesa once a week. She LOVED it! She is so smart and outgoing. It has been a joy to get to teach her. She catches on to things so quickly.

There is our life in a nutshell, God is so good to us. Oh and Nathan still loves his job at Boeing, and is still the best husband in the whole world :)

Have a wonderful Month!
-Alanda]]> Arizona http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=263 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:03:00 PST June Update http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=256 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=256
We are doing very well, Aubri is almost 2 months old already. I say that like it feel like less time, but to be honest I feel like we have crammed 6 months into the last 2. She is such a sweet baby, likes to cuddle but not so much that I can never put her down. Goes to sleep easily and is very easy going. I love this stage where they are learning to smile and it seems that every smile that you get is a sweet gift from her to brighten your day.

Samantha and Jude are taking classes this summer and keeping us busy. They have swimming every day at 10:30. It has been really good for me to have a commitment that gets me up and out of the house everyday. They are loving it! Samantha is really getting pretty good. Her teacher said "Excellent swimmer and very enthusiastic.". They got these cute little report cards, showing what they have learned. Jude is doing fantastic and is such a boy. There were 5 kids in their class 4 of them were 3 year old boys. So Jude had a good time making the other boys laugh. I hope by the end of the summer they will be good enough swimmers I won't have to worry about them in the water as much. They also have an active kids tumbling class. They love that too, the exercise and getting to be around other kids, has been so good for them. Special thanks to the city of Gilbert for good, cheap classes. ]]> Arizona http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=256 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:28:00 PST Rest in peace, Elizabeth Lowder. 1952 - 2008 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=254 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=254
We had the chance to talk with her last on Sunday, and visit her Wednesday afternoon on life support, just hours before she left us. It was my honor to know someone so loving.

I think the part I will miss most are the long late-night talks we all shared with her. She would join in any activity we would do, but I think that just talking was her favorite thing.

These last few months had been getting progressively harder. The last 2 weeks especially. The last 2 days even more. She just wasn't ready, but her body was. We will sincerely miss her.
I am continually with You;
You hold me by my right hand.

You will guide me with Your counsel,
And afterward receive me to glory.

Whom have I in heaven but You?
And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.

My flesh and my heart fail;
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:23-26
]]> Alaska http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=254 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Thu, 15 May 2008 20:11:00 PST Snoresqueaks http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=252 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=252
The first word was describing Aubri's sleep sounds. She makes these little baby-like noises whenever she's sleeping. High-pitched, continuous, loud (for a 2 week old). They've triggered our baby monitor loud enough to make us think she was awake, numerous times. The word is Snoresqueaks.

Second, she came up with a word to describe belly stretch marks. They happen in a lot of women when they get pregnant, and once the baby is out, they turn into tear-shaped wrinkles, like pruned skin when you've been in the bath too long. The word for these leftover pregnant wrinkling is Prinkles.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=252 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Tue, 06 May 2008 11:54:00 PST Google Maps Street View comes to Anchorage http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=251 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=251
Here's the house I grew up in!
Here's the house Alanda grew up in!
Here's where our first apartment together was!
And my personal favorite place in the entire city, the Burrito Factory]]> Alaska http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=251 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:13:00 PST A few baby pictures up http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=250 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=250 Aubri's first day up!]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=250 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:39:00 PST Introducing Aubri Gail Strutz http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=248 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=248 Weight: 7 lbs, 7 oz
Length: 20.5 inches
Apgar score: 8-10

We had this one at home - a great experience. Baby is very healthy! Mom is recovering well. Siblings, excited. I... lack... sleep...]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=248 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:51:00 PST Knock-knock Jokes http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=242 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=242
Knock knock.
Who's there?
Nacho.
Nacho who?
Nacho Mama.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Who.
Who who?
Oh, is there an owl in here?

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Boo.
Boo who?
I'm sorry to make you cry.

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Hach.
Hach who?
I'm sorry to make you sneeze! (We apparently forgot the original punch line)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Tickle.
Tickle who?
Tickle YOU! (followed by screaming, running and tickling)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Dwayne.
Dwayne who?
Dwayne the bathtub, I'm dwowning. ("dwounding" as the kids say it)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Don.
Don who?
Don't you think we should stop telling knock-knock jokes?

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Dinner.
Dinner who?
Thanks for making it. (as a funny way to be thankful & polite)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Dwayne.
Dwayne who?
Da dwo dwaoa doaahwahaaa daoahwa doo daan do. (+dancing) (From Jude, age 3)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Samantha.
Samantha who?
I didn't say that! (looking insulted, followed by laughing)

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Weird.
Weird who?
Weir'done telling knock-knock jokes

I'm sure there were a few more, so watch out for KKJ's #2 some day.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=242 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Sun, 30 Mar 2008 19:48:00 PST Nathan: blue badged http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=241 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=241
Being non-Boeing really doesn't feel that significant. People have been treating me very nicely over the past 6 months. It's like their diversity training has extended beyond age, gender and skin color gaps to where they didn't expect: to contractors.

