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!
Here is the sweet new Momma holding her sweet baby girl this summer
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:
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.
Here she is today saying thank you for the birthday wishes.
We love your artistic and amazing personality. Happy happy birthday
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.
Our Osten John is an old soul. He loves older music. He has a dry sense of humor. I love this guy.
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!
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:
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...
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.
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.
Another lovely day of hiking, hanging out with family and heading home to RF
