Remembering the way it was

I usually lead a small group confirmation session at our church on Wednesday nights; this year my class was confirmed the end of October and the upcoming 9th grade classes only have 11 kids being confirmed so I decided to take some time off since the church did not need as many group leaders. I didn't realize how much I missed the kids until I subbed last night. It was fun to get back in with those teens and catch up on where their lives are going and what fast paced lives they live. We talked about the new movie which is out "The Boy in the Stripped Pajama's". I think this is a show we all should try and see. It is a different perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime.

It was fun to hear the highs and lows in these kids lives (this is a time of sharing what has been good in their lives and what has not worked out so well since the last time they met). It