painful debate

Last night, our country watched the top two candidates for POTUS debate in Ohio. Our family watched together and it was painful to watch. Both candidates talked over one another, the moderator was repeatedly interrupted and his words were disregarded and it just sounded like two people having an argument and not really stopping to listen to what the other person said. 

There are two more debates. I'm hopeful for improvement in the way they debate. If the format could be altered that the person who wasn't speaking would be muted, that may be helpful. 

on the other side of midpoint

This morning, I rose to go on my daily walk. It was very dark at 5:30am. Just putting into perspective the fact that we are on our way into the darkness of the year with daylight hours decreasing and dark hours increasing. 

This morning, I was also reminded of the passing of a beautiful soul one year ago. Kimberly Ann Weaver-Olson has been gone for a year, but definitely not forgotten. 

here is a photo of Nate and Kimberly--I believe taken on their Bolivian adventure

weekend fun!

Last Wednesday, Brad left for the BWCA with his buddies, Jerry, Barry and Garth. They had a great time taking in the colors and seeing the beauty of the changing season in the BWCA. On Saturday, they had a great day of fishing and enjoyed a yummy walleye feast.

Anders came home from college for the weekend and he and Lindsey hit the apple orchard on Saturday. We now have a peck of sweet 16 apples to enjoy...I thought it was pretty sweet that they wore matching clothing for the day. 

Osten had a football game on Saturday--they lost. He had his friend Coulter over to watch the Vikings game--they lost. They did manage to have a wonderful time playing football and basketball together outside. 

Katie and I enjoyed a nice long walk on Sunday evening and now we are ready for a week of school and learning!

it's national son day today

I just checked my social media and am realizing that Friday was National Daughter's Day and today is National Son's Day. I'm going to jump on board and recognize my two extra special guys. 

Here is the photo I posted on Friday for Beata:

and here's the one I'll post for son's day:

These children are such a blessing to our lives!

happy 24th birthday Thomas Matthew

 

Our handsome and intelligent nephew and cousin Thomas is 24 years old today. Happy Birthday to you. 

river evening

 This evening friends Bob, Trish, Julie and another man named Todd and I took a cruise on the Saint Croix River. Wow evening 

just can't get over the beauty

 Another day of me reveling in the beauty of this autumn. Here is my photo from the top of River Falls. I was talking to Mom just before I snapped this photo and we were in agreement that this year is more beautiful than most.

and here are some photos of trees I admired:

and here are some fun photos of the kids that they have snapped me lately...

aren't they cute? 

wow what a beautiful day

 Today I had teacher workshop while Osten was at home. Katie was at home doing school. The weather could not have been nicer. I got a chance to go outside and have an early morning meeting and then took a little stroll before another meeting at 1pm. 

The sun was shining, the leaves were gleaming. Wow. 

a lovely leaf near my chair at the meeting

my beautiful friends Petra and Lynn with a brilliant tree behind them

autumn is here!

 Today is the day of the autumnal equinox! Sunrise is right now--7:02am is 7:09 pm. 

view of Butterfield lake during the last moments of summer 2020. Katie and I took a walk around the lake on Sunday morning. 

lots of steps!

I'm realizing I didn't get my post in last night...it's because my big focus was on getting lots of steps yesterday. Katie and I went for a nice walk yesterday evening. Those are golden moments in my opinion. 

Katie and I climbed up to the top of uncle Kurt's grain bin this weekend...quite a view

raise the roof!

This weekend, Brad went up north to put a new roof on the hunting shack. Way to go Mike, Nate, Brent, Tucker and Jeremy! That roof should last for many years to come. 

happy birthday charming brothers Kent and Kurt and are you ready for some football?

Happy birthday Kent and Kurt!

This photo is from 53 years ago today...

This morning Osten’s football team played well and lost 24-19. Then we drove down to Butterfield to spend time with brothers Kent and Kurt on their 58th birthday. 

