Strei Christmas

Strei Christmas

For the first time in years, the entire Strei Family was together for a couple days after Christmas. There were 19 people, including 9 children ages 8 & under. There was lots of visiting, playing in the snow, swimming at the hotel and noise!

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

Fun Christmas celebrations with friends & family

Happy Holidays

Welcome (or welcome back) to the Strei Family blog. Feel free to look back at our adventures from the past year. I hope you enjoy reading about the fun we've had.

Noah (age 4), Lauren (age 8), Benjamin (age 6)

Merry Christmas

&

Happy New Year!

Kelly, Dave, Lauren, Benjamin & Noah Strei

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Nov-Dec Fun

It's been a while since I updated this blog. Life has been flying by with school, sports, activities, work, etc, etc. Can someone please stop the merry-go-round and let me off?

Lauren started basketball. She is on a team with 3rd & 4th grade girls. This is the first year she has been old enough to play. The coaches for the team are amazing! They really do a nice job of teaching the girls the basic skills needed. The first few nights of practice I was worried if anyone would remember that they had to be dribbling the ball. The girls have all come a long way and they look like a real team out there. It has been challenging for Lauren as it is a fast paced sport with lots to think about. She has gotten the hang of it and the last game she had 4 steals & fast-breaks!! Now if she can just get the ball to go into the basket on those opportunities.

Benjamin has started wrestling. I was very surprised when he said that he wanted to try it. Boy, oh boy, is it fun to watch. Just imagine skinny little boys dressed in singlets (like a leotard) wrestling around on the floor. He is working really hard at learning the moves. He has a couple friends in his group and they always pick each other to practice with. There is definitely two different mentalities amongst the kids there. Some of them (like Benjamin & his buddies) who are there to have fun and are always smiling and laughing. The others are very serious about this sport and are there to perfect their moves. My dear son might get a huge eye opener when it comes time to wrestle in the tournament. Yes, tournament. There are two of them. ha!

Noah recently finished a session of swimming lessons. He is turning into a real fish. He practiced floating on his back, blowing bubbles, going underwater and practicing his ice cream scoops (paddling with his arms). Unfortunately he didn't pass this level this time as he needs to be a better listener in class. Uh-oh.

Here's some other things we have been up to.

Dave doing a little Christmas decorating.

I hope Noah didn't see him standing up here!

Reading with Grandma Petersen

Tying flies with Grandpa Petersen

Climbing trees.

Note the bucket on the ground to assist his ascent. The first branch is above my head. UGH

More Halloween/Fall Fun

Carving Pumpkins

Lauren carved hers at school and was at a Halloween party while we did this.

Yes, she said that was ok.

Noah carved the face on his pumpkin all by himself. He drew the design on the pumpkin and went at it with the safety knife. Both Dave and I were very impresed.

Halloween Night with our friends Danna & Lynn


Lauren in the leaf pile.

Halloween Preview

A quick preview of the kids in their Halloween costumes. We went to a party on Saturday night so they got to wear them then.

Look at this fabulous picture! They even look like they like each other!!

Lauren as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz

Benjamin as Jeff Gordon (2nd year in a row)

Noah as Spiderman

Fun in Fargo

I escaped last weekend for some fun with friends in Fargo. We went to a Bison football game and spent the remainder of the time hanging out and visiting with friends from college. It was a fun weekend and can't wait until the next time.

Pictures from the Bison Game

Scoreboard showing the best score of the game. It wasn't pretty :(

Warm-ups

Wildcat Homecoming

Today is Homecoming at Waconia High School. All week long the kids at the elementary school have been learning Wildcat cheers and getting hyped up about the celebration. They were also suppose to wear purple & gold to school today for the pep rally. Here are my little Wildcats before they left this morning.

Nickle Dickle Day

Waconia's hometown celebration was held on Saturday. Nickle Dickle Day is a one day celebration which includes a 5k/10k race, kid's 1/2 mile race called the Tickle, car show, craft booths, entertainment, food, etc. Dave ran the 10K and the kids' ran the Tickle. Lots of fun activities and tons of walking. Whew.

