Wrapping up 2018

As 2018 came to an end, the kids enjoyed their favorite sports, and also tried a new one.  Emily mastered a new move on the silks, one she had been working on for months and she was beyond happy when she completed it.  Here's the move.  It takes a bit of overcoming fear to let go and head towards the floor like that hoping you'll stay wrapped up and not eat mat!

All 3 kids also tried out Kung Fu.  They went for a few months and then decided they were over it. Ha! I think they enjoyed it until the class where they were pushed in exercises so hard they couldn't walk without a lot of pain for days after.  Then the fun was gone.

Halloween came with Hermione, a skeleton grim reaper, a unicorn, and Will from the book series The Rangers Apprentice. We went to the annual neighborhood halloween party and trick or treating where a group of about 30 kids wander the neighborhood trick or treating together.  It's a fun night.

We went Christmas tree hunting the weekend before Thanksgiving and everyone thought we were crazy.  The weather was great and when we got our incredible tree home, we put it in a bucket filled with water in the backyard.  Day after Thanksgiving we simply brought it in and decorated. I'm feeling pretty confident that we're geniuses.  ;) 

A big snow storm the night before kept us at home for Thanksgiving for the first time in our entire marriage and we couldn't head to Sacramento to spend the day with my family.  We celebrated at home though with our parents and it was a nice way to be reminded of all the things we are thankful for.

Emily had her 3rd grade music show just before Christmas and loved playing the Ukulele.

Just before Christmas we took a drive to North Star and spent a cold night ice skating, sitting by the fire, getting a face painted, and eating dinner at almost 10pm.  The kids still talk about how much they enjoyed it!

Christmas this year was the norm-Christmas Eve at my parent's house, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas Brunch at Carrie and Eric's house with the whole Olsen fam. Always a great time.

          

       

Happy New Year!!!

Playing Catch-up

Let's play a little game called Catch-UP!

It's a game we are very familiar with around here

so let's get started!

For Easter this year

we scavenged the work storage shed

and found enough parts to Dave's old high school trampoline

to put it together

plus some homemade parts

shhhhhhhh

Easter brunch was bouncing with fun!

                                          

   

Aaron celebrated his 7th birthday at a trampoline place

lots of jumping

climbing wall

lazer tag

pizza

all Aaron's favorite things.

Both boys played baseball in the Spring.

It was madness with their schedules

but they enjoyed their season.

Riley stayed in Minors

Aaron stayed in Farm

The school year ended with a bang and everyone was happy to get started with summer.

Baseball season ended with eliminations in the first game of the tournament

for both boys

and many many tears

broke my heart

Here's last day of school pics of each kid with their teacher

                            

As you all know

we love summer around here!

Video Re-cap time!

             

School started way too soon

but everyone was excited too!

They love their new teachers.

In case you're wondering, Riley is doing really well!

It's amazing how much difference a teacher can make.

  

Fall sports started and

Aaron decided to continue in baseball.

Riley decided to take a break from baseball and try golf.

Emily saw The Greatest Showman and decided 

she wants to be a trapeze artist.

She is doing Ariel Arts (silks)

                         

The season is over now 

and Riley passed his golfing tests to move on to the next level

he loves it.

Emily will continue Ariel Arts 

she loves it.

And Aaron's baseball team lost only 2 games all season

they were on another field

where they play by weird rules

so I'm not counting it =

undefeated!!! 

The most impressive part being

on the first day, they were just terrible!

Only 2 kids even knew how to throw a ball

they were newbies through and through

babies really, most being 5 or 6 years old.

They had an incredible coach!

He was patient, kind, knowledgable, consistent, and worked hard for those kids!

Ya, our one and only David

that's who

he's pretty awesome.

Thankful for grandpas who came and helped too!

Emily had a birthday last month.

She turned 9 years old which is absolutely crazy. 

She has been wanting a Harry Potter Party for a couple of years now

but I knew it would have to be big

and a lot of work

so I put it off

until now!

Complete with the Hogwarts Express, sorting ceremony, dinner feast,

wand making, potions class, and an escape room.

She was in Harry Potter heaven.

                                   


     

Riley celebrated next

with some Arrow Tag and pizza.

If I thought 9 was too old, 11 CERTAINLY is.

Why do they keep growing??

    

And that about wraps it up!

Hope your summer was great 

and you're looking forward to fall and winter

as much as we are.

Finally! Some snow!

It's snowing today.  What a winter it has been. I thought it would never come.  We were hoping to do Sky Tavern again this year because we loved it so much last time but so far there isn't enough snow for them to open.  It's very sad.  Baseball season starts in a week and this time last year we had been on the mountain 6 weeks already! We did get some skiing in though, on New Years Eve.  We headed up to Mt Rose and skied all day which everyone loved.  The night ended with some fireworks and early enough to get some pizza and be home by 9-just the way we like it! Meeting up with lots of family made it the perfect way to bring in the New Year.

I guess I should back up.  There were some holidays before that!  Ha! Let's see, shall we start with Halloween?  Aaron decided to be Squirtle.  If you have no idea what a Squirtle is than join the club!  It's a Pokemon character to which I had no idea about until he told me. Being schooled by the 6 year old...

 

Emily wanted to be Moana.  She's known she wanted to be Moana for months so I looked for costumes back in September and couldn't find a single one.  Sold out everywhere.  We looked up an easy no sew DIY and she helped me put it together.

                        

Riley couldn't decide until the last minute possible what he wanted to be-surprised? HA! He finally settled on a mad scientist.  The 'potions' in his pocket were his favorite part.  And a name tag that said Grandpa Joe.  Do you guys remember Grandpa Joe? Riley's invisible friend when he was little.

              

We went to a Halloween party in the neighborhood and then trick or treating.  Dave and Aaron left early and headed home while Emily went a bit farther before joining them.  Riley and I stayed out about an hour longer and his bucket was so full he could hardly carry it anymore.  So much CANDY!

Thanksgiving was different this year than it ever has been as there was no traveling!  It was amazing. My family came to Reno for Thanksgiving and we celebrated at my mom's house.

We also had an Olsen Thanksgiving with Dave's parents that weekend and by the time the four days were over we were definitely stuffed and happy.  To top it off, Dave was home all 4 days!  

Christmas came quickly and I loved how the kids were in school up until the very last day.  Made shopping and wrapping much easier. #priorities

 



Emily did a Christmas performance at the UNR basketball games in December.  It was probably her favorite performance yet.

Valentine's Day is always a special night in the Olsen house.  Emily proclaims it is the best night of the year! She loves hearts and love and flowers and all things Valentine's Day.  After celebrating with parties at school, they came home to a special dinner complete with sparkling apple cider.  Apparently that is all that is needed to make a dinner special-that and some candles, flowers and chocolate in tiny hearts.  Now you know.  ;)

That brings us up to date!  We are enjoying the down time with no sports before the boys both start baseball next week.  Emily's cheer ends in two weeks and then she is considering playing volleyball in the spring but we shall see.  I started subbing again which has been quite the adventure and Dave has been home on Saturdays which is wonderful. Once baseball starts our life will dive in to utter chaos so we'll see you on the other side!