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Happiest of days to our lovely Bud and Betty Olson!  We are eager to celebrate with you this evening. 

tomato time

Tomatoes that are now processed into 3 pints of tomatoes packed in juice

My inner homemaker is continuing to be developed with the canning of 3 pints of tomatoes last night.  All 3 pints have sealed so next winter the Olsons will be enjoying 3 batches of chili. 

I am so excited to WANT to eat chili during the winter months again.

stinka

he looks innocent enough...

The Terrific 2's are here.  Last night, Osten asserted his growing personality with wandering around, hiding, and asking to be chased around the library.  His fine pearly chompers also decided to insert themselves into my warm and waiting arm flesh--no marks, but quite painful none the less. 

After exploring the recesses of library offices searching for my sweet 2 year old, I came out to find two of my colleagues who were sporting large smiles and knowing looks as they are the parents of grown children.  More than likely that will be Brad and I some day reflecting on times such as the ones I had just encountered--the Golden Days of parenthood.

are you ready for some football?

Eager 5th grader ready for the grid iron

happy birthday, Betty!

A warm and wonderful woman was born in 1945 on this day.  Happy Birthday, Betty Jean Swanson Olson!

Betty and Katie creating a lovely painting together

new dining table

I have been a bit obsessed with shopping for new dining room chairs as our old chairs were very rickety and always made noises if you shifted your weight in the chair.  From a girl who does a lot of fidgeting, it is nice to have a chair that doesn't squeak or squawk every time you move.

In order to buy "new" chairs on craig's list you often have to buy a table too.  Well, we took the plunge and bought a new table and chairs yesterday right after we visited the state fair.  We now have 2 captain's chairs and 4 side chairs that are as sturdy as any chairs I have ever seen and a lovely table that matches our buffet and china cabinet very nicely.  LOVE IT!

the great Minnesota get together

Today our little family embarked on a journey across the St. Croix River to the great Minnesota get together, the Minnesota State Fair.  We did the park and ride from the corner of Lexington and University.  Our first stop was the go carts where Kathryn and I rode in one car and Anders rode in another. K&K were victorious. Next stop was the Miracle of Life barn where Anders stayed to watch a heifer be born. 

While Anders stayed to watch the birth, Brad, Kathryn, Osten and I were on a mission to see cousins' and their exhibits.  On our way through the collesium, we saw Erika and Kayo who were there to watch Lucas Pierson at the Dairy show.  We then got to the dairy barn and surpised Liana by sneaking up to her and kissing her on the cheek.  We also got to see Ross in the barn.  We then went to see Ross' purple ribbon gilt in the hog barn and Liana's Grand Champion Utility Breeding pair pigeons in the poultry barn.  We then went to pick up Anders and saw Kyle Jr. for a short time. 

We ate some yummy treats...scotch egg, cheese curds, all the milk you can drink, a carmel roll, corn dogs and a deep fried apple pie and then were on our way home right before the rain started falling. 

It was a lovely day at the fair!

Kathryn and I in the black car passing Anders in the red

oinking like Stuart's gilt

Anders, Kathryn and Liana did some hand milking

Kyle's chickens (notice eggs in pen)

whimsy

Missing my Kindergarten friends as school is getting ready to start.  I just love these creative little people.

homeward journey across highway 2

enjoying lunch at the geographical center of North America--Rugby, North Dakota

Grandpa Bud's hometown watertower

The home where we believe Grandpa Bud grew up

The home where Grandma Betty grew up

On our journey home, we traveled across the northern section of Montana and North Dakota on highway 2.  While we were so close, we stopped by the villages where Grandma and Grandpa Olson spent their formative years.  The weather was perfect and the journey was well tolerated by all. 

family photos of our Glacier adventure

getting ready to scope the mountain sides for wildlife

Anders lovingly brushing his sister's hair

A nice photo op while waiting in a traffic line

fully clothed Osten

The kids running at the Lodge

cousins saying goodbye at the Jackson Glacier

#5 for #5

Happy 5th birthday to bright, cheery, energetic, loving and 5th family member Trenton Anders Blomgren. 

Trenton giving his little cousin a ride in his gator in June

headin for a weddin

cousins

lovely bride on her walk down the aisle (mountain path)

the happy couple

the Q3

On our way from the wedding to the reception caught a family photo at Lake McDonald

the bouquet

Anders and his sponsor--Ibby Gina

The cake, decorated by Shannon

The officiant, Ian with Anders and Brad at the reception

an hour of fun for the kids, trying a wolf call

happy birthday Henry

To our witty, charming and all around fun nephew Henry...HAPPY 4th Birthday!

Charming Henry (in tie) with winsom Ivan

pickled

Saturday evening was my first attempt at pickling cucumbers.  Our friends, Teri and Jeremy Odegard delivered 20 pounds of cucumbers and a large bunch of freshly picked dill from their garden.  I had never attempted, but thought it was the day to pickle some cucumbers.

My assistant, Kathryn and I enjoyed the process and here are a few pictures:

all the ingredients

Jar of cut cucumbers with brine ready to be bathed in a hot water bath

6 quarts taking a hot tub

I'm hoping for excellent results, but sure enjoyed the process.  We ended up with 14 quarts on our pantry shelves. 

work and fun at Glacier

Nice day at the office for Brad and Bruce outside our motel room

one tough kid with big horn sheep skull

I monster

identifying animal prints

checking out the sun with solar glasses

Bruce, Isaiah, Julie and Katie canoeing on Lake McDonald

BACOM

upset 2 year old waking family with cry for "BACOM" (bacon)

Daddy cooking bacon for his youngest son who is sporting a messy crying face

sister and brother savoring some "bacom" and toast

On our journey west we drove 3,025 miles.  The kids were incredible, but O had a tricky time one morning when he was craving bacon.  He woke the room by declaring his desire for "BACOM"!  A story for our memory books for sure.