Monday, November 30, 2020

two score and 9 years ago...

My parents welcomed a bouncing baby girl to their family. Today has been a fantastic day and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed celebrating my 7 squared birthday. 

School was fun. Phone call with Mom was fantastic. Hike to Mound park breathtaking. Dinner at the Juniors igloos with our beautiful family was invigorating. Just topped off our great dinner with a yummy Boston Cream cake and a rousing singing of Happy Birthday by Anders, Katie, Osten & Brad. 49 is starting out very nicely. 






Sunday, November 29, 2020

33 years ago today...

My world changed 33 years ago today. I became an aunt to an incredible little girl and now even more incredible woman. Jenna Louise you captured my heart the day I heard of your impending arrival (due on my 16th birthday) and amaze me with the way you have impacted the world. Happy 33rd birthday dear JLH!

The only time I cried on my wedding day is when I introduced Jenna to our videographer

Here is the sweet new Momma holding her sweet baby girl this summer

the Croods 2


Katie and I went to the Falls Theater to watch the Croods 2. We had the entire row to ourselves and everyone was masked the entire show. 

So great to be back in the theater and very enjoyable show! 

Friday, November 27, 2020

black Friday

5:30am Katie and I met Ibby and Dehlia at  Kohl’s in Lino Lakes, then to Target, Walmart & Good Will. On the way home I stopped at Fleet Farm to get the last few items. 

Then the kids and I met Brad for lunch in Dresser, Osten went to the hunting shack with him and Katie and I came home. Nap time and then I met Julie in Hudson to go out for my birthday dinner and go for a walk in the River front park. beautiful company on a beautiful night. 





Thursday, November 26, 2020

happy Thanksgiving

I started the day going on a walk with friends Michelle, Sarah and Gretchen with masks on. Then came home, made lunch and now Katie, Osten and I will make some Christmas cookies. 


Here are a few cute photos from the day:





Wednesday, November 25, 2020

giving thanks

The five Olsons gathered for dinner on our porch (with a little space heater) and dined on turkey, tofurkey, mashed potatoes, squash, corn bake, stuffing and beans. We talked about what we were thankful for and also told stories about growing up here in River Falls in our little home. 

It was a delightful evening and I'm so thankful we were able to gather. 

Today, we also got our Christmas tree from our friends Mike and Sarah Noreen. So fun to have it all ready for Christmas. 








Tuesday, November 24, 2020

a science mystery

 

Our school has a subscription to a fun hands on online science curriculum. Here my teaching assistant is leading a group in mystery science...they are making clouds 

Monday, November 23, 2020

happy 11th birthday Dehlia Grace

 

Here is Dehlia with her cousins Katie and Siri at her cousin Anders' grad party on August 8


Here she is today saying thank you for the birthday wishes. 

We love your artistic and amazing personality. Happy happy birthday

Sunday, November 22, 2020

the advent calendar is complete

The last pair of socks arrived by mail for our sock advent calendar. This is the first year of the calendar's existence in our household where Anders doesn't have any socks on the calendar. Now Katie has six pairs of socks on the calendar and Osten has six pairs. Looking forward to a wonderful Advent season. 



sunny Saturday


What a lovely and sunny Saturday we enjoyed. Osten had his buddy Coulter come to spend the night at our house--they spent a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful fall day. Then we got pizza and they watched Oklahoma beat OSU. They have such a fun friendship!



Friday, November 20, 2020

old soul

 Our Osten John is an old soul. He loves older music. He has a dry sense of humor. I love this guy. 



happy birthday Stuart Martin


 To a wonderful human being who just happens to be 27 years old. Happy birthday Stuart Martin. 

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

boob tube

Tonight was a dedicated boob tube night. Osten and I watched two singers get unmasked on The Masked Singer and then we watched a sappy Christmas movie from Netflix. Now it’s time for bed and a little reading. Here are a few more photos of our decorating and a sweet photo of little Collins having some solid food...she is such a beauty! 





Tuesday, November 17, 2020

a positive negative

Katie’s Covid test read negative! Osten and I are back to school tomorrow but Katie needs to quarantine for 2 weeks. 

Christmas decorating is almost wrapped up. Just need to get our Christmas tree from Brad’s hunting season. Osten is playing with the little people nativity set, I’m watching a cheesy Netflix Christmas movie and then we’ll head to bed for a full school day tomorrow. 

Here are some photos of our Christmas decorating:

Here’s Osten playing with the nativity set and our Advent socks placed above the fireplace 
The 12 days of Christmas balls
Our Ross Christmas tree and the grain bin below
My Anders Christmas Village piece 
Little lit house from the Trimont Greenhouse 
Some spruce tip arrangements I made for our front planter 
A tiny wooden tree, animals and a bowl of Christmas balls 


Monday, November 16, 2020

the power of water

After spending much of the day inside cleaning and getting the house prepared for Christmas decorating, I took a nice long walk down to Glen Park. The path down to the falls area was open, so I opted to lengthen my walk...I was not disappointed. Lake Louise has been drained and now some beautiful caverns have been carved by the mighty Kinni.
the south fork of the Kinni at Glen Park from the bridge

The falls of the south fork of the Kinni (bridge above falls)

 the sandy shore of the new river bed

the caverns being carved by the mighty water


Sunday, November 15, 2020

on pins and needles

Late last night, Katie started having some cold like symptoms--cough, aches, tight chest, congested, low-grade fever. All symptoms of Covid-19 so we started searching for a testing site. We finally found an opening here in River Falls on Tuesday. It's a Rapid Test so we should know the results in 30 minutes. I'm hoping that it's not Covid, but three of us will be staying home from school tomorrow--Osten, Katie and myself. 

I also hope my students will have a substitute to take care of them tomorrow...

a recent photo of my sweet little lady...hope you're feeling better soon love!

Saturday, November 14, 2020

donut day

This morning, Meg and I went on a walk and I got a hot tip that St. Bridget's were selling donuts today. I made my way there and got 2 dozen delicious donuts. Osten & I are heading to a friend's house for a birthday party today and I plan on gifting them with a 1/2 dozen donuts. Tomorrow, we are heading to Grandma B's for a visit and I plan on bringing another 1/2 dozen to share with her ;). 

Saint B's donuts are second to none...they are very yummy. 


Friday, November 13, 2020

mrs. Gref

One of my favorite lessons every year is when we as a class walk around and classroom and identify living and non-living things in our classroom. Here is one of my students excited to display the living thing he found.

All living things need to pass the test of Mrs. Gref--they move, respire, sense, grow, reproduce, excrete and eat food. 


wellness

Started the day with my weekly Petra walk and ended the day at Bunco with Marci, Moni, Beth, Lisa, Nikki, Lindsey, Tessa, Sarah, Amanda, Rac...