Contracting, however, has its benefits. Specifically the money. Yeah. I sure will miss that. My current salary is now close to where I was before I started. I've chosen to look at this 6-month contracting gig as like a signing bonus. That makes me feel better. Also the health benefits... there's a free medical plan for the whole family. Yeah. Zero dollars. Fully covered. They sign me up to it if I like it or not, just because it's free. Also the death benefit, much larger than I've ever had from an employer. And the 401 fund matching, 100% schooling coverage, blah blah blah it's all basically amazing.

But there's that ridiculous salary drop. Ouch.

Oh yeah, this way I get to take off holidays. Last Christmas was pretty tough. And I can be sick and get paid. Plus vacation. Contractors do not have these luxuries.

So, more good than bad. Thus, the blue badge.

My boss's boss called me up. He's heard my name maybe twice, but he dropped a 2 minute voicemail on my phone congratulating me and talking about how Boeing was a big winner by taking me on board.

This is genuinely a good company. It's the right choice.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=241 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:29:00 PST The Dopefly family photos application http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=218 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=218 the Dopefly family photos application - the way we get our pictures up on the web site - over on my tech blog.

It's a pretty good read, with screenshots and all, if you're interested in how we get our photos up onto Dopefly. Fun, if nothing else, to see what goes on behind the scenes.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=218 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:29:00 PST Today is Jude's 3rd Birthday http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=215 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=215
We had a pre-birthday party on Sunday after church - we went to the classic standby Chuck-E-Cheese's in Tucson with Alanda's family, including Great Grandma Ruth, whom we adore. Loads of fun, as always. Jude's loving parents gave him a light saber, which he has cuddled with every night since. Grandma & Grandpa Lowder gave him a 4-pack of puzzles, which he has been going at continuously with only small breaks to swing his light saber. Great Grandma Ruth is giving him a 2-person back-to-back swing for our big swing set in the back yard. Aunt Kyra gave him a green eggs & ham board game, and he loves board games. I think he could turn pro at candyland in a couple years.

Yesterday, Jason, Betsy & the kids flew in.

Tonight, Jude's preference, we're going to eat at Joe's Real BBQ. Mmmmm. A boy after my own heart. Actually, he just loves to eat the apple sauce and run around in the yard.

Next Sunday we're having a bunch of his friends over for our big 3-year-old party. Samantha had a big 3rd birthday, too, so it's fair. Pictures to come, I'm sure (cough*Alanda*cough).]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=215 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Tue, 23 Oct 2007 14:45:00 PST New photos http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=213 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=213
New in my world, I reorganized the way our family photos work. It doesn't look so good in internet explorer 6 - upgrade!]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=213 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Fri, 12 Oct 2007 21:57:00 PST This will make three http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=207 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=207
Also, we're building a garage - I need to remember to get some photos of this. It's basically just closing off our carport.

Also, Alanda's mom is doing pretty good, relatively speaking. A lot of her energy is coming back and she's staying really healthy.

Also, we're going to chuck-e-cheese's this weekend to celebrate Great-Grandma Ruth's 86th birthday. I think it's 86.

Also we were in L.A. in late July to hit some beaches. You should hear Samantha say "Manhattan", "Hermosa", and "Redondo" (the beaches we visited). Cutest thing ever. We also visited my friend John H.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=207 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:53:00 PST We have grapes! http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=197 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=197 discovery of pears. We knew we had grape vines (actually, one big vine). It's just that last year the neighborhood crows ate them all. This year, we have a rambunctious puppy in the yard, and kids that want to go out nearly every hour.

Last night, they were finally large and soft enough for us to eat. They weren't large grapes by any means, and I had a few that were hard, but still, grapes! They had a nice sweet/tart flavor - the kids kept saying "they taste like candy!" These appear to be our only summer fruit in the yard so far - but who knows what we'll find next year.]]> Arizona http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=197 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:45:00 PST Samantha Turns 4 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=187 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=187 General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=187 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Wed, 25 Apr 2007 10:08:00 PST Universal Studios http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=185 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=185 Check out the photos.

]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=185 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Mon, 23 Apr 2007 12:08:00 PST The incredibly late holiday update http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=173 http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=173
The space in between Thanksgiving and Christmas were such a blur for me. I was frantically working on a huge project at work. Then we were whisked away to Alaska for Christmas & New Year's.

We had a great time in AK. It snowed every day we were there, so the temperature stayed up in the 20's. Driving in the snow on the same old streets, hanging out with old friends, sledding at Service, eating at the Burrito Factory, reading the Daily News and hanging out with my family brought back a lot of those comforting "home" type memories. Samantha thought snow was fun until she touched it a few times and screamed about how cold it was. The kids both had a blast playing outdoors and with their cousins. Thanks everybody!

I'm now 28. I can't even lean towards "mid twenties." Nope. Late twenties. Ouch. Breathe, breathe, ok, mid-life crisis attack over.

Oh, and Jude is potty-trained. He got his prize, a Little People garage. We're so proud of him, turning into such a fun and great little guy.]]> General http://www.dopefly.com/familyblog/entry.cfm?entry=173 mrnate@dopefly.com (MrNate) Fri, 19 Jan 2007 12:12:00 PST