Great Grandpa - 80 Years Young

We had a great day with Grandpa and the fam, every day we have with him is truely a blessing. I know I speak for many when I say that we couldn't be more thankful he is still here with us. Happy 80th Gramps, here's to 80 more! I love watching his face when he sees Charlie; there's a youth in his eyes that reminds me of the days at the cabin. Charlie had a fantastic day playing with his cousins and can't wait to play again!

Three of the cutest kids I have ever seen, and they all kinda look alike.

Nama reading a book to the kids. It was a construction book, can you tell who was intersted?

Nama and Aves, beautiful.

Kids playing.

Nama and Char, chillin. My grandma told us we had to sit on her lap until we were 20.

SUPER Big Brother!!!

Charlie's very talented, thoughtful Auntie Faye made him a super hero/big brother cape recently. She made all of the tots a cape with their initial on the back. I can't wait to get them all together again and watch the super heros run around. Charlie's cape is now part of his outfit when him and his Daddy explore caves (closets) around the house with their flashlights. He will come out of the closets and tell me about the bats, spiders, and snakes (all reasons why Momma isn't in the caves with him).

Thanks Faye for making Charlie's day. With how busy you are these days, it's amazing to me that you made the time to make these capes for Charlie, Mak, and Izzy. I will be requesting your help for Halloween costumes in the future! Thanks again Faye!

CT to the rescue

"Does this hat go with the cape?"

Flying with Daddy fuel

"This is the best homemade present EVER!"

"Thanks Aunt Faye - Love you!"

Sneaking up on the boys in the "cave"

"No Girls Allowed Momma"

Charles T. The Foreman

The middle of St. Peter is being torn apart for reasons you will have to ask Tim :) He helped on the design plan - my husband the Engineer.

Since Charlie's new passion is construction sites and machines, we have been taking him downtown so he can sit, observe, and chat it up with the workers. There is a guy that has taken to Charlie big time and reminds me of my brother in law Chris. Everytime we are there, he stops to talk to Charlie and yesterday gave him a sticker for his hard hat. Charlie wore it proudly as he told me what the machines were doing.

Charlie's Uncle Chris is still in Iraq working hard. The other day Charlie asked me if we could call Uncle Chris which we are unable to do so we sent him an email. Uncle Chris replied immediately to Charlie's questions. He was grinning from ear to ear as I read what Chris wrote about the machines he drives etc. For two days after the email, everyone Charlie talked to had to hear about his Uncle Chris and the important work he is doing in Iraq. My sister told me that Chris is now working on a little video for Charlie so he can watch his Uncle on the big machines whenever he wants. What a sweetheart!!!

Thanks Chris for making my son's day! It's great to know that you are still thinking of us in MN even though you are so far away. We love you and hope you are staying safe. Hurry Home to Us!!

The Foreman overseeing the construction site - sporting his new sticker

Dad and Charlie watching the machines and feeling the ground rumble

Watching his face, you know he is thinking about everything he is watching

This is Charlie's favorite guy to watch - The Excavator with the hammer

Excited to get there and always tears when it is time to leave

Stretched to the MAX!

I am beginning to think that my skin with rip if it stretches anymore! Both babies are doing wonderfully. A turned himself around again so he is currently head down and B is still breech. The doc said if they stay in these positions I will be able to deliver A naturally but may have to do c-section with B. As long as they both come out pink and screaming I don't care. Enjoy the "lovely" updated picture.

32 wk Fraternal Twins

My beautiful baby bump

"Uncle" Ben and "Auntie" Jeanne Playdate

I put aunt and uncle in quotations because Charlie isn't related to Ben and Jeanne but they may as well be! Ben and Tim have been friends since diapers and Jeanne and I hit it off immediately. It's amazing how that happens - it's the case with all of Tim's closest friends. They got Charlie a Big Brother gift a while ago and wanted to come over and play with him etc. He was so excited to see them and of course had to show off ALL of his toys.
They are too good to be true friends that everyone needs.
Thank you for loving our Charlie like he was your nephew. We love you two!!

Charlie singing to his company - or eating a microphone!

Talking demolition and Ben

Jeanne and Charlie making spaghetti with play-doh (gift from them)

Showing Jeanne the ropes of the train table

"Until next time friends!"

Charlie's Great Grandpa Turns 80!!

Last Saturday we headed up to the cities to take Grandpa Rol out for his 80th birthday (Aug 12th). Charlie insisted on giving his great Grandpa a Thomas the Train so that was part of his present. He also gave him a frame that he painted for Grandpa that has a place for three pictures. Charlie put his in and then we named the others for his brothers. Rol was very excited to see Charlie and didn't stop smiling. We were also fortunate enough to have Tim's aunt Becky and Grandma Millie join us for lunch.

The Olson Men after lunch

Grandpa sharing his birthday dessert with Charlie - he didn't want the waiters to sing to him but couldn't contain himself while Charlie sang for him.

Welcome To Our Family!

My cousin Amanda and her husband Tim became parents on August 19th to a very beautiful healthy baby girl!! We are so excited to have this baby here safe and sound after a very nerve-racking pregnancy for Amanda. Sloane Alexandra was 6 lbs 8 oz and 19.75 in long with a ton of dark (Haggar) hair. After visiting them last night Tim and I have come to the conclusion that she looks exactly like her dad, BUT she definitely looks like a Haggar baby.

Amanda has a labor story like no other that I have heard before and got through it without pain meds (stronger than I). Charlie was so excited to see his newest cousin and brought her one of his paintings. He kept saying "Hi baby" and rubbing her hair. It was great to see how he would respond to a lil one and now I can't wait to see him as a big brother.

Congrats to two wonderful, deserving people! We love all 3 of you!

Charlie with his Great Aunt Teresa with her newest granddaughter Sloane

The newest Daddy in our family, Tim introducing his daughter to Charlie

"Hi Baby"

It accord to me after we left that I didn't get any pictures of this beautiful baby's face. I'm sure Amanda will be sharing quite a few in the future - can't wait.