Olsen Family Travels

Precious Pictures

2011-07-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

My wonderful sister-in-law took some great pictures of our little family that I need to share. Thanks Chrissy!

Messes

2011-04-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Messes are easy to make, but hard to clean up. Elizabeth has been very busy during nap time lately. So busy, that she wears herself out with the messes that she makes. (She is sleeping on her bed beside all of her treasures.) She HATES cleaning up. She tells me she cannot do it by herself, and that I need to help her. Her room is going to look like this for the next 15 years, I just know it. I should mention that her room was completely cleaned and vacuumed at 8 this morning.

Scripture Power

2011-04-28T12:17:00.000-07:00

As we were taking our morning walk, the kids were discussing super powers. Elizabeth leaned over to Andrew and said, "Andrew, the scriptures have the best powers of all." She certainly is right!

Elizabeth's First Talk

2011-04-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth gave her first talk in Primary. She stood up tall, and said her talk loud and clear like we had practiced. She really did a great job!

Easter is a special day.
When Jesus was on the earth he taught us to be kind and love one another.
I can be like Jesus by being kind to my brother, listening to my Mommy and Daddy, and helping my teachers in Primary.
Jesus died for us and was ressurected.
We can live with our families forever.
I am grateful for the example Jesus set.

Coloring Easter Eggs, and the Hunt

2011-04-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

Grandma Olsen hosted an Easter party at her house and had the Grandkids color Eggs. Andrew and Elizabeth loved watching the eggs turn colors, although, Andrew was much more interested in dropping the eggs in the dye and pulling them out then being patient for them to turn color.

After coloring eggs, it was time for the egg hunt. The kids didn't need much help, and were pretty good about sharing.
Elizabeth showing off her eggs.

Andrew is very serious about finding eggs.

Andrew's New Pal

2011-04-16T12:41:00.000-07:00

Grandma Olsen and Andrew went to Build-A-Bear for his 3rd birthday. It is a tradition that each child gets a bear when they are three. Andrew had a great time picking out a bear. He knew exactly which bear he wanted, and loved the firefighter outfit. He named him Fire Fighter Derek.

Thank you Grandma for such a special gift.

Pulling Carrots from the Garden

2011-04-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

The kids love to pull carrots from the garden. The garden has gotten Andrew in trouble a few times, but I enjoy watching the plants grow so it has been worth it. When we planted peas, Elizabeth checked every day to see how much they had grown. I loved hearing her excitement each morning when they had grown an inch. Now it is fun to find new peas each day. They seem to pop up over night.

Soon it will be time for tomatoes. We have two that are getting big, and countless blossoms. Andrew loves tomatoes, so it will be interesting to see if he leaves them alone....I doubt it. One morning I found his radio flyer wagon resting on top of the tomato plants. I was afraid he had completely destroyed the plants, but they came through just fine.

Car Maintenance

2010-11-13T15:17:00.000-08:00

I am grateful that Jeremy is so good at car maintenance. He loves working on cars and we have certainly reaped the benefits. Today he changed the transmission fluid on the toyota. Thank you Jeremy for keeping our cars running strong.

Hula Hoop

2010-11-12T08:43:00.001-08:00

Today I am grateful that I can still work a hula hoop.

Veterans

2010-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

Today I am most grateful for Veterans and what they have done to keep our country free. But, one veteran is more important to me than all others. My father served as a Sea Bee in the United States Navy, and served two tours in Vietnam. He was an iron worker and built communication towers and bridges. He doesn't talk about it very often, but it is a big part of who he is.

He loves his family.
Will take any back road in the mountains for a new adventure.

Loves a good campout.

Is an engineer at heart and is always building and creating something.

And has a passion for music and learning.

We love you Grandpa. Thank you for doing your part to protect our country.

Miss Pickle

2010-11-10T11:24:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth raided the pickle jar while I was out of the room. I am grateful for her passion and love of life.

Growing

2010-11-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

I am grateful that my children are growing. I took the children to Michael's craft store today and it was an absolute nightmare. They wanted to touch everything. I was looking at an item to buy and turned around and both children had their hands on glass vases. Last Friday, Andrew picked up a piggy bank in Target and it slipped out of his hands and shattered on the floor. I am hoping that in another 3 years they won't want to touch everything and shopping will be easier. Here's to hoping.

Dancing With The Stars

2010-11-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth loves to dance. This summer she found a set of tap shoes for 25 cents at a rummage sale, and has worn them every day since. She will only wear dresses and skirts that twirl. Monday night is a favorite for her because the "dancing" show is on. She puts on her pajamas with a skirt over top, and ties up her dancing shoes. Each time a couple comes on to dance, she dances with them using her chair as a partner. Occasionally, she will glance at herself in the glass of the sliding door to see what she looks like dancing. It is one of the highlights of my week to watch how happy she is. Look out Grandma Ross, we have another ballroom dancer on our hands.

