Mo

Mo showing off her hair clip.  :)  I can't believe she'll be 2 on Friday!

No boots in the house!

Nobody listens to me.....

Those darn French....

Brent was in the store with the kids the other day and mentioned that he should get some bread to make French toast the next morning.  As they're walking out, Cash makes a huge discovery....'Dad, you forgot the French!!'. 

Gotta love those babies.  Maci is talking tons these days -- she asks where everyone is....even if you're sitting right next to her, then throws her head back and laughs.  Funny girl.

Our life update:

Cash has started swimming lessons, which Maci enjoys too because she gets to go to the bear slide while Cash is practicing the back stroke.  I am not seeing the next Michael Phelps at this point -- unless MP cried when he had to let go of the wall....

Brent has been on the run because I make him.  Hey, we can't all sit around and eat bons bons all day! 

I have been accepted into nursing school (again -- long story) -- this time around I'll be starting up the LPN program here in Missoula.  It's a 2 semester deal, then I'll have to reapply to the RN program....then a little online work and I'll have my bachelor's.  Same end result, just a bit longer way around to get to it.

More importantly....I earned a trip through my Scentsy business!!  Yippee!!  I guess Brent can go along and have a little time off as well....I won't find out for sure where I'm going until the end of the month, but the choices are:  Costa Rica, Hawaii, New York, WA DC, Charleston, and Whistler, BC.  The contest goes through the end of the month and you get to pick where you go based on points....so the person with the most points gets to choose first and so on.  So....we'll see.  I am now taking babysitting offers -- we should be headed out on vaca sometime in May/June.  All inclusive, one week vaca.  And to think we weren't even going to earn back our money....sheesh!

Well, that's about it for now.  I owe you many, many pictures and I promise they will be coming.  Eventually.  So for now....happy 2013!!!

Can you spot Cash??

Birthday boy

Our little man turned 4 yesterday.  I can still remember posting pregnant belly pics!  Time flies when you're having fun!  A big thank you to all for the cards and gifts. Although he enjoyed every one of them, I think this picture shows the one that took the cake.  Candy.  Go figure.  Why not lose a few more teeth.

Buddies

Cash & Ryder

Bed time....

Does this mean I get the couch?

Foster parents

We have a new baby.  She is 6 months old and her name is Mia.  Please don't forget her this Xmas! :) **just kidding** 

She sure is sweet but will be going home with her dad in 4 weeks....although I almost considered a foster to adopt program, small dogs do not do well in MT.  The poor girl is practically without fur and would never survive the outdoors.  The kids sure to do love hanging out with her though.....and she's only pooped on the floor once -- thank goodness Brent found it first.  :) 

This year is winding down

Although we are coming to the end of 2012 -- this family is just getting started!  Last month, Cash managed to fall and ended up with his two front teeth going clear up into his gums.  The down side?  1 tooth pulled, the other is coming down....halfway....and crooked....and brown.  The up side?  Preschool pics were taken just that morning!  He was bribed with a lot of M&M's (not by me, but the preschool teachers) and thank goodness.  All that sugar was worth it.  The rest of the photos until 7 or 8 years old will be of a toothless Cash.  :)  Oh well....just cosmetic, he's feeling fine and right back to normal.

Maci has successfully made it to 21 months with all of her teeth where they are supposed to be.  She is chatting up a storm and is constantly on the hunt for 'Papi' -- that would be her paci.  Yes, I know -- it's time to be done, but technically the dentist told us that she should be done with it by 2.  So....3 months and counting little girl.

Brent finished out the hunting season with a nice 4 point buck and his bull from bow season.  We also split a pig with friends -- hmmmm....info all of you need to know.  So....if you're short on meat, you know who to call!  :)  I, on the other hand, took the nicest walks with my rifle.  We saw lots of deer, but never anything bigger than a spike.  I did shoot at one and scared the living crap out of it, but nothing in the freezer.  Better for the population anyhow, right?  I've always been a wildlife management person at heart. 

