happy 19th birthday

Happy birthday to Kyle Jr. and Adam Blomgren.  Love you both so much!

Adam and Kyle on their high school graduation day

make up day in June

We will be going to school on June 6.  Our superintendent also announced that we will more than likely be calling school on Tuesday as well because the weather doesn't sound like it will be improving before then.  I am going to be working on sight word lists and math drill projects for students to take home...those days can be long and the more practice we have, the better.

pig butchering day

Brad had a project in mind in our trip to Mountain Lake.  He and my brother Kurt butchered a 275 pound pig.  It was an interesting adventure for them and I think Brad will be doing it again in the future.  He now will be curing hams and smoking bacon.  He is a renaissance man to say the least.

to Mountain Lake we went

On Friday evening we left for Mountain Lake.  It was snowing relatively hard so we took it easy.  We went out to eat in Hastings and made it home in just over five hours.  The kids did a great job on the trip, but we were very thankful to finally make it home to Grandma and Grandpas house.

day of catch up

On Thursday, K came to school with me and we accomplished a lot of different projects around the classroom.  It was really fun to hang out together.  We ended up staying really late and the time just flew.

the cold is back in town

As I was in the reading resource room after school today, I got a text from the school district telling me that there would be no school on Thursday due to dangerously cold temperatures.  I hope it warms up on Friday so we don't have to make up more time in June.  We shall see how it goes.

back to school

Many of the kids who walked through the door had been sick on Thursday of last week.  I didn't teach Friday as I took a personal day to prepare for K's party.  It was so wonderful to see their sweet shining faces on Tuesday!

workshop

On Monday, the staff at School District of River Falls enjoyed a day of workshops.  I listened to a workshop on Earobics and on our new review system called Teachscape.  In the afternoon, our staff did vision work for the school.  We had a great day with a start at the MLK breakfast where our school made Peace Crane centerpieces.


It was a nice day!

ward 6

6 friends met at Ward 6 in St. Paul for lunch on Sunday.  Trish, Steph, Anie, Julie, Taylor and myself met and enjoyed a lovely meal together.  It was wonderful to finish one another's sentences and catch up on life as we know it.

8

Wow.  Our lovely daughter KGO is now 8 years old.  May she grow with confidence in her self and let her inner beauty shine.  We love you to bits!

party time

A birthday party sleepover for 8...turned into 4 by the end of the night. It was a fun evening for all and today we are cleaning up the festivities.

116

116 years ago, my Grandpa Nels Pierson Sr. was born in Sweden.  In a way, it is his platinum birthday.. 116 on 1/16.  Happy birthday in heaven, Grandpa.

35

Happiest of birthdays to a lovely and spritely Molly Kathleen.  You are one of the best mommies I have ever met.  

Love you much!

preparing for a party

K is turning 8 on Saturday.  We are planning a little birthday party/sleepover for a posse of little friends.  She is such a planner and just told me "Mom, I think we probably should get a cleaning this house you know."  No grass grows under those little toes.

let it snow

WOW!  On Monday at school, one of my students told me he thought the next day he would need to do a lot of shoveling...low and behold the few inches of snow predicted turned into 6--way to go Cole!

21

21 years ago, I went out with one of my residents when I was a Community Advisor at MSU--now MSU Mankato to celebrate a 21st birthday.  We became best friends, were maid/matron of honors at one anothers' weddings and on Saturday went out to celebrate 21 years of friendship.  Happiest of birthdays Julie Annette Thibodeau!

refinished kitchen floor

The wonderful Bradley Cole has been working really hard today on yet another project.  He had already taken the linoleum off the floor and early this morning, he started sanding and just finished putting the third coat of finish on the floor.

Beautiful work...

removing linoleum

sanding

after sanding, Brad getting edger

layer two of finish

after layer three

she learned to braid one year ago today

weekly photos

Here are the two youngest Olsons most current weekly photos.  Time marches on!

chicken on a string

Chicken on a string...a beautiful fire in the fireplace and a delicious meal to enjoy!

snow day 2

The temperatures were still dangerously cold this morning so school was called another day.  Again, I did go to school and did even more work...it would be really nice to have two extra days of prep every week!  I did get home again tonight and reports were good about the family.  A did go to Swim Club tonight, so the day was a little normal, but I have a feeling it will be a bit challenging getting to sleep after a 4 day weekend!

snow day 1

Yesterday River Falls schools were called off due to the extremely cold wind chills.  I did have to report to school and got so many things accomplished--I am feeling much better about where I'm standing.  The kids stayed home with Brad and played very nicely together.  It was a great day at the Olson house!

painting the basement

Sunday night involved giving the family room walls the respect they deserve--a good washing and a new coat of beautiful paint.  Turns out the color I chose was extremely close to the original color. I'm quite sure the paint was original (probably from the 40s).

before the transformation with A walking toward bathroom

before in piano area

after watching Biggest Loser

sledding day!

The temperatures were flirting with 20 degrees today above zero, so our family went sledding at Hoffman park this afternoon.  The golden sunshine invigorated our bodies--A, K and I sledded and climbed while O and Brad stayed at home.  O is battling the nasty cough that has invaded our home and he was in dire need of a nap/rest.


It was a beautiful day on the slopes of Hoffman with both A and I getting some air while aiming for a man-made mogel.

what lies beneath

Brad bravely removed the dirty and ugly carpeting from our bedroom and what he found underneath was lovely hardwood flooring.  He is looking to move his office from the basement to our room so he can see what's happening in the world during the day.  He has gone to a stand up desk and is liking it so far.

baby its cold out there

On January 2, the first day back of the 2014 school year was an indoor recess day and boy was it a good day to have outdoor recess.  The van screamed when I went to start her up early on Thursday morning.

hello 2014

A, K and myself counted down to the New Year last night...we toasted with sparkling cider and fell asleep shortly after hugs and kisses.  To a terrific 2014!

good bye 2013

So many things to be thankful for in 2013.  Growing children, new teaching job, warm and comfortable home, loving parents and siblings and nieces and nephews, the ability to go on vacations, plentiful food to eat...we are blessed.


Happy New Year all!