Jeremy

2010-11-07T17:34:00.000-08:00

Today I am grateful for my husband Jeremy. There are not enough words to describe what he does for me, and as father to our children. I am grateful for his faith and devotion to the gospel. I am grateful for his friendship and love.

He has such a loving heart and wants to help the kids discover the world and all it has to offer.
During a Saturday outing, they went to Home Depot during craft time and built things out of wood. The kids were so proud of their projects.

Or he's content to play with them at home. He is full of integrity and a worthy Priesthood holder.

He loves spending genuine time with the children, no matter what they are doing.

Thank you for being such a great dad.

And husband.

Pepperoni

2010-11-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

I love that Elizabeth calls pepperoni , pepper-macaroni.

Unexpected Smiles

2010-11-05T09:00:00.001-07:00

Today I am grateful for small moments that make you laugh. Last night Andrew was a bit too curious while Elizabeth was in the bathroom. The potty seat was stuck on there pretty good. Daddy really had to work to get it off. It's a good thing that Elizabeth doesn't use it anymore, and that I had just cleaned it yesterday morning.

Exercise

2010-11-04T13:37:00.001-07:00

Exercise is the topic that I am most grateful for today. I have been working harder on my diet and exercise this week. I have seen a big improvement in both my mental attitude and physical strength. I feel good. (I think that it isn't so blasted hot, and we can be outside to exercise helps too.) Exercise is so important. My kids are happier when they are able to release energy. I hope my children are learning that we need to exercise to keep our bodies healthy.

Friends

2010-11-03T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today I am grateful for friends. I have been lucky enough to gain a handful of really genuine friends who I am so blessed to have in my life. My mother is probably my best supporter and friend. She and I cannot go a day without talking. I miss her when her telephone is out of range. She understands me and life. I hope to have just as good of a relationship with Andrew and Elizabeth when they are grown as I do with my mother.

Andrew and Elizabeth have their friend Noah over this morning. Noah is so good for them. They play with the toys they aren't normally interested in, and get along so well. Andrew loves Noah because he is a boy. Elizabeth and Noah are pretty much inseparable when they are together. Noah tells everyone he is going to marry Elizabeth. At church, they hold hands on the way to Nursery, and have to sit by each other during snack time.

I wish I had a better picture of them together, but this will have to do. Elizabeth and Noah were Trick or Treating together on Halloween night. Noah was a cowboy.

Sight-One of the Five Amazing Sense

2010-11-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth did a great job at the eye doctor this morning. We asked her at breakfast who she would like to take her....she picked Daddy. They always have a great time together. E did really well picking out both big and small shapes for the doctor. They also dilated her eyes and said her eyes were healthy and growing properly. At this time, he reduced her prescription to +6 in both eyes. It was at +7. She will have to wear glasses until she is at least 15 and then the doctor will begin to discuss possible surgeries to give her long term solutions for her eyes.

I am so grateful for eyesight. The first day we put glasses on Elizabeth a whole new world was opened to her. She could finally see the leaves on the trees, the school bus driving down the street, and the birds flying in the sky. Our loving Father in Heaven has given us a beautiful world to enjoy. I am thankful for the ability to see all that we've been given.

Giving Thanks

2010-11-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

This month I want to concentrate on being thankful for the many things my family is blessed with. My goal is to post something that I am grateful for each day of the month.

Today I am grateful for the start of November. Arizona is beautiful in November. My roses bloom again, and the weather is comfortable. Each year in June, July and August, I always wish it were November.

Happy Halloween

2010-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Halloween seemed to last all month this year. Elizabeth requested a princess dress in September. She had full confidence that I could make her a beautiful dress. Lucky for me, I found one at a thrift store for $5. I wouldn't of been able to buy the material for that price. She wore her princess dress the full month of October.

Andrew, on the other hand, did not want to dress up at all. He's two, and is as stubborn as they come. I made him a reversible batman/superman cape. I am very happy with the results, but sad that Andrew won't wear it. Maybe he will be more agreeable when he is three.

Bites out of the Cheese

2010-10-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I feel like I am raising monkeys. They seem to behave like monkeys more often than not. Elizabeth didn't have the patience to wait for a slice of cheese, so she took matters into her own hands. Those are big bites! I wasn't mad....more grateful that it was Elizabeth rather than Andrew who did it. We would of had big problems on our hands then.

Funny Conversations

2010-10-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

We had a really funny conversation with Elizabeth last night. Before I get to it, I have to tell you the background. Andrew has always struggled going into the Nursery at church. We try to talk to him about it on Friday and Saturday before church, to make sure he knows what is expected of him.
Last night we were in the car when the following exchange occurred.
Daddy: Andrew, do you know what day it is?
Elizabeth: Is it church day Daddy?
Mommy: Yes, Elizabeth. Andrew, do you think you can be a good boy and go to class?
Elizabeth: Andrew you don't cry in class. You need to be happy.
**Silence**
Elizabeth: Andrew are you listening?
**Silence**
Elizabeth (frustrated): Mommy, he's not listening to me.

