My Favorite Teacher

I would like to introduce you to my favorite teacher, professor Hagan.

He is bright and serious.  

He supplements his lectures with music so they are not boring.

When he asks a question to his class he really thinks about it.

And thinks about it.  He wants to make sure he gives you the right answer.  I really appreciate that.

But mostly he is my favorite teacher because he is adorable, fun, playful, and I love him so much!

I am sure he is available for guest lectures if you want to schedule him.

Love you lots and lots with tater tots!

Humble Pie

They came back!  I can't tell you how wonderful it is to have your family come back!  I was so lonely! I was kind of afraid that they would go to Utah and decide that they didn't want to come back to Rexburg.  It has been nice to be a family this weekend.

This week also got substantially cooler!  It is so cold in Rexburg.  We have had to start the fire to keep us toasty warm in our house.  

This is my happy spot in our house.  I spent considerable time right there on the floor today listening to conference.  It was great!

But...back to the story.  This last week proved that it takes a village to raise children.  Nana and Grandpa Major, Jay, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Bryan, Grandpa Olsen, Aunt Julie, and Uncle Jason all helped to take care of the children this last week.  Then there are awesome neighbors that allowed my children to play and reconnect with their special friends!  It is pretty humbling to know all the people that really love and care for my family!  

The week started with Riley and Jay looking the same, but it ended with....

Riley having naked teeth!  They may be bare son, but you can't share!

You can see his excitement by the straining muscles in his neck - he's holding nothing back here!

Well you handsome dude!  They look awesome.

Doug and his "mini me" went for haircuts.  When they arrived at Great Clips, Hagan asked the haircut lady to make sure she didn't cut his hair bald.  Quote, "I need to look good for the ladies." My oh my!  What a boy. 

Everyone got to play with Jay a lot.  Jay I owe you!  I love these pictures!  So much personality in this group.

The weather was nice and a lot of time was spent at the park.

How many Olsen's does it take to fill a tire swing? 

Thank you to everyone who took time with my children this last week!  They had a wonderful time and really enjoyed their vacation!  I know it was a lot of work for you, so please know how much I appreciate your time and love.

Saturday we decided to take a ride during the conference break and explore different places around Rexburg. 

I got to sit by Hagan.

In Rexburg you have to drive a truck and play loud country music or 80's rock to fit in.  Doug has made this adjustment easily - he isn't afraid to blast the classic rock. 

We ended up in Ashton and ate at the Frosty Top.  It isn't quite as good as Maddox, but it will have to do. I recommend the fries and rootbeer. 

I asked Riley to take a picture so everyone could tell where we were.  He was a little embarrassed to take a "tourist" picture so it is a little hard to tell where we are.  To give you a reference point the frosty top is right by Dave's Jubilee.  

Ashton is still in full potato harvest mode and it was fun to see all the big tractors and trucks driving around.  We drove by some beautiful farm land today.

We decided to try and find Cave Falls.  Cave Falls is east of Mesa Falls - actually back into a little corner of Yellowstone park.  We found the right way and almost made it, but the road is closed for the season already.  The forest floor has a little snow right now in some of the shady areas. We took turns looking for the reflector lights that help guide you along the road.  It's a little intimidating when the reflectors are 12-15 feet from the ground.  Makes you wonder how much snow really falls here.  You can see the Tetons in the background.  They are barely covered in snow and from this point it really felt like we were on top of the world. 

We are a happy family!

Next adventure - we need to buy warmer coats, boots, gloves, hats, and anything else to survive the winter.  I am a little bit scared of what we might be in for.  The caterpillars up here are BIG and FUZZY - and I have decided that the wind up here is one of the seven wonders of the world.  (That is another story all by itself.  Best advice I can give you is don't wear a skirt in the wind.) 

We love you and hope all is well with you and your family!

Bound to Happen

Today my family happily left Idaho to stay at Grandma's house for the spud break.  Yes, they still have spud break in Idaho and yes they actually harvest potatoes during this time!  It's pretty amazing!

Love you lots and lots

With Tater Tots!

This spud's for you!

Be a "particitator," not a "spectator!"

Every Idahoan knows the importance of these sayings - 

My advice from the children while they are gone was to 

"Make good choices"

"No parties or friends"

"Don't stay up late it makes you cranky"

Well....

Here is my advice:

D&C 123: 16-17

You know brethren (or Olsen children), that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves. 

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, (Olsen children) let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.  

"Interpretator" - Little choices can make a big difference in your life.  Don't overlook the small choices that you make each day because they determine your life course and your happiness.  

I love you - and this week I miss everyone!  It isn't fun for me to be a lone spud in Idaho!

Love you lots and lots with tater tots cause you're ore ida!

Life After September 16th

This last week with the students starting at BYU-Idaho has felt like 2 or 3 weeks in one.  This is always the hardest time of the year for me, and without Doug around to help it was a long week.  Things were going okay until hump day, or you might want to call it bump day!

Wednesday morning we were really have a smooth morning - I sent all the kids out the door to school and then Hagan and I got in the van to leave.  Something wasn't right!  I had to call Riley to rescue me and get us all delivered to our destinations.

