July 2016

I have to say that Summer 2016 was magical.  Maybe it's because the boys are getting a little older, maybe it's because I'm getting a little older.  I don't know, but what I do know is this summer was one for the books.  Most of the excitement took place in July whether it was strawberry picking with friends, celebrating The Fourth of July, visiting Santa Barbara and lastly, celebrating Uncle Jim's life with a memorial celebration and family reunion.  It was a wonderful month full of family and friends.

Strawberry Picking

My friend Julia and I had been wanting to take our kids berry picking all spring and finally got around to it in July.  Instead of going blueberry picking, which had been our original plan, we opted for strawberry picking.  It is a new summer tradition for sure.  The strawberries were the best I've ever had and the kids loved picking and filling their baskets.  We ate so many strawberries while we were there and used the rest to make strawberry ice cream for the Fourth of July.  I should say Scott made strawberry ice cream, he is the ice cream maker around these parts.  Oh and it was delicious!

James and his friend Claire

All the kiddos

Foster and his friend Charlotte

I think Foster may have a budding career as a farmer!

Our loot!

Sampling the strawberries

The Fourth of July

Scott and I are big on traditions.  We like to create a tradition and then stick to it.  Fourth of July is one of those holidays where we've struggled to create the right tradition for our family.  This year, I think we nailed it.  We started out with a pancake breakfast at the Original Pancake House, our favorite.  Then we headed to Poway Park for an old fashioned Fourth of July.  Our boys are now to the age where they appreciate these outings which makes them all the more fun.  The boys decorated Abe Lincoln beards and rode the steam engine where they got to witness a shoot out between robbers and the law.  They were captivated to say the least.  That evening, we joined the family for a party at mom and dad's and fireworks at the Ott's house.  It was the perfect way to spend the fourth.  We even got to watch fireworks with Don Higginson just a few days before he passed away.  It was a special fourth and a reinforcer of tradition and how much I love my family.  Oh, and my country too!

A couple of Abe Lincolns

Foster, just before we boarded the train

Watching the outlaws

Santa Barbara

Grandma Olson and Pop pop have listed their house for sale, insert crying sound here.  So that meant we needed another trip to Santa Barbara before they move.  We were there for nine days and had such a great time, as always.  Paul, Christine, Elliot, Jamie and Peter were there too so it was a fun little Olson reunion.  We checked off the requirements like sailing, beach time, McConnell's ice cream, shopping downtown and Las Agaves.  And we even did some new things like the Natural History Museum, Sea Life Aquarium, went on a double date with Paul and Christine and threw a birthday party for Scott.  I even spend the afternoon shopping with Meridith, Tess and Mi Ani which was a fun surprise and a great girl's afternoon.  It was a really great trip and a perfect way to spend our July.  We hope to be back in Santa Barbara before they sell the house and go on a mission!

SAILING

BEACH DAY

First paddle board ride with Pop Pop

CELEBRATING SCOTT'S BIRTHDAY

Four layer chocolate cake!

The Hays joined us for the celebration.

SEA LIFE AQUARIUM

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Santa Barbara Fire Department

Bonding Time

Santa Barbara Zoo

Uncle Jimmy's Memorial

Uncle Jimmy was laid to rest at Rosecrans National Cemetery.  The Naval Officers gave Uncle Jim his final honors and I was proud and humbled to watch the ceremony.  I think we all felt very blessed to have known and loved a man like Uncle Jim.  He served in both World War II and The Korean War and was patriotic until the end.  It was the perfect setting to honor Uncle Jim.  After the memorial, the family rode a trolley back to the Wyndham Hotel where we had a lunch reception.  I made a slide show for the luncheon which brought back many memories to many of the people there.  I was also able to share some of my thoughts about Uncle Jimmy and the memories that are important to me.  I talked about how I would sit and watch Uncle Jim restore vintage jaguars in there garage.  I can still vividly recall the smell of motor oil and the creak of the wooden stairs that led to the garage.  I also talked about how Uncle Jim and I would ride in his brown VW bus to the harbor and watch the airplanes fly in to San Diego.  These are such precious memories of my childhood that I will also hold dear.  It is hard to say goodbye to both Uncle Jim and the Aunt Norma because they were both such a huge part of my history.  They are a big reason my childhood was so magical and I miss them dearly.  I can't wait to be reunited with them again someday.

A great candid photo of Uncle Jim and Aunt Norma.

Piñata hat after celebrating my birthday.

Uncle Jimmy and James

Dad shared a few thoughts and then the Naval Officers paid Uncle Jim his final honors.

