September 2017

Back to School!

James Starts First Grade

We packed up our sand toys just in time to start a new school year.  James started first grade and was lucky enough to have four friends in his new class.  His new teacher, Mrs. Hernandez, is very nice and understanding of James' anxieties at school while still pushing him to be brave.  He is doing great and it is amazing how in such a short time his reading and math are improving.  All that work we did over the summer is paying off!  He loves playground time and playing with his best friends; Jacob, Levi, Zach L. and Hudson.  Their favorite thing to do is search for red ants in the dirt, to each his own!

Foster's Last Year of Preschool

Foster is back at Pomerado Christian Preschool for his second year.  He is in Charlotte's class which is all that really matters.  His teacher Mrs. J is wonderful although Foster is having g a hard time letting go of Mrs. Arnold from last year.  He talks to her during recess and refers to Mrs. J as Mrs. Arnold.  Apparently all teachers are called Mrs. Arnold.  He is happy and eager to go to school everyday and loves doing activities in the classroom.  He wishes he could go everyday!

The Best of September

Disneyland

We took our last trip to Disneyland at the end of September.  We went big and stayed in the Paradise Pier Hotel and it just so happened that the Law family was staying there the exact same time.  We decided to join forces and spent most of our time with the Laws.  It was so much fun and a treat to spend our last two days of Disney with friends.

 Star Tours
Radiator Springs Racers
Space Mountain

Beautiful view from our hotel room

Apple Picking

Apple picking is always a favorite event.  I love it because it reminds me that fall is coming even if it's over 100 degrees outside.  We picked the juiciest most delicious apples this year and not one went to waste.  After our trip to the orchard, we spent the day in Julian buying candy, apple pies and cider. It was a day well spent!

Shopping in Julian

Poway Rodeo

September is the month of Poway Days which means the Poway Rodeo.  The boys got so into it this year.  Foster was so excited and watched for a good 10 minutes before falling  asleep.  James on the other hand, demanded to stay the entire time so that he could see the bulls at the end.  He loved every minute.

We had a busy September with many ups and a couple of downs.  Scott changed medications which made him very sick for a couple of weeks.  It was a blessing to get him off some harmful medications but the process was very difficult for him.
I also had a miscarriage during the month of September and had to have a D&C.
These last two events were challenging but made us even more grateful for the many ups we enjoy.

Summer 2017

Fun in the Sun

Summer 2017 will be remembered as lots of swim days, library trips, zoo trips and sleeping in!  It was a mellow summer that was both fun and relaxing.  We read lots of Magic Tree House books, watched a lot of Eye Witness Videos and treated ourselves to Zoo passes which brought us a lot of happiness. And let's not forget, gorgeous summer nights at the beach.

Dos Picos with the Thompsons

We kicked off summer with our annual trip to Dos Picos with the Thompson family.  Every time we go, we have a new adventure with the Ramona wildlife.  One year it was raccoons, another year it was giant beetles and a rattlesnake and this year it was giant tadpoles, frogs and even a fox.  The kids had so much fun trying to catch frogs and Anna managed to catch a giant tadpole.  We love this kick-off to summer with good friends, a tradition going three years strong.

All of the rain this winter created a little stream that ran through our campsite.  It was the perfect place for catching frogs.  They managed to catch one and then put him back in the stream.  

Dane.Anna.Leah.Foster.James

Leah and James looking for critters in the beautiful wildflowers next to our tent.  This is where we saw the fox in the evening.

The kids had so much fun this year, riding scooters, climbing rocks and getting dirty.  We ate s'mores, went on a hike and sat by the campfire until bedtime.  Another camping success!

Olson Family Reunion in Santa Barbara

We never refuse an opportunity to go to Santa Barbara and this trip was extra special.  To celebrate Rob and LeeAnn's mission call and for one last hurrah before they left to Macedonia, all of the siblings came to town for one last reunion.  Rob and LeeAnn rented a gorgeous home in the mountains of Santa Barbara which became the perfect backdrop for hanging out and having fun.  The boys swam all day long, we played games, made dinners and managed to do some shopping too.  The weekend was so much fun and I think we would all support the purchase of this home upon their return.  We will miss them while they are on their mission but are so happy that they are doing something they have wanted to do for such a long time.  And they are no doubt going to help so many in the area where they are serving.  Go Rob and LeeAnn!

This was the scene most of the day.  All poolside and Rob in the floatie with noticeable empty drink  holders.  He liked reminding us of that.  The boys had so much fun getting in and out of the pool all day.  Wish we could go back!

Foster was a big fan of the outdoor shower.  Mom was too because she could shower him off in a matter of seconds.  When we buy our next villa, it will have an outdoor shower.

Jamie and Peter asked for Zumba while we were there and I was happy to oblige.  It was picture perfect, working out with a view of the Santa Barbara mountainside.  And then it justified the McConnell's.  

Christine took our family photos while we were there.  They turned out beautifully and we were all so grateful for such an amazing weekend.  

Strawberry Picking with the Warrens

Something else that is quickly becoming tradition is strawberry picking with the Warrens.  We always pick way too many which means we eat some and use the rest for strawberry ice cream.  Scott is the master ice cream maker and he works his magic every year.  And it's always fun to get together with the Warren's.

Claire.Hyatt.Foster.Charlotte.James

Happy Fourth of July!

We spent the Fourth of July in Poway celebrating an Old Fashioned Fourth complete with lemonade, a cowboys stand-off and some shaved ice.  We always see a lot of familiar faces which makes the festivities that much more fun.  We love living in Poway with its small-town feel and charm.

The boys came up with this pose on their own.

Shaved Ice!

Worn out.  After our celebrating in Poway we headed downtown San Diego for the Big Bay Fireworks Show.  We had the best view imaginable, from the balcony at the Wyndham Hotel.

When Olsons visit Olsons

We had a visit from the other Olsons in August.  The boys had so much fun getting reacquainted with their cousins.  Elliot, James and Foster jumped on the trampoline every night for hours and had so much fun running around in the backyard.  We managed to go to the zoo one day too.  The highlight was the Komodo Dragon that was right up against the glass.  The boys couldn't get enough.  They also couldn't get enough ice cream.  We were sad to see them go but can't wait for their next visit!

Beach Camping

This was our second annual Carlsbad State Beach Campout.  We go with some great friends, the last week of summer for a week of camping on the beach.  The boys had so much fun this year.  On our fifth day, when we were packing up to leave, they were begging to stay longer.  The days were spent at the beach, watching the kids play in the water and occasionally getting in the water ourselves.  And the evenings were spent having dinner with friends while the kids rode around on their scooters until it was pitch black.  It was so much fun and a great way to end the summer.

The boys loved playing in the water with their friends.  They made drip castles, played football in the water with dad, rode boogie boards and no day was complete without a nap on the beach.

FOSTER

Everyday we walked down to the camp store.  It became something the kids looked forward to.  One night we walked down to the store and they were selling shaved ice.  So we all treated ourselves to a Hawaiian shaved ice right before dinner.

The moms got in on the boogie board action too.  Us ladies know how to party.

Nothing better than a nap on the beach with your favorite rocks and stick.

All of the kids bought swords from the camp store.  At night, they would ride around on their scooters with their swords tucked in the back of their shirts.  They were ready for battle at a moments notice.

This was the view from our campsite.  Picture perfect.