Elizabeth Baptism

The Olson Clan was together for Elizabeth's baptism on the weekend of July 28/29. It was also Daddy Nathan's birthday on July 28 so we had a lot to celebrate. Sarah's Best friend Katie joined the festivities as well. We went to Story Book Land and goofed off (even though it was hot) Included is a "family" picture in true Olson form. In case you don't recognize us: Celia, Ilene, Rebecca, Joseph, Keith, Nathan, Tim, Sarah, Katie, Catherine, & Chris. As for Elizabeth?, well someone had to take the picture! No, a kindly passerby took the picture while Elizabeth slept in her stroller.

Sunday was a beautiful day for Elizabeth. She was baptized in the gown her mother was baptized in and I made for her. It wa hard to leave for everyone, but I think Sarah and Nathan enjoyed the peace and quiet after we left.

This is how I sometimes spend my day off.

What do you do for fun?

A few more pictures of Ogden Canyon

A few more pictures. There are several hiking trails, some of Gary's favorite are the Indian Trail and Good Ale Trail.

Ogden Canyon

Good Morning Everyone:
Now that the Harry Potter book has been read it is time do get outdoors for a bit.
Gary and I drove through Ogden Canyon, it is a little road that takes us up to our mountain property. We had breakfast at a little outdoor restaurant called the Oaks. I'm attaching a few pictures of the canyon. I think it is just beautiful this time of year and again in the fall when the leaves turn color. Enjoy the pics. Krandma

Shakespeare

Here are some photos of the festival. We saw 5 plays. Twelfth Night, King Lear, Candida, The Matchmaker, and Lend Me A Tenor. These were top notch productions. This festival is Tony Award winning. LeAnn and I had tons of fun.

Picture 1 - Costume from Lend Me A Tenor

Picture 2 - Me by a Statue of William Skakespeare

Picture 3 - The Tony Award

Picture 4 - LeAnn and I before the Greenshow

Picture 5 - A Juggler at the Greenshow

Here are few updates on life!

Central Air Installed on Tuesday!

Job Interview on Monday!

Finished Harry Potter Book!

It's been busy!

Hope all is well with everyone else!

LOVE TO ALL!

Kris

Harry Potter & the Deathy Hallows

Who plans on spending the weekend reading, or at least the next week? I'm excited!

Baby Olson update

Hey there! On Friday Joseph and I saw our baby! When the tech first started the ultrasound he/she waved. After that the baby was quiet. He/she was lounging, left arm tucked behind his/her head. We couldn't get a profile shot because the wouldn't roll over just the smiggen we needed. We decided not to find out the gender (thank you Joseph!!!) but when measuring the legs we both took a peek. We are still debating exactly what we saw. He thinks boy, I think girl, but my gut still tells me it's a boy. We remember it differently. I love not being certain! When we were at the fair this weekend someone told us they had a bet going as to the gender, and we both thought that was fun. We only have a few photos: www.jcolson.shutterfly.com This will be our permanent photo posting site if you want to bookmark it. The baby was measuring just a few days smaller, but the doc decided to keep the due date at the end of November. She told us our baby was "perfect" but we already knew that- hee hee!

"Grandpa", Bec, Chris, Joseph and myself had a delicious steak dinner to celebrate Rebecca's birthday last night. We weren't there for a long time but it was fun. Joseph sang a beautiful (*ahem*) version of Happy Birthday. Be glad you missed it! Haha!

My goodness Elizabeth is a cutie pie! I love the pictures!

Kris here!
Catherine asked me if you dress up for the Shakespearean festival.
Many do, but I don't have a dress. I just have a flower ring for my hair. Maybe, I'll get a costume there this year. COOL IDEA!
I love the renaissance look.
We are seeing King Lear and Twelfth Night. It should be fun. We are also seeing other plays called Candida and Lend me a Tenor and The Matchmaker. So, all in all, we will see 5 plays in three days.
It's pretty economical too - all five tickets cost $164.00.
It's a TONY award winning festival! - Our seats are not bad either. ( no nosebleed) .

By the way, I AM GETTING CENTRAL AIR! YIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NO MORE SWAMP COOLER! - YEE HAW!

Hey, has everyone seen the Harry Potter movie yet? It's pretty good!