:-)

I had another laughing moment earlier in the day. When we don't want the children to know what we are talking about....like cookies, or the park etc. we spell them out.
Yesterday I found a swimming suit on clearance for $1. I was so excited to tell Jeremy, but I didn't want Elizabeth to know about it. So I said: "I found a s-w-i-m-m-i-n-g s-u-i-t for Elizabeth." Elizabeth immediately looks at me and says with bright eyes, "you found a new swimming suit for me. Oh thank you Mommy." When did she learn how to spell?

Elizabeth and Rosie

2010-07-17T19:54:00.000-07:00

This is Rosie. Grandma Olsen gave Rosie to Elizabeth for her birthday. They have been best friends ever since. Last weekend Grandma took Elizabeth shopping to get a new outfit for Rosie. Rosie came home with an outfit and sunglasses. I found some sunglasses at the dollar store that look like Rosie's. Don't they look cute together?

Mom

2010-07-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth has been calling me Mom all week. It used to be Mommy. She's growing up I guess. **sigh**

Music and Craft Time

2010-07-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

It is so hot outside. My kids live outdoors. Since we can't go outside and play, we have been doing other activities to mix things up. Elizabeth and Andrew love playing the keyboard. They get the rhythms going and play songs. Many, many songs. Mommy usually gets tired of the songs before the kids do.

In the mornings we do crafts. Elizabeth loves to cut and glue. I can't count the number of hearts I have cut out for her. We usually cut out different shapes and she glues them to the paper. Andrew loves to paint with water colors. But usually he gets bored rather quickly and is off fixing something with his tools. Today he decided a tune up was needed on his bicycle.

Next week we are headed to Idaho for a while....back to playing outside and digging in the dirt. We can't wait!

Bisbee Chapter Closed.

2010-06-18T09:35:00.000-07:00

Jeremy starts a new job with Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday. Daddy is home for good!

Goodbye Bisbee. We have some great memories in unit 28 at the Hillcrest Apartments. The accommodations were mediocre at best, but the little one bedroom apartment served it's purpose.

Now we can finally say.......CHAPTER CLOSED!

Bisbee Sites (Toddler Version)

2010-06-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

We spent a good 5 months living with Jeremy down in Bisbee. Because we were in a one bedroom apartment there wasn't much space for our kids to use up their energy. Every day after work Daddy would take the kids on a long walk in the stroller around the streets of Warren. (Bisbee is broken up into several different areas by hills. The area he lived in was called Warren.) This is the Vista. It always seemed to have some type of activity. On Saturday mornings people would set up for a farmer's market. They also practiced little league football here.During their walk each day they would visit 3 goats an 4 chickens at a house on powell street.

This is one of the 3 goats. The others were MIA on picture day.

This is the Greenway Elementary school. The kids explored every nook and cranny of the school grounds.

They had a fun play structure for them to play. Sometimes we would bring the buckets and shovels so they could play in the sand.

This is the ramp the kids would run up and down at least 10 times on every visit.

Look at all that space the kids had to run. There is another play structure and swings which are hard to see in this picture. I think after spending each day playing at the park in Bisbee, it has really become a tradition for Daddy to take the kids to the park on Saturday mornings. They all enjoy it.

After getting wiggles out, Daddy had the pleasure of pushing the kids back up the hill to the apartment. It is a workout to push 50 lbs of kids plus the stroller up the hill.

Thanks for taking the Bisbee Toddler Tour. Even seeing these pictures now, the kids look at them with fondness. There was a good feeling about Bisbee. Good people live there. It also helped tremendously that the climate was much better in the summer and allowed us ample time to play outside, which is a big part of our family dynamic.

Red Truck

2010-06-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Jeremy borrowed this beautiful red truck from a coworker so he could move a few things home from Bisbee. Andrew LOVED riding back to Sierra Vista in the red truck.

Swimming Lessons

2010-06-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

I signed the kids up for two weeks worth of swimming lessons. It has been fun spending time in the water. This is the first class Elizabeth has been signed up for where she goes by herself. She didn't like having a boy teacher at first, but would go if I bribed her with chocolate each day. (That girl will do anything for chocolate.)

Andrew and I did a Mommy and Me class. He has zero fear of the water. He loved jumping off the side of the pool into my arms and blowing bubbles. He didn't like swimming like a motorboat or kicking.

Today, Grandma Olsen came to watch the kids swim. Thanks for taking the pictures Grandma.

Five Years

2010-06-03T19:43:00.000-07:00

Today is our five year wedding anniversary.

Jeremy forgot.

Pickles

2010-06-02T15:03:00.001-07:00

When I take a picture of Andrew he will say cheese and squint his eyes.

Today I had him say pickles and got a much better result.

Naptime Happenings

2010-06-02T14:54:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth is growing up. We have quiet time in our rooms while Andrew is sleeping in the afternoon. I love this time of day. The house is quiet and I have some time to myself. Elizabeth will take a nap 4-5 times a week during this time. On the days she doesn't, it can be pretty interesting to see what she does with her time.

