playing at half time

In about 45 minutes, we will be heading to River Falls High School for the boys basketball game. The 3rd grade Rockets Basketball team is going to be playing at halftime. I'm really looking forward to seeing the game and cheering on the Rockets!

swim meet

This morning, my nest wasn't as cozy, so I scrambled out and got going. What a wonderful feeling.

It's parents night tonight at Anders' last home meet of the season. Tonight he will be swimming his regular events and will also be diving. I hope he sings the National Anthem again...it's so fun to hear him!

In the stands will be his Dad, brother and sister. I will timing on the deck. I hope I can figure out how I can be the timer in his lane ;).

little break in the week

I try to get up and go to the gym every day at 5am. Today, my cozy nest was too tempting to leave. Now I'm catching up on updating blog, doing a few last minute edits to a lesson I'm teaching today and then will start the process of dressing for the day.

It's nice to take a little break every now and then.

Last night, Katie scored three A's at her final forensics meet of the season. I think she plans on participating again next year.

Anders had a very busy evening. First he sang the National Anthem for the swim meet. Then he competed in diving, the 500 freestyle, the 4x50 Freestyle relay and the 4x100 Freestyle relay. He placed second in the diving and the 500 freestyle. I was timing so I'm not sure how his relays did, but he was pretty pooped swimming the 4x50 because he had just finished his 500. He amazes me with his singing, diving & swimming skills.

Today we have a full day of school, meeting and then teaching my final night of confirmation book study.

Hopefully tomorrow morning, my cozy nest won't be so enticing and I can get a start on the day a little earlier than today ;)

nice message from coach...

Good evening,

I've attached the results from yesterday's Tartan Invite to the email.  As I said earlier, they did well.  We finished two places higher than last year and they are continuing to show improvement in their events.  Anders led off the day by adding 50+ points to his 11 dive score from about a month ago.  This was followed up by 2 season best times in the 200 Free, Jacob and Cooper.  Jacob also had a season best time in his 100 Backstroke and Cooper in the 100 Breaststroke. Ben also had two best times, in the 50 and 100 Freestyle. John-Eric had a season best time in his 200 IM and Darin improved on his 500 Freestyle time for the year.  Congrats everyone. This week of practice is going to be tough.  I want everyone to make sure they are eating enough, drinking enough water throughout the day, and doing their best to get enough sleep.

Here are results from Saturday:

200 Medley Relay 

We placed 8th RFHS-WI A 1:54.57 22

1) Larsen, Seth SR 2) Olson, Anders SR

3) Lawrence, Nate SR 4) Martin, Zach JR

29.35 1:00.99 1:29.07 1:54.57

11 Dive Results:

1 Wallace, Sam JEFF 502.35 20

2 Lao, Zak 10 HSIB-MN 368.30 17

3 Condon, Eli 9 PARK-MN 279.10 16

4 Earley, Ben 10 WOOD-MN 262.70 15

5 Earley, William 11 WOOD-MN 258.85 14

6 Gotham, Andrew 11 HSIB-MN 249.45 13

7 Domrongwattanakul, Nestor 12 WBLA 245.75 12

8 Kierzek, Garrett 12 TART-MN 239.95 11

9 Condon, Nolan 7 PARK-MN 223.60 9

10 Olson, Anders SR RFHS-WI 222.70 7

11 Parada Romero, Anthony 7 WBLA 193.40 6

12 Murphy-Carlson, Colten 10 WBLA 176.65 5

the 200 Freestyle Relay looks like we got disqualified:

RFHS-WI B x1:49.72

1) Klecker, John-Eric SO 2) Richardt, Jacob JR

3) Cernohous, Cooper FR 4) Olson, Anders SR

27.58 56.21 1:24.41 1:49.72

100 Breaststroke:

He placed 8th Olson, Anders SR RFHS-WI 1:10.68 11

32.56 1:10.68

Results for the meet:

1. Park High School 454

2. Woodbury 404

3. South St. Paul Packers 201

4. Tartan Senior High School 179

4. Henry Sibley High School 179

6. St. Paul Como Park 174

7. North St. Paul Boys 164

8. White Bear Lake Area 147

9. River Falls High School 144

10. Bloomington Kennedy 123

11. Bloomington Jefferson 20

mild Monday

Wow, the temperature is nice and cozy. It's 24 degrees fahrenheit. The high is forecasted for 31 degrees. The sun is starting to peek out at 7:21am...Spring is coming! Another busy day on tap with Katie's 9th grade orientation this evening, Osten's basketball practice and Anders' college fair at the high school. Never a dull moment that is for sure.

annual meeting, relaxing and hopefully nature hike & happy 25th birthday Kyle and Adam!

