Pioneer Week - Tuesday

Yes, I am unforgivably overdue for blogging. Oh well, better late than never, right? I am an excellent Facebooker, though.

Looking through the literally hundreds of pictures taken over the past few months from dozens of family adventures, I've decided to post about our family's Pioneer Day celebrations that we stretched out throughout the week leading up to July 24th, Pioneer Day.

I got the ball rolling that Tuesday before Pioneer Day.

Throughout the day (and the week) I pointed out conveniences that we have in contrast to our pioneer ancestors. Things like running water, toilets, anything running on electricity, grocery stores, AC/heaters, motor vehicles.

(ok, this picture isn't remotely related to anything pioneer... unless you count swinging in general... Kai is just adorable)

But we also talked about how much our ancestors valued what they had because they had so little, especially in comparison to all we have. I pointed out how they depended on each other- that everyone had to do their part just to get by- even the youngest children. And that their families were strong for it.

Charla loved helping me mix, knead, and bake fresh bread. Since I've overcome my fear of yeast, the world of bread baking has opened up to our family- it's SO fun... and yummy!! And since that first day that she helped me, Charla asks almost daily if she can help me bake some more bread.

Fred helped the kids saw some old limbs I had hacked away at a couple months ago. It was certainly sobering to think that they depended on wood for so much- it was hard work! The kids loved it, though.

(Leora going through the motions, holding my Popple)

We meant to grill hot dogs and then marshmallows (I know, pioneers probably didn't have those), but we got rained out! We improvised and the kids roasted marshmallows over our gas stove in the kitchen. While it would've been fun to eat outside, it was also very sobering to realize that when it poured on those early saints, they didn't have a dry, comfortable house to retreat to.

Throughout our activities we recounted the story of the pioneers. We started in Europe when they were converted, then how they had to sail across the Atlantic, then board trains as far west as the tracks extended, and then on foot for many grueling weeks.

All along we took turns shaking a baby food jar of heavy cream.

By the time we sat to eat dinner, we had a jar of rich butter! YUMMY! On Sunday I did the same thing in Primary :)

(Fred pretending to steal a bite)

Gratitude Journaling

Like everyone, Gregory sometimes gets all wrapped up in what he doesn't have (not that he has a deficit of Lego's... though I'm sure it's impossible to have "too many"). While it may not be unique, it can be wearing on the parents.

Fred had this great idea: he got Gregory a spiral-bound notebook to be his gratitude journal.

Fred has a matching one. Every night, right before bed, they each write down 10 things they're grateful for. It's so fun having a child who can write (at least phonetically)!

(labeling Popsicle sticks for the garden)

This is a video of Gregory showing me his latest entry. He usually finishes writing before Fred, so he illustrates. This will be so special in years down the road! Despite the trouble he can be, he is such a wonderful boy- I feel so privileged to be his mama!



(not sure what was up with the camera's coloring..?)

Giggle-Bug

Ever had one of those days where no matter how hard you try, you just can't get yourself moving?? Today was definitely one of those days!

By lunchtime I had tried several times to get motivated to clean up the kitchen, living room and other various parts of my house, but I felt like I was stuck in one of those dreams where you're trying so hard to run but are stuck in slow motion.

In exasperation I mimed wading through mud and starting wailing about how I felt like I was trudging through molasses... a truly pathetic sight, I'm sure. Then I caught up short when a delighted giggle came from the high chair.

In my dramatic pity party I'd forgotten that Kai was a little captive audience, treed in his high chair with bits of pancake and Cheerios. He was giggling hysterically. That got me going- I had a huge laugh over how ridiculous I'd been, and that my not-quite-yet one-year old son could laugh at me.

Within the hour my kitchen was immaculate (it's a wreck again since dinner, but for 1 blissful hour it sparkled). Gotta love those tender mercies from the Lord. Today mine came in the form of my little giggle-bug... such a classic example illustrating his cheery personality.


Here's a recent video of Kai doing his happy dance. He jerks his whole little body all over the place. He was a bit burned out by the time I go the camera rolling, but if he doesn't make you laugh, listening to me trying to motivate him probably will.

One more of him. He loves making that thing bounce with all his might

Family Scavenger Hunt

Every once in a while, inspiration strikes. And sometimes it even materializes! Luckily Sunday night was one of those moments.

We did our first Family Scavenger Hunt. It was SOOO fun! We'll definitely do it again!

I baked a pan of brownies and placed 5 bite sized pieces on each of 6 plates. I also assembled a collage of pictures (see below), printed it out, and cut out each picture like a puzzle piece. Each plate got a puzzle piece picture. The last thing I added to each plate was a question that was a clue to the next location and the next family member.



