snow

This year, there is a sweet little girl in our shared classroom named Snow. I think she is incredible, but the white stuff that she is named after was falling from the sky throughout the day. The snow fell during the River Falls Wildcats football game versus Superior (we won 21-0). Katie was the only brave Olson to attend as Anders marching band performance was cancelled due to icky weather.

Snow I like you. Other snow, I'm not ready for you yet.

the boy is 62 pounds and 4 foot 3 inches tall

Favorite color: black
Favorite number: 95
Favorite food: noodles and meat sauce
Favorite friend: Jayden
Favorite television show: Stranger Things
Favorite movie: Jumanji
Favorite school subject: play at recess
What he's planning being for Halloween: Black Panther
Favorite book: Dog Man and Captain Underpants books
Favorite musical: Hamilton
Favorite band: ACDC
Favorite football team: Vikings
Favorite baseball team: Twins
Favorite soccer team: MN United
Favorite basketball team: Milwaukee Bucks

big yummy mushroom

Our friend, Mike N. found this tasty hen of the woods mushroom in the woods near Menomonie. We have been dining on it for several meals now...yum yum yum!

weekend up north

 Joe and his buck

Brent, Siri and Natalie bringing in the dock

Micha, Nate and Joe bringing in the dock

Henry and his buck

This past weekend, Brad headed north to go hunting with Henry for the Youth Deer hunt and it was a successful hunt. Nate and kids were also there and helped bring in the dock. 

13 and life to go

Here's to our sweet niece Siri Audree Olson! Happy 13th birthday to you. The last 2006 Olson Swanson Quintana cousin to turn 13.

Katie and Molly at Siri's shower

Anders and Katie playing little baby when visiting cousin Siri

proud Momma and her sweet baby girl

here's her birthday today

if at first you don't succeed, try try again

This morning, I was out of the house at 5:45am to drive to St. Paul for the Twin Cities Marathon. My training was challenging with some sore feet and a sore hip, so I decided I would try to train on elliptical. The first 14 miles were great and then...my legs felt like lead. By mile 18, I was falling pretty far behind, so far behind, that I had to exit the course due to time limits. I was going to try and just walk the rest of the way, but then decided I needed to take care of my body and my health, so went to an aid station and asked to be picked up by the bus of people who had the same struggles.

I ended up in a nice conversation with several people and have decided this is not my only attempt at a marathon. I was kind of hoping it would be, but there is an alternate plan for my Personal Record.

On another note, my 18 miles netted me nearly 45,000 steps and 50 floors. That is a victory in my book!

marching Wildcats take first at the Chippewa Falls competition

They won the honors of best percussion and also the honors of top band at the competition. I again was a chaperone and Katie and Osten tagged along on the bus. It was pretty heavenly when we were driving home very late and Osten snuggled up on my lap and fell asleep. I was able to play with his hair and just enjoy a few moments of snuggling with my big nine year old.

Here's Anders and his tuba section (photo credit Tuba Mom Carrie)

and here is a photo of them in action:

and the Wildcats won homecoming!

Wildcat homecoming was on Friday night and they took down the Chippewa Falls Cardinals! It was a terrific outcome. Anders band played at half time and I was a chaperone for the festivities. It was an exciting evening.

happy 21st birthday Evan Lee!

Our handsome and crafty nephew and cousin Evan Lee made his appearance a mere 21 years ago. Keep working hard at your dream of working in agriculture at SDSU.

sweet reader

Today a very sweet little first grader asked she could help me read our read aloud after recess. She has a very soft voice, but she did a BEAUTIFUL job. My co-teacher Michelle caught a couple pictures...these moments really make me love my path.

what a difference the month change makes

Yesterday--September 30th, it was sultry and downright uncomfortable. This morning, I woke at 5 to do 8 miles on the elliptical and the dewpoint dropped a lot and the high temp dropped from 85 yesterday to 56 today...that's nearly 30 degrees!

Today was far more comfortable.