Yesterday she came out of her room dressed like this. Notice the two different shoes, a handbag for a hat, and her swimming suit is backwards. Silly girl!

Today she decided to have a tea party. She was pretty creative with the food; a birthday cake, bells representing grapes and probably some type of cheese disguised as a lego. She even used the lid of one of her toy containers as a tray.

I love seeing her little mind at work.

Like her Daddy

2010-06-01T21:33:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth snores, just like her Daddy.

Curtain for Elizabeth's Room

2010-06-01T20:11:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth has been asking me to make a curtain for her bedroom. I decided today would be a good day for a project. This is what I came up with.I love how it turned out. All the colored squares of fabric are left over from a quilt Grandma Olsen made Elizabeth when she was born, and I had a white sheet in the linen closet that I used for the rest. It is amazing at how a simple curtain makes the room look finished.

Never Forget

2010-05-30T09:02:00.000-07:00

There are some things that my children are saying and doing that I never want to forget.

When Andrew says Elizabeth, it sounds like Bi Biff. Or he will say sister.
When Elizabeth says her name, it comes out Isabeff
Andrew says his name pretty clear. He can count to ten, sing twinkle twinkle by himself, and has a good start at the alphabet.
Elizabeth can count to 20, and sings most of the letters of the alphabet. Her favorite song is popcorn popping.

Andrew is a Mommy's boy. Nighttime is still a big struggle for us. He has been waking up a 1 am and 5. He comes to bed with me at 5 and snuggles himself close to me. I know he won't do it forever, so I am trying to enjoy it.

Elizabeth is still taking an afternoon nap most days. It is wonderful. Andrew is sleeping about 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon.

New Adventure

2010-05-29T19:27:00.001-07:00

I found a Dora bicycle at a garage sale for $3. This is Elizabeth's first try at riding her bike. She loved peddling.

A couple of weeks ago the people across the street moved and gave us the bike Andrew is sitting on. It is so nice to have a bike for each child. Andrew isn't quite tall enough to ride his yet.

When we got Elizabeth's bike home, it needed a little TLC. Andrew was more than happy to help Daddy with the repairs.
We love bikes!

New Camera

2010-05-29T19:24:00.003-07:00

We found a good camera for an even better price while we were out shopping today. Our old camera was starting to take fuzzy pictures. I think these turned out cute.

Happy Birthday Andrew

2010-05-10T08:50:00.001-07:00

Andrew is two! He is growing so big. He is a great talker. He can tell me exactly what he wants and is forming sentences. He loves his sister and includes her in most of his play. He is very much a boy. He loves wearing baseball caps like his daddy and doing boy things like fixing the car and throwing balls. His biggest love is trucks. He always has a truck in his hand. Fire trucks, police vehicles, farm trucks, and construction equipment are his favorite.

We had a great time hosting a birthday party with the Olsen's. Sami wasn't quite sure about all the presents being trucks...but Andrew loved it.
This is a garbage truck that was lost 30 minutes after he opened it. I have a feeling little hands put it in the garbage, because that's where a garbage truck is supposed to go...right!

Andrew was quite a ham with everyone taking pictures of him. He loves saying cheese and squinting his eyes while he smiles. We love our little boy.

Love Them!

2010-04-29T21:39:00.001-07:00

Why I haven't been blogging

2010-04-29T21:32:00.000-07:00

I've taken a leave of absence in blogging. I guess I have just needed to focus on other things. I have been doing a lot of sewing lately. Last month Jeremy's mom came and showed me how to put together a curtain for my kitchen window. Then she left me to my own creativity (and at times frustration) in making curtains for our sliding glass door and dining room window. For $30 in material this is what I came up with.

Not too shaby for a beginner....or at least that's what I think. I still have to hem the dining room curtain, but I am not sure how long I want it.

Terrible Two's

2010-04-29T21:29:00.000-07:00

This little guy has given me a run for my money lately. Ahhhh....But I love him.

Grandma Olsen's Birthday

2010-04-15T21:40:00.000-07:00

We had a great time giving Grandma Olsen a birthday party. Elizabeth planned it for a month. You need party hats, balloons, birthday cake, candles and presents for a good party.

Trish is a 20 year cancer survivor, so to honor her, I made a bracelet. Each bead represents one of her grandchildren.

Daddy and Elizabeth made her a birthday cake.

Andrew made a birthday card for Grandma, but took a break to taste the cake batter to make sure it was okay.

Elizabeth wasn't going to be left out.

We had a fun time preparing for Grandma's birthday. Elizabeth is already planning Andrew's birthday.

Flowers

2010-04-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

The kids brought me flowers today. It was out of the blue and quite a surprise.

Grow, Grow, Grow!

2010-03-12T09:14:00.000-08:00

Some of our seeds are growing. Hooray! Each day we check on their progress. There is a definite difference from day to day.
Don't you love Andrew? He is saying "cheeezzzz." Before I took the picture Elizabeth was pulling out some of the seedlings. I told her she needed to put her listening ears on, so that is what she is doing in the picture.
The plants on the left are lettuce. We also have a few squash seeds coming up.