Love to all
Kris

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

http://www.nps.gov/archive/thro/home.htm

The aboe web site will give you information on Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

New Voting Poll

Hey Y'all! This is a new feature (Voting Poll) with the Blogspot that is fun and very useful for things like the reunion coming up. When we have a few suggestions that are great but we need to decide, the poll is a perfect way to help us see what everyone is thinking. So try it out by voting on your favorite chocolate!
My suggestion is that all ideas for the reunion be summed up in a post or two, or three. Please comment on other's ideas so we have some feedback. Don't forget to check back at previous posts to see if any new comments have been added after you read it last time.
If anyone wants to add something to the Blog but doesn't know how or have the time, just email it to Eric or I and we can get it on the Blog for you. By the way, I was just kidding about the abnormal option on the poll. I just don't understand how anyone could not LOVE chocolate!!

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I think I got it this time. Doesn't this loo beautiful?

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I hope this picture posts.

Family Reunion Letter

This is the letter Kristyne and I created to mail out to everyone, but instead I will put it in the Blog for all to read.
Dear Family,
Hello, it is the 4th of July and Kristyne and I have been talking about family and reunions. Our family is so spreadout and we do not get together and talk or visit often enough. Okay, the last time was at Sarah and Nathaniel's wedding. We are adding new members to our family and we need to keep in touch and stay connected.
I hope you will see that what I am proposing will be a great opportunity and a fun thing to plan for the descendants of Emery and Lorraine Suedmeier. If you are getting this letter, that means you.
If we start planning now, we can have a family reunion next year. What does everyone think of a week of togetherness in the wilderness of North Dakota? I think this is just what we all need. I'm choosing a in-between place as we are spread far and wide across the States and even into Canada. Besides, this area is one of the Olson's favorite places to get away from it all.
I'm referring to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

I am proposing the week of June 27th - July 5th. I know that this may be a long time for those of us who work, but with two weekends included, most family members should be able to come for at least part of the week if not the whole week.
If you have a better time in mind, please let me know as this is not just something I want to plan myself. Everyone should give their ideas and input on our family reunion Tim and Ilene should let us know of the best camp sites in the park. This will be primitive camping so everyone should have a tent and camping gear.
How about these ideas:
Everyone will be responsible for bringing their own camping gear.
Bring enough food to share. We do not want anyone going hungry.
Each family provides entertainment for one day/evening. Be creative.
Would someone be interested in creating a logo for a tee-shirt?
Kristyne has volunteered to be the Historian. So please get photos, family stories and histories to her so she can put together our books, print and hand them out at the reunion.
You can put them in the Blog if you want.
You do not want to be excluded from the family album do you? Please keep in touch by providing addresses and emails to myself and Kristyne.
This will be so much fun.
Love to you all, Karen

The Babysitter

Hi my name is Elizabeth Ann Sweet. I am using my Grandma Olson's password to tell you about today. I am 11 days old today and I have a babysitter for the first time. My Grandma is, of couse, my babysitter. She insisted that my Mommy get a little break from me. Can you believe that?! Just because I keep my parents up all night long and keep Mommy busy cleaning up after me (I make sure I wet the changer every time Mommy changes my diaper) she thinks my Mommy needs a few hours away from me. I'm too loveable! So I am teaching Grandma a lesson. I frown at her when she gives a bottle because she is not my Mommy. I refuse to burp, but she must have done this before because she doesn't take no for an answer. We are singing songs and she is telling me I am pretty. But I am having the last laugh because she is making new curtains for my bedroom and I am so loveable that she can't get anything done! Tata for now. Elizabeth

Post script: grandma talking here--Little does Elizabeth know, I am having fun!

I'm having fun being Grandma

It only took 5 days to sign back into this thing. It is a very good idea! I'm at

Sarah & Nathan's and Elizabeth is finally asleep so they are too. I had forgotten how much time it takes to get things done when there is a baby involved. Sarah and I intended to go for tea yesterday morning. by the time we finally got ready and Elizabeth ready, it was time for lunch!

Chocolate Cheese Layered Bars

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 square (1 ounce) unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
CHEESE LAYER:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups miniature marshmallows

TOPPING:
1/4 cup butter
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 square (1 ounces) unsweetened chocolate
2 tablespoons milk
3 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

SERVINGS 24
CATEGORY Dessert
METHOD Baked
PREP 20 min.
COOK 22 min.
TOTAL 42 min.

DIRECTIONS
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Fold in pecans. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat in the sugar, egg, flour and vanilla; mix well. Fold in pecans. Spread over the chocolate layer; sprinkle with chips. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until edges pull away from sides of pan. Sprinkle with marshmallow; bake 2 minutes longer or until puffed. Spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Cool on a wire rack. In a large saucepan, combine first four topping ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen.

