September-October-November-December 2010

Ok ok ok... I know I have some updating to do...I am going to try and do so by year- starting with the second half of 2010... I also have updated a "Flickr" button on the right side of the page so you can look through our pictures at your own leisure!  (trying to keep things flowing here!)  So... here we go!!

September 2010-
We had an Olson Family Vacation up at Pelican Lake, MN.  We had so much fun relaxing, taking long walks and boating!  Sure it was a bit chilly, but who cares?!  We were together and relaxing!

October 2010-
Leaves and more leaves!  I love the start of fall with all of the changing colors on the trees-  Ben and Tommy love all the leaves too!!  For Halloween Ben dressed up as a Storm Trooper from Star Wars.  Tommy dressed up as a Clown- Tommy's costume was made by Grandma Cathy just over 20 years ago for me!  (I wore it for my Kindergarten Party!)

November 2010-
Ben turns 5!  FIVE!!!!! I can't believe that my baby is five years old!  He is so smart and is really looking forward to Kindergarten next year!  This fall Ben signed up for his first Flag Football Team (Rochester Community Ed).  He loved learning all about the game and meeting new friends!

December 2010-
This winter brought more house renovations!  Our upstairs bathroom was completely redone with a new tub surround, new toilet, new light fixtures, new paint and re-finishing the vanity... it looks AMAZING!!!! (all done with the help from Dad Olson, Jonny & Tony--thank you!!)  December also brought Christmas and more family time!  The end of December was a Kid Christmas/Goodbye Party-  Our dear friends The Miller Family were moving to New York at the end of the month so we got all the kids together for one great party!

Alright... I think we are now ready to head into 2011!

Updates (6 months worth!)

I hope as you look at all of our updates that have happened since February 2010, that you will forgive me...we have been busy!  I will just summarize the months... with a few pictures of course!

March- Getting ready for Easter!  Benjamin loved coloring the eggs this year!  He really liked learning about mixing colors and experimenting with the different colors!  The end of March brought Minnesota FANTASTIC weather (I am talking 60-70 degrees...in MARCH!!!)  We started the spring off with a campfire outside with friends.



Ben & Dad

 


Picnics in March!

 

  


First Fire of 2010

 

April- Easter!  The Easter Bunny thought the boys were very good this year... so good that he brought the boys their own set of golf clubs!  They have both enjoyed playing golf "like daddy" and Ben has even been to the golf course a few times!  Later in the month it was....Signing Time!  In April, Kris, Ben and Tommy had the opportunity to go to a Signing Time Concert!  They also got the chance to talk with Rachel-the founder, and star of Signing Time. 



Tommy-Rachel-Ben



May- WHEW!!  May was non-stop busy, with Jonathan's graduation prep, a trip to Milwaukee to visit Gramma and Grampa, playing outside in the FANTASTIC weather, and...John's SURPRISE 30th Birthday Party!!!!  Kris planned for many of John's friends to come and hang out, while his cousin, Mike, took him "birthday golfing."  When they came back everyone was hiding in the garage!  John was sure surprised when the doors opened and there was everyone!  The evening got even better when our neighbor gave John a special gift....Bagpipe serenade, in full costume! 



Ben's "Mother's day card" for all the world to see :-)

 




Ben-Gramma-Tommy

 


Swim buddies

 


Surprise!  Old Man John

 

June- June was filled with even more celebration as Jonathan attended his senior prom, Ben and Tommy tried to sneak into the truck, but no such luck!  We thought Jonathan's graduation was going to be the next celebration....however, we were surprised when Patrick Anthony O'Reilly entered the world! Eleanor loves being a big sister (read more on her blog!  http://eleanorjean.blogspot.com/).  Everyone was present to watch Baby Jon walk across the stage and get his diploma (we are so proud of him!) Then it was time to party!!  Also in June, Ben & Tommy got to visit the new Target Field- Home of the Minnesota Twins!  This was Tommy's First Twins game ever!  They had so much fun!!  The end of June brought visitors to our house!  John's cousin, Mike was in his first Triathalon in Rochester, MN.  He stayed the night at our house and then we all went to cheer him on! 


Patrick Anthony O'Reilly

  


Jonny and his date(s)

 


Jonathan-The Grad-Olson

  

 


Big Papa Olson with Ben & Tommy

 






"Baby Jon" with his proud big sisters

 



 

 


First Twins Game!

 


Tommy & Dad at Target Field

 

 


Grandpa & Ben

 




Go Mike!!





July- The 4th of July came and went, and we celebrated this great country we call home! the fireworks were put on hold due to weather and there even were a few tornado scares! We did get to set off a few fireworks in our driveway- I think the boys (ok...John) enjoy this more than the big fireworks displays!

 

August- August brought a whole new look on our home, as John was promoted to Yard Manager of the Dundas, MN store... where is Dundas, MN?  about 60 miles from our home in Rochester!  With this great opportunity for John, it really made us think of our future at 733 36th St South West!  So... August was filled with refinishing bathrooms, painting and repainting, cleaning carpets, packing, staging and cleaning! 

(Check it out!  http://www.733-36th-st-sw.blogspot.com/ )

 

WHEW!! 

You can see that we have been busy...and I don't think we are going to be slowing down anytime soon!

I do promise to try to keep the updates coming! 

I hope everyone had a super summer!