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

This is the story of what happens when your 4 year old falls and smashes his face on the ground.

Over a year ago, Noah (the child with the perpetual bruise on his head) fell somewhere and hit his face on the ground causing trauma to his upper teeth. At some point after that, one of his teeth turned a gray color indicating that the tooth had been injured. The dentist looked at it and said not to worry about it because there was no abscess and it wasn't bothering him. In August at his check-up, the dentist noticed that an abscess had formed and she said that the tooth needed to be removed....great

An appointment was made at the oral surgeon to remove it using the help of laughing gas and Novicaine. Let's just say that wasn't the dentist's most brilliant idea. He was far too traumatized about that idea. He refused to open his mouth, even after getting the laughing gas. The surgeon and his team struggled with him for a while trying to administer the Novocaine. The last straw for the surgeon was when he injected his own hand with the Novocaine. He had to leave the room after that. lol

SO, the next step was to put him completely under and remove it that way. Yesterday, we had our appointment at the day surgery center. This was a much better experience. They specialize in kids and were so good with him. Noah was actually ok with the whole idea after we told him when we got there. We were very worried because he basically freaked out after we told him the first time before oral surgery. The procedure only took about 10 minutes but including prep and recovery time, we were there about 3 hours. The space in his mouth where the tooth was will remain open until his permanent one grows in, about when he is 6. Until then we have to get used to his new "look". As a bonus, he had an early visit from the Tooth Fairy last night. Did you know she leaves double the amount when you have your tooth pulled out?? She probably figures that helps overcome the pain and trauma more quickly.

Before surgery

In the recovery room.

Popsicles would make me feel better too

After

The Strei Family has entered an entirely different sports world. Flag Football. Benjamin is playing in his first league consisting of 1st grade boys (but open to girls as well). For many kids this is their first time on the football field. The coach acts as the quarterback so basically they just have to run down field and get open for the ball. Even though it's flag football, it's a little rough. I wonder which section of Target sells athletic cups......

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

When the summer started, the kids and I made a huge list of all the things they wanted to do on their summer vacation. We posted this list and checked the items off as we completed them. As you can see, there were lots of fun things we did (and some that we not on the list). Others will have to be saved for next summer.

x-Go swimming
x-Slip & Slide
x-Edinborough Park
x-Bike rides
Picnic at Lions Park
Waterpark
x-Frisbee golfing
Make a tree house
Visit every park in Waconia
x-Go to the Carver County Fair
x-Go to the movies
Play tennis
Play badminton
x-Squirt gun fight
x-Play lacrosse
x-Run through sprinkler
x-Enter biggest cucumber contest at the fair
x-Telescope at Baylor Park
Camp in the backyard
Camp at a campsite
x-Go hiking
x-Go to Twins game
Explore a cave
x-MN Valley Wildlife Refuge
Go to the Horse Races
x-Demolition Derby
x-Car Races
Find a good climbing tree
Library reading program (we didn't get there one time!!)
x-Vacation at Larson's cabin
x-Music in the Park
x-Hatch butterflies
x-Canoe to Coney Island
x-Grandpa's boat & tubing
x-Sleepover with friends (only took 2 times to accomplish this)
x-Work on 4-H projects
x-Meet Nikki's baby goats
Gale Woods (mom was there a lot, kids never made it)
x-BB Camp
x-4-H Camp
x-Play softball/tball

Go Noah!!

Today while Dave was working on the van in the garage, he took off Noah's training wheels to keep him busy. He asked Dave to come down to the street to help him. He held the bike and pushed him a couple times and AWAY HE WENT!! It's not a perfect technique by any means but he's doing it. They went around the block and came in to surprise me with his new talents. They are now at Target purchasing a kickstand for the bike. Enjoy this video clip!

