A DOSE OF CHARLES T. TO KEEP THE DOC AWAY!

Papa w/ Charles T., Mom w/ her Papa and Nana saying "good bye for now"

On Friday we headed to Sioux Falls to see my grandfather who had spent a few days in the hospital. He is doing better, of course, after seeing Charlie! He is a very determined "young" man of 85 yrs. If we took him somewhere, he wanted to walk across the parking lot. He wants to get better fast and return to his apartment asap. He still has his sense of humor and unique charm. For now, he is in a nursing home in Sioux Falls but doesn't want to be there much longer (who would!).

Tim made the comment as we were walking through the nursing home - "It's amazing what youth can do for a person." Isn't that the truth!? Everyone stopped in their tracks to see the lil boy sleeping in his stroller or walking around outside chasing the bugs. These babies are such a blessing AND they will never understand until they are 85.

Charlie's showing Papa the way to our room

Charlie's Great Aunt Debbie entertaining him @ dinner

"Nana, can we eat him?!"

My two very tired boys after a rough night

Papa is showing Charlie how to use a fork - Watch out!

The balloon man at lunch made Charlie a monkey, but he wasn't very impressed

"We will see you soon G. Grandpa Ed & don't forget to drink your water!"

Happy Birthday Malaki Michael!!

BIG MAK turns 1 today!!! He was having his big party at Papa and Nana's house in the hills. We are very sad that we couldn't be with him on his big day but wait patiently for pictures. Aunt Mary said she got Mak a motorized car for his birthday! Apparently it is the funniest thing to see - she says he drives like his Uncle Tim H.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIL MAN!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Malaki 1 year ago today

Happy 4th !!!

We had a great holiday weekend with Charlie's Nama and Aunt Heather. On Friday we went to the big parade in St. Peter, had fun in the pool, let Mom and Dad have a nice dinner out, and watched the fireworks from our front porch. After watching Charlie suffer at the parade from the heat, I decided it was time for haircut #6!

Charlie sitting with his buddy Grant @ the parade

"What do you think Grant? I thought we were suppose to stay out of the street!"

Daddy and Charlie sweatin' from the heat

Nama had the answer with an icy

Coolin' off in the pool at home

"This is where we should have been all day."

Picture of Haircut #6!!

We are not going to complain one bit about the amount of hair Charles T. has. My parents still tell me I didn't have hair until I was 3! He sat in the bathroom sink for about 15 minutes while I cut his hair. What a trooper!

Charlie's Newest Friend

Charlie and I started watching a new baby yesterday. Her name is Auden and she is two months old. Her dad works with Tim at BMI and it seemed to be a perfect fit.
Charlie was very helpful, trying to give her toys, finding her nose, and putting her socks on. At times he was sad because Auden had a bottle and he thought he needed one too. But the day went smoothly and we are happy to have her with us.

Tummy Time

"I'm doing great Mom and Dad"

Their first walk together - time for a double stroller

"Charlie wore me out!"

Lake Okaboji Here We Come!

We hit the road for our BIG family vacation on the 21st and returned yesterday afternoon. No one was missing from the family - all 16 of us in one place at one time. It was both exciting and exhausting! We filled the week with games, swimming, jet skiing, chatting, sleeping, and lots of eating.
Charlie slept until 9:45 this morning so he must have been wore out from his cousins. He did his best to keep up with busy-body Mak and chatter-box Izzy. At times, we would find him under the highchair or behind the couch to get away for a minute. I think his favorite part of the trip was eating sand on the beach and driving the boat with Uncle Gabe.We are more than grateful for this vacation and the well-needed family time. It was great for Tim to get to spend so much time with Charlie. This was also Tim's first time meeting Sophie and Kyra, which gave him the "baby fever" a little.

"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them."

POOL PALS

Uncle Gabe w/ Kyra - 1st time in a pool

Charlie & Dad, Izzy & Uncle Chris, Uncle Tim & Mak

Tim, Sophie, Faye, Tina, Charlie, Mom, Mary, Chris, and Mak

Uncle Tim & Aunt Faye with Sophie - 1st time in a pool

FAVORITE GAMES OF THE WEEK

Uncle Tim w/ Izzy playing Ladder Ball

Momma, Charlie, and Mak watching the game

"Faster Dad Faster!!"

Aunt Tina taking the boys for a stroll

Papa climbing the jungle gym with Mak

Happy Birthday Nana!!

Uncle Tim losing a game of Sequence to Izzy and Nana

Aunt Tina once again entertaining the boys in the grass

"Momma, I think that one needs you."

Charlie was helping babysit his lil cousins (Kyra on left-Sophie on right)

BEACH BABIES

Miss Isabelle Lynn

Mak Attack & Charles T.

"Check Me Out!"

Daddy and Charlie

Just Want To Have Fun

Aunt Tina and Char burying feet

The Olsons 1st family vacation

Mak didn't like the life jacket one bit!

Uncle Gabe and Charlie speeding up the boat

"Straight ahead Uncle Gabe"

"Mom, you're crampin' my style"

Mom and Dad having fun with Uncle Chris and Auntie Mary

THE FAMOUS ARNOLD'S PARK

Charlie's favorite thing to do - climb stairs

Uncle Gabe and Charlie racing camels

"I can do it myself MOM!"

Mom and Nana on the tilt-a-whirl

To be a kid again!

The toddlers' first train ride

Papa and Charlie on the carousel

"Happy Just Because I Love You Day!"

The day before we left for vacation, Charlie was in rare form. I was trying to pack, bake, and play all at the same time. Needless to say, when Tim came home from work I was ready for a break. I left to get a pedicure and when I returned, I was instantly smiling at what I saw...

Charlie trying to help in the kitchen

Part I of my wonderful surprise

Part II of my hilarious surprise

Now I know my husband would truly do anything to make my day!