My Scentsy business has been incredible!  For those of you that don't know about it -- feel free to check it out at www.aeolson.scentsy.us.  I never thought that I'd actually make money and honestly, I was just looking forward to getting a bunch of Scentsy goodies for the house!  :)  But....now I'm actually making money at it and staring down the barrel of a trip to Costa Rica or Hawaii!  I am working out harder than ever -- I don't need any extra love hanging out of my swimsuit!  :) 

 

Enjoy some photos and enjoy your holiday season!  We look forward to a fantastic new year!!

Sword fights

This is what I came home to tonight.  A sword fight complete with helmet.  No pic of Cash because he was too busy pouting since he couldn't find the right helmet.  Sometimes I think it would be nice if finding the right sword fighting helmet were the least of my worries!

Cash

'Sometimes, when I do this too long, it makes my face sick.'

Hunting with babies

Hey Mom!  Do you think you know what I'm thinking?!?  Do you think Mack thinks what I'm thinking you're thinking?!?

No.  We saw nothing.  We shot nothing.  But we were all thinking what everyone else was thinking.  I think.

Pumpkin patch and maze

Being the great parents that we are, we caught the last day of the corn maze....without knowing.  Just when you think you are on your game!  Oh well, better to catch the end because then there is no begging to go back!  :)  So....here are a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

This isn't as bad as it looks.  Cash was actually laughing.

Spiderman and our little princess -- although she was no princess trying to get her into it.

My new business venture has many perks!

Mo tried to bounce Dad off.

Yes, I am real.

 

Hunting season and the rest of life

Brent got his bull (a few weeks ago now) with his bow.  A 6 point that is now nicely cut, wrapped, and in our freezer.  Is hunting season over?  For him....Yes.  For me....it's just begun.  Finally, in 5 years this will be the first time that I have been able to have a little say in when I get to go hunting.  Generally, Brent goes until he gets something which has been the VERY last day of the season sometimes.  Ha.  Someone, somewhere, has heard my thoughts and decided to be kind this year and allow me to do a little hunting before I forget where I put my rifle.

I have started my 100 day challenge (hello day 92).  That's right -- in 92 days there will be less of me.  I can't wait. 

Brent is coming down off of his hunting high for the past month.  Although they didn't get the mountain goat they were hunting for last week, I am positive that they had a great time -- after Joe got over being sick for the first few days.  Who can complain??  Camping, horses, hunting, cribbage at night, FS cabin, maybe a little coffee and nothing else in the form of beer/whiskey/etc??  Oh what I'd give.

Cash continues to enjoy his preschool days.  He especially enjoys the days that he gets to bring snacks.  That's the day that he gets to ring the bell at the end of recess to summon all the little kids to grab their bags and hit the bricks.  Every day he asks Miss Julie if he can ring the bell and every day she reminds him that he gets to do it on his snack day.  Which generally gets the response, 'can we bring snacks next time?'.  No.  19 healthy snacks is pushing my mom abilities at this point.  Give me a month or so.

Maci is getting sweeter and tougher by the day.  If you give her a purse or a necklace, she sticks out her little butt and gets this grin on her face then struts around the house in all of her glory.  The next time you turn around Cash is chasing her around the house playing football -- which always ends in a serious hit that puts the girl down and generally leaves everybody crying (sometimes myself included -- laughing and crying).  A few fumbles here and there, but she holds that baby pretty tight!

Horses, dogs, the rest of the Olson life -- on the up and up.  I leave you with these:



Brent and Big Jim -- 65th birthday.  No cake and icecream at this house.  It's work or bust.




Brent's bull




Knock on it!



I found this while searching for photos -- a must for all to see.  I think that dog's name was Blue -- he went down the road because he couldn't figure out that the bathroom was outside.  What about kids that pee the bed?  Same kind of deal??  :)



Cheese!



If I just squeeze a tiiiiinnnnnnyyyyyy bit.....there!  I fit!

GGO

I haven't had a chance to mention that Grandma and Grandpa Olson made their way out here -- at least a month ago now....I am NOT on the ball.  :)  But -- we had a fun time and got celebrate Grandpa Olson's birthday right here in MT.  We did sneak in a bonfire night, although I think that the eye in the sky was onto us -- just waiting to slap us with a fine for lighting up the state of MT.  Not us though.  We kept it tame.  Good times had by all! 

Grandma and Grandpa Olson should be up to 3 grandbabies within the next few days -- no, not us, but Bryan and Angie.  Congrats you two!

How time flies

Oh boy, time is definitely flying!  Can you believe that we are sitting at the beginning of hunting season already?!?  Brent took off this morning for a week's worth of hunting with Joe, so the kids and I are flying solo.  Not too bad so far....

Speaking of how time flies.  Cash is in PRESCHOOL!  Holy crap.  It wasn't so much the dropping off at preschool that got me sad, it was the fact that he's already 3 1/2 that got me sad.  He had a great time and was super excited to hang out with his new friends.  On his first day he:

**Made and played with play-doh....
**Made a fruit loops necklace....
**Practiced his scissor skills (thank god someone is brave enough to do this because it doesn't happen at this house)....
**Sat on the front step, holding his little backpack....
**Learned about listening and being on time.....
**Developed trust issues.....
**Wondered if he was enrolled in all day preschool.....
**....and so on....and so on....and I'm a horrible mother.

Yep -- I left my child at preschool on Thursday morning at 8:30 and was supposed to be back by 11 (although I thought 11:30)....so I'm driving by the school, thinking, 'I'll just let him hang out with his buddies and not be the mom that yanks him out of school early'....and I see a little boy sitting on the steps.  Cuuuuutttttte!  Look at that little guy with his little backpack....what a cute little kid....he's probably about the same age as Cash....in fact....he looks an awful lot like Cash....SHIT!!!  Oh yes, mother of the year.  I walk in and there's Cash with the ol' Teach and NOBODY else.....waiting for me to show up.  She gave me a maybe somewhat knowing look (or maybe it was the look of, don't worry, CPS has been contacted) and said not to worry, that she figured that we had thought 11:30.  Ugh.  Mother. Of. The. Year.

And now for some cute little photos to show that I am a doting, loving, caring mother.

CHEESE!

 

Update:  Cash had his 2nd day of preschool today.  He was dropped off at 8:30 and PROMPTLY picked up 5 minutes early.  To heck with being the mom that doesn't drag her kid outta the place!  Never, ever, ever again.

 

When I walked in, they were all playing outside and they had their little pictures hung up to dry in the sun.  I browsed through all of the beautiful paintings, a little paint here, a little paint there.  I asked Cash which one was his and he searched for a minute, coming to a stop at a piece of paper that may have one time been white, but was now covered from one corner to the next with green.  'There it is!'.  Aha....and what is it?  'It's nothing....just green'.  Maybe we're not heading down the art road at this time.

Chariot's of fire

Mo is our little roman, while Cash plays the chariot.  Look, she's even got the stone faced roman emperor look!



 

 

Comin' through!

Yaw mule!

What's your breakfast?

Yogurt, you like it??

Ol' Cinderella

My wood getting buddy.  The hard work paid off with an ice cream cone.

Poster child for giardia?

Dad and I took a day to head to Cody and check out Buffalo Bill's Museum as well as FNAWS (wild sheep headquarters where Dad's sheep is on display) during our ride through Yellowstone.  Holy crap, was it ever hot down there!!!  Even icy cold water is half a second from boiling in 100 degree weather, strapped to a harley.  There is no way we could have passed another waterfall.  Giardia was not even on our list of concerns at the time.  Once we were fully hydrated we chatted about the chances of it happening and figured, if we haven't gotten giardia from the creek while hunting on Nelson's land or drinking from an irrigation ditch in Frenchtown (don't ever, ever run 14 miles without water handy), then we certainly weren't going to get it from the pristine waterfalls of Yellowstone. 

Fill 'er up!

Liquid gold

Giardia free!!

I am happy to tell you all that we are both giardia free and well hydrated!!

Surfer chick

Hobbs time

BEST. TIME. OF. MY. LIFE!!

The view from the back of Dad's helmet.

Time to roll

Dad & I at the falls

We're here!

Biker and babe.  :)

Beauty.

Thanks dad!  Not a chance for a better trip....unless we tacked a week on!  :)  I love you and am already planning our next ride!