homecoming 2017

Last night, Katie had a couple of girlfriends over for pizza before the football game. Anders took his friend, Emma to Chipotle for dinner and then they marched at halftime of the football game. I served desserts at a marching band tailgate fundraiser and Osten and Brad stayed at home/layed low.

Thanks to my friend Michelle, I was updated on the status of the game. The Wildcats won in the final minute of play over the Superior Spartans! I then went to pick up Katie from the game, Anders rolled in and we all had an early bedtime.

Successful homecoming 2017!

pikachus first defeat

Today the Pikachu's were defeated for the first time...Osten was unaffected. Whew!

more school photos

Here are Anders grade 10 and Katie grade 6 in their 2017-2018 school photos:

I see a big similarity in their smile.

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Last night, my lovely husband was inspired to rearrange rooms. Katie has been spending most nights in Osten's bedroom and Osten in our room. We decided to bring Katie's room back upstairs and move Osten downstairs repurposing that room into a television room. Now we have a recliner and sitting area upstairs in the living  room and television is downstairs.

Someday soon I will take photos, but it is soon time for stories and bedtime for our 7 year old.

happy birthday T!

Thomas Matthew turns 21 today! Wishing you abundant love in the coming year and for all time.

football game and marching band

Yesterday ended up being a full day for the Olson clan. The Pikachu's played ball at 9 am and Osten's team won their 3rd game of the season. Then we went to lunch at Mariachi Loco at noon, went to the Afton artfair in the afternoon and went to Baldwin to see the Marching Wildcats take first place honors. I embarrassed myself by tearing up during the competition, but all the kids hard work definitely showed on the field last night. Our little boy (ok, not so little) is in a great program and he made his family very proud.

Bud and Betty at the Pikachu game

Katie was gifted a hand carved flower by a vendor at the Afton Art Fair

Waiting for the Wildcats to take the field

The marching cats taking the field

our Wildcat first in line between the two microphones

3 of his biggest fans

first day of school pictures for the high and middle schooler

I didn't have my phone to take photos of Anders and Katie on their first day of school. Anders did have his phone though and I finally remembered to take them from his phone this morning. Here they are...

10th and 6th...

first day of autumn

Wow, the first day of autumn was very very hot. My classroom was in the lower 90s and the kids were pretty incredible through it all. Anders performed at the half time of the football game--Katie and Brad watched and Osten and I hung out at home in the air conditioning.

Happy Autumn!

art fair

On Sunday morning, Katie and I drove to Marine on St. Croix to the annual art fair. Got to have lunch with my dear friend Julie, her daughter Libby, friend Trish and her Mom Libby. We then strolled around the fair. Perfect weather and wonderful company.

brace yourself

Sweet 11 year old Katie Grace had her braces installed today. I just got home from school because I prepared for a sub tomorrow so I didn't see her before she headed to confirmation, but I'm looking forward to seeing her smile in about 1 1/2 hours.

before school and no braces

after school/with braces

and she chose MN Vikings colors for her rubber band choice. Go Vikes!

grade 1

and here he is...

healthy kids fall 17

Little man ran the 1/4 mile at the Healthy Kids Running Series on Sunday. He placed 2nd with a time of 1:39. Go Osten go!

thermometer plummeting

So the hazy skies and hot humid weather has left our region for the moment. We spent the day inside for recess. I couldn't figure out why we had a tough time concentrating in library, and then I remembered...temperature drop and indoor recess=tough time concentrating.

Tomorrow will be another day.

art fair in Marine

Today was a bright shiny day that Katie and I spent together going to the Marine on St. Croix art fair, going to her 3 on 3 tournament and then ending the day at my friend Abby's essential oil party.

We got to spend time with friends Julie, Libby, Trish and her Momma Libby.

Great day.

3rd field show

The River Falls marching band is performing this evening at Cumberland Wisconsin their 3rd field show of the season. I'm thinking of jumping in the Prius and heading to the show...

and his face lit up

Today I was on bus duty at school when a handsome man and his equally handsome son start walking toward me on the sidewalk. I waved to them, the son saw me and his face lit up like it was Christmas morning. He ran to me and we hugged.

Thanks Brad and Osten for making my day shine.

what a difference a year makes

Here's Beata getting sworn in as safety patrol. She's now a big grown up 6th grader.

confirmation

Our little sweetie Katie Grace started confirmation tonight. Her teacher is her darling daddy Brad. Go forth and learn about Jesus' teachings and prosper!

the heat is on!

August was one of the most pleasant weather months I've ever experienced. Today, the heat crept up and our classroom was just plain HOT! The kids came in from recess and their flushed faces had a hard time returning to normal with our classroom temps lingering near 80. We will probably be thinking fondly of those temps in February, but right now it is downright steamy.

music music music

Anders has be immersed in music this year. He is a part of the RF Marching Band and spent Friday night and all day Saturday marching. Then yesterday he spent a fair amount of time rehearsing for his part in the RFHS production of Beauty and the Beast. Last night I just hugged him so tightly because I had not really seen him all weekend.

I am thankful for his musical interest, but I hope all goes well for him in his wellness.