Our Travels

2010-03-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

I named our family blog the Olsen Family Travels because we always seem to be in the car going somewhere. We went down to Bisbee over the weekend. My kids are such good travelers. It takes about 3 hours from doorstep to doorstep and they are always content to sit and watch the landscape go by. When they do get restless we sing songs or play games.

It was a little cold in Bisbee while we were there, and it even snowed up on the hillsides early Monday morning. This is a picture of the Huachuca mountains just south of Sierra Vista. On the other side of the mountain is the US/Mexico border.

Here's my happy traveler, Elizabeth.

And my happy traveler, Andrew.

About an hour into the ride I usually have sleeping children. I love sleeping children.

Andrew must of had the sun shining in his eyes.

Looking back to when I was young, I can always remember being in the car going somewhere. I remember one night we were traveling in our little 2 door colt up to Anaconda, MT to visit my Grandpa Johnson. I remember seeing the little dipper for the first time. Now, whenever I look up into the sky at night my eyes always look for the little dipper. I am grateful to have seen so many places up until now, and can't wait to show my children a little piece of our world in our future journeys.

Planting Seeds

2010-03-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth told me yesterday that we needed to plant some seeds in dirt. We were looking for a good excuse to go to town, so after nap time we went to the store and bought seeds. We planted yellow squash, lettuce, cilantro, and basil. I wanted plants that the kids could put in their mouths if picked early. Elizabeth did a great job of putting two or three seeds in each one. I told her that we need to wait for them to grow. Her response was cheering, "grow, grow, grow."

Yogurt

2010-03-04T06:47:00.001-08:00

In November the doctor suggested Andrew might be lactose intolerant. Since then, we have really worked on his diet. Giving him soy has really made him feel better. He used to whine and want to be held because his stomach hurt all the time. Now he is happy and playful. Over the weekend I decided to by some soy cheese and yogurt to see if he liked it. He wasn't a fan of the cheese, but he loved the yogurt. I know there are other foods out there that bothers Andrew's stomach. Hopefully we can continue to help him feel good.

Elizabeth loves all things dairy. I am grateful that I have kids who like healthy things.

Twirly Skirt

2010-02-28T06:54:00.000-08:00

I made Elizabeth a twirly skirt over the weekend. She LOVES skirts so I thought I would try my hand at making one. I think it turned out pretty cute. The kids and I went to church by ourselves in Casa Grande today. Jeremy had church responsibilities down in Bisbee. Andrew and Elizabeth were very good for me. They sat through Sacrament meeting without having to get up once. I was very pleased with them. When it was time to go home Elizabeth didn't want to leave her class. She loves everything about nursery. Andrew is still going through the attachment phase, so he isn't as big of a fan. We are hoping he gets over it soon.

Life Lesson

2010-02-27T17:43:00.000-08:00

Andrew taught me a life lesson today at the park. I was watching Andrew walk along some concrete curbing that was about 6 inches wide and 3 inches off the ground. He was walking on it like you would a balance beam. He would take five or six steps and then have a miss step and slip off. Sometimes he would keep his balance and keep going and other times he would fall, but he always picked himself up and kept going. He did this for 30 minutes straight. Sometimes he would get distracted by another kid in the playground, but always went back to walking along that curb. Unlike his sister, Andrew has an amazing ability to focus.

As I was watching him play I was thinking about the paths we take. I know there will be trials and missed steps along the way, but our path is clearly outlined. I hope that we have enough focus to stay on the right path that leads us back to our goal of being an eternal family.

Basket

2010-02-25T19:12:00.000-08:00

Tool Belt

2010-02-25T12:09:00.001-08:00

Grandma Olsen gave Andrew a tool set for Christmas. He loves it. He is always fixing or tightening something for me. All of the wheels on the tricycles and screws in the chair have been checked by Andrew. Today I decided to make him a little tool belt. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Quartzsite

2010-02-19T12:15:00.000-08:00

We took a trip out to Quartzsite to visit my Grandma and family. It was a really great trip, and we had a good time. My Aunt Lou from Spokane flew in from Spokane, and my Uncle William and Aunt Susan were visiting from Kansas.

Here is our updated four generations picture.
Elizabeth's absolute favorite thing at the Quartzsite park is the merry-go-round. She loved taking turns riding it and pushing Andrew and I.

Andrew loved hanging out with Papa. Nothing like sitting outside with a cold drink in your hand.

We were a little nervous about how the kids would do sleeping in the motorhome. Elizabeth refused to sleep with us until we told her we would have a pajama party. Then she was all about it. The second night we were there Andrew decided it was much better to hoot with the owls than sleep. He did not want to settle down and close his eyes. He would stay in his bed, but entertained himself by singing twinkle twinkle little star and other songs he knew.

Elizabeth made herself a little garden out of some of the fake flowers Grandma Ross had in her shed. The little green sign says "pray for rain."

It was wonderful to spend time with my family. My parents are headed back to Idaho next week. It is sad to have them so far away again, but we are already counting on a trip to Idaho during the summer.

