Bagels for Brunch!

We had brunch with Aunt Colleen and Uncle Terry today.  The boys love spending time there and feel at home.  We couldn't ask for anything more!

Uncle Ter needs a coat!

Excited about bagels, chocolate bread, and bacon!

Ali's rocking horse from her childhood that the boys adore

Great Aunt Colleen huggin' CT

Love you guys!

Nama's babies celebrate Christmas together

Ben and Heather hosted Christmas today for us and it was so much fun!  The BIG boys did their first liquor exchange, we celebrate Heather and Karlie's birthdays, the ladies exchanged homemade gifts, and the kiddos enjoyed ripping open all the paper to see what they got.  

Charlie asked a few times throughout the day why Nama has to be in heaven and why she couldn't come back for just a little bit.  We tried to explain that she wants to see us happy and enjoying our family time...

Ben was very excited about his gift!

Merry Christmas boys!

Nama's Christmas babies

Avery, Claire, Lincoln, Charlie, Karlie, and Max

The kids' table

and the other kids' table

Had to do these shirts for Heth and I!

Happy Birthday Karlie Ann!

She opened her big gift from the Olsons and Jerins and said "My dream came true!  Just what I wanted!"

Lincoln very excited about his new movie BRAVE

Max hugging his new play doh tools

Claire couldn't wait to play her new game

"I won't ask for anything else, EVER!  Thank you!"

Heather and Emily opening their gifts from me.  Snowflake ornaments with a pic of them with Linda.

Tim getting his annual gift from Emily - chocolate covered cherries

Uncle Ben and Lincoln stick together

Charlie and Uncle JP checking out the Hot Wheels track

The girls reading together

Auntie Heth the horsey!

The Whittingtons

Time for hot chocolate!  Thanks Auntie Heth

December birthday girls!

The Jon and Linda Olson Family

"We're so excited!"

2012 Olson Christmas Card

Because I know we missed some of you when sending our card and letter this year.  Please except this post as your Christmas card from the Olsons!

Merry Christmas to All of Our Wonderful Friends and Family!

What a busy year at the Olson house!  Charlie turned 5 this year and started his first year of Kindergarten.  Maxwell and Lincoln turned 3 and are having fun with new friends at daycare.  The boys certainly keep us busy, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.  The calendar below is a small sample of some of the fun times we had.  While we were shown just how precious life is this year, we are using this Holiday Season to reflect on all of the wonderful people we have in our lives.  We hope that you find love wherever you are and that you always find time to hold your family close on your journey into the New Year!

January	February	March	April
Mel starts Weight loss challenge with family and friends	Pirate hotel in Sioux Falls w/ Haggar cousins	Tim and Mel snowshoe in Gooseberry park while Nama boysat	Easter in Rapid City with Haggars
Max and Lincoln get handcrafted big boy beds from Papa!		Science Museum with Aunt Heather and Uncle Ben	Tim and Papa see Timberwolves vs Celtics game
May	June	July	August
Tim and Melissa do Race for the Cure 5K on Mother's Day	Charlie travels to Rapid City w/o Mom and Dad to attend camp with Cousin Makali	Celebrated 4th in Rapid City at Reptile Gardens	Mel turns 31
Charlie turns 5		Our new nephew Zakariah was born on the 6th
Weight loss challenge ends with Aunt Tina winning		Tim and Melissa complete Warrior Dash 5K	16th annual Jon R. Olson Golf Tournament (Tim's team wins!)
Melissa runs RiverRat 5k with sister in law Faye	Melissa’s annual Girls weekend in Sioux Falls	Charlie LOVED 2 wks of basketball camp
September	October	November	December
Charlie starts Kindergarten	Curious George Engineering Exhibit at Children’s Museum	Eau Claire for Thanksgiving with the Olsons Tim and Mel celebrate 7 yrs of marriage	Charlie's school program was a success!
Twins start daycare
Melissa starts job as Reading Intervention Specialist
Grandma and Papa renewed their wedding vows	Tim turns 31	Papa delivers our new handcrafted dining room table	1st Church Christmas Program for the boys
Max and Linc turn 3
The whole family did Light the Night Walk (2mi)

Frosty the Snowman

Our first snowfall of the year!  Fun in the snow was what this family needed.  We had a blast throwing snowballs, building a snowman, steamrolling each other, and "daddy" piles.  Laughs and giggles escaped all of us, especially when Daddy played an old trick from 10 years ago on Mommy.  When we started dated, Tim and I loved to play in the snow together.  So the first snowball fight consisted of Tim spitting in the snowballs and hitting me with them.  Why did I stay with him you ask?!  Because he still makes me giggle like a school girl today!  Awesome day for us!

Max supervising Daddy's snow packing

The finished product

A hockey stick and baseball bat for arms, topped with a Guinness stocking hat

So right as I'm taking this picture, Lincoln shoves Max into the snow

Daddy to the rescue!  Max hates, as we all do, getting snow in his face.

Frosty kickin' it in the front yard

Time for Mom to throw some balls!

They tried to take me down but didn't succeed.  However, Dad did!

Love these boys with all of my being!

Time to make Charlie eat some snow

Daddy steamrolling all the boys

The Olson Elves!

We spent the day with the Millie Olson family and it was eventful, entertaining, and joyful!  We played a game, opened presents, and ate and ate.  We can't thank you all enough for making this holiday season easier for us.  We are so grateful for the generous gifts for the boys and your thoughtfulness!  Thank you for your love, support, and support.  We love you all!

The 3 stooges before the party

Lincoln and his Great Great Aunt Janice

Tim and his Aunt Becky

Lincoln and Great Aunt Nancy had a great time today pretending to be Star Wars guys

THE SIX GREAT GRANDCHILDREN

opening presents

The lovely Jerin couple

Maxy and Auntie Heth goofin' around

Great Aunt Nancy with Max playing our game

Grandma Millie and her 6 great grandchildren

Grandma Millie with her 7 grandchildren

Grandma Millie with her grandchildren and their 4 add-ons :)

Ben and Tim having way too much fun!

Grandma Millie with 4 of her children with their spouses

My crew!