Birthday pictures (finally!)

Birthday pictures-a bit of an overload, sorry!!Our first little party was Saturday night, family, presents and cake.

The little toy car that they were all chasing!

Snuggly puppy!

Birthday cake!

He wasn't very crazy about it-tried a bite and didn't really want to touch it again!We got to party again on Sunday. More family, presents and cake.

Birthdays are exhausting!

Again? I don't think so!

More snuggly toys!

Up and walking! No stopping him now!

One partied-out little boy!

Happy birthday, Gideon! We love you! Thank you to everyone who helped make this a special day for our boy!

A little boy's birthday

Last year we were blessed with a little baby boy and last week we celebrated his one year birthday! I think I have been putting off this post because one week later, and I'm still not ready for this! This year has gone by much too quickly and my baby boy has grown and changed and become a little boy. He is such a special part of our family and I pray that God uses Jesse and I to train him up to be a man of God, a loving husband, and wonderful father.

(Oh dear, did I just say he could be a FATHER?!! Ok-no more birthdays...ever!)
We had a great weekend full of celebrating and of course, Jesse's bday is the next day so there was lots of partying going on! (Cake overload!!) Thank you for all of your birthday wishes!

Pictures soon to follow-I'm having trouble uploading them tonight.

Today the tree in our yard lost the last of its leafs. And of course that means...Gotta love fall!!

Elianna Rene Olsen

Congratulations Valerie and Mark! We love you guys!

Craaazzy Hair!!

Wild and Crazy hair night at AWANA was soo much fun tonight!! The girls had so much fun getting ready! Last week when we found out about it Gabrielle told me she wanted "lots and lots of bows!" It made it that much more fun that it was her idea!!

We decided to do more of a "Whooville" look for Lyla! It was too cute!

Even I got into it as a leader trying out some purple and green hair! It was a blast! Thanks aunt Jenna for your help getting us ready!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

WE LOVE YOU, MOM!

STEPHANIE, JESSE, GABRIELLE, LYLA, AND GIDEON

Weekend review

Friday evening we took the kids to the park. Gabrielle and Lyla brought their bikes and we went for a nice walk. I've brought Gabrielle there with her bike before but Lyla has never been fast enough before because I'll be going for a real walk so she and Gideon are in the stroller. But since it was just a little family stroll she got to bring hers, too and she was so excited. After a little ride we stopped by the river to watch the ducks and splash around a little And I wondered who was going to end up in the water first. It was Lyla. Fell right back onto her little bum! She was a bit shocked at first but went right back in to play some more!

And as we were at the river a young Mennonite woman came up to me to ask me about my sling I had Gideon in. Now those of you who know me, know that I think the Amish culture is fascinating and I secretly wish I was Amish :) So getting to talk to a Mennonite was as close as I've ever come and I was pretty excited! I know I'm a bit weird. We really had a great time at the park-we don't get the chance to do that as a family nearly enough!!

Saturday was party day-two birthday parties in one day! It was a lot of fun! The kids always have a great time running around with their little friends while Jesse and I get to visit.

Sunday was a great morning of worship. I am really enjoying being back in an adult Sunday school class. It is so good!! Then Jesse's parents came over for a bit. I just now thought of it but, I should have had my camera out -they were all bowling on the Wii. It was great fun and let me tell you-Gabrielle is one great bowler! She just flings that "ball" down the lane and usually ends up with a spare. It's hilarious! After Bud and Kathy left we were able to have some down time before it was back to church. We are starting an AWANA program and it was our registration/kickoff night. We are pretty excited about it!

It was a great weekend and now I am looking forward to taking the kids to Phoenix this weekend to visit some dear friends. I'm so excited!!!!