Oh my Ganache!

Chocolate, chocolate chip cheese cake covered in ganache.  Yum!  What more can I say?

J's hair do

Jordan discovered this hair do on you tube and wanted me to try this weave thingy.  It wasn't as good as the picture online, but it was a fine first attempt.

And here is a Little Ceasar's picture she colored for free crazy bread.  But she spent so much time on it, that she doesn't want me to redeem the coupon.

Thankful postings

Each year, in the month of November, we tape a paper to our bedroom doors and record one thing we are thankful for every day.  I have also been posting them on Facebook.  I thought it would be good to share them here as well.

#1. That we made it in the nick of time for Kammie's beginning band concert last night and that she has the opportunity to develop a new talent.

#2 all the kiddies are tucked safely in their beds tonight!

#3. Being able to finally get the sealings to parents done for my family names on our temple trip to Memphis! And for the kind ward members who were willing to stay and help. Your generosity is amazing.

#4 Thankful to have and be able to bear my testimony formally in sacrament meeting and through teaching in Young women's today.

#5. I am grateful for some down time, to take a bath and read my book (Killing Kennedy).

#6 Grateful for the freedoms installed by our founding fathers and for the opportunity to have our voices heard by voting. May our country return to God and the greatness he brought about with this great nation!

#7 Extremely grateful for the great leaders who serve my children through various organizations in the church...cub scouts, activity days, young women's, primary teachers, Sunday school teachers, etc. They often go above and beyond!

#8 I am grateful that Heavenly Father created so many different animals for us to learn from and enjoy. We had a great time at the zoo today.

#9 The ability to READ.

#10 Answers to prayer. Extremely grateful to have found that which was lost!

#11 I am extremely grateful for the brave men and women who serve or who have served our country in the military.  Many giving their lives. My favorite veteran will always be G-pa Stan. Can't wait to meet him someday.

#12 I am grateful for technology and all the modern conveniences that help me accomplish all my jobs (my washer and dryer to do laundry, an oven to bake bread and to make all sorts of things, computers to keep in touch with family, friends, news, etc. and on and on...)

#13. I am thankful for the Sun! It's light brightens our days and warms us even in winter. He does so many countless things that bless my life. (There is also another Son to be grateful for.)

#14 I am grateful for good health. My cough is back with a vengeance (ragweed allergy probably) but feeling sick reminds me how grateful I am for good health the majority of the time. I've been blessed with health miracles that put me where I am today. I acknowledge God's hand in preserving my life and making it possible for me to be a Mom!

#15 I am grateful to be a stay at home mom so I can be there when my kids need me and even when they don't. It was nice to share thanksgiving school lunch with my boys today.

#16 (I was able to do Thanksgiving breakfast, I mean, lunch with Sidnie at her school today--they eat so early.) I am thankful for the ability to work! Sometimes the job is easier, sometimes it is Not. But it always feels good to finish a job and have that sense of accomplishment.

#17 I am eternally grateful for my husband. James is and always has been an extremely hard worker. I am thankful for all he does to provide for our family. He protects and watches over us. He faithfully serves in his callings. He is always willing to serve. He honorably holds the priesthood which blesses our family in many ways. His hobbies usually include extra chores or things that need to be done at home or for a neighbor. I'm blessed by his love and example. Thanks for going to the marathon swim meet today with our swimmers! I love you.

#18 I am thankful for inspired words taught by great leaders. (That was an excellent fireside this evening Joshua Clausen)

#19 I am grateful to be a mother. It's a difficult and rewarding responsibility. I know that I have been given a great gift to be able to have conceived and given birth to 6 amazing and completely different spirits/personalities. I learn much from them and know I don't live up to the title as I should, but I sure will keep striving to do better.

#20. I am grateful for the beautiful warm Fall day. Today was gorgeous here weather-wise .

#21 I am thankful for my mother. I am grateful she is only a phone call away when I need advice or wisdom. I am always humbled that she was the best mother without having hers to rely on.

Top of Form #22 I am grateful to have a day to reflect on all my many blessings, to be surrounded by my family of creation and good friends. And Kickball was fun twice today.

#23 Grateful for time with family and a few deals shopping on Black Friday.

