Christmas Cheer

Wow!  A lot has been happening since we last posted.  For Christmas, we traveled first to the snowy lands of Wisconsin.  The “snow” consisted of around ½ an inch on the ground!  It was a great trip.  All of Jared’s cousins were there and aunts and uncles and parents and his sister and grandma and grandpa! 

We spent a long weekend with my family in Sedalia where my younger brother and his friends spend their days riding four wheelers in creek bottoms and on country roads.  This is, apparently, illegal, or so Caleb and his friends were told by the Sheriff’s deputy and the Conservation agent.  His court date is set for the end of the month.  I just want to point out that I have never been arrested or Such fun for me to be past the stage of getting into trouble!  I measure my high school days not in years, but in months of groundings.  High school was a lot of fun, although, the kind of fun that was had is not something that I would do again J

We spent New Year’s in Branson, which is actually one of my favorite places, and yes, I have traveled a bit.  They have a miniature model of the Titanic and more golf courses than citizens.  We spent a very enjoyable Sunday morning with dear friends and then we watched the Arkansas/Wisconsin game.  It was fun to talk smack to the Wisconsin cousins before the game, not so much fun after. . .

Between the two of us, we got 20 DVD’s for Christmas, so, please come over and watch with us!  I was mildly jealous of my mother because dad gave her this for Christmas:

I got this though:

Jared got this and is now unstoppable at camping:

Caleb, the gifted musician received:

Nathaniel kept getting shirts that were too small for him, although we gave him Olive Garden money.

Dad, in addition to office supplies from lenders was given:

Fun Fun Fun!

Joyous News

The parade party is. . .

BACK ON!!!

The Chamber of Commerce 6ish to 8ish or so Saturday night.

Love,

Anna & Jared

Christmas Party Tidings

Before you read this:  Remember how much you like me.

Friends, Family, Countrymen and Fellow Russians,

I have to print a retraction.  It has come to my recent attention that because of a swim meet in Little Rock, the 2^nd annual Christmas Party during the Christmas Parade will not take place.

Before you flog me or throw rotten fruit, take heart.  If a responsible party (Josh, Laura, Annie, or Paul) will be in the house, the doors will still be open for views of the parade.  You can even have food and fun. 

You may not have a large amount of fun, because I will not be there and that would be unfair.

So, in closing, talk to the Eldridges or the Tharps and you may have your party.

That is all for now!  Come to see the swim team swim on December 7^th at 4pm.

Love,

Anna

Coaching Rocks my Face Off

 Hello friends!  It has been a while.  I wanted to share some pictures of my swim team girls!  The season is off to a great start.  We had our first meet in Abilene Texas, a very long 9 hours away.  The trip was fabulous.  Jared loves to be in a van with 9 very loud girls for hours at a time. 

This was Jared’s first ever swim meet!

Here are my girls:

Maddie, Ashley, Martha, Gabe, me, Gabby, Emily, Kelsie & Rissa

We had a lot of fun for picture day!

Jared is still busy with school.  Every day, he comes home and tells me about brakes, or suspension or timing (of something) and wheel balances.  I don’t really know what he is talking about, but when we are living in the bush someday and I am making bread out of grass and when we are broken down with no repair shop, Jared will know just what to do.  What a stud.

Fall is here and once again, Siloam is the prettiest place around.  We are determined to take fall pictures this year, so I will put some up as soon as we have them.

Jared is going camping this weekend and I am visiting Cara Bellegarde.  I have started to make a baby blanket for her daughter, set to debut in early March.  I have worked for 3 hours or so already and have about 1.5 inches completed.  I have around 35 inches to go.  You do the math on that.  Should be great.  Good thing I have a lot of vans rides this year!

Please come to Siloam to visit us.  You can stay on our couch in our tiny apartment.  We are having the party of the year for the Christmas parade, you are invited.  Your friends are invited, come on over.

That is all for now, much love!

Yes, we know we are cool.

Our First Yeat

We mailed this letter in August to friends and family.  Hope it finds you well!

Greetings one and all!

            As of August 6, 2006 we have now been married for one year.  This past year has held some of the best moments of our lives.  We truly are blessed to count all of you as friends, and we want to thank you for all of your love and prayers.

            We started off as newlyweds here in Siloam.  Anna continued her position in the Financial Aid Office at John Brown University, while Jared finished up his Cross Cultural Services degree at JBU before going on to frame houses.  It seems like only yesterday we were driving to Fayetteville AR to Bed Bath and Beyond to use our gift cards (thanks to many of you), arguing the whole time about the "lack of practicality" in pillow shams (Jared).  We made up from our little pillow argument and have been communicating well ever since.              

            This year has been full of fun surprises as we have been getting to know each other as man and wife.  Anna has been learning how to cook, and has even made a couple of turkeys.  Both of these turkeys looked like Betty Crocker pictures from the outside, but were filled with the wonderful surprise of a soggy and uncooked core.  She is still a whiz at Kraft Mac & Cheese however, and has almost mastered the art of cooking rice.

            Jared was given to Anna to be her number one fan, and encouragement, and her helper.  Anna was given to Jared to cherish him, cheer him on in rugby games, and to remind him which exits to take while driving.

            We have had the wonderful opportunity to travel around a lot this year.  We have been able to visit our families in Wisconsin, Mississippi, Colorado, Missouri, South Carolina, and Kentucky.  Anna has also gone on a couple of work conferences in California and Washington.

           This fall has big changes in store for the Olander household.  Jared has once again called on Anna to be his "sugar mama" as he is going back to school, this time to trade school to become certified as an auto technician.  Anna is also doing something new as she has taken up the offer to become the John Brown Universtiy Women's swim coach for the upcoming year.  This will keep both Jared and Anna busy as Jared has also been unofficially been named Anna's assistant and will be driving and traveling with the team for meets. 

            If you ever are near Siloam Springs and have a hankering for a good time and bowl of Mac & Cheese and Kenyan Chai, please come by and see us!