The First and The Last

Maxwell and Lincoln's first birthday party and Mom and Dad's last 1st birthday party!! The boys had tons of family join us for their party on Saturday. We couldn't have been happier with the love shared that day. We had people traveling from all over to be here, Omaha, Rapid City, Vermillion, and lots of MN cities. Of course we missed those who weren't there but the boys know they are loved by all. Thank you to everyone that made the day special for our boys. A special thanks to our parents for providing parts of the meal, my cousin Amanda for capturing this day on film, and Art for videoing parts of our day. AND of course we would like to thank everyone again for the generous gifts for the boys and donations that the pet shelter will receive next Saturday.

Grandma chatting with Aunt Teresa

Toys make any kid happy

Mama and Max

Tina entertaining our neices, Soph and Iz

Karlie and Becky checking out the presents

Daddy and Max escaping the chaos

The three Olson boys opening presents

All of the presents were a hit!

The proud big brother and social bug

His new favorite food - anything with frosting!

Max delicately ate his "wheel of fortune"

"Why is everyone looking at us bro?!"

Lincoln's cake - Aunt Tina's face

Max's cake - Wheel of Fortune

Things that excite the boys! And of course Lincoln loves you all but he and his Aunt Tina have this bond that you can't describe with words. It is what it is.

Aunt Sheena with the balloon and Linc

Some of the fam. enjoying dessert

Party hard Peps!

Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sheena drove in from Omaha to be here for the boys!

The boys' Olson cousins Karlie, Avery, and Claire

Aunt Faye on lunch duty with Sophie and Max

Max with Aunt Tina playing in the cold

And the race is on, who turns 1 first? That's right Maxwell by one minute

Cousin in law Tim with Sloane going for a cruz

To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there!!

Papa and Grandma arrived Wednesday night to help get us ready for Max and Lincoln's birthday bash. Faye, Izzy, and Sophia got into town Friday night to join the celebration. Uncle Terry and Aunt Colleen stopped by for dinner on Friday night b/c they couldn't join us on Saturday. It was a great weekend and we enjoyed all the hugs, laughs, and meaningful chats. More memories for all of us to cherish!

Mama and Maxy at Panera (CT's pic)

Sweet picture of Mother and Daughter wishing her Daddy could have been with them for the weekend

Grandma had a very emotional good bye with all of her grandkids. Soph gave her lots of hugs to hold close to her heart.

Aunt Tina and "her" Lincoln

Chatty Cathy's

Max had just ripped Papa's glasses off

Play, play, play with Papa

Charlie with his Uncle Terry AND T-Rex

Love my Mom! Thank you so much for all that you did to help with the weekend!

Aunt Tina with the kiddos

Uncle Terry and Max playing games

Loving Aunt Colleen's visit

Linc couldn't get enough of the balloons Grandma got for the party

Snuggle with Papa

Max gettin' love from Grandma

"We can't wake him up Mama!"

Trying to give Papa more time to rest using puffs

We love to see you come and hate to see you go!

The Wheels On The Bus Go Round and Round

Preschool is a success so far. Charlie got on the bus Tuesday morning and drove away after Daddy buckled him in. There were no tears, a little hesitation when the bus pulled up but no tears. My mom told me that the first week of school for us she would follow the bus to school to make sure we were ok and where we were suppose to be. Tim and I decided that was what we would do with Charlie. Tim followed the bus and walked him into the school but Charlie reassured Dad that he was ok so Tim left our first born to learn ON HIS OWN. I called my mom and sister Mary after he left, crying my eyes out! Then Malaki got dropped off and it was Mary's turn to call me crying. I can't express how important having support is! We are very proud parents of Charles Timothy and cannot wait to see where this year takes him. (Photos are backwards)

Not a great picture but Dad is buckling Charlie

Daddy walking Charlie onto the bus

The talk about being brave and showing him our support

After the bus pulled away I bawled on the sidewalk with Max and Lincoln and immediately called MY mama.

Very excited to get to school!

1st's for Everyone

(phone pictures again) Charlie and I had our first parent-teacher conference on Thursday and went to the Vehicle fair. Tim had a golf tournament and Aunt Tina watched the babies for us at home. It was great to have that one on one time with Charlie and he sure did enjoy himself. He had to wait outside the classroom since there was another boy in with the teacher. "when can we go in Mama when is it my turn?!" The teacher thinks he is going to be the class helper. He walked around the room checking things out and followed every direction the teacher gave him. She is very excited to have Charlie in her class and thinks he is very bright! He officially starts on Tuesday and I'm sure I will be like every other Mama out there that watches their first baby become a preschooler. Aunt Mary and Aunt Faye are in my boat with me which I am thankful for (lots of shoulders to cry on).

Waiting his turn to see his classroom again and talk with Ms. Terry

Charlie was excited to see his pal Keira and get on lots of different machines

Checking out the fire truck

HIS FAVORITE OF COURSE

On the bus getting practice finding a seat

"A Baseball Bat, A Hockey Stick, and what's that other thing?"

The boys' "Uncles" Chuck and Tate and "Aunties" Sheena and Jess spent the night with us on Sunday. It was a blast from our visit to Emma Krumbee's apple orchard, the golf course, and kids/adult games that night. We love them so much and cherish our times together. Can't wait to see you all again!

Jess, Lincoln, Mama, Sheena, and Max saying good byes after breakfast

Chuck, Lincoln, Daddy, CT, Tate, and Max (half still in pjs)

The guys got to play Hi-Ho Cherrio with Charlie

Chuck had Max giggling like a school girl

Max loved to get in the way of the bean bag game

Tate and Max again talkin' crocs and beer

The apple of my eye! Love you Charles T.

Aunt Sheena and Linc tasting the apples

Max enjoyed licking the apples

Enjoying time with the boys at the orchard

Jess got the tops of the tree and Charlie got the bottoms - together they filled their bag

And yet one more apple Momma

Sheena helping Charlie find the perfect apple

He would have picked them all

Aunt Jess and Max checking out the rusty old tractor

Sheena had Linc bouncing up and down on the seat, he didn't want to share with his brothers

Farmer Charles hard at work

Loves the thrill of a fast slide

Mama and Linc snuggle time - you know he is my baby by ONE minute