Katie and I went out for a drive in the area to get her some practice. Saw an orange sun, the Veterans memorial in Butterfield and a whole lot of corn fields. It is so beautiful here. 

Right now we’re watching the Twins play the Cubs in Kurts living room.We’re up 1-0 in the bottom of the 2nd inning. 

picture days for big O & K2

Today, Osten and I had picture day at our schools. Katie had her photo taken yesterday. It will probably be a while before we get our photos, but the evidence will be posted when it arrives.

Brad headed up to the hunting shack to put a new roof on the shack. Osten has a football game tomorrow morning and then Katie, Osten and I are heading to St. James/Butterfield to celebrate brother's Kent and Kurt 58th birthday. 

Here are the photos of the day that are now all recorded in Shutterfly:

oops..the wrong Katie Olsen from River Falls who is now a sophomore. She and our Katie Olson have been getting mixed up over the years. This Katie's Mom is also named Karen ;)

Our big Vikings fan Osten O

and here's big smiled Karen ;). 

I hope our Katie's photos will arrive to our home correctly...just kind of funny. 

a view from the top of River Falls

 

Do you see the little frog almost centered on this photo?

On my walk to see the overlook of River Falls...I saw that enchanting little frog hopping along my path. Osten was at football practice and I was on a mission to see how the foliage was changing since the last time I climbed back in August. I'm happy I made it at least one day in September. 

first communion

Tonight, Ezekiel Lutheran Church gathered on the side lawn for the first worship we've attended in person since March 15. At this service, Osten received his first communion. What an exciting day!

fun day with the boys

 Tonight after school, I got a really silly snap from Anders...

Osten and I made a volcano for my earth history lesson tomorrow at school

and Osten spent some serious time practicing his pitching with the Twins during their game tonight

return to summer

Today was a glorious day here in River Falls. The weather felt a tiny bit humid and very sunny. We played kickball in gym--Rainbow, my educator assistant was the teacher and I was the helper. The kids did a terrific job following directions and had a lot of fun. 

Learned that the wildfires out west is part of the reason our sunlight has been so orange and my throat has been kind of stuffy the past couple days. I pray for those living in the midst of these devastating fires. 

it looks like there is a fire near where we used to live in Idaho

day filled with productivity

Today was a day that was low movement for me--I didn't quite log 10,000 steps, but I got a lot of lesson planning finished for the next three weeks. I'm not saying that it is the final plan, but I have a road map for the next several weeks. I want to make sure our team will have an outline of what I would love to accomplish with our learners through October 2. I think I spent a full 8 hours making time tables for each day. 

The Vikings game was exciting, but they ended up losing to the Packers 43-34. Anders (Vikings fan) spent the day with Lindsey (Packers fan). We asked him not to turn to the dark side ;). 

Katie and I made dinner together--spinach manicotti and then she made some really yummy banana bread. Katie and I took a nice walk for about 45 minutes this evening.

Osten and I worked together on his math homework and watched the sneak peak of season 4 of the Masked Singer. Soon we will be heading into read and get settled in for the evening. 

day filled with possibility

We have a day filled with possibility. I am planning on driving to my friend Michelle's house this morning to drop off our van so she can drive it to her cousin's baby shower today--their family has one vehicle and the logistics will not work in her favor. 

Brad made it home last night and we will be processing some of our tomato crop. 

Anders is planning on getting a COVID test today so he can potentially get back to school on Monday (fingers crossed he's negative).

Katie is getting some good beauty rest and I'm not sure what her plans are for the day. 

Osten is playing both inside and out today on this overcast morning. 

I am planning on meeting up with friend Julie in Marine today and getting some well deserved downtime. A nice dinner is also planned at home and getting lesson plans nailed down for next week and the week after. 

The photo I'm choosing for today is an ID from my mid 20s and Anders' new Bluegold ID. Do you see the same resemblance I do? Katie had found my old ID...not sure where, but it ended up in Anders' new room. Right next to my old ID, I found his Blugold Card and it struck me how we look a little bit alike.