While Fred got the kids ready for bed, I distributed the assembled plates to their various spots.

We all met in the kitchen and this was the first clue:

What does this person like to do in the living room that sounds pretty?
With some prompting they guessed, "Mama likes to play the piano!" So they ran to the piano and found the first plate of brownies, with the picture of me confirming that I was the right answer.

The clue stuck in one of the brownies read:
What does this person like to do that gets him all messy?
It didn't take long for them to deduce that it was Kai, who loves to eat. So they found the next plate on his high chair, with his picture and the next clue which went:

What does this person like to do outside?
Charla knew right away that it was referring to her and they bolted outside. She begs to eat outside every night and she loves swinging on the swing set. They found the plate, Charla's picture puzzle piece, and the next clue on one of the patio chairs.

With great excitement and mouths full of brownies we read:
What does this person like to wear to bed?
I was afraid the clue might be a bit obscure, but they figured out it was referring to Leora who wears a froofy dress over her pajamas every night. The next plate was found hidden in the chest that holds the dress-up clothes. We stapled the picture of Leora into place with the other pieces and read the clue:

What does this person like to do that uses Lego's and Star Wars?
I hadn't realized how misleading it was, since Gregory's passion right now is playing Lego Star Wars on the PC downstairs. I clarified that it was something upstairs. Eventually they figured out that I was referring to the numerous Star Wars creations Gregory makes from Lego's in his room.

After savoring another bite of brownie (ok, the kids horked it down) we read the final clue:
What does this person like to with the kids right before bed?
Fred reads to the kids every night right before lights out. They raced to the girls' room and found the last plate and the last puzzle piece on the bed.

We finished assembling the puzzle and then took turns saying things we liked about another family member. I started with complimenting Gregory, who then complimented me, so I got another turn. I paid Fred a compliment and then he said something he loves about Charla, etc. I was afraid I'd lose them at this point, and eventually did, but we actually kept it going for a while!

Then they went to bed.

It was such a wonderful experience! I LOVE having such a spread of ages, but all still so young and eager. There is truly nothing better in life than having a family.

Adventures in the Garden

I'm carving out a few minutes to finally write about something fun our family has started: our own garden!

Since these houses are built on an old landfill, we're not allowed to plant anything that we'd eat. I'd heard about Square-foot Gardening a while back and finally bought the book. I've heard from MANY friends that they've had great success with this method of gardening, so I have high hopes!

This is the first garden I've attempted. We've already had a few adventures. Probably the most impressive was when I turned out the backyard hose and flooded the other 1/2 of our duplex, which caused most of our bottom floor to flood. The hose bib had cracked during the winter, so the pipes were broken. Maintenance came and sucked up most of the water. They left us with an enormous, noisy fan for a few days after that.

The big guy let our a yelp when the elusive mouse scurried near him- we've been trying to catch that little beast for months.

our front hallway- good thing there was a heap of dirty blankets to stop the water from spreading too fast!

When they moved the fridge we were reunited with most of our alphabet magnets!

Luckily, nothing was ruined and the kids were happy to eat lunch at Burger King that day.

Tonight we mixed up the soil according to the instructions in the manual. The kids had a blast mixing and shoveling- and they got thoroughly filthy! Good times!

We've attached a sheet of plywood to create a bottom so that there's no contact with the existing soil. It works out especially well since we're putting the garden plots on the sloping front yard.

When we were done, Fred showered them off and then we enjoyed a yummy dinner of spaghetti (sauce enhanced by my mostly-Italian neighbor), and homemade wheat rolls.

I love it when I feel like a good mom. Now if only I could get someone to do the dishes....

From My January Tucson Trip

I figure some back-blogging is in order, considering some of the big stuff I skipped over these past few months...

I FINALLY got to travel back to Tucson with baby Kai at the end of January. Most Tucson people hadn't met my baby yet and I hadn't been there since we drove out here almost 2 years ago! It was a wonderful, much too short, trip.

(Lovin' his Auntie Anja)

(AH! Inga driving!!.. she did exceptionally well)

I had such a blast hanging out with my family. I can't believe how big my sisters all are! Being on Ohio time, Kai and I were up early enough to drive my sisters, Inga and Anja, to early morning Seminary one day, and my other sister, Dora, to grade school the next day. It was so fun seeing a couple of my high school teachers and a bunch of younger siblings from friends I went to school with... I felt old.

(How do my sisters manage to look so dern pretty before 6AM??)