Digging

2010-02-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Our backyard is one big rock pile. The weather has been beautiful this week, so the kids have spent most of their days in the backyard digging. Elizabeth came in and told me that she had made a sand castle out of rocks. Sounds great to me.

Now, if I could get them interested in pulling weeds we'd be set.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

Daddy gave the kids valentines with candy inside. They loved it.

Daddy gave Mommy red lipstick for Valentine's Day, which Mommy and Elizabeth had to try. It's fun to give kisses with red lipstick. Daddy and Drew were patient victims.

Daddy's Apartment a.k.a. The Cabin

2010-02-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

For the past year Jeremy has been working down in Bisbee AZ and living in this apartment during the week and traveling home for the weekends. During the hottest part of the summer we lived with him full time in his one bedroom apartment because it is so much cooler in Bisbee. Andrew took his first steps here and both kids learned how to sleep in the same room. We hope Jeremy is blessed with a new job, closer to home soon so we can put this chapter of our lives in the history books. But, for now, we enjoy being together when we can.

This is the view looking into the apartment from the front door. Behind the t.v. is the bedroom which will only fit one twin size bed and a pack-n-play. Notice the radiator. It comes on from 4-6 in the morning and 6-8 at night. It can get quite cold in there during the day. The building is made of concrete, so if it is cold outside it is cold inside as well.

This is the view looking back at the door to the apartment.

This is the view looking from the bedroom door into the living space and then on into the kitchen. The bathroom door is on the right.

Here's the kitchen. Look at all that counter space!

Jeremy's lovely table and chairs.
In this experience we have really learned that you can do a lot with a little. When we are there, the kids spend each afternoon at the park with Daddy. I know Andrew's balance and agility comes from navigating up and down the play structure at the park. They also visit some goats and chickens that are in someones yard.

It doesn't matter where you live, as long as you make the most of it.

Happy Birthday Elizabeth

2010-01-31T18:50:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth had a great birthday. She was spoiled through and through. She had big plans for her birthday including crowns, birthday cake, tea party and balloons. The girl knows how to throw a party. I think we managed to fit everything in.
The kids started out with a tea party complete with crowns, tea, and little cookies.

They fished for party favors to put in their goodie bags.

Had a fun lunch.
And enjoyed birthday cake.

Elizabeth has grown 4 3/4 inches in the past year. She will talk your ear off, and is very aware of her surroundings. We love having her in our family.

Major Milestones

2010-01-06T09:15:00.000-08:00

We've had some major milestones at the Olsen home.

Last month we decided it was too cold in Bisbee and brought the kids back to the house for the winter months. We knew Andrew could climb out of the Pack-n-Play. We quickly found out he can climb out of his crib as well. Trying to avoid any type of injury, I had Daddy take down the crib. It took a couple of weeks for Andrew to get used to his new sleeping arrangement, but is doing good now. He loves having Mommy lay in his bed with him to read a story and cuddle before sleep.

This past week we have also said farewell to our friend the highchair. Many good memories have happened in that chair. The spaghetti faces and food art will be missed. Andrew decided it is much better to sit at the table with the rest of the family. He does a pretty good job keeping his food to himself and loves being big like his sister.

Tucson Zoo

2010-01-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

We are making a tradition out of going to the Tucson Zoo at the beginning of each year. We had a great time. There were hardly any people at the zoo and the animals were a huge hit with the kids. Andrew couldn't take his eyes away from them even for a quick picture, especially since there was a zebra headed his way. Andrew loves zebras and otters. He didn't care for the armadillo or the snake.

My Three Favorite Men

2009-12-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

I love this picture. It has the men I love the most in it.

Our Family

2009-12-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Car Garage

2009-12-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

Andrew loves figuring out how things work. He spotted this car garage up in his closet and had to have it. Before I had it dusted off, he had figured out how it worked and had found a car to go up and down the ramps. He is a really good critical thinker. If he doesn't know how something works he will sit there and think about it until he figures it out, or he will want me to show him. I think I see an engineer in our future.

Cake

2009-11-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

Today is Daddy's birthday. I had a great time playing with family. Especially playing with my cousins. But, the best part was definitely the cake. I love cake.

New Outfit

2009-11-22T14:48:00.000-08:00

Grandma Johnson sent the kids new church outfits. Don't they look great?

We asked Andrew to smile for the camera and he gave us a big cheesy grin. I love it.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

Woof Woof. Andrew's a puppy dog.

We had a great Halloween in Bisbee. The church had a trunk or treat for the kids. They were giving candy out by the handfuls. Andrew loved having people put things in his bucket. It got so heavy by the end, he couldn't carry it.

Grazing

2009-10-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

Andrew had a great time at Aunt Jeremy's baby shower. He had easy access to the food throughout the entire party. On the other side of the table was the fruit platter with strawberries, pinapple, grapes, and apples on it. In this picture he has a cheescake bite in his hand.

After two hours of grazing, we finally had to cut him off.

What more could a little boy ask for in a party?