Today is filled with possibility! We are currently waiting for our lasagna to finish baking and then we will head to church for a potluck followed by our annual meeting. After that, we plan on trying to get a nature hike in on this nice and mild January day that just happens to be our cousins/nephews 25th birthday.

Happy birthday Kyle and Adam!

Here are Kyle and Adam entertaining the guests of Katie's 5th birthday party

burning the midnight oil

I knew it, just knew it. Told my friend, Jenny tonight that I can work out at night and fall asleep like a baby. Now I'm still up at 12:40am. Oh well, I hope I get time for naps later today ;).

Update--I did fall asleep shortly after writing this message. Marci and I coached the Rockets to a 1-1 record today. Osten played really well with really keeping an eye on the court and knowing where to cover.

Then we went to Tartan Middle School where Anders finished 10 of 16 divers and then swam in the 200 Medley relay where they placed 8th of 25 teams with a season best time of 1:54.57. Their 200 Freestyle relay placed 13th of 28 teams with a time of 1:49.72. In his 100 breaststroke he placed 8th of 43 swimmers with a time of 1:10.

After the meet, Katie went to a friend's for a sleepover and Osten went over to his friend, Lindsay's house. Brad, Osten and I are watching movies on Netflix. We're currently watching Peter Rabbit...a family favorite.

and finally day ten

I have many photos of Anders that I treasure, but this is number one. We were home for Christmas 2002. Anders was about 18 months old when Julie captured this truly magical photo of our sweet little son. We were at Grandma Betty and Grandpa Bud's house.

day nine

Here is the photo from day 9. It was in the summer of 2006 at the Acorn Invite. Mom and Dad were celebrating 45 years of marriage. Look at all the grandchildren that were made from that union 45 years prior!

Missing Dad and his kind presence.

swimming in Lindstrom

Last night, Osten, Brad and I drove to Lindstrom, Minnesota to see the River Falls Wildcats face Spring Lake Park and the Wildcats of Chisago Lakes. Anders swam in four events--placed 3rd in 2, 4th in one and placed 1st in his last event.

this is his butterfly time at 1:08.44

this is his breast time at 1:12.16

He swam the 100 Butterfly which is a race he typically doesn't swim. He also swam the 200 Medley relay, the 200 Freestyle relay and 100 Breaststroke. It was so fun to watch him compete and their team was very solid as they cheered one another on in the pool. Our team was consistently placed in lane 2 and lane 6 so it was really easy to keep track of our swimmers. Seth Larson had a really great night of winning two sprint events. It was well worth the drive.

Here are the official results:

200 Medley relay results
3 1:58.32 RFHS-WI A
1) Klecker, John-Eric SO 2) Olson, Anders SR
3) Larsen, Seth SR 4) Lawrence, Nate SR
times: 33.04 33.01 26.88 25.39

100 Butterfly results
3 1:08.44 Olson, Anders SR RFHS-WI
31.45 36.99

200 Freestyle relay results
4 1:45.63 RFHS-WI A
1) Martin, Zach JR 2) Olson, Anders SR
3) Lawrence, Nate SR 4) Baar, Connor JR
27.51 26.30 26.51 25.31

100 Breaststroke results
1 1:12.16 Olson, Anders SR RFHS-WI
33.76 38.40

Here is my latest photo from the 10 day challenge:

his ability to act has always astounded me.

golden evening closing Glen Park pool 2009

This is our image of the day...

Aeva, Alex, Peter, Katie, Abby, Anders, Jack and Joey Glen Park pool 2009.

performance of Carmina Burana

Awestruck by the beautiful music and dancing we saw yesterday at the Cowles Center. My heart is very happy that Anders spent time with me yesterday as we watched a troupe of approximately 60 performers sing/dance/play dramatic music.

celebrating 14 & day 4 and 5 of challenge

Last night, I picked Katie's friends, Aili and Quinn up for dinner at Cossetta's and an escape room in St. Paul. Afterwards, we went to the office for a sleepover and cupcakes to celebrate the 14 year old.

We woke this morning and the girls got picked up. Now we're at home and I will be departing soon with Anders to Minneapolis to watch some dance theater.

Here are the photos from day 4 and 5 from my Senior parent challenge:

14

Our sweet, smart and beautiful daughter Kathryn Grace is 14 years old today. It was a lot warmer 14 years ago when we left our home for the Woodwinds Hospital in Woodbury, MN.

We had a terrific nurse and she was able to help us decide on the spelling of Katie's name as we were getting ready for her arrival. Then we met her...looking so much like her big brother, but with such an intense gaze that I felt like I was meeting someone much older than a few moments old.

