Week 8 "Wild Card"

My choice for the wild card week was Charlie doing is favorite gymnastics move, a handstand.

Winter Fun with Grandparents

Grandma and Papa beat the snowstorm last week and we had a great time together.  Max and Lincoln got special time with them Thurs and Fri while we were at school/work.  Saturday we saw part of the play "James and the Giant Peach" and spent lots of time at the bookstore.  Some of our other activities were snowshoeing, sledding, basketball, church, movies, puzzles, visit w/ Uncle Terry, and lots of ice cream!

Papa and Linc reading at the bookstore

Max found a cool space book

Max and Charlie listening to the opening of the play

As the bugs came out of the peach, Max got very nervous and ended up on Grandma's lap.

Warming up with their hot chocolate after sledding and snowshoeing

Back out again!

Dad would have the boys hug him and then spin the sled as they went down the hill - lots of laughter and screams on the way down.

Climbing back up

Max and Mama

Dad trying to convince the boys to start walking home

Prince Charles T. Olson

Our buddy Erik Thorkelson is a senior this year and he was asked if he knows any cute kids.  He said naturally he thought of Charlie right away!  St. Peter High School was looking for "pages" to help crown the King and Queen for Snow Week.  Charlie was very excited to participate until we got there.  It was very overwhelming to him at first with the loud band and tons of BIG kids.  After making a deal with Mom (ice cream and Hot Wheels cars was the price I had to pay), he got through it and even smiled!

We have pictures of Uncle Tim and Uncle Gabe as princes when they were little, helping at the Dell Rapids High School coronation.  

Charles T. and his princess Annika (a basketball friend)

The King and Queen with the Prince and Princess

Dylan and Charlie after the ceremony - stress free!

Our friend Erik and Charlie

Tim and I met Erik (his mom works with Tim) when we first moved here and it has been great to watch him grow up!

So glad it is over!

Grandma and Linc dancing to the loud music while Max and Papa cover their ears!

Linc hopes to have Charlie's job in a few years.

Last year's King helped Charlie with the big job.

Great job Buddy!  We are proud of you for taking on a big job and following thru!  Can't wait to see YOU crowned as the King your senior year.

Week 7 "Negative Space"

After talking to Tim about this assignment, this is what we came up with for white space. 

Pretty funny picture either way :)

Minnie Mouse turns 4!

February 25 is the big day for Miss Avery - 4 years old this year.  We celebrated in Minnie Mouse style on Saturday with all the Olsons.  We also celebrated Emily, Julia, and Ben's March birthdays.  It was a great day for egg bakes, old family videos, balloon fights, and opening presents.

We want to wish them all a very happy birthday filled with an overwhelming amount of love, positive thoughts, and great health!  We love you all!

Max getting a ride from Nick

The birthday kids

Avery, Emily, Julia, and Ben

Max and Great Aunt Becky share a love for Star Wars and each other's company!

Mom and Linc watching the present opening

Uncle Tim with his Minnie Mouse (Aves)

Reading cards 1st - UGH!

Uncle JP the jungle gym

Such a cool pic that Tim took.  Capturing the colors of Avery's skirt and her presents

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Charlie wrote Uncle Ben a birthday message

Auntie Heth playing with the birthday girl

Her Minnie Mouse cupcake topped with a 4

Cousin Ellen and Max cruisin'

"WHAT?!  I like chocolate!"

Karlie and Charlie enjoying dessert

Aunt Becky and Max watching video of Daddy at age 8

Week #6 - "GOOD Morning!"

So this week's photo challenge needed to be a morning shot and as usual I couldn't decide...

A Saturday morning when Tim thought he could sleep in

OR

A morning without tears which is very rare at our house.  No one wants to get ready when we need them to, but this morning we were all happy to listen and get ready.  

Week #5 "Finding the Light"

I "found the light" this morning at 7am.  

We have another late start because of the extremely cold temps (-35 w/ wind chill), so I grabbed my camera when I saw the sunrise.  

I will miss this view when we move.  This is right off my front porch and it was one of the selling points when we bought this house 5 years ago.