Sprinkler Time

2009-09-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

It was a nice warm day to play in the sprinklers. Andrew loved getting wet. Elizabeth didn't care for the water, but loved watching Andrew run in and out of the water.

Playing in the Dirt

2009-09-24T08:49:00.000-07:00

Grandma has many fun opprotunities to play in the dirt. Plastic shovels and rakes come in handy for dirty projects.

Fall Colors

2009-09-24T08:34:00.000-07:00

We drove up to Goodenough campground to look at the fall colors. Andrew loved exploring. He always seems to be heading downhill on a dead run.

Our Fun Package

2009-09-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Aunt Lou sent us a very fun package. It had this bug in it. Andrew wanted to test it out immediately after getting it out of the box. Thank you Aunt Lou.

Snacking with Pa Pa

2009-09-22T08:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sharing your snacks with me Grandpa.

John Deere

2009-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Grandpa has several different tractors on Hurricane Hill for Andrew to drive. He is pretty good at making motor noise with his mouth.

Cooking with Great Grandma Ross

2009-09-20T19:29:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Grandma Ross have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen. He loves finding the pots in the cupboard around meal time.

The Zoo

2009-09-19T08:05:00.000-07:00

Aunt Jeremy and Uncle Eric took us to the zoo in Idaho Falls. Andrew loved the animals. He especially liked the zebras and the lion.

Thanks for a great day.

A Dozer

2009-09-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

We are at Grandma and Grandpa Johnson's in Idaho. The first day we arrived, Andrew found Grandpa's dozer. He has been up several times to check on it since then.

A New Experience

2009-08-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

We took Andrew and Elizabeth exploring up Carr Canyon. Andrew loved walking around the campground. There were an endless supply of rocks and stumps to climb over. He also loved picking up the rocks and pine cones.

This is the look of pure happiness.

Sleep

2009-08-06T18:37:00.000-07:00

It is no secret that Andrew struggles with sleeping through the night. Since we have been in Bisbee he has been getting up every 2-3 hours wanting to be held and drink milk. We humored him for the first two weeks, but no one was sleeping well, which is not healthy for any of us. Because Andrew was filling up on milk at night he didn't have an appetite during the day...another big problem. On Saturday I decided to eliminate milk completely from our routine and replaced it with water. I told both children that I didn't have any milk to give them, which was true, and they would have to get by with water. We also knew that we would have to stop rescuing Andrew in the middle of the night and let him work it out himself. Multiple doctors have told us we need to let him cry, but it is very hard for me to let my children cry.

Andrew woke up Saturday night at 11:30 like normal, but we let him cry it out. He cried for an hour and settled back down and went to sleep. He slept until 5:00 when I handed him a sippy of water and he layed back down and slept until 7:30. It was wonderful to stay in bed until 7:30. The nights have been getting better since then. On Wednesday night he slept from 8pm to 6:15, which was the best he has done in months.

We have gone through this before, we have let him cry and he has slept good at night for a week afterwards. But it doesn't last and cycles into waking up at night. This time is different. We are not giving in. He has to learn to sleep continuously throughout the night. Because he isn't drinking milk, he is eating nonstop during the day. It has been so surprising to see how much this little boy can eat.

Andrew,

We love you very much. Mommy and Daddy are so glad you are sleeping and eating better. Please continue to sleep. You are so much happier. You are a good little boy, and we are so lucky to have you as a part of our family. Daddy has been bragging about you all week and even bought you a new truck to show how proud he is of you. We love watching you grow and try new things each day.

Love,

Mommy.

Toddler Time at the Bisbee Library

2009-07-31T18:34:00.000-07:00

We have a great time at the Bisbee library on Fridays. They have a great program for toddlers. Andrew is still a little small to sit still during the story or participate in craft time, but he loves snack time. He also loves playing with the toys and puzzles in the children's area.

Fruit is Yummy

2009-07-28T18:29:00.000-07:00

Andrew loves fruit. I decided to have a nectarine for lunch today but Andrew saw it and wanted it immediately. It was a big piece of fruit and he ate at least half of it. I think it felt good on his gums.

His teeth have finally broken through the skin. We are all happier.

Teething

2009-07-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

See the drool coming from Andrew's mouth? He is teething, and is not happy. We will be so glad when his molars make an appearance.

Animal Book

2009-07-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

Andrew loves reading a particular animal book at least 3 times a day. He loves it when you point to the animal and make the sound. He is getting good at making the sounds himself. He can bark like a dog, say quack quack for a duck, and go ROAR for a lion. Occasionally Andrew and Elizabeth will read the book together.

But Elizabeth is too impatient to read the book together...so it winds up being a fight for the book, and this is how it usually ends up.

Someday, Andrew is going to be a lot stronger than E...and the tables will be turned.

Pool Fun

2009-07-14T18:15:00.001-07:00

Andrew loves the water. He is so relaxed, and could stay in for hours. Daddy dunked him, and he came up smiling.

Children At Play

2009-07-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

I left my children unsupervised for 2 minutes and this is what I found.