Katie has always been before her time. Enjoy number 14 dear Katie Grace and relish every moment of your second year of being a teenager.

 just home from the hospital                                                  with Grandma B at age 1

 with Olson cousins age 2                                          with friend Quinn at age 3

camping at Plymouth Rock age 4

                                                    visiting Grandma and Grandpa B in AZ age 5

driving the Bad Kitty 2 in the BVI at age 6

                                                        hiking along the Kinni age 7

 8 birthday spankings from Grandpa B                          Daddy Daughter Dance age 9

 Junior bridesmaid Age 10                                          Daddy Daughter Dance age 11

                                                    curly girly age 12

                                               heading to Hamilton age 13

early release, new Chinese teacher, day 3 of 10 day challenge and music program

Here I am curled up on our small couch in the living room, listening to Osten playing some Minecraft, knowing that Anders just left for a friends' birthday party and feeling nice and cozy in my surroundings.

We released two hours early in preparation for a winter storm that is just starting to rear it's head in town. After I blog, I plan on walking down to Anytime Fitness to do my daily workout.

Yesterday, our school had a beautiful winter program where we paid tribute to our Chinese teacher, Ms. Jessie and also met our new Chinese teacher Ms. Ester. They will be working together for a few days and then Jessie will be returning home and starting to teach the class that Ms. Ester started at the beginning of the year. The children sang great songs lead by our 1/2 year music teacher, Ms. Beka. I had the privilege of presenting her with a beautiful bouquet to thank her for all her hard work. One of the highlights of the program was when the entire student body sang a song called One Day.

Jessie, Ester and Ms. Maggie

Coulter and myself at the program last night

Lastly, I want to share the photo I posted for the 10 day challenge. It's Anders holding Osten during the summer of 2010 up north at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Katie is walking in the background and it just captures how much Anders loves his little brother.

10 day challenge of 2020 grad parent

I was nominated by my friend, Linda to post pictures of life as a parent--10 days, 0 explanations and I nominate a new person to join each day.

Day one I nominated Julie Finchum with this photo:

and day 2 I nominated Tami Berdell with this photo:

I love being his Mom

outstanding concert

After basketball practice on Monday night, Osten and I went to Anders' band concert. It was very impressive to hear the well practiced bands performing. Brad was already there so unfortunately we weren't able to sit together, but we loved the entire performance. The final piece by the wind symphony was especially impressive...very powerful and loud!

going to a basketball game

Osten and I are heading to the River Falls Wildcats boys basketball very soon. Brad made grandma Betty's spaghetti! Osten is bouncing on the couch like a mad man!

The Wildcats won big last night 88-47. They looked like they were really moving well and communicating like a team. After the game, Coulter and Osten went down onto the court to meet up and congratulate players. Lori Johnson encouraged Marci to come down with Coulter and it was pretty sweet. Osten got to see his favorite Payton Flood and got his photo taken with him. Big night.

happy 48th birthday to my sweet friend Julie

Yesterday, my partner in crime Julie Annette turned 48. We have been celebrating for 27 year now...seems like an eye blink.

 1993

2009

 2017

installation

Today I will be heading to church and helping install our new pastor David Wrightsman. He is funny, engaging and also a Vikings fan. He was a camp counselor one of my last years of attending Green Lake Bible Camp. Love those connections.

The installation went well and we also attended a green seminar on how our church is looking at installing solar panels...our friend Mike was the presenter. Another great thing happening at Ezekiel!

Here is a photo of our newly installed pastor and his family. Welcome Pastor Wrightsman!

names of family--Lauren, David, Carolyn, Ben and Adalee

season ending game

On our way back from LaCrosse yesterday, Brenda streamed the game. As we were in the van, it looked like the Vikings may have a prayer, but then the 49ers turned on the heat and the Vikings lost 27-10. It is sad, but we're ok.

destination LaCrosse!

Our annual Montessori conference in LaCrosse was our destination on Friday evening. A group of nine drove down on Friday evening. Nate driving, Mitch in the front seat, then it was me, Maggie, Jessie, Ruthie, Abby, Brenda and Kayden.

We checked into our hotel--the Hampton Inn and then went to dinner at Buzzard Billies. After that we checked out a place where people axe throw and then to a place where we played darts. Jessie had a great time experiencing American culture and we had fun laughing and playing games.

Back to the hotel around midnight to head to bed for a big day of learning on Saturday.

Nate and Jessie dancing a little bit while we were in the midst of our dart throwing 

Jessie listening to our keynote speaker speak of Joy