3 on 3 basketball

Today Katie and the  River Falls black team had their first 3 on 3 basketball league day today. Brooklyn, Makenna, Savannah and Katie make up the team. They lost their first game and won their second. This league goes for several more weeks...I'm anticipating she will get some good experience with some really fast basketball.

first football game

Our OJO had his first official football game. He is playing on the Pikachu's--wearing #2 on the navy blue team. He carried the ball a couple of times. Perfect weather for his first official game.

Go big O!

picnic night

Tonight was our school picnic. I LOVE OUR SCHOOL community. Got lots of hugs, got to be silly and hang out with my beautiful daughter Katie Grace. She played with some really great kids and I got to chat with some really great friends/parents. I didn't see everyone, but the ones I saw, were delightful.

thinking of our friends in the VI

Praying for safety for all in the path of hurricane Irma. It appears that Puerto Rico is currently affected, so she is past St. Croix, but still thinking of our experience 6 years ago with Irene and how scary it was to see the trees bending and the wind howling. Also remembering all the dead stray animals that were left behind. Quite an impression was made.

this image is from weather.com

1st day elementary in the rear view mirror

On Wednesday, Osten and I started our first days of school together. We both had really nice days...it's going to be a great year!

1st day middle and high school here we come!

This morning, the traditional first day muffins were baked.

Anders ate his before he drove to River Falls High School to start his sophomore year.
Katie ate hers before her walked to Meyer Middle School to start her 6th grade year.
Osten ate his before heading to Mary Jo's for his speech/language tutoring.

The two elder got their photos taken and then I scuttled off to RFPME to start my 5th year of parent teacher conferences. I am so excited for a great year!

celebration

After photos we got home, ate dinner and then celebrated Ibby's birthday with cake, singing and a bonfire that Brad made.

traditional farting noise birthday song... 

the three Olson kids enjoying the fire and conversation

a beautiful moonlit night

a roaring bonfire...great night

happy birthday Ibby Gina!

After spending much of the day on Saturday in my classroom, Anders working and Katie resting after a fun sleepover, we drove to Grantsburg to the lake for a bit of a end of summer celebration on Saturday night.

Sunday morning we woke, spent time on the lake, wished Ibby Happy Birthday and then dressed up for family photos at a friend of Ibby's. The day couldn't have been nicer. Nell (not a professional photographer) did an amazing job of wrangling the family and capturing some really beautiful photos. I also took some photos during down times that ended up being pretty cute.


The photos I took

Ike and Anders

Osten and Ike

Dehlia Grace

Osten sticking out his tongue

Osten and I 

Katie and Siri

Anders and I 

 Now the photos by Nell...

Our family--Osten, Anders, Brad, Katie and I 

Siri, Brent, Molly, Ivan and Ike

Ibby's family--Henry, Ibby, Joe and Dehlia

Grandparents and grandchildren--Dehlia, Joe, Henry, Anders, Katie, Siri, Ivan, Ike, Osten and Grandma and Grandpa 

The grandkids--Osten, Siri, Katie, Ike, Joe, Anders, Dehlia, Ivan and Henry

smiling at someone you like

Betty and Bud

Katie and Dehia

Joe and Henry

freak accident

On Wednesday, our family found  broken window on our Prius. We believe it was a freak accident where a small rock or other object hit our front passenger side window. Nothing valuable was in the vehicle other than the vehicle, two other windows were open and we feel pretty safe in River Falls.

Osten did believe it was a robber and did share that with our neighbors and friends that evening. I believe he knows that it wasn't a robber now, but that may be a residual impact from this incident.

Here are some photos of what we found:

The window has been repaired...now life can continue ;)

1935 was a fine year...

from wikipedia...
A pastoral letter was read in every Catholic church in Germany defying the Nazi regime. "If the laws of the state are in contradiction to those of the nation and to God's commandments, then God's word must be heeded by the faithful", the letter read in part. "There is lots of talk in official Germany against 'political Catholicism', but there is little talk of politicians who interfere in church matters. There is a danger that the slogan 'political Catholicism' will make some official elements believe they can do as they please, forbidding processions and the ringing of church bells, and arresting nuns and monks without legal investigations. This is in open contradiction to the concordat."

Also on this day, Seiji Ozawa, a world renowned musician was born in 1935.

So was one of the most important and influential persons in my life. My Momma--Vivian Grace. Thank you Mom for being there for us all and for your love and guidance.

closing down August

One of my very favorite months of the year, August...it was great to spend 2017 with you! On the last day of August--49 years ago, my in laws officially tied the knot. Happy Anniversary Bud and Betty and wishing you continued joy and happiness!

pickleball

For the School District of River Falls, I am on the wellness committee. My friend, Abby and I planned an event with the River Falls Pickle Ball Association. We played the game three times on Wednesday afternoon. After much sweating and losing all three games, I found that I find pickleball very enjoyable!

Thank you River Falls Pickle Ball Association! You were great teachers and very encouraging.

grateful

My sister in law Kim sent a message that she is grateful. Grateful her son, Adam (shown here on left) survived a scary car accident this past week. "He was rear-ended on Wednesday in Mankato as he was stopped at a stop sign in a long line of cars. He was the first car hit. Four vehicles were involved. His trunk ended up in his back seat and his airbags deployed. Praise the Lord!"

Miracles are witnessed every day and I'm so grateful that a miracle was demonstrated on Wednesday.