Naval Officer presenting the flag to Jackson Shiner, Uncle Jim's nephew.

Riding the trolley back to the hotel.

These two.

Family Beach Day and Reunion

It was great spending time with the entire family.  We spent Saturday at the beach and later that evening celebrated mom's birthday and mom and dad's house.  I went for it and made another four layer chocolate cake! Because when it comes to cake, the bigger the better.

Foster had so much fun playing in the waves that he took a little siesta on the sand.

James had an especially good day and I'm the mother of the year that lets her children drink Diet Coke!

Summer birthdays.  Scott is being serious as always.

Nielsen Family Reunion.  I seriously love these people.

June 2016

June was a bittersweet month, heavy on the sweet.  The bitter part was James finished preschool.  It has been such an amazing school year for him.  He has grown and really thrived at Pomerado Christian.  He loved Mrs. Turner, his small little class and finding treasures everyday in the playground sandbox.  I know it is a place he will miss but there are new adventures to come.  The sweet part of June was our camping trip to Dos Picos, swimming lessons (okay so those were slightly bitter too), the Del Mar Fair and visits to Uncle Jimmy.

Hiking at Torrey Pines and searching for sharks.

Safari Parkin'

James Finished Preschool

I remember James' first day of preschool.  We were both a little nervous and didn't know quite what to expect.  But since that first day of entering his classroom, he truly loved preschool.  It is such a sweet school where they learn not only about letters, numbers and sharing.  But they also learn about Jesus and their relationship to Him.  His teacher, Mrs. Turner, often times told me that she prayed to know what was best for James and how to teach him.  I think James felt how much Mrs. Turner loved him and that is one reason he loved school so much.  James loved making the crafts, playing in the sand during lunchtime and he even loved staying after for extended classes "beyond class".  He and his buddy Hudson became very close and I'm so happy that they'll be going to Painted Rock together too.  It was a very sweet experience, sending James to Pomerado Christian and I am so happy Foster will be going there next year!

James, 1st day of preschool/last day of preschool.

Hudson, Mrs. Turner and James.

Hudson, Mrs. Porter and James.

Last day at the Discovery Table.  Sharks, always a favorite!

Dos Picos Camping

Our annual tradition of Dos Picos camping with the Thompson was in full affect the month of June.  We had a blast as always and the kids played harder than ever.  There basically wasn't a time that their faces weren't covered in dirt which is a sign of a good camping trip!

The kid crew.

Beautiful walks and of course, Foster has to carry a stick everywhere he goes.

King of the Mountain!

Sunset walk.

Horsin' Around.

This was my favorite walk we went on.  Winding trails through spooky trees!

Playing in the rocks.

Swimming Lessons

James surprised us this month and really wanted to start swimming on his own without his floaties.  It was kind of crazy, in the course of one weekend he went from being afraid to jump from the side without me holding him to jumping from the side without floaties and dunking his head under the water.  I guess it shows when he's ready to do something, he DOES it!  So I signed the boys up for swim lessons and James did an amazing job.  He listened to his teacher and did his best everyday.  I was really proud of him.  Foster was in it more for the conversation with the pretty swim teacher.  He did not learn too many skills and there were some days he wouldn't even get in the water but he sure did like Lexi, the swim teacher.  Go figure.  James liked Lexi too except when she wore (that big long thing down her back) or what some people call, a braid.  Apparently James does not like braids.

Del Mar Fair

Going to the fair is the start of summer in my mind.  We love this family tradition and even though it was crowded and some of us were grumpy for a minute or two, we all rallied and had a great time.  The fried oreos, cinnamon roll and mini doughnuts were a big help.  James and Foster loved the little rides and James is getting big enough and brave enough to go on some rides that even mom likes.  The best ride this year was these little ATV's that were on hydraulics and went up high.  The boys had to ride it more than once and giggled the entire time.  And for me, the new treat of choice is the cinnamon roll.  It is amazing.  Covered in cream cheese frosting and walnuts.  I'd sure like one in my mouth right about now.

James went on the bumper boats all by himself and had a very serious face the whole time!

I have a photo of James when he was Foster's age, on this exact same ride.  It must be a 3 year old favorite.

Waving to the spectators.

Their favorite ride of the night

Visits to Uncle Jimmy

Uncle Jimmy's health took a turn for the worst in May and June.  Because of this, he was sent to Casa De Las Companas, a care facility in Rancho Bernardo.  Because he was in such close proximity, we were able to make weekly visits to see him.  The boys loved spending time with Uncle Jim and it was really the first time he had gotten to know my boys.  He loved teasing them and each visit they would bring toys and Uncle Jim would threaten to keep them.  Foster brought a squishy ball toy and Uncle Jim told him he was going to keep it and Foster said "Okay, you can have it."  So Foster left it with Uncle Jim and Uncle Jim titled the ball "The Booger Master" which the boys thought was hilarious.  It was a special time for me to have the man that watched me grow up, be able to get a glimpse of who my boys are and share some memories together.  Something I'll never forget.