Dear Elizabeth

Dear Elizabeth,

Hey cutie! This is your aunt! I love you and I haven't even met you yet! You need to know that your Aunt Catherine LOVES pictures of her nieces (and nephews, if you ever have a brother) so please send me more pictures of you, and feel free to send them often! I love showing them off to my coworkers!

Be good, and send love to your mommy and daddy! Try to let them get some sleep, ok?

Love, Auntie Cat (you call me whatever you want for now, ok? We can even make up a secret sign, like every time you blink you are saying hi or something.)

PS Your cousin just kicked me. He/she says hi too!

spelling

My keys stick. I really do know how to spell.

Surprise!

Hello All: I ased Eric to set up this Blog site. Actually, it was on he 4th of July that Kris and I were talking about family and how we usually had a Family Reunionto go to every summer. Families used to not be so spread out back when I was a child. Now we are all over the place and even out of the United States. I think a Blogspot is a great way to keep in touch. So please visit often and tell your everyday stories and post your pictures.
With that, I want to propose that we plan a family reunion. Please give your input on when and where we should have it and if there is an interest. I have an idea but I want to hear yours first.
My love to you all. Krandma Johnson/Aunt Karen/Mom/sister, etc.

Hey everyone!

Hi there!
Isn't this a great way to keep in touch! :)
I don't have pictures right now, but those will come.
I am going to the Skaksperean festival on the 19th and
I will most some of those photos on the blog.
This week, I am hoping to get some quotes on central air.
I think it's time.
Elizabeth is a beautiful baby Katie is getting to be
suchj a little lady.
Love to all
Kris

Hey all! We're keeping busy in our household. We changed the plans for the basement AGAIN, though only slightly. The new plan takes away space from the bathroom (which is fine, it was far too big!) and gives it to the nursery and the family room. I have another plumber coming today during my lunch hour for an estimate. By the end of July we hope to have all the plumbing and concrete work completed. Hopefully the basement will be done by the end of August so I'll have plenty of time to unpack, organize, decorate the nursery and relax before I start to feel like a seal!

Joseph is still enjoying his job, most days. He is friends with his boss and that has been great. They often carpool to work and both of them enjoy the drive together. Joseph is doing his best to get the house ready for the baby, and I think he enjoys the construction/carpentry part of it. I know he will be in heaven when we start putting up walls. He hopes to take a class at the University this fall so he can continue working on his degree.

I am feeling pretty good! I must be nesting because I got more done this past weekend than I usually do. We have our first ultrasound on Friday. I don't want to find out the gender, Joseph does... we'll see... I'm still working on him. I think the big surprise at the end would be AWESOME and motivation for getting to the finish line. He said we need to "prepare" which I find amusing since I'm the big planner in the family! Ha ha! We are almost 20 weeks along.

This upcoming weekend we will be going to my hometown for the County Fair which ranks right up there with Christmas for me. I will see three of my nieces and two nephews. Two weeks after that I am VERY EXCITED to meet Elizabeth!

I hope you having a good week so far!

Love, Catherine (and Joseph, Beagles Bentley & Anna, Kitty (Snicklefritz) and Baby Olson

Just wanted to share some pictures of the big event in our family. Sarah says she just wants to sit and hold Elizabeth. She is already a cuddler! This pic was taken July 4

Who can't publish?

Several people have not received an invite to post on this blog yet.

I'd like recent e-mail addresses for Joseph and Rebecca and all spouses so that I can include them in our "permission to post list".

Have fun posting -- text is great -- pictures better!!!

Eric (rudsterman@gmail.com)

Katie loses her first tooth

Katie lost her first tooth on 7-7-07. She was eating an apple when her tooth became completely loosened. She came to show me how loose her tooth was and she then pulled it out in front of me while Stacey took the pictures. I clearly remember her face switching between shock, joy, and then surprisingly she next let out a kind of wimpered cry like she was sad or scared to be without that tooth. In any case I posted the best picture.

Interesting to note: Later that night Ethan pulled out a tooth of his own.

--Eric

Starting the Blog

Dear Family, Mom has asked me to put together a blog that our families can both post on. Simple events that normally do not get talked about, and life changing events as well, can be quickly be posted and digital pictures can be easily shared. Instead of thinking about how good this could be starting posting to make it what it can be! Take care and I love you all.

Love Eric.