Oh, The Places We Find Andrew

2009-07-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

Buzz

2009-06-29T10:46:00.001-07:00

We gave Andrew a buzz last night before his bath. I love his new look.

Backyard Grilling

2009-06-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

Andrew has been grilling with Daddy on Saturdays. I guess he has been paying attention because he is cooking a hot dog on his grill. Andrew is a smart little boy. He watches people like a hawk and always has to know what I am doing in the kitchen.

Father's Day

2009-06-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day. We love Daddy and are so grateful when we are able to spend time with him.

He's Quick!

2009-06-11T21:46:00.001-07:00

Andrew is officially a walker. I will try and post some video for you to see his new skills. He has also learned how to push the pantry door open. He loves playing with the cans or anything else those little hands can reach.

Can You Guess

2009-05-23T18:45:00.001-07:00

Where this is?

I did not put my child in the drier....he willfully climbed in there himself. I really thought Elizabeth was good at climbing on/in things. He has her beat hands down, and he's quick too.

Cool Dude

2009-05-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

I have been working to get Andrew to wear a hat when we go walking in the mornings to keep the sun off of him. I found the hat and the glasses today. He was a good sport to humor us while we took a picture.

Happy Birthday Andrew

2009-05-10T20:05:00.000-07:00

Andrew is 1 year old. We are so blessed to have him in our family. He is such a special little boy. He has a tender heart and a loving spirit. He is very patient with his sister and loves playing with her every day. He is also protective of Mommy. If I leave the room he has to know where I am and when I will be back. We love you very much Andrew. You brighten our lives each day.

Andrew is 20 lbs 15 ounces. He is a great eater. He will eat just about anything you give him. His current favorite is watermelon. He eats it at every meal. He is strong and healthy. He keeps up with his sister with some speed crawling and will take 3-4 steps at a time. It won't be long before he is running faster than Elizabeth.

For his birthday we wanted to give him a Tonka Truck. Ever since my first summer job driving a giant "Tonka" I wanted my little boy to have his own. The first thing he did when he opened it was crawl in the truck bed. Look at the smile on that boy's face. Andrew also many other fun toys and we are all grateful for family and their generosity.

For Andrew's cake I tried to make it look like a Tonka truck. My Grandmother had given me the M&M's a couple of days earlier. Thanks Grandma, I couldn't have finished this project without them.

Andrew wasn't quite sure about the cake. The frosting was really sticky.He did eat a little of it, but mainly just squished it in his fingers.

All the young Olsen cousins enjoying lunch.

Thank you to everyone who came to spend the day with Andrew or sent cards and gifts. We love all of you.

Will Climb on Anything

2009-05-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

I want to get Andrew a shirt that reads "Will Climb On Anything." I didn't think he could lift himself up there like that, but I was wrong. He has a really strong upper body. I think he has been watching Elizabeth a little too closely.

Mommy is SO Pround

2009-05-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

I love my children so much. We drove 400 miles today in the car today and Andrew and Elizabeth didn't complain once. They are wonderful travelers. Thank you for being so good Andrew. You are such a good boy.

Each time I would look back to check on him, this is what I would find. Fingers in his mouth and a little grin.

New Seat

2009-05-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

With Andrew's birthday next week it was time for a new car seat. He was way too big and heavy for the infant seat. It is a little bit of a change for him to see Mommy and Daddy. Before, he had a great view of Elizabeth, which he didn't seem to mind. After all, she is pretty entertaining to watch and is pretty good at sharing unwanted toys and snacks.

Playmates

2009-04-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

Andrew and Elizabeth get along very well. They love playing with each other. Often times I find them giggling at each other on the floor. Elizabeth is very good at making sure Andrew has a toy to play with and making him feel included.

There is a small crawl space in between the couch and wall. This seems to be their little play place. Elizabeth will chase Andrew in there and then they sit together and giggle.

I've also found them sitting in the chair together. It looks like I put them in the chair to take their picture...but I didn't, I promise. If one does something that looks fun, the other follows.
I am so grateful they love each other. (Let's keep it up!)

Lounging In The Orange Chair

2009-04-15T20:27:00.000-07:00

Andrew is strong enough to climb into the orange chair all by himself. This is where I found him this morning. I knew he had gone in his room. When I went to see what he was doing this is how I found him. He thinks he's pretty hot stuff! (Don't worry, he knows how to get down by himself too.)

Little Boy

2009-04-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

I've got a little boy on my hands. He loves trucks, balls and making noise.
Why do they grow so fast...and still not sleep through the night?

My First Haircut

2009-04-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Andrew had his first haircut today. He looks so much older with all that fine red baby hair gone. It made Mommy a little sad...but he sure is cute.

The Water Hose

2009-04-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Andrew grabbed the water hose while I was helping Elizabeth, and before I knew it, he had given himself a bath. Looks like I have another kid who loves water.

Sleep

2009-04-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

Andrew stayed in his bed from 6:30 last night until 6:30 this morning. It was nice.