mover and shaker

osten is getting around like a champ.  he is quickly crawling and has also started pulling himself up.  his cheeks are cuurently sporting bruises from minor tumbles.  it's only just begun!

Today, Osten and I went for a five mile run with the jogging stroller.  He was thrilled and enjoyed the ride very much.  I hope he loves the outdoors and exercise all his life.

Last night our family worked together to get the gardens ready for spring planting.  WOW!  Those dandelions have already staked a claim.... it snowed earlier this week, but those liitle yellow gems were almost ready to flower!

Royal Wedding

I didn't have the ability or willingness to get up at 4am to watch the Royal Wedding, but I did take a few minutes to watch the stunning Catherine Middleton walk down the aisle in an incredible gown with lovely music.

I think our princess Kathryn will be equally as dazzling if not more on her wedding day!

tradition

Easter egg dying has been a longstanding tradition at Grandma B's.  Here are several Blomgren's, Olson's and Kubes dying easter eggs.  A fun time was had by all!  Thanks grandma B!

Here is one of the special eggs that I created and it is placed by the sweet likeness of the current Osten and long ago, Vance Andrew (20 years...yikes!)

mad scientist

Here is Anders with his science fair project in our breakfast nook.  He knew what he was talking about and demonstrated the process beautifully.  I really loved the different grades of syrup portion as well as the demonstration of the tree tapping and sap collection.

maple syrup at the science fair

Anders competed in his very first science fair at Greenwood Elementary.  His subject was the making of maple syrup--the process and the science.  His demonstration was rated as #1 in his class by his teacher, Mrs. Nelson.  He received a participation ribbon of which he is very proud. 

Great job Anders Cole Olson--almost 10 year old!

with baited breath

I am an optimist...but I THINK SPRING MAY BE HERE TO STAY!  Last night as we were driving home from a wonderful Easter celebration with the Blomgren family I realized just how much longer daylight is sticking around!  The sun was up pretty high in the sky at 7pm! 

The weekend was fantastic with Mom, Dad, Kent, Abby, Kurt, Jenna, Vance, Stuart, Ross, Kyle, Kim, Kyle, Adam, Liana, Ryan, Tatum, Cory, Joan, Thomas, Evan, Trenton, Karen, Brad, Anders, Kathryn and Osten all enjoyed egg decorating, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, saurkraut, cookie salad, sugar cookies, ramen salad and bunny cake and spending time together.  Each grandchild received a presidential dollar and each family received their respective Easter basket, a deck of butterfly playing cards and "spinner" dominos. 

Anders received a new Twins shirt, some cool baseball erasers, shorts and tshirt, sunblock, swimming goggles and candy--he easily found his basket after starting the quest at 5:30am

Kathryn received a sunflower dress for herself and her doll, some cool unicorn erasers, a scandanavian paper doll book, swimming goggles and candy--she faced more difficulty in finding her basket and had a small meltdown until cousin Abby and brother Anders helped her find her basket behind Grandma and Grandpa's bathroom door.

Osten received graham crackers, rusk, a reusable snack bag, yogurt bites and three small play animals--pony, kangaroo and turtle--he showed no interest in searching for his basket, but it wasn't hidden, so all was well with the world. 

Happy SPRING and here is to many more Easter celebrations with loved ones--celebrating the risen LORD!

Happy Easter!

Found the basket in 2010

Basket found in 2010

Kathryn Grace Easter 2009

Anders Cole Easter 2009

what a difference a year makes

Katie kissing teeny tiny Osten early April 2010

April 24, 2010 Grandma and Grandpa B visiting for Anders' 9th birthday

Anders and Kate at Greenwood Sockhop 2010 April 23, 2010

Here we are one year later, family dynamic changed and inches an pounds added to all three children.  It's so fun digging these archived memories.

Brad took Anders and Katie to the 2011 SockHop as Osten was under the weather with a fever.  They had a great time--Anders dancing with his buddies and Katie being included in the fun by first grade friend Emily Odegard.  When Katie entered the room, she saw her friend, Gracie Harer (who will also be a Kindergartner next year) and they ran across the room to embrace one another.  I have a feeling she is going to have a great Greenwood experience!

