A Skirt for Anna

Here is a skirt Anna and I made together with scrap material girls got from the ward swap this year.

Xander is 13 years old!

Xander is becoming quite the young man! He can be helpful, can be distracted, can be slow to wake up and get moving... But functions efficiently and best at night.

He loves YM's, and has worked really hard at his scouting. He is about to become a life scout.

He likes watching Studio C, a BYU sketch comedy show. Likes parkour, paint ball, Ethan, The Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Xander was born December 18, 2001. He was born in a hospital in CT around 11:30 in the evening. He weighed 8 lbs. 

My labor was a long one. I was up the night before with contractions, throwing up and diarhea. Contractions lasted the day, exhausted we finally checked into the hospital. I had a midwife to attend the delivery. After laboring in the hospital, I took stadal for some pain relief, but I don't think it helped. It felt worse, it felt like my body was on fire. Xander was finally born!

When he was born he was purple (like all my children at birth) and the nurse wanted to get him some oxygen. Some how his lung collapsed and he spent several days in NICU recovering. He was the biggest baby in the NICU, next to all the premature babies. We came home with Xander a few days later. Glad to be home.

#SharetheGift

As we celebrate Christmas, sometimes Christ can be lost in worldly traditions. Its important for us to remember He is the Gift, and have our traditions reflect that, share that.

Thanksgiving Food!

Apparently the food is more important than the people... I have pictures of food, and not people.

We had a good Thanksgiving, Aaron and Brianna and their kids came, as well as Grandma and Grandpa.

And the food was delicious.

Brothers, minus Roman

Xander, Ethan and Niko posing for a group selfie!

Tech-gether time

Ethan (who was supposed to be in bed) thought that all this technology looked really fun, "So this is what everyone does when I'm asleep!"

And, "Yes."
This is what we do when the little ones are asleep!

Roman's Four Years Old!

Roman was born 4 years ago, and what a fun four years it has been. This year Roman is becoming a full grown kid, growing out of toddlerhood, well, he is at least trying. His tempers consist of yelling, "Ahhhh" at the top of his lungs.
Or exclaiming, "Stop Talking!"
He has one volume, LOUD! 
And although we have seen Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood about what to do, "When your really mad, and you want to roar, take a deep breath,and count to four!" It hasn't stuck. 
Roman LOVES his brother Ethan too much, to the point of antagonizing.

He and Ella have a love hate relationship. Ella runs through the house screaming, "Roman's chasing me!"  
To which I reply, "Stop running and he won't chase you!"

Roman loves his blue blanket, and when he is tired sucks his two fingers. He just wants to help Ella unload the dishwasher, but most mornings she doesn't want HIS help.

Roman can be Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When we offer help he doesn't want it, but as soon as we turn around or walk away he is crying and begging for help.

He's super athletic and has been riding his bike forever. He went straight from riding his balance bike to riding a regular bike, never having training wheels.

We sure love Roman! 

Yes, My One-Year-Old is Wielding a Knife

Some people think we are crazy, but our kids learn to use knives pretty young. Ethan is no different. He's learning early...look at that confidence.

(And yes, we supervise, most of the time.)

Ethan Loves His Balance Bike

Ethan has been cruising on his balance bike since las summer.

Even at 18 months old, he learned to toddle himself on the bike, and then how to balance from the top of the driveway to the end of the street.

We think our children are amazing.

Future Missionaries

Aren't these young men handsome. Xander Olson, Stephen Parker, and Sterling Jacobsen went to the St. George, Utah temple at the end of July. 4-6 years and they can be serving the Lord full-time.

What Does Your Mom Like to Bake?

Early this year, Anna was spending time with her Aunt Brianna. If you know anything about Brianna, you know she loves to bake.

So Brianna and Anna were baking cookies, and Brianna, being conversational, asked, "Anna, do you like to bake with your mom?"
"Hmhm."
Bri continued, "So what does your mom like to bake? Cookies, cakes, brownies?"
Anna sighed thoughtfully, "My mom likes to bake cauliflower."

That's my girl, with a mom that bakes cauliflower. Not that we don't bake cookies,  it's just that garlic tossed baked cauliflower is often found in our kitchen. Maybe more than sweets. (At least I'd like to think that.)

Roman Likes Healthy Things

This week Roman ran an errand with Grandma, as they were waiting for a store to open Grandma asked Roman, "Do you like 'Jack in the Box'?"
To which Roman replied, "Is it healthy? if its healthy, then I like it. I like healthy food."

He has learned well...and all that I am trying to teach IS sinking in! Finally!

p.s. I can't think of a time we have been to Jack in the Box. If we eat out its usually Jason's Deli or Papa Murphy's or CiCi's Pizza, all with some sort of promotion or discount.

US Citizen Swearing in Ceremony

We attended the swearing ceremony of a friend of ours, Marcio Souza.

He is from Brazil, and recently became a US Citizen.

The ceremony was pretty cool. Each person had to check in, which took about an hour, and each person introduced themselves to the judge. Two volunteers spoke abt their journey to become a citizen and how proud they are to be an American.

I am grateful we could witness the ceremony and understand a little more about our country.

Niko and the Arrow of Light

Niko received the Arrow of Light Award this month. He has loved being in Weblo's with Sister Cowley. She is so organized and fun with the boys. She has a "Badge'r" box that the boys can pick a reward from when the complete a scout badge.