We made this visit to Uncle Jimmy a couple of days before Father's Day and the boys picked out that card to give to him.  The green ball on the table is "The Booger Master". 

May 2016

May was a great warmup to summer.  We spent many days at the swimming pool and even managed to go on TWO vacations.  It was a sign of good things to come!  Other than celebrating Foster's birthday, we also celebrated Mother's Day, Scott and I managed a little getaway without the kiddos, we had a visit from cousin Elliot and Aunt Christine and then we rounded out the month in Las Vegas! May you are A Okay.

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my boys.  I was invited to a special Mother's Day tea at James' preschool which really meant donuts and lemonade...my kind of tea!  James was so excited to have me come to his class and to be honest, I had to fight back tears of pride the entire time.  When I arrived at the class, James greeted me at the door and escorted me to the rug on the floor.  Once all of the parents were there, they sang us their mother's day song.  James knew all the words and hand motions and to my surprise sang the loudest of anyone.  I mean seriously, I nearly burst into tears.  Then our preschoolers escorted us to a beautifully set table where they served us donuts and we listened to stories read by Mrs. Turner.  I went home with a beautiful flower craft and a list of things James loves about me.  He said that he loves when I make cold, salty pasta for dinner.  To be honest, I don't remember making this glorious sounding meal, at least not on purpose but lucky for me, this accidental dinner was a hit!
On Sunday, I was so proud of James for going up with the rest of the primary to sing to me.  It was a Mother's Day, I'll never forget!

Mother's Day Tea.

In our Mother's Day best.

James with the primary, singing on Mother's Day.

Palm Springs

Scott and I were so excited to get the chance to go on vacation, just the two of us.  It had been somewhere around 4 years since we had been on a vacation without the kids and we were due for some carefree alone time.  We spent our days at the pool, eating nachos and drinking diet coke (my personal dream come true!)  We had some really great meals and even snuck in some shopping and a movie.  But the best part was spending uninterrupted time together which we never get.  We vowed to not wait another four years before we do this again.  It might have to be an annual thing! 

Our hot date to Tommy Bahamas restaurant which was delish!

The daily walk to the pool.

Luckily, Ninja Turtles was not the movie we saw.

Don't mind me, I'm just stuffing my face with Norma's waffles.

Now I'm stuffing my face with a date shake.  I like food.

That little person is my husband running away from a T Rex.  He's so brave.

This is how we felt when we had to pack our bags and head back to reality.

Elliot and Christine Visit

We had a fun visit from our sweet cousin Elliot and Aunt Christine.  They escaped the scorching heat of Las Vegas and played with us for a couple of days.  We made it to the Safari Park and the Farmer's Market but the real highlight was hanging in the backyard, sipping on soda and watching the boys play in the "mud hole".  The mud hole is a literal hole in the dirt that they fill with water and then play in.  Elliot was all over the water table and all three of them were pants off, shirts off, having fun together.  Sometimes the best things are the simplest things and this was definitely one of those times!  We can't wait for them to come back and visit.

The Olson boys.

Safari Park Selfies.

The boys picked out their very own pokey plants.

But seriously, is there something on my back?

Trip to Vegas

We had such a great time with Christine and Elliot that we decided to head to Vegas for Memorial Day weekend.  It was great to see where the other Olson's reside and to spend some time with both Paul and Christine.  We had an adult only dinner in downtown Vegas on our first night there and it was delicious!  The meal included bacon jam and donut bread pudding....um yes please!  We were able to visit the Las Vegas Temple and spend some quality time making dinner and hanging out with the family.  On Memorial Day, we joined some of the Green Valley Ward at Cowabunga Bay, the waterpark owned by John Huish.  It was the boys first time at a waterpark and they had so much fun.  We loved the Lazy River and the Wave Pool although the waves were SERIOUS so we found a raft and glided right over them.  There was a great kid area with small slides that made keeping track of Foster extremely difficult.  Just when I thought I knew which slide he went down, he would come out the end of another slide.  Slippery little fellow.  But we left with all of our children who were tired and happy so that means it was a success!

So sweet to see these boys together.

Las Vegas Temple, it was VERY hot outside!

The end of our day at the waterpark. And the end of a really great month.