PRICELESS

It is about all the MEMORIES, not the stuff!! The quality time that the boys were able to spend with their Grandma these past two weeks is PRICELESS! Tim and I both have tons of memories that include our grandparents and we are so happy that our kids will too. Whether it is reading books, taking a trip to Willy Waldo's for a cup of JOE, painting, playing trucks or dressing up like dragons, the boys will have these memories and pictures to hang on to.
Grandma did everything you think she would do for us in a matter of two weeks: dates for Tim and I, dates for CT with Mom and Dad, laundry, cooking, changing diapers, reading the same book over and over, and cleaning. Thanks a million Mom!! A Big Thanks also goes out to Papa for letting Gran stay with us and picking her up this weekend!! We appreaciate the fact that my parents do most of the driving to see us (knowing it is easier for them to get here). Love you both very much and can't wait to see you guys in a few weeks!!

Papa making a classic story even more entertaining

The crazy fort that Charles T. was trying to escape

These two don't leave each other's sides when they are in the same state!

Grandma taught Linc how to say "dog" while she was here!!

Love you Papa!

My dad was throwing Max in the air and making him laugh like crazy and out of nowhere Max says "PAPA"! First time he said it and my dad heard it!! Now that is priceless!

Papa with his boys building houses

Grandma also taught the boys how to use forks and spoons while she was here. Something I was being lazy about.

Reading again

Loving her boys

While CT was taking his bath one morning, Max decided to join him...FULLY CLOTHED! (shoes included!)

Aunt Tina came for a visit and the boys never let her leave too easy.

This is where Max decided he would take his naps while Grandma was here.

Linc and Gran playing dress up

Max's turn to be scared by the dragon

Linc couldn't stop giving Gran open mouth kisses!

Never a dull moment

CT wearing Papa's bomber hat and Papa wearing CT's

Our date with Charlie at Applebee's

Charlie loved that he wasn't competing for attention

The Olsons' New Year's Eve Dates

WHO COULD IT BE?!

Max isn't spillin the beans...

OHHHH MAXIMUS!

OK, OK! It was Keira, Jenni, and Grandma!!

Tim and I have been fondue"ing" on New Year's Eve ever since we got married. We were joined by our neighbors, Jenni and Keira (Jed was out of town) and Grandma. It was easier this year because we didn't have to hold the babies and try to "cook" our food.

Daddy and CT enjoying the dessert fondue - chocolate with a variety of fruit. It was the only part of the dinner CT participated in. Keira and Charlie enjoyed PB and J sandwiches with apple slices. Maybe next year he will eat with us.

The lil boys watching the action

Best seats in the house. Charlie's good friend and best neighbor Keira!

Jenni and Grandma working on their dinners

A Real Griswold Christmas!

From hunting bears with a rifle, dancing our hearts out, looking at the beautiful sites at Storybook Island, to wearing the ugliest sweaters you've ever seen, this jolly bunch of a**holes had an AWESOME Christmas. However I was a little disappointed that I didn't receive the Jelly of the Month club membership! My mom, three sisters (Faye is my third sis) and I also got away one day for some shopping together which was needed for all of us. We had interesting conversations over lunch but most of all enjoyed each other's company. Love you ladies and glad you are all in my life!
The boys were more than spoiled with no room left in the car for a Grandma, but don't worry we didn't tie her to the roof of the car! The biggest gift of all that we are all very happy about was the gift of GRANDMA! Papa said we could keep her for as long as we wanted so Tim and I are going to take advantage of this wonderful gift of extra help and support!!
We want to thank every single member of the Haggar Family for giving us a wonderful Christmas experience! A huge thanks to Mary, Chris, and Mak for letting us stay with them and we are still sorry about the lack of sleep!! And of course we can't thank everyone enough for spoiling our children and Tim and I! Thank you and we love you so much!

Famous Fire truck at Storybook Island

Mama, Papa and Max enjoying the sites and trying to stay warm

Some of the group: Izzy, Mel, Tim, Sophie, CT, Papa and Gran attending to the boys (Faye and Tim behing the camera)

The next three pictures shows how far Tim and I have come in the last few years. We need to remind ourselves that we are still breathing and doing a good job with the family that we have been blessed with.

The Olson Family Christmas 2008

The Olson Family Christmas 2009

The Olson Family Christmas 2010

A WHIRLWIND OF EVENTS

Grandma, Linc and Kyra reading books and playing dolls

Oh look at these two, never go anywhere without the other

Papa and CT in their cool dudes hats ready for church

Aunt Tina and Max makin' important calls before church

My favorite nephew EVER! Big Mak - Love you babe!

Grandma with a few of the troops playing Wii

Aunt Faye hard at work snuggling Linc

Papa hunting bears with CT's help

CT's turn - Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris have the best toys!

I had to put this picture on the blog - even though it doesn't do the bed justice. My dad once again crafts something awesome out of wood. Malaki got the first handcrafted bed from Papa equipped with dinosaur handles!! Nice job Dad - all the grandkids want one now!

Some of the fun with the Wii Just Dance game - lots of entertainment for those watching :)

See what I mean?! I think these two were suppose to be brothers! Lots of brotherly bonding with Tim and Chris this weekend.

The star of the stage with really SOPHIE! She loves to dance and didn't stop til bed

On to the ugly sweater party! Faye made Tim's sweater and he wore it well. Plans are in the works for next year's already

Hot bunch of sisters wearin' those sweaters well

Opening presents with the family. I had the privilege of helping Izzy with hers.

Gabe with his daughter Kyra opening her gifts

Like Tim's sweater?! GROSS

The boys were very excited about the race track from Papa and Gran

Lil Soph playing ponies with Aunt Tina and Aunt Mary

Yep, they were in the kitchen for Christmas dinner once again. What would my mom do without her wonderful son-in-laws?!

The kids' table. Gran brought in the picnic table from outside for the tots and they loved it

The Haggar-Olson-Schweitzer Family Picture 2010

All 17 of us! And it started with 7!

The original 7 - The Tim Haggar Family

Gabe-Mary-Mom-Dad-Mel-Christina-Tim II

The Tim Haggar II Family picture

Tim-Faye-Sophia-Isabelle

The oldest grandkids

1- Isabelle 2- Charles 3-Malaki

The Christopher Schweitzer Family

Chris - Mary - Malaki

Gotta love those cheeks!

Timothy Olson Family

Lincoln-Melissa-Charlie-Tim-Maxwell

Aunt Tina reading with Izzy

Max had laid down on Papa and then someone brought cake!! Papa couldn't believe how fast Max sat up and sniffed that chocolate cake!

Izzy with her Daddy playing with Maggie (she is a dog lover)

Aunt Faye and Soph posin' for a pic

Grandma snugglin with Linc

Papa with his boys before church

MAXWELL GEORGE AND LINCOLN THOMAS

as different as black and white

Discovering Santa had visited the boys at Aunt Mary's

I just love this picture of Max Christmas morning

Charlie helping Mak open his Santa presents (CT woke up hrs before him)

Uncle Chris was Max's main squeeze the whole weekend. When he got hurt, he wanted Uncle Chris not Mama ;(

Aunt Mary with our neices Izzy and Soph and Brother Tim

Kyra wasn't sure the boys should play with her ponies

The boys didn't really take naps except when they gave in on a shoulder.

Max can't resist Daddy's touch

Sporting our ugly sweaters BUT we had stylist jeans on!