Niko, the Origami Master

Niko has been creating Origami like a crazy man. He thinks up all kinds of things to create. He made a moving swan, a balloon, a cube thing.

Can't wait to see what he makes next.

Boy Scout Fundraising Here We Come!

Xander, Sterling g and Stephen spent Friday and Saturday selling See's Candy to customers coming out of Lowe's. They are working for the next 5 weeks to earn money for scout camp. Not sure which camp they'll go to, but likely one in CA.

Can't wait for the final numbers to come in!

The First Pumpkin Pie of 2014

Anna made the first pumpkin pie of the year. We used sweetened condensed milk instead of the milk and sugar! It looks yummy!

Halloween 2014

Sterling, Johnathan, Stephen, Xander and Niko has a blast trick or treating with each other.

We went to Anthem neighborhoods in South Henderson. These boys were exhausted, and didn't want to trick or treat anymore. I can't believe I can out run them.

On average the boys got around 7 lbs of candy. Most of the boys had never had so much candy. Halloween success.

Ethan the Bruiser

Ethan is at 'that' age, where he is constantly tripping, falling, skidding, skipping, sliding, galloping, allays in motion. And the bruises and scrapes prove it!

Shrinking Heads!

Anna and Niko performed a science experiment making shrinking heads. It was successful!

Ethan, the drummer!

Ethan keeps an amazing beat, he plays the same 5 rhythmic beats on each drum. Wow. Watch out world, here he comes!

Niko's Got Talent!

As part of the Clark County Children's Chior, Niko got to perform back up for the America's Got Talent tv show's Quintavious. They were part of the live production in Las Vegas.

His favorite performer, was Matt Franco, the magician and million dollar winner of the talent show. They had a blast!

Engaged or enslaved, the jury is still out.

This is the night Stan proposed. We went on a hike that we had gone on for our first date and he acted like he was going to propose but he didn't. Then, when we got back to the car there were roses on the seat of his car, how sweet, and he proposed but said he didn't have a ring. He gave me a plastic ring. 

Stan was leaving for the summer and I told him if we weren't engaged then I'd date other guys. So he was under pressure, to be sure.

On the drive home I was holding his hand and twisting the CTR ring on his finger, except it wasn't his ring on his finger, it had a funny rock attached to it.

So we got engaged, drove back to my parents to tell them, and got home...not a minute past curfew.

Ethan covering up his haircut!

Ethan got a buzz, he wouldn't hold still, screamed the whole time, worked up a sweat and ended up with a poofy hair doo. then he found Grandma Yandell's wig, brought to our house by Ella, and put it on happily.

...trying to cover up his new haircut.

The Strayer Family

Claire Raymond, Aubrey Lambdin, Uncle Chuck, Aunt Edee, Caleb.

The whole family still lives in or near Kingston, TN.

Ray is a boat mechanic, Caleb works as a police Captain, Aubrey works as a respiratory therapist.

Aunt Edee and Uncle Chuck are retired and babysit grandkids while their parents work.

Grandma Betty Louise Yandell's Funeral

Grandma's passed away on Monday, August 18, 2014. Here are all her kids, Jerry Yandell, Bonnie Skoffic, Karen Smith, Edith Strayer, and Gene Yandell.

I went out to the funeral, Dad, mom, Ella, Roman and Ethan and I drove the whole way to TN in the Toyota Sienna mini van. It took us 36 hours of travel time, including stops to get there (lots of rain, road construction and one accident), and
31 hours to get home- much faster, no delays.

It was wonderful to see the relatives.

Distant cousin Denali Lambdin

Her is Ella and Roman with second cousin Denali, Amy's cousin's (Aubrey Strayer's) daughter.

The girls had so much fun playing together. They played swings and water games, we could separate the two.

Roman's playing in the girls room...

Roman was playing in the girls closet a little too long, and he as every pair of underwear on his little body.

Guess how many?

Happy Anniversary!

For my 17 anniversary, Ella, Roman, Ethan, my mom, dad and I were in Kingston, TN taking care of Grandma Betty Yandell's estate. Happy anniversary!

The High Roller, Las Vegas, NV

For a fun Family Home Evening Activity we went to the High Roller. (A friend gave us tickets.)

We tries to go the previous week but very few of the children were cooperating And several were in bad moods. This Monday night, everyone was happy and helpful and had a good time! Ella even wants to go again!

Niko in the Clark County Children's choir

Niko has really enjoyed being in the Clark County Children's Choir the last three years. His best friend in the choir is Joshua Steed. He has performed with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, at the Wranglers Hockey Games and at the container Park in Dowtown Las Vegas. It has been really enjoyable going to his concerts. Some of his favorite songs to sing are 'If I could write a Song' and 'All I want for Christmas'.

Niko and the pine wood Derby

Niko worked really hard on his pine wood derby car all by himself. He actually placed second! And of course the car which placed first was mostly made by a dad.

We laughed that Kaya cuddled right up to Niko ready to pose for a picture. Looks like the professional racers with a cute girl in the picture.

Washington DC this summer!

We visited Monticello, Thomas Jefferson'a home. Really great tour with a big focus on 'enslaved' individuals. 

A few places we visited in DC.

Stanley Fielding Olson Sr. is memorialized  with a head stone in the Arlington Cemetery.

Visiting Mount Vernon, Washington's home.

A hike to Knarraville slot canyon

A fun family hike to this slot canyon. The kids got wet early and we're freezing before the end even though it was freezing.