Family Faces are Magic Mirrors...

...looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future.

BINGO!!

We had our 3rd annual girls weekend and it was one to remember for soooo many reasons. Last year we were celebrating our Aunt's end with her fight with cancer, the birth of three babies, and job promotions. This year was especially dedicated to our cousin Becky, the soldier/warrior! She is being deployed at the end of April and we KNOW that she will return to us safely after her 12 months of service. She is a crew chief on a Black Hawk Helicopter (I still think of her as this lil girl teasing her bro). We are so proud of her and will be sending her our love through care packages, emails, and hopefully skype.

Our weekend consisted of massages, shopping, BINGO (in honor of grma Helen), eating, movies, tons of laughter and a few tears, and things that I swore never to talk about! I cherish every moment I get to spend with my ladies. They mean the world to me. My mom has these hugs that I continue to feel even after I leave her arms. My lil sister Mary always makes me laugh even when I just want to cry. My older sis Christina has this amazing way of making me feel like a beautiful, confident woman (I don't know how she does it!). Feeling loved doesn't describe the emotions I have when I'm surrounded by these strong, beautiful, and supportive women!

My cute lil sis and roomie for the weekend

The triplets - My amazing mom and aunts Kathy and Debbie

This picture was taken for Grma Helen. 3 gigglin' young ladies outside Cracker Barrel

Our nice dinner out on Saturday, Mary Bear and Mom

My date for the evening Tina

There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me.

Playing "Buzz Word" with cousin Sarah with a FEW DRINKS

Sarah introduced us to Chuck Norris - oh my! (terrible headache the next morning)

Mary, Tina, Me, and Sarah

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there

Tina was on guard...or pretending to be Chuck Norris. I can't remember!

I thought my mom's whole purpose was to be my mom. That's how she made me feel!

It's so good to know that wherever you are, a Mom is with you in spirit and in love.

And when I returned home on Sunday afternoon, I was greeted with so many snotty kisses and hugs! Tim continues to say to me "I don't know how you do it! You're amazing!"

All 3 of them attacked with huge hugs and I couldn't have been happier

A round of Ring Around The Rosy.

It was when I had my first child that I understood how much my mother loved me!

Dancing with my boys and thinking about the mother-son dances I will have at their weddings. Oh Dear!

In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.

The past few years has brought so many changes for me and I am ok because I have the CONSTANT of these people in my life. I realized recently that I have been searching for something that I already had, but unfortunately lost sight of. I have Tim's Grandma Millie to thank! Focus on those that love you and continue to show you their support. I am a much happier person these days because I have found myself again. Tim recently told me that it is time to focus on myself again and get back to being ME! Thank you Tim for always encouraging me and giving me confidence when I can't seem to find it myself.

To the women I was so blessed to spend the weekend with, THANK YOU for spending time with me. THANK YOU for making me laugh my ass off. THANK YOU for not laughing at me too much! I love you all so very much and can't wait for the next adventure!

Eligible Bachelors

A few pictures from the boys' Valentine's party at home. I got some great groups pictures but I am unable to share those :(
Thanks Grandma for the super cute V-day shirts for the boys!! Thanks J and A for the great V-day gifts for the boys AND me!! I enjoyed my chocolates and still enjoying my new pjs! We had a good time even though no one was feeling their best.

Thanks to Auden for the sweet shades

Max got his favorite thing, a pencil, from his buddy Jake (max loves to draw)

Linc loves those glasses.

"Check me out!"

Happy NAMAtine's Day!

Nama came down on Saturday afternoon for her overnight date with the Olson boys. She had the best looking, most well mannered, and cuddliest dates that anyone could ask for on Valentine's Day (weekend). The boys definitely enjoyed their date and their freedom while Mom and Dad were on a date. The boys were exhausted and went to bed without a peep BUT had to get up early to see their Nama was still here to play some more. Charlie had a special outing with Nama by himself on Sunday which always paints a smile on his face!
Thanks Nama for spending the night with the boys and always being here for them on Valentine's Day! Hopefully you will still have this date when they are teens. It is great to see their faces light up when they see you! Tim and I really appreciate any time that we get w/o the kids to recoop and "be" romantic. We had a wonderful evening out thanks to you and look forward to the next one!

The boys and Nama exchanging V-day gifts!!

