How Lovely Are Your Branches!

The Olson Christmas tree is standing beautifully in our living room, surrounded by presents and blocked off from lil hands. The boys picked out their tree with Grandma and Papa on Saturday and made it pretty on Sunday with Mom and Dad. It is beautiful red and silver this year with a few bulldozers, trains, and Tim's beer mug. The lil boys couldn't believe their eyes when they saw Dad bring this giant green thing in the house.
Tim and I were talking about our childhood Christmas tree memories and this is what we recalled. Tim - remembers his Dad taking their tree out of its box and fixing all the branches, then sitting down to watch Tim, Emily and Heather decorate it. Mel - I remember picking our trees out at the Boys' Club every year (it had to be perfect), going home to decorate it with my siblings and Mom while Dad watched, BUT then I remember every year my mom in the middle of the night up in her night gown tying the tree to the window because the dogs knocked it down. Everyone has their own way of doing things BUT I will always have a freshly cut Christmas tree in my house. Nothing is wrong with the fake trees (my older bro and his wife use one) but I can't bring myself to use an imitation. Even when Tim is too old to carry our tree in the house, I hope that our three boys will remember their Mama's wish and get the thing in the stand. My grandma Arleen always had the most beautiful trees for Christmas (usually frosted) and I hold that memory close to my heart. BUT she never had bulldozers on her tree, if only she knew Charlie...

Getting the tree in the stand STRAIGHT

Charlie had to inspect and tell his brothers what was going on

Have to keep it watered boys!

Lincoln decided he needed to be watered too.

Papa Jon Jr. Tim is very pleased that Maxwell is looking like his Dad.

Lincoln was into fixin the stand with the pliers

Charlie was the first to put an ornament on - his new dinosaur

I am proud to say that my nativity scene is complete. My dad handmade the manger backdrop for me! He completed it last year after the holiday so this is the first year I was able to use it.

Dad was trying to capture the moments while Linc had another agenda

Remembering moments as a kid and making new ones with my kids

Max's turn - he wanted to touch and yell and pull at the branches

My new sign from Tim's mom and Charlie's new light up decorations from Grandma- love the glitter!

Trying to get a good picture of the three of them is ridiculous!

Well, there's two

Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You!

The boys' Papa and Grandma came to visit for Thanksgiving and we were more than thankful to have them here with us. Their Aunt Tina also joined us for dinner and parade watching. I was, as I always am, sad to see their trip come to an end. The five of us always feel their love no matter where we are.
Thanks for everything this weekend and always Mom and Dad! We had a wonderful time with you and cannot wait to get home to celebrate Christmas with you and the rest of the gang. We are truly thankful to have you in our lives!

Charlie capturing his turkey that he gladly ate!

Playing games with Grandma early Thursday morning

Papa is always up for a walk in the snow.

This is Max's latest pose for the camera. We say "Say cheese Max" and he says "ohhhhh" with arms in the air.

Gran and Linc snuggling while they watched the parade

The pilgrim and Indian give thanks before the big meal

Max's FAVORITE thing to do these days is read. He loves to tell stories while he sits in your lap. Times to cherish!

Aunt Tina and Max

PAPA PILE! my dad hates to be tickled but you can't say NO to your grandchildren, especially when grandma is sitting on you too!

Maxwell and Mama

The chef after cooking and eating

Time to make treats now

Max reading again with Grandma. Thanks for the new books Gran! They love the buttons. Tim wants Ibprofren for Christmas. :)

Side note -Grandma taught Max how to talk like a monkey. It is the cutest thing! EeeOoo then he laughs at himself.

Playing at the dinner table

Arts and Crafts with Grandma. One of Charlie's favorite things to do with Gran

Great Uncle Terry visits with the boys while his big bro was in town

Until next time Uncler Ter

The boys picking out the Christmas tree

Charlie aka Cool Dude

Very Happy Grandparents with Very Blessed Grandsons

Oh Grandma!

Lincoln reminds my dad of his dad's baby pictures.

Enough hugs to go around and around

We had a usual breakfast at Panera before my parents left and we let the boys walk around after we ate. Everyone was watching them and they LOVED the freedom.

Yes, Lincoln believes that his shirt speaks the truth. "I'm the Boss". One of these days he will figure it out. :) (thinks like his Papa)

Tim and I want to tell you all that we are very thankful and blessed to have you in our lives. We appreciate and love our families and friends very much and wouldn't be here without them. Everyone gives their love and support in different ways but they are all noticed and appreciated! I got a text message that brought tears to my eyes Thursday morning, a friend telling me how thankful they are to have me in their lives. It was wonderful to hear and won't be forgotten!

Any Buddy is Lucky to Have a Buddy Like You!

My li sister Mary and only nephew Malaki came to town on Friday. Mary and Tina babysat for Tim and I on Saturday so we could go out for our 5th anniversary. On Sunday Mary and I took Charlie and Mak to Curious George LIVE, thanks to Grandma! We had a great weekend with M & M and look forward to hugging them again very soon.
I chose this title for the post b/c Mak and Charlie are incredibly close, brothers! This was the name of one of the songs during the George show (Any buddy is lucky to have a buddy like you) and during it these two were hugging and dancing together. Can't wait to see what they are doing together when they are teens! Watch out parents!

Aunt Mary making the dragons eat farm animals!

Uncle Tim the horse, Maki the jockey

Mak was rubbing Charlie's back while they were watching a movie

Maxwell with Aunt Mary, giggling fools

Aunt Tina was the lil boys' target!

"Watch out Aunt Tina, you're going to get it!"

Mak and Mary at lunch before George

Mama and Charlie couldn't wait to see our favorite furry creature

Charlie's new toy from Aunt Mary! Thanks!

"Aunt Mel, I'm trying to pay attention"

I was the "chair" for both boys at different times

"Where's GEORGE?!"

"Making meatballs"

Two best buds watching the show

"Another hug for my pal"

Soooo happy to see George!

Bye Aunt Mary! Love you

Uncle Tim hugs and high fives all weekend

Charlie avoiding a goodbye. Imagine that!

Always ready to hug a sister. Tim has fit into my family since day one. Tina always says it was like he was her brother all along. Creepy to think about since I married him!

Auntie Mel loves you so much Malaki!

I'm glad I only have one set of twins b/c it seemed like we had two sets all weekend. We had our hands FULL!

Yes, the babies know what good bye means now too. Painful but true. They watched Aunt Mary and Mak drive away.

"WHY MAMA WHY?"

Tim and I would like to thank everyone that remembered us on our anniversary! We got a lot of phone calls, emails, and messages sent our way. We appreciate everyone's support and prayers for our marriage and family. It means a lot to us and makes every obstacle easier to overcome and every blessing that much sweeter. THANK YOU!