Anna's Birthday June 5, 2006

Anna is an AMAZING girl! She is a decisive leader and a take charge kind of person.

When she was born we had considered having a home birth but thought we would try having our baby at the hospital again, and we really liked our Doctor Michelle Lewis.

I was in labor late at night and we immediately went to the hospital because Niko's labor was pretty quick, and I wanted to be sure we made it to the hospital in time.

When we got to the hospital we were met by staff that were not assertive to my birthing situation. I was in late stages of labor and needed to focus and relax. I think because I was calm they didn't believe me that the baby was coming soon. The nurse called Dr. Lewis, but told her she didn't need to come now, and they would call her back in 45 mins to let her know how I was progressing.

We quickly went to a patient room.  The nurse had her clip board and kept asking me questions like, 'what's your name?, how much do you weigh?' And I told her I had already registered at the hospital and needed to relax, the baby was coming! The baby was moving down. She responded, 'we have 45 more minutes of paper work.'

My mom immediately left the room to get another nurse, knowing the urgency of the situation. I told the nurse she needed to check me because the baby's head was out. I had to tell her a second time and finally she checked me, freaked out and called for assistance. She was really shocked and cut the umbilical cord, blood squirted everywhere. I think she was too nervous about the baby coming with out her being ready.

Dr. Larsen came within 20 minutes. She said she knew I would have the baby quickly. She wasn't happy with how the situation had been handled and told me I should just have my next baby at home. I was shocked, surprised and really appreciated her confidence. She told me I  didn't need to be in a hospital that only adds to the stress of having a baby. I should really have my next baby at home.

I am so glad Anna came safely and I such a vibrant young lady! She doesn't wait for anyone! She has a plan and carries it out! I can't wait to see the amazing Young Woman she will become!

Our first rag quilt

Anna and I made this rag quilt...and it tuned out super cute! Looking forward to making another one!

Keeping the Sabbath Day Family Home Evening

Every idea the kids had about how THEY could keep the sabbath day, they got to try and eat the doughnut! They really participated!

Provo, Ut, South Fork Canyon July 2015

We spent the day at Southfork! Kids got to explore, play in the creek! Just be kids!

Anna plays in a piano recital

San Francisco CNG Adventure

Niko joined us on a quick trip to San Francisco to buy a 15 passenger van, CNG (natural gas). 

On our drive home, we learned that you have to be especially aware of your next fill up station. 

We drove late at night, and became quickly aware that not all CNG stations are open past 5 p.m. nor open to the public. Stranded in Los Banos, CA, we got a hotel until morning, when the next available station would be open. Long trip; we learned our lesson.

Trip to Atlanta with Ella

Can't go to Atlanta without visiting friends and going to The Varsity. 

We loved visiting with Linzee and her amazing family. Having 'two Ellas' was a special treat!

More Vacation and Wedding Photos Kiawah Beach Resort, South Carolina

Father and Sons

Stan, Grandpa Terry Olson, and Chris. Together at Kiawah Beach Resort, South Carolina.

Like Grandfather, like Grandson

Chris and Lauren's wedding. May 20-27, 2015

Just a few memories.

Xander's Long Lost Twin!

Xander, being 13 years old, is trying on several identities. Which one do you prefer?

Niko and the Phases of the Moon

Niko studied the solar system and the moon in science this week. Looks yummy, I mean fun!

Making Clouds and Rain

A cloud science experiment helped us understand that the clouds are full of moisture. When they get full, the moisture gets heavy and drops, in the form of rain.

We used water in the bottom of the jar, which represented the atmosphere, then the shaving cream was the clouds. We put drops of liquid food coloring into the clouds, and when they were full, the liquid dropped from the cloud into the atmosphere. It worked put well.

Family Walk to Watch the Sunset

We took a walk tonight to the top of a hill to watch the sunset. The kids love getting out of the house! (And so do we.)

A Portrait of Ethan

Anna drew a portrait of Ethan, sucking his thumb and stroking his hair. Clearly an accurate depiction during this time of his life.

Goodbye Grandpa!

We left St. George, a few weeks back to drive home to Las Vegas, without saying Goodbye to Grandpa Smith. We know he's really sentimental about such things, so we sent him a text and picture goodbye.

I think he enjoyed it.

Carrots in our Garden!

Look what we found! A MONSTER CARROT in our garden.

More of them to come! Glad something finally grew... Makes the $500 we spent on garden soil last year worth every penny!

Xander Likes Wendy's

Xander rocked his Speech Contest, with his Wendy's v. McDonald's speech.  He wrote it entirely himself, never let us hear it until we attended the contest. I think he will always remember this group.

Uncle Tom's Funeral

We attended Tom Miller's funeral today. Tom is grandma Karen Olson's brother. He passed away from poor health elated to liver and kidney problem's.

Many memories of Tom include how he was a friend to everyone, everywhere he went, he made a friend, even if they couldn't speak English. Tom was hopeful and optimistic.

Xander Boarding at Brian Head

Xander and the Young Men went skiing for Boy Scouts.

Ethan Pretending, oops, Really Asleep

Ethan was pretending to go to sleep, snoring and all. Then he fell asleep, in less than 1 minute, oops!

He is such a funny kiddo!

Anna and Ella at the Blue and Gold Cub Scout Night

These girls had a blast at the CuB Scout 50's Blue and Gold Celebration. One mom provided face painting for the kids!

Playing at the St. George Children's Museum

The kids got to play at the Children's Museum while they stayed with Grandma for a few days.

Hiking in Calico Basin

January 24, 2015

With Xander at a merit badge fair and Niko busy playing w/ friends, Amy and I took the younger 4 kidlets out to Calico Basin near Red Rock National Conservation Area. We did a little hike and climbed on the rocks. We also took some pictures -- complete w/ Roman cheeser grins!!!

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!