(Dora proudly showing off her nephew... Kai favors her)

My sister-in-law Heather is an aspiring photographer, so we managed to squeeze in a quick photoshoot of our babies who are only 6 weeks apart. Her little Lexie is SO dang cute! I was there the week of all that extreme weather, so we were lucky that it worked out at all.

(My favorite out of the bunch)

(heehee... my idea, her photographer skills)

I got to spend some time with my in-laws too, of course. I hadn't gotten adjusted in almost 2 years, so a trip out to my in-law's chiropractic office was DEFINITELY in order- I swear my father-in-law has some kind of 6th sense- he's amazing! That was the first time Kai got to meet his grandma Olsen... he was adored by all who were there.

(Kai actually liked his Grandpa Olsen's trembling chin thing he does to every baby)

Later that week we had a fun breakfast at my in-law's home where we also exchanged Christmas gifts. It was so cute seeing the 2 bitty Olsen's on the floor- I imagine they'll be a bit more interactive the next time they see each other.

(grandpa Olsen romping around with Kai and Lexie)

While there I placed myself in the hands of my sister Inga, allowing her to have her way with my hair. I've never been one to mess with my hair color, so I was excited to see what she'd do to it. I was VERY pleased with the end result!

We had so much fun just hanging out. We went to see "Leap Year" (my 2nd time) and we had some good ol' slappy happy laughs cruisin' the mall. It was so funny to see all the pimped out G-cars, we couldn't resist taking pictures... I'm sure a security guy watching the cameras somewhere had a good laugh at us.

One of our stops at the mall was to visit the over-priced pet store and play with a puppy :)

(The puppy gnawed on Inga's shoe the whole time)

We made sure to make visits to Eegees (a fast food chain exclusive to Tucson that makes AMAZING slushies) and to In-and-Out Burger- YUMMY!!

(Kai definitely became a fan of Eegees)

(at In-and-Out Burger)

The "official" reason for my visit was to be there when my youngest niece, Kimber, was blessed in Ajo. 2009 was the year of the Olsen babies, since all 3 Olsen boys added another little one to their families.

My mom and I drove out to Ajo for the blessing and then we had a great time catching up with family and gorging ourselves on Trish's yummy chili and corn bread at her house. We were so sad that we couldn't stay longer!

(all 3 Olsen SIL's with their respective 2009 babies)

(Trish's 2 oldest unwrapping Christmas presents from me)

When we got home from Ajo we went straight to my grandparents' for an open house. Since I wasn't able to go to my old ward for church, my grandparents opened their home for anyone who wanted to stop by to see Kai and me. It was SO much fun. I was flattered by all the visitors we had... I really do miss our ward.

(My wonderful grandparents, Carl and Carol Jensen- I love them SOOO much!)

(chatting with Sister Brown, one of many friends who came to catch up)

I squeezed in as much quality time with family as possible. I was sad to go, but also missed my other 3 babies plus hubby. I had the great fortune of having my mom along for the flight home. We knew I would be having a hernia repaired shortly after getting back from Tucson, so she has come to stay with us through the end of February to help me with the kids and house. It was SO nice to have her on the flight and we LOVE having her here with us... we'll be sad to see her go home next week.

(Whatever am I going to do when Oma goes home?? We will all suffer serious withdrawals!)

(one last random one from our trip, at In-and-Out Burger... I love my baby!)

A New Post, at Long Last

Ok, so I haven't blogged since Gregory's birthday. I'm a bad blogger. Hopefully I can redeem myself by being more consistent...

I just HAD to blog about the Valentine's date Fred and I went out on this past Thursday.

We did an Irish themed date. I ADORE the movie "Leap Year" and since it went into the cheap theaters this past week, I resolved to take Fred to see it. To get in "the mood" for some Irish-ness, I found a Irish restaurant/pub downtown called the "Dublin Pub." It was so neat! Definitely had a bar atmosphere, but there was live music that was awesome, there was rugby on the TV's, the structure was just cool, and (best of all) the food was AMAZING!!!

On the way to the theater we missed our turn, making us pull into the parking lot 15 minutes into the movie- I was SO bummed! We rushed inside, bought our tickets and raced into the theater... and the screen was blank. We were the only ones there to see it, so they hadn't even started it! We notified the staff, so they started it for us, and we had our own private screening! The manager even let us bring in our food we'd brought from the pub.


It was the 4th time I'd seen it, and I loved it all over again. Hopefully it'll be on video by St. Patty's day so we can host a date night at our house with Irish food and the movie :D