First Day of School - Round 2

I was starting to think Noah might spontaneously combust with excitement waiting for this day to come, the first day of preschool. It finally arrived and he his smile couldn't be bigger. He's going to Trinity Preschool 3 afternoons a week. Good for Noah and good for mom too. HA!

Noah, are you excited??

In front of his locker

He's going to have a great time

First Day of School!!

After a summer full of adventures, it was back to work for the Strei kids this morning. It's the first day of school!! Who is more exited, the kids or mom? I think it's a pretty close tie. Benjamin is a 1st grader in Mrs. Gustafson's class and Lauren is a 3rd grader in Mrs. Barron's class (although Mrs. Fawcett is her teacher for first trimester because Mrs. Barron is having a baby). Noah will start preschool tomorrow. If he can wait that long!!

Benjamin

(trust me, I tried to fix those socks and he wouldn't let me)

Lauren

At the bus stop. Don't you love the look on Lauren's face

A Sweet Ride

Dave turned 40 on August 24. For months previous to this, he has been jokingly saying that he was going to buy a motorcycle for his mid-life crisis. The kids all agreed that it would be a great idea. Imagine his surprise when I surprised him with one (for the weekend) for his birthday. The picture at the top of the page is taken just as the garage door was opened to reveal the present.

Originally I was planning on renting one from the local Harley dealership but a family friend volunteered his instead (THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!). Here Dave is getting instructions from him.

Dave has operated a motorcycle in the past and still has the endorsement on his drivers' license. But I don't think he was quite prepared for the power this machine has. I was standing at the end of the driveway when he rolled it into the street and hit the accelerator for the first time. He was very surprised. haha!

He rode the Harley all weekend until it's owner came and took it home. There may have even been a tiny tear in his eye when he handed over the keys. Now I just have to get the idea of one of his own out of his head!!

Lordy, Lordy look who's 40.....

Happy 40th Birthday Dave!

Carver County Fair!!

County Fair 2009

August 4-9th was the Carver County Fair in Waconia. We have been looking forward to it all summer long. The kids worked so hard on their projects and with their animals to prepare for it. For 5 days we spent hours each day at the fair. By our own choice! (yes, we are fair junkies). We looked at exhibits, ate fair food, cared for animals, worked in the 4-H Foodstand, went to the demo derby and so much more. All 5 of us entered in different competitions and all 5 of us earned ribbons....even Dave! It really was a wonderful week. We can't wait for next year. Hope you enjoy our slideshow of the fun we had.

Miss Me?

Ok, Ok....I know, I know. It's been a while since I've blogged. Too long. Summer and it's activities have kept us busy. It's hard to blog when you are outside all the time. I completed many posts today. Be sure to look back on this blog to see what we've been up to. Hope you enjoy and I promise I won't disappear for so long next time.

Getting ready for the fair

County fair is quickly approaching. Lauren & Benjamin have been working hard on their projects. They have both decided to show a llama and a chicken this year along with an assortment of other projects. It will be exciting to see them in action at the Carver County Fair. The fun begins August 4th.

Lauren playing the piano at Performing Arts judging


Cutting out the pattern for her skirt she is making

Benjamin getting ready to make bread in a bag

Benjamin's Llama

Summer vacation

Last week we spent a few days on vacation. We started off the trip with a stop at Itasca State Park where the kids got to walk across the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. Next we went to a friends' cabin on Lake Lizzie near Pelican Rapids.

Twins Game

On Sunday, we all went to the Twins game. After the game they let all the kids run the bases. A few pictures from that experience.

In centerfield


Batter up!

Running the bases

On the Twins logo behind home plate

4th of July

4th of July Fun. We spent the morning at the parade in Delano. Then in the afternoon we went to a gathering at the Larson Farm complete with fireworks. We caught the big fireworks show in Waconia by sitting in the Target parking lot. Which was a great place to see them.

Mom & Noah

(firetruck sirens were too loud for him)

Lauren

Benjamin