Remembering Good Friday and celebrating Earth Day!

Earth Day 2011

For over 40 years, Earth Day—April 22—has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

 

Good Friday...

 

 

Planning

One of my favorite nine year old kids is about to turn 10!  This is one of his all time favorite cakes made by his very talented Grandma Betty and assembled by the birthday boy.  Plans are the in the works for party and celebration...we will keep friends and family posted. 

summer dreaming

On a day like this, it's great to reflect on the days that are to come.  Here is a photo from swimming lessons 2009--2 little fish ready to take to water. 

This summer, Kathryn will be in level one swimming, Anders in level four and Osten &I  will be testing out parent child lessons at the marvelous Glenn Park pool. 

Barking cough

Last night was a long night with a crying Osten and barking Kathryn.   We are hoping Osten is just transitioning into a new set of chompers (swollen gums, clear runny nose, fussy, diminished appetite) and that Kathryn isn't coming down with anything too serious.  We know that she isn't 100% as she decided to stay home from school today and she LOVES school.  Here's to a long restful evening at the Olson abode tonight!

the crib

 

This is Osten's place to rest up and restore...one of these days, he will be actually sleeping there instead of between Brad & I.  We are currently relishing our snuggling time.

Friends

These three little people genuinely enjoy one another.  We are blessed and are savoring their friendship and will call upon this friendship in their future as brothers and sister.

twins

I enjoy the publication lmnop magazine.  It's an online publication that has parenting ideas and trendy items for sale.  In December these dolls were featured.  I ordered one for Kathryn Grace named Kathryn and here they are together.  They are frequently found snuggled up together in their loft.

super star

Anders is a great kid--no doubt about it.  This winter he has been a trooper with all of his activities and comings and goings.  He did great at his piano competition this spring--scoring perfect on one selection and very well on the other.  Basketball tournament placing 2nd of 5 teams.  Passing multiplication in basic facts and working hard on his division.  WAY TO GO, ANDERS!

The photos below are part of his science fair project on making maple syrup...we had a great season!

quick as a whip

Today at lunch, I stopped home to say hello to Kathryn and Brad.  Katie said some pretty funny one liners:

• "Mom, I have to get some good rest for the Sock Hop because I'm ready to dance"
• "I prefer soy sauce on my noodles instead of your stinky cheese"
• In response to Dad's decision the television was not going to be powered on today "Mom, let's watch the news; I want to know what's going on in the world"
• "watch me watch me watch me stand on my head, you will be amazed!"

I love that little person

artistic and fun

chip cleaning up after osten

creeping on the living room floor

andrea's artwork

the room where we stayed

The home where we spent many hours on St. Croix was incredibly beautiful.  Chris and Ellie's daughter, Andrea Finch is a very talented artist.  I would say they had about 30 of her paintings hanging on their walls.  Here are some photos of their lovely home and some striking artwork.

Patio play

osten working on playing

duck for dinner?  and a spot of coffee after?

happy toes with a couple of skeeto bites

animal play

this is what we saw every morning upon waking

Where's Chip?

at the breakfast bar with a fresh banana from Ellie's tree

Chip expressing emotion to his new "little" friend

Osten is besotten, as is his new little friend, Chip.  Chris and Ellie, our gracious hosts on our trip to the center of the lovely Carribean sea had two lovely dogs who became well acquainted with Osten.  They especially enjoyed Osten's dining habits on dropping bits on the floor.

Since we have returned to the land of cheese, we ask Osten "Where's Chip" and he looks all around for his little friend.  A dog may or may not be a future pet of the Olson family.

Flight

Brad & Osten awaiting our flight from St. Croix to Miami

Getting ready to board the plane

Our pilot

An outside view of the 737 that carried us over the Carribean

A view of islands/reefs in the Carribean

what a traveler!

I could get used to this

Dinner at Beachside Cafe after a lonnnng day of snorkeling

Sunset near Fredriksted

what a trip...enjoyable and relaxing