September 2015

September

The month of my birth.  A glorious month that not only celebrates yours truly but is the beginning of the best four months in existence.  The month was BIG for us.  James started preschool. We went on a Disneyland vacation with the Olsons and Taos. Scott got a pair of new shoes (okay, maybe not the most important event of the month) but he did go on a Mancation!  Did you hear that Sugi?  And yes, I celebrated my birthday, did I mention it was my birthday? To top if off I had my first ever Barnes and Noble reading and book signing.  It was a darn good month.  

Preschool

I have been nervous for James to go to preschool since the day I signed him up for preschool.  I was so afraid his anxieties would kick in and he would not have a good experience.  Boy was I wrong (that is the first time that has ever happened by the way).  So the first day of preschool came and went and James has been a happy boy ever since.  He loves his teacher Mrs. Turner and asks repeatedly if she can come to his birthday party in January.  Does this mean I have to throw him a birthday party in January?  Everyday he comes home with new stories of what he learned and the friends he is making and it makes me want to cry for joy.  I love watching the social-side of him grow.  He is happier since starting school and that is all I could ask for.  

Disney

We had an amazing trip visiting Disneyland with Grandma Olson, Pop-pop and the Tao cousins.  Disneyland is our favorite place after all and it was even better experiencing it with family.  We were there two days, two very HOT days but luckily the first day the park was so empty we could pretty much ride whatever we wanted without waiting in line.  And another positive is Disneyland offers about 8 slushy flavors which came in handy.  It was so fun to stay in a hotel and watch Disney fireworks from the hotel window.  Nothing better than watching fireworks while in one's jammies.  On our second day at Disney the crowds were back for all of the Halloween decorations which were put up the night before.  This meant we got to ride the Jack Skellington ride of course which is now the boy's favorite Disney ride.  And after two years of being pass holders, Scott and I finally got to ride Radiator Springs Racers and it was so amazing, we loved it.  Before I close our Disney adventures I have to give a special shout out to my Ghirardelli chocolate malt that I purchased on my second day.  It may have been the most delicious thing I've ever tasted.  Thank you chocolate malt. And also a big thank you to Rob and LeeAnn for making this amazing trip possible!!!

After Disney we headed up to Santa Barbara to attend Davis' baptism.  It was so special that we got to be there for the baptism and spending all day Saturday in Santa Barbara with family was so wonderful.  Can't wait to go back!

Scott got new shoes

Mancation

Finally Scott got to get out of town without any responsibilities, just a pack on his back.  He went backpacking up the Kern river with some friends from work and even though it was a short trip he loved spending time outside.  Even if it meant catching no fish.  It's just a reason to go back.

My Birthday

My birthday was wonderful, Scott took me to dinner downtown and I bought some new shoes.  Really September was all about new shoes.  If you remember nothing else, please remember that.  But I have to say, the best part of my birthday was waking up to breakfast and a beautiful serenade of Happy Birthday from my boys.  Foster still says "Happy Birthday mommy" which I let him because really, I should be celebrated all year.  

Barnes and Noble Signing

It was an incredible day. I read my book and signed books and people actually came and bought my book!!! It was a high point for me and I'm so grateful to be doing this whole book thing. 

As an added bonus to this post I will include some photos of our first Padres game as a family. Now if that doesn't feel like a reward, I don't know what does.

And as a bonus to the bonus, I will add a photo of my new haircut because I have not posted a glamour shot in awhile. 

Okay, I don't know about you but to me September felt a bit long-winded. Like it just keeps going on and on and on and on and on and on............the end. 

August 2015

I have waited so long to post about August that I have almost completely forgotten what took place in August.  But as I look back at pictures from August, I'm remembering that August was pretty great.  It was also pretty normal, no vacations or announcements just regular life in the Olson household.  So basically, it was awesome.

Cousin Visit

We were so lucky to have Stan, Monika, Isabelle and Ian come for a week long visit in August.  James and Foster never get to see these cousins and they had so much fun getting to know them better.  James asked if he could see them everyday for a week after they left.  While they were here we had a pizza party, did a lot of swimming at our pool and went to the zoo.  We are so excited to be traveling to Arizona for Thanksgiving so we can spend more time with our much loved cousins!

Beach Days

We spent many days at the beach in August because it is so hot inland that we can't do anything outside.  And also because we love Saturdays spent at the beach.  It is the perfect way to do the weekend and when Scott is there he does all the heavy lifting, builds sandcastles with the boys and lets me sit with my diet coke and watch them.  I really am so spoiled.

