Three years old

Katie and her new playthings...thank you so much for your kindness.

An ebay find that Karen has been enjoying

Libby (6 days older than Katie) and Julie (6 weeks younger than Karen) Thibodeau celebrating with the big girl

Grandpa Bud, Grandma Betty and Kate

Siri, Katie and Libby discovering and enjoying the new playthings together

Opening gift from Kyle, Kim, Kyle, Adam, Liana, and Ryan--vet pet set and hat

Vance Andrew cutting the cake

Jenna and her boyfriend, Toby

Katie, flowers and Jeff cake--thank you Grandma Betty for your incredible talent!

Our littlest guest, Van and his Daddy, Brent

Ms. Kathryn Grace is now a three year old. We celebrated with spaghetti, cake and loved ones. Thanks to all who were there in person and in spirit!

Thought to ponder...

As you may know, I am an optimist and today, a friend of mine sent me a quote that outlined what I aspire to live every day:


I am the decisive element
"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element.It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized.If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."
--Goethe

Anders plus one...

The little man isn't so little any longer...his two front teeth are going to be out soon and here is a quick comparison of Anders' school composite 1st grade to Kindergarten. There are a few kids who were in his class both years and you can really tell they have grown too.

Kind of fun to see changes and remember how he looked just one year ago--not huge changes, but a bit more mature looking. It would be really fun to actually see how much he has grown in height and weight...that is even more drastic.

Christmas 2008

Blomgren Christmas November 29, 2008
Before Anders' Christmas program where he was one of the three wisemen. Posing in front of the Christmas tree that Brad cut down during hunting season.


Grandpa said "don't smile", so Anders took him very literally


Hair salon at the Smoland Inn Bed and Breakfast.



Ariel, Santa, Cinderella/Bob the Builder enjoying some relax riesling

Brad and Joe discussing the merits of being a big brother while Henry listens intently.

The glamorous Sara and Isaiah Swanson

We enjoyed another magical Christmas with the Blomgren's and Olson/Swanson's.

• It all started in November with the Blomgren's congregating at the Comfort Inn in Mankato and enjoying a meal of Pagliai's Pizza. We celebrated with Kent, Brenda, Anna and Abby--Kurt, Vance, Stuart and Ross--Kyle, Kim, Kyle, Adam, Liana and Ryan--Cory, Joan, Thomas, Evan and Trenton--Clarence and Vivian
• We then moved back to River Falls for Anders Christmas concert on December 21st where he sang a duet and was one of the three wisemen.
• Lastly we traveled to Grantsburg for the Olson/Swanson Christmas where we celebrated with Ibby, Joe and Henry Quintana--Brent, Molly, Siri and Ivan Olson--Bud and Betty Olson--Bruce, Julie, Dionne, Christina, Stacy, Dionne, Sara and Isaiah Swanson--Grace Swanson.

We are so blessed and wish all of you a fabulous New Year...see you then!

Florida Fun

Katie and I had the tremendous opportunity to go to Anna Maria Island south of Tampa, Florida with Bruce, Julie, Sara and Isaiah Swanson from November 21-25. Here are some photos including Katie and Isaiah with coconuts, Isaiah destroying our castle, Katie chasing the gull who swooped upon her, Sara and Katie braving the chilly waters and Katie and I enjoying the most spectacular sunset ever.

Thanks to the Swansons for the incredible hospitality and I would highly recommend a return visit.

Katie's Recital

Kathryn Grace Olson has enjoyed her very first dance experience with an amazing teacher named Miss Jennifer. On Monday, November 17, Katie had an audience with her brother Anders, Grandma and Grandpa Olson and Dad and Mom. Our neighbor and Katie's playmate, Megan Odegard (who happens to be 4 weeks younger than Katie) was also a part of the recital.

As you will see, Kate has a beautiful updo courtesy of Sheri, Katie's wonderful caregiver. The Lion Sleeps Tonight was the main dance performed and I'm sure Kate will oblige you if you ask her to repeat the performance.

Happy Haunting

Barack Obama pumpkins
Rodeo Dude--Anders Cole


Dorothy and Rodeo Dude

Dorothy and Toto

Dorothy and Grandma

Anders' pumpkin 2008

Karen's "The Littlest Pumpkin" replica

Katie's Jeff Wiggle pumpkin

Three of the six pumpkins on our front steps greeting the hoards of trick or treaters

Brad and Katie creating Jeff Wiggle

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Our family enjoyed another year of tricks and treats with Grandma Betty and Grandpa Bud joining in the fun. We almost had a new member of the family join us, but he decided to wait a few days to make a grand entrance. Baby Gorlock will join his big sister, Siri for his first Halloween next year.

As you can see, "Rodeo Dude" and "Dorothy" made their rounds and we saw some especially impressive pumpkins that we are sharing...

Harvest Time

Anders harvesting the giant sunflowers
Katie harvesting the carrot patch
Anders and Katie on the front steps
Karen and Katie harvesting "Honey Gold" apples at Maple Leaf Orchard
Anders, Libby and Abby Thibodeau heading back to the haywagon after our apple picking adventure.

It's hard to say what the best time of the year is, but I would have to say that Fall is one of my very favorite. We have enjoyed our garden and also the fruits of various orchards in the area. We are hoping to enjoy this wonderful season for a few more months.

Katie's Day...

Many of Katie's days are filled with playtime with her good friends, Ian, Maiya, Evelyn, Vivian, Sherri, Grant and Jack. Here are just a few shots with her best buddy Ian--who really enjoys defending her from attacking foes and of Katie being a super hero.

Just have to add that Katie has perfected the "fake cry". Last night--I repremanded her for throwing her salad on the floor. She looked at me, screwed up her face and tried to give a convincing cry, but ended up laughing until we couldn't help but join her.


She is a CON ARTIST--beware, she will take you for all you have and then some. But who can blame you--she's such a baby darling!

Early Fall Photos

The Olson farmstead at 408 South Sixth--our ultimate goal is live on a farm, so we are bringing the farm to the city.
One of our giant sunflowers nearing harvest
Anders on his official first day of first grade...very chilly morning September 3, 2008
Sassy Katie in front of "her playhouse" on the 136 week anniversary of her birth.
Katie thought she should get in on the first day of school photo too. Sad part is, she will be heading to pre-school next fall...

We have been enjoying the fleeting last moments of summer and are embracing the chilly mornings, warm days of early fall. Anders has a new teacher, Ms. Rasmussen and Katie is enjoying more time with Sheri.

Our family is proud to announce a new addition to our extended family--Henry Loren Quintana. Katie thinks Henry is the property of herself and Ibby..."My Henry!". We are eager to meet our new family member--maybe at Christmas.