Nama was very excited about her pirate/valentine socks and chocolate. The boys were over the moon happy with the lego car and dragon!

We are really good at getting pics of our moms in their pjs :)

Smooches for Maxwell

Max didn't want Nama to put him down (still under the weather)

Both the boys pooped out on Mama. Sick kiddos are a lot of work. MAN snuggling them is tough!

Poor Baby Boy Lincoln Thomas has what Max has - no fun

Slept all of Sunday and still went to bed an hour early

Max taking his 3rd nap of the day! (usually takes one)

"Be My Valentine OR I'll scream, I'll yell, I'll bite..."

Papa and Gran were here for some Valentine celebrating this week and we had a great time. They made their second trip to Charlie's school and helped his class with their Valentine party (my mom said they were the only ones there to help). Charlie got his special outings with Papa and Gran as usual. Max and Linc couldn't get enough of their loud, funny, and cuddly Papa or their cozy, comforting, and sweet Grandma. Wonderful dinners, valentine's day shopping and lots of play time was the way the week went down!
Thanks so much Mom and Dad for making the trip once again to see the boys and help their parents! We love you a ton and feel blessed to have you in our lives on this Valentine's day!

"...I'll cry aloud, I'll start to whine If you won't be my Valentine"

This was Maxy this morning after he stopped crying b/c Papa and Gran left. He has an ear infection and high fever and apparently found comfort in the dog bed. Whatever works!

Linc doing his chores with Grandma. He loves to put his dishes in the sink and throw his diapers away like a BIG boy. For the first time he said "diaper" this week and we couldn't stop laughing :)

Papa snuggling with sick Maxwell George AND playing dinosaurs with CT. He knows how to multitask and make them all happy.

Linc playing with his buddy Jake. PEEKABOO!

Gran and CT putting their sea creatures together

Gran made her famous chocolate cake and the boys attacked anyone that had a bowl

Aunt Tina keepin Max warm after bath

Linc combin' Papa's hair after his bath

CT helped Gran make the chocolate cake and the scones

Gran and Max reading while he cuddled his new SCOUT from G and P

Bedtime Scout to play music to Max when he is suppose to be sleeping :)

CT helping Gran open her Valentine's gift

Papa's new pjs from the boys. His favorite M & M's! The pants say "surrounded by nuts" and it couldn't be more true!

This is the boys' official THANK YOU for all the Valentine's gifts they have received in the mail and in person!!! We try to teach the boys how important it is to thank people for what they are given so every time they get something in the mail we immediately call and the boys yell THANK YOU or something close. CT will say the words, Linc will kiss the phone, and Max rambles off something. It means more coming from them and it is great for whoever to hear from them. Grandma Millie couldn't stop laughing when she was talking to them on Monday.

An early shout out to Tim's mom Linda, the boys' Nama, for babysitting this weekend so Tim and I could enjoy dinner out! There will be pictures to come of their time together!!

LEGOLAND!!

Sunday was Charlie's Day and he decided that he wanted the whole family to go to Legoland at MOA. They have new displays up and it is definitely a sight to see. Legos were and still are Tim's favorite toy and he loves that Charlie is interested. The two of them picked out the new lego set together, a car that came with a pump to shoot it across the floor.
Charlie had the choice to go with Tim OR me OR bring everyone. Our wonderful, thoughtful first born wanted everyone to come and spend the day with him. Unfortunately, our awesome day out was almost ruined by a very sad, scary individual while we were eating our lunch. Daddy Bear kept us safe and we got away from the creep. Charlie says later "Mama I was going to hit that man!" I'm pretty sure Tim, Charlie, Max and especially Lincoln would have hit the guy if needed. Yes, I'm happy to have these boys surrounding me!

Sooo excited to see Woody!

"This is the one I want Mama, trains and legos all in one!"

CT was trying to jump and touch the dragon's head - didn't quite make it

Found the lego tables

Giant robot made from Legos

Working as a team to build a tower

Max loves building, stacking, putting things together

Happy to be joining their big brother on a fun day out

Linc is very aggressive when things don't go his way, even when the Legos don't click together

CT is very particular about how he builds and what colors to use

Giant Robot

Lego helicopter hanging from the ceiling

Home at last to build the new car

Looking for Legos in his belly button

Foot on the pump and the car goes flyin'

He played with the car all afternoon - good choice!