Soccer

Soccer started in August which makes sense because it's only as hot as the surface of the sun so it's a perfect time to run around outside.  Despite the 100 degree weather, the boys are really loving soccer. James is doing so well and loves his teacher, Foster has a little bit of a "too cool for school" attitude but we are working through it.  Basically he acts like he's going to fall down on the ground when they ask him to do anything.  He does really like building a cone tower and using the ball to kick it down and he likes throwing and kicking the soft balls as hard as he can.  I guess the rest seems like "kid stuff".  We have signed them both up for the next season of soccer and Scott and I are having so much fun watching them grow into these little unique and funny humans. 

Regular Life

Mostly we did our normal stuff like went on walks, spent Friday nights at the mall eating at Nordy's Cafe and letting the kids play on the mall playground, and enjoyed being together.  These are my most favorite moments that life has to offer.  I'll take more of these please.

July 2015

Since it is already September, it seems about time that I report on how the rest of our summer played out, starting with July.  It is crazy to me how quickly these months pass by and as I look back at our pictures and remember all we did each month, it makes me realize how fast life goes.  I look at these photos of my little babies and watch them grow and change each month and a part of me is so excited for every new development while another part cringes at the thought that very soon they will no longer be my babies.  That realization is a good reminder to take a lot of time every day to soak these little people up.  To really enjoy their company and play.  Some days I get too caught up in the list of chores that seem so urgent to complete that I forget to just enjoy my children.

July was wonderful.  We had a lot of family time and I even snuck in a girl's trip!  We celebrated the fourth, one of our family's favorite holidays, took a trip to Santa Barbara, I spent time with some college besties and we had a great time at the ward campout.  See, I told you it was wonderful.

Fourth of July

One thing I love about Scott is he is as big on family traditions as I am.  One of our newest family traditions is to have breakfast at the Pancake House (not IHOP, let me make that clear) every Fourth of July.  The highlight of this tradition for me, is watching James completely finish three giant chocolate chip pancakes that are covered with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.  There is no limit to the amount of sweetness he can handle.  I dare anyone to try and complete this meal, it is no small feat.  

Did I mention there is powdered sugar? 

We spent the rest of the fourth swimming at Scott and Brittney's pool and having a bbq with the family.  Mom and dad were out of town so there was no baton twirling this year but we had a great time.  We ended the night in customary fashion with a fireworks show at the stake center that I may add was pretty horrible.  I hate ending a story on a bad note but James asked to go home before the fireworks were even over.  It was super foggy so we could barely see anything at the end.  Oh well, we still had a wonderful day and we're glad our country is free and stuff.  But for reals, we are really grateful to live in our country that allows us so many freedoms.  We are so lucky.

Santa Barbara

We decided to celebrate Scott's birthday in Santa Barbara this year and it was a great decision.  It was a super restful vacation where most of our time was spent relaxing around the house with the family.  It was a great chance to see Paul, Christine and Elliot as well as eat McConnell's ice cream.  We threw in a James the Brave reading as well!  But the highlight for me was taking walks around the neighborhood and enjoying some good ole' Olson bonding time.  

James the Brave party!

James the Brave reading!

Santa Barbara was restful for everyone! 

Girl's Trip

It was so fun to spend the weekend at the Bird's house with Charlotte, Jeni and Lara.  These girls are lifelong friends and it was like we were back living in Provo circa 1999 all over again.  We shopped, ate cupcakes, swam and ate more cupcakes.  You know, everything you're supposed to do when your with amazing girlfriends.  The ladies also introduced me to red lipstick.  We had never met before.  It was a big moment.  Can't wait for the next trip with these amazing friends!

We took a lot of these photos and this was our best.

Ward Campout

The ward campout is one of our favorite activities of the year.  We drove up to Wildwood Ranch Friday night and had dinner, played games and even watched an outdoor movie.  We however, were the "wet blankets" that did not spend the night but drove the twenty minutes home and slept in our own bed.  Some people call us wimps, I call us smart.  We went back up in the morning so Scott could help out at the shooting range while the boys and I shot arrows and played with friends.  Spending time with my three boys is magical.  Did I mention I am the luckiest girl in the world?

Water balloon toss with James and Hudson.  They just kept throwing the balloons
at each other's feet.  Which made the game really, really, really short.

Here are some other fun things we did in July

When it's hot outside we do our playing inside...at the mall.  You know, where they sell Sees candy.

The boys had a big fascination with bats in July so they begged and begged to go see the bats at the Safari Park.
Foster's face is so creepy in this photo, I love it.

One of the boys was really into this.  

June 2015

We hit summer hard in June. So hard in fact that we had to take a break from excitement in July. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, we'll save July for next month. I think I'll title it "July". As I was saying, "June" was a month crammed full of summer fun. We spent an epic day at Disney before our passes are blocked for the summer, I took a girls trip to LA, we went camping with the Thompsons and of course we went to the Del Mar Fair. See, I told you June was too hot to handle.

Disney

Now that we've been going to Disney on a regular basis, we totally have our routine down. We know which rides to hit up first, we know the best treats and where to get them and we know where to get the best seats for the parade. Does it sound like I'm bragging? Because I am. After hours of research, I call us experts. Here are our top picks for Disney, just so I never forget.

•Star Tours- this is a MUST for James. Fast pass required. 

•Little Mermaid- shortest lines and longest ride. We like this combo.

•The Disney Express-yep, you heard right. The train is the perfect break from walking around the park and the boys love it. We take it all around the park. It's kind of our new favorite.

•Wilderness Explorer Challenge Trail- a nice break from waiting in lines and gives the boys a chance to run around. 

•Favorite treats- Pooh's Corner. Cake pops are a must and so are the marshmallow pops.

•Mini Micky lollipops. Where Foster goes lollipops must follow. These are small and actually tasty so mom can have a lick!

•Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor- waffle cone with sprinkles, enough said. 

And it just so happens that snagging an outdoor table near the Gibson Girl is the best place to watch the afternoon parade. 

See, I told you we're experts! 

Girls Trip to LA

I went with Ani, Haley, Tess and Joe. Okay, so technically Joe is not a girl but he was invited because he's nice to have around and he was an excellent chauffeur. The occasion was Sonia's launch party for Losing the Plot in LA. A great book and a great gal. We spent most of the day at El Cayote which was the venue for the party. Lots of chips and salsa and diet coke! 

After a couple of hours, we needed to stretch our legs. So we took a walk and by divine intervention, we ran into heaven. For reals. I didn't know heaven was called MILK but it is and it is delicious. Macaroon ice cream sandwiches, homemade ice cream pops, cakes, custards...you get the idea. I can't wait to take Scott and the boys sometime. Because lucky for me, they are as obsessed with treats and I am. 

We finished the night at The Grove, meeting some friends for dinner after some much needed candy shopping. I swear I do more than eat sugar. I eat fat too.

On Sunday, we attended the Self Realization Center in Pacific Palisades before heading home. 

And in true Nielsen fashion, we talked about ice cream the entire way home while listening to the sound track of Harry  Potter. It was perfect.

Camping with the Thompsons

This was a BLAST. We seriously can't wait to do this again. It might have to be an annual thing. It felt so good to spend some quality time with friends around the campfire. And the kids loved it too. 

We camped at Dos Picos and although we only stayed one night we made the most of every minute. We grilled carne asada, ate s'mores by the fire, the kids watched a movie in the tent with stove popped popcorn and then we finished the night with some major raccoon watching. Meredith discovered, to her surprise, a raccoon was stealing their food. We got some flashlights and watched this guy down an entire sleeve of Ritz Crackers. The true wilderness experience. 

The next morning we made pancakes and went on a walk. The kids played at the park and then we packed up and went home. The only thing wrong with this camping trip was it was much too short! 

Del Mar Fair

So Us Olsons are huge Del Mar Fair fans. We go multiple times every year and look forward to it all summer. This year the fair did not deliver on our expectations. For some reason the food we ALWAYS get was gross. The animals we ALWAYS see weren't there and the crowds that are ALWAYS there ...were there. But the one thing that did not disappoint were our children's reactions to the kiddie rides. They had so much fun, especially James. By the end of the night, he was going on all the rides himself without a second thought! So despite some fair disappointments, we still left with big smiles and no money! 

Honorable mentions:

• We took the boys to see Inside Out and discovered that we can actually take our boys to see movies now! They both loved the movie and Foster is now obsessed with Bing Bong. 

 •This next piece of news is a dishonorable mention. Scott after taking all of the antibiotics to get rid of the parasites is feeling much worse. We're hoping he will start feeling some relief soon but so far 👎.

•Another dishonorable mention, my dad got shingles. He hasn't quite recovered yet and is in quite a lot of pain. Another 👎.

• But to end on a positive note, despite all the ailments we are all happy which is the most important thing of all. Except Foster, who is 2 and taking it out on all of us. 👎😜. I like emojis.