Later that afternoon Riley helped me change the flat.  It wasn't a fun job, but we did it!

Riley learned, by heart, Right tighty, Lefty loosey.  A life essential for all!

Everyone should know that "chubby" wins over teen muscle!  We tried and tried to loosen the nuts and both of us were pretty frustrated.  I finally jumped on the wrench and it worked!  Yeah!

We felt pretty proud of our accomplishment - however, as I am getting older I pay for crazy body movements the next day, and the next, and the next..... 

The whole experience made me appreciate the help Doug gives our family... and made me start praying with more intent that he will find a job near to us soon!  

After surviving the week, we spent Saturday helping Riley have a fun time at the Homecoming Dance!

We decorated the house in Red and White - the colors of Madison High.  Riley is a bow tie nut and he looked sharp for the dance.  (Mom we loved all the ties you sent up, but I guess I can't take the bow tie out of the boy.  He is determined!)

This was the table for the dinner.  In another life I think I want to be a wedding planner. The girls and I had the best time putting this together and the table looked beautiful!  We served shrimp, salmon, fresh green beans, and potatoes.  It was yummy!  We topped it off with Mango sorbet, raspberries, and chocolate sauce.  

Here is a preview!  This is the group and Riley's date is just so adorable and fun to be around!  I love that they are just beaming!  We should have some other photo's we can post in a few days.

And just because...

A Hagan moment.

Riley was playing with Hagan.  They were doing some rough and tumble play as all boys do, and Riley placed Hagan on a green electrical box.  Hagan started to yell at Riley - "Get me off! Get me off! This box will 'Relect' me and I am mom's baby and you can't 'Relect' me!"

He makes me happy!  I hope he makes you happy too!

We love you and miss you so much!

Life Before September 16th

It has been a few weeks, but I am going to catch up!  I am going to divide this into life before September 16th, when the BYU-Idaho students started, and life after September 16th.  

BEFORE the students arrived, we were trying to settle into a routine and still have as much fun as possible.  

The month started with a visit from Grandpa Olsen, Uncle Bryan, Aunt Cindy, and Bestie cousin Jeneille! We ate some great food (which I will make you if you come!) and had a great time visiting.  It was a wonderful day!

In some ways it is really hard to say good-bye to summer!  We had to get in one last time at the splash park here in Rexburg.  

It was fun to watch the kids run around one more time in the water before it is too cold (Which is now!  We have already had frost several mornings and we are learning about how cold the wind can blow in Idaho!)

Then, Keni got to attend a cheer camp, learn a dance, and perform it at the high school half-time. 

 This is her with Riley - she totally looks the part with those pom-poms!

The Cheerleaders decorated her face so she would have a lot of spirit!

And this is her dance!  As you watch the video Keni starts off on the front row on your left hand side.  They move around a bit, but you can see her at the beginning.

When she was all done she had decided that she wants to be a cheerleader when she grows up.

The ward also had a party.  Hagan loved the climbing wall - though he never made it to the top.  He sure did give a good try.

Dani worked hard too!  

 Keni scaled the wall too!

They also had human rock"m"sock"m".  Of course Hagan loved this most!  I thought someone would get hurt, but in the end everyone was okay and had a great time.

Even Riley got into the fun.  

Riley had fun playing soccer in the blow-up field.  I was amazed at how the ward went all out to make sure everyone had a nice time.

This first part of the month was really a fun time as the kids got back into school and we settled into the new normal.  Rexburg is a small town, but it seems that we don't go too many days without something fun to look forward to.  We are feeling blessed and happy!

We love you!

Back to Life

I guess at some point all the playing had to come to an end and real life had to begin again.  This was the week!  It was hard to start back to school and work!  Doug stayed with us for the majority of the week to be the stay at home dad and help us adjust, but the kids and I all had a few moments of being overwhelmed this week.  It will be nice once the schedule is standard again.  We really let it "slide" with the move! 

On Saturday our neighbors had a BBQ and we were able to unwind and have a little fun.  

HUGE SLIP 'N' SLIDE!

Hagan was ready for the fun!  

The ward had done this a few weeks earlier for the primary party and when he saw it again there was no holding back!  This is a picture from the primary party and he is saying, "This is so AWESOME!"

This is a view from the top.  Some of the neighbors yards go right into the park and they actually built this large hill with a water spigot to do this very thing.  

Another view of the park and Dani - The neighbors added dish soap to the slide so the kids really flew.

This picture is to confirm that Riley is still a part of the family, even though we never take pictures of him.  He is at the top of the hill being cool with the older kids.  

Throw back to the beginning of the summer!

Many of you know that I have been praying that Hagan would have a good primary teacher that loves and understands him as we moved.  To ensure that my prayers were answered, Doug and I have been called as the sunbeam teachers (12 very passionate and enthusiastic future missionaries).  Today in church the theme was service and the primary president asked if anyone had served others.  Of course Hagan raised his hand and explained in a lot of detail how he helped his dad build a house in Logan when he was six.  After he got done explaining his story (seriously I don't know where he gets this) he leans over to me and said, "My talk was pretty great huh mom." 

We love you!!