glorious sunset

Last night, after preparing a meal of quail eggs and toast for Katie and Osten, my friend Sharyl and I went for a lovely walk through campus, to the high school and home again. We marveled at the glorious sunset as she dropped me off at home. Then my friend, Ester sent me this beautiful photo of the sunset as she was amazed at its beauty. It was breathtaking.

yard is clear!

Crazy day yesterday. The front yard started the day with patches of snow. Now there is none! Beautiful sunshine--a line of people out for strolls--dinner at the Rader's with the Watson's. Osten playing the day away with neighbor Mr. Wil, Anders spending time at home playing video games because Lindsey is in California, Brad making the porch beautiful again with lots of elbow grease and organizing, I folded a mountain of laundry and got it put away where it belongs, Katie and Anders spent time in their rooms making them de-cluttered and beautiful and I started the grading process for the trimester--still have more work to do on that before Wednesday.

It was a GREAT day.

electronic invite sent out

Meg Andrea designed and printed Anders' graduation open house invitations. She even printed them for us! What a kind soul. Today, I took a photo of the invite and sent out via FaceBook to most of the people who will receive a paper invite. Here it is:

The day is coming...his graduation ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 31 at 1pm. We have a few golden months left!

first communion class

On Friday night, Brad, Osten and I went to his first communion instruction at church. It was a wonderful evening with Osten making some nice connections with the sacrament of holy communion. He was able to make his own vessel to drink from on his first communion on Maundy Thursday. Very special!

choir concert at RFHS

On Thursday night, we were treated to a lovely choir concert at the River Falls High School. We just so happened to be seated right behind Anders, so I got a good photo--next photo of the singers taking the stage:

 The full chamber choir--Anders in upper right, Lindsey in lower left

Then the full choir took the stage...it was a big treat--most of the soloists were very familiar and they did a great job of sharing their time to shine.

This last photo is of the full choirs...so very well done! I'm glad this isn't the last concert of the year. 

Lindsey's Mom is always so good at getting a photo and sharing. Thanks, Meg!

and the rain came down

As I was walking home from my morning workout, the rain was gently falling; melting the snow that had accumulated in large piles. Our front walkway was not icy, but rather wet. The seasons are changing!

cause for pause

I have been steadily waking earlier every morning. This morning the alarm sounded at 4:33am. I hit the snooze once and was in Anytime working out at 4:58am. I put in a 50 minute elliptical, some core work and then did some shoulders and leg weights.

Then it was time to hit the stairs of North Hall on UWRF campus. As I was climbing down from the 4th floor, I peeked outside to see the reflection of the sun on the buildings to the west of the building. WOW. We live in a beautiful small city. It totally inspired a cause for pause.

I started reflecting on our journey to this point. 16 years ago, Brad, Anders and I first set foot in town, fell in love with our little house and have since fell in love with the community. Katie and Osten have also joined us in our little home in River Falls. How fortunate we are! Shortly after having this beautiful reflection, I ran into my principal, Nate and we had a nice walk/talk as he was starting a walk and I was finishing my journey home after my daily workout.

Now it's time to nurse our sweet Katie who is still sporting a 100.7 temperature, feed Osten his daily buttered bread and hot chocolate/half and half with 9 marshmallows, wake Anders, shower and take a group of 21 students on a field trip to Minneapolis.

It's going to be a great day!.

it's a sunshine day!

Our sweet Katie is still down with the flu, but she just got up from her nest on the couch and is heading into the shower for a fresh start. Our 18 year old is sleeping in...the Juniors are doing the writing portion of their ACT today, so the rest of the student body has an e-learning day. He has assignments from his teachers that he is required to attend to, but he is encouraged to stay home and learn. I'm wondering if they are doing this in preparation for a catastrophic event such as an outbreak of the Corona Virus?

Our cuddly 9 year old had his breakfast and is getting ready for a big day of learning in 3rd grade. I have been waking 9 minutes earlier every morning to prepare for the impending spring ahead to Daylight Saving Time so I've gotten my workout in and will soon freshen up for a day of teaching/learning biology and history. My handsome 47 year old looks like he's ready for the day as he salted the sidewalk out front and is whistling a happy tune.

Have a great day everyone!

our Ry guy

Our handsome, bright, industrious and amazing cousin and nephew Ryan Edward is 19 years old today. Love you so so much.

in like a lamb

Yesterday was a picture perfect day as we started the day with a little hike around a creek in the Knier's back yard. We were hoping to get a little sledding in, but that powerful sunshine melted all the snow on their sledding hill.

We spent several hours in the car on our way home from Sheboygan. It was a wonderful trip.

March came in a like a lamb...I wonder when the lion will appear.

leap day with Knier’s

On Saturday the extra day of the year the Olsons drove East to visit our friends the Knier’s in Sheboygan Wisconsin🎉We went to a super fun waterpark and Katie ended up getting ill...great memories though!