#24 I am grateful for my Dad, Terry Olson. I love his sense of humor, his love of all things WW II (which is really a search of his own father, that he never knew), his knowledge, inspiration, and wisdom he freely shares. He is truly Incredible!

#25 I am eternally thankful for my Savoir and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  It's wonderful to have a season to reflect upon and celebrate Christ's birth.  (I hope we can all have more Christ in Christmas.)  I am indebted to Him for his Great Atoning Sacrifice on my behalf.  I need those chances to make mistakes and then repent of those things.  Being a mother and having sons of my own, I am indeed grateful to a loving Father in Heaven that was willing to let his son be sacrificed to save us all.  That had to be more than extremely hard to see him go through that.  I only hope I can become who they want me to become.

Bottom of Form 1

Beautifual Fall colors

There are so many beautiful Fall colors out there on the trees, that I have been snapping pictures of what I like best.

These in our backyard aren't spectacular, but having trees with beautiful colors is fun...

On our street...

Near our street...

This one tree had maroon leaves on one side (right) that faded to red, to orange, to yellow and green ones still at the bottom.  Fun!

A neighbor on the street over...

On the way to the middle school near the bank...

Closer to the middle school...

At the Park...

I have enjoyed seeing the trees change their colors and loose their leaves.  New life awaits in the Spring.  I am grateful for this beautiful earth God created for me.

First Date

My daughter was asked out on her first date, by Colt Williams.  They doubled with Michael Windsor and Maggie Davis.  Penny Windsor asked me to snap some photos since Kate was the last to be picked up.  That gave me an excuse to take these...

There is a story behind the baseball bat.  Colt's family has a tradition.  This bat has the rules of dating engraved into the bat.  Every girl he goes on a date with before he leaves for college is to read the rules and sign the bat.  Kate was the first to sign it for Colt.  It was a first date for all 4 of these great teenagers.  They had a great time too.  They got pizza, went bowling.  Got ice cream and went to the park.  Lots of fun!

Paul Blair Memorial Invitational Swim Meet

Nov. 16-18th, was the Thanksgiving Invitational Swim Meet.  Our coaches have been stressing that they want to choose what events our children do at meets.  So, when I signed Kam and Zack up to attend, I put in the notes that we wouldn't swim on Sunday, but that they could choose the events.  Kam and Zack were in for some longer swims.  Zack has been on the Summer swim team for 3 summers.  He has swam all three in the under 8 category.  That means they only swim one length of the pool 25 yards (or meters sometimes).  Zack is now in the older group that swims 50 meters, or 2 lengths of the pool.  That means he has to do flip turns or other turns depending on the stroke.  Prior to this meet, he had only swam in one other where he swam 50s and he got DQ'd from 2 of them.  At this meet, the coaches put him in 3 100's and one 50 meter event.  Oh BOY!

Kammie swam the 50 Free on Friday afternoon after school.  She took 1.5 seconds off her time.  She swam it in 31.64.  That was 11th of 32 girls.

On Saturday afternoon, Kammie was in the first event of the day and Zack was in the last event.  It made for a  L O N G day.
Kammie was to be on the B relay team in the 200 medley, but she got moved to team A and they took 2nd place.  She swam first, doing 50 backstroke.  Their time was 2:15.21.

Kammie
100 Free   1:09.45 (Finished first in her heat) 15th place of 35 swimmers
 50 Breast    48.77 (took 5 seconds off her best time) 30th of 34
100 Back  1:23.84 (DQ for staying on her stomach too long on a flip turn)
 50 Fly  38.83 19th of 33

Zack
100 Free  1:32.13 (1st in heat) 22nd place of 33
50 Breast 1:00.71 (DQ for bringing his hands below his waist on the stroke)
100 Back 1:46.84 23rd place of 29
100 IM    1:42.65 23rd of 41

Kam on the blocks...

Zack doing 100 back...

 Zack's breaststroke...

Zack's freestyle...

 Kam's freestyle...

Some of the pictures are not the best quality, but that is what you get with things in motion.

A birthday party

Sidnie was invited to a birthday party for one of her pre-k friends.  It was at the park on a Saturday afternoon (Nov. 17th).  Spencer came too.  As far as parties go, it wasn't that exciting, but we enjoyed time outside together on a beautiful day, while Dad was busy at a swim meet with Kam and Zack.

Alli and the cake...

 

 Sidnie by the slide...

 Spencer on top of the Slide...

Pepe

Peppy enjoying a rub from Jordan amidst all the laundry piles.

The cat by Spencer's piggy bank on his bed's headboard shelf...

Service Auction

Our Additional RS meeting this past Thursday was a service project and then a Service Auction.  I made a Christmas quilted table runner as my service.  I had the top done on Thursday night to take and show and finished it up yesterday.  I hope Sister Mardie Tobler enjoys it.

Cub Scout Family Fun Day

Saturday started with us helping to sort the Scout Popcorn orders that had just come in.  Spence (and Zack) sold about $1,000 worth of stuff.  Then we spent time delivering it around the neighborhood.

Later, Pack 295 sponsored a Family Fun Day.  

We had a flag ceremony to start and then headed out to different activities. 

We first went and shot dog food with sling shots at targets hanging on a line.  We hit the wall of the church more than we hit the targets, but it was lots of fun.

Then we moved to the cub mobiles or Go Karts.

Zack and Spencer loved this...

 

Then we moved to some either wagon or skate board rides down a grassy hill.  You could also have brought your bike and done stuff on that.  They had hot dogs and chili, played some indoor games (dodgeball was one) and then moved outside to a couple of fire pits to roast marshmallows and make Smores.  Kammie and Jordan came for this part too and loved the FIRE!  They ate lots of marshmallows and burned lots more.

To end the night they showed the movie The Lorax!  All in all great day with my boys (and girls).

Trip to the Zoo

The kids were out of school for A.E.A. (like U.E.A., only in Arkansas) on Thursday and Friday.  I took all the kids in to the doctor.  Two had warts treated (one by freezing, the other by injections) and 4 received the flu mist vaccination.  (Two had already gotten the flu mist.)  Then we headed to the Zoo.  We had a great time.

I had two tickets to the Carousel ride.  Sidnie went with Kate.

Then it was off to see the Gorillas.  Of course they all had to pile on the gorilla statue first.

My parents love this Gorilla.  A few years back when they visited, the gorilla was holding a stick with a branch with a leaf attached.  He held it up in front of him like he was hiding from us.  As an enrichment activity, the gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans were given tennis balls.  As  I walked up, I saw a tennis ball fly up into the air.  The big Silver Back Gorilla had thrown the ball towards Kate.  I walked up and looked down and the gorilla retreated behind the bush on the left from where he is emerging in the picture below.  We had some Cheez-it crackers, so I threw a couple down.  He paid no attention, or so it seemed.  So I went above him and dropped one down in front of him.  He came out to get it and then came out to get more.

 He sat down right below us.  He was able to pick up the small cracker with his large hands and even some small peanuts Spencer threw down.  Then a Zoo keeper came with their afternoon snack of apple and tomato pieces.

It was fun to watch him eat those too.

Then she fed the Orangutans.  The big male has his tennis ball in his left foot.  These guys were more picky about the food.  They ate the apples, but spit out the skin.

Then we watched the male climb up here...

Next she moved to the Chimpanzees.  The 3 year old is there swinging and playing in the background as others eat the snack being thrown to them.

Next Kammie, Zack and Spencer rode the train ride.  I didn't get any photos of that because they had to have an adult ride with them if they were little and so I had an impromptu ride myself.

Then it was off to see my favorite...the OTTERS!

We threw Cheez-its to them too.

 They loved them and ate one up.  You can see one on the ledge in front of them that they never found.

This is the second set and they "beg."  

Look how darn cute they are...

The LR Zoo now has Cheetahs.  It's back there in the sun on a dirt path.

 You can't tell here, but it took off like a shot.

Two together...

They came right in below us for this shot. 

 I got one of each one, but the pictures are so similar, that I'm not posting both.

We had fun with the Fall decorations they had out.

Zacky is hauling his pumpkins in the truck.

Farmer Sid...

 Farmer Spence...

 The sun was too bright for this one...

We had a great time!

(Jordan went with James down near the Louisiana border to teach a parenting class.  They spent the night and came back the next day, so she missed our zoo trip.)