Winter 2023

 James turns 12!

We celebrated James turning twelve with a trip to Universal Studios.  The boys had never been before so it made it extra special.  We were joined by Uncle Peter and Sarah and Jacob Whitehead. It was an amazing time from start to finish.  

The boys loved seeing the Hogwarts ride and riding Harry's Forbidden Journey.  To prepare we watched a different Harry Potter movie in the evenings all week.  The castle did not disappoint and Foster was even able to try out Scott's want around Hogsmead.  

That evening we headed out of the park for some dinner on the Universal City Walk and then went right back in....even if all of the adults were feeling pretty tired...for round two of Universal Studios.  It was so fun to be there during the night hours to ride Jurassic Park and make our way back to the Hogwarts Castle one last time for an evening ride on the Forbidden Journey.  

James said Jurassic Park was his favorite ride and it definitely was the scariest ride of the day.  From doing our best not to get wet, to the thrill of being scared by dinosaurs at night and lastly to the death defying drop at the end.  Lots of screaming and laughing and even some crying.  But we'll never forget it.

James ended the day by picking out his birthday present, a TREX dinosaur from the Jurassic World store.  He said it is the last dinosaur he will ever buy....we'll see about that!  Foster lucked out and left with a Dodger Jersey and also met one of his favorites...Bettlejuice!

Some Stats on James

Favorite food: In N Out Burger

Favorite treat: chocolate cake

Favorite candy: Twix

Best Friends: Jacob Whitehead, Hudson McEwan, Atticus Bellasario, Simon Brailsford

Favorite subject: math

Favorite movie: Spiderman No Way Home/Jurassic World

Favorite sport: cross country

Favorite show: The Office

Favorite place to go: Target

Favorite thing to do: watch wrestling live

Favorite song: I feel like a Monster

Favorite toy: WWE characters/ dinosaurs

Bucket List Item: Attend Wrestlmania in person

Mi Ani's Birthday at Hogwarts

I know what you're thinking....didn't you just go to Universal Studios?  And the answer is YES.  But when Mi Ani said she wanted to spend her birthday at Hogwarts it was a resounding "Let's Go!"  It was the perfect day in February, the park was empty, the weather was perfect and all were happy.  The boys rode The Mummy for the first time with Haley and we hit up all of our favorite rides at least once.  The boys loved the WaterWorld show and we ate all of our favorite treats like Butter Beer, Sticky Toffee Pudding and Churros.  Universal is quickly becoming the new Disneyland for the Olsons.

Foster loves to take photos with all of the characters and I love to take photos.  It's a win win.

The boys had to get a pic with this amazing shark or should I say the remains of this amazing shark at the WaterWorld set.

This was us on the Jurassic Park ride.  I love Sarah Whitehead's description of this ride..."There's only one way out of this ride and it's through it".  We always get a little nervous for the death-defying drop at the end but it's worth it every time!

A great day with my boys, Mi Ani and Haley and our new favorite spot.  

Other Happenings

This winter we were blessed with so much rain which meant lots of days watching Harry Potter and making muffins!  After all that rain we were left with a paradise of wild flowers and green hills. We have loved being outside and enjoying the beauties San Diego has had to offer this winter.  One of our favorite hikes is Torrey Pines Preserve.  We've done with hike with the older two boys many times and now Crosby is getting in on the action.  The boys found some sea glass and a sea weed root that we took home and now display on our mantle.  We love bringing home souvenirs from our adventures!

Torrey Pines  Preserve

San Diego Safari Park

Crosby and I have loved our adventures this winter.  From our rainy days at the Safari Park, hiding in the bamboo forest to exploring the Natural History Museum and Model Railroad Museum.  I am cherishing this time with him.  He's grown up enough to be a little companion for me and I know before I know it, he will be  away at school each day.  

Balboa Park

We had grandma and grandpa over for Valentine's Dinner this year.  Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with ice cream pie were on the menu and then lots and lots and lots of Sees Candy.  We also had our famous Valentine floats made with vanilla ice cream, strawberry soda and licorice straws.

Our family was asked to speak in the Julian Brach in February.  Scott and I each gave talks, Foster played the piano and both grandma and grandpa gave the prayers.  After the meeting we were invited to expire the Faulkner ranch and the boys and I absolutely loved visiting all the animals on the farm.

James and Hudson at their band concert.

James decided not to go to 6th grade camp so instead he hung around with me and Crosby.  We took one day and went to Universal Studios and another day we teamed up with the Reimer's  for some mini golf and burgers.  He was pretty glad he passed on camp to hang out with us!

Crosby started soccer and swimming this winter.  He likes mom to be on the field with him but he is great at following directions and does a great job making goals and having fun with his class.  He especially loves the bouncy balls at the end of each class.  He is having a blast swimming with Coach Damon and is making strides towards being more comfortable in the water.  Our little routine has brought us both a lot of joy.  

James and Foster have joined the San Diego Elite Track Team and are running three times a week.  They have competed in two meets, James runs the 1500 and Foster runs the 100.  They doing a great job and Scott has even started to help coach the field events.  I see a lot of running in their future!

Grandma Olson and Pop-Pop also decided to move to San Diego!  They purchased a beautiful home in San Marco and move in early summer.  We are excited to have them so close.

All in all it's been a wonderful winter full of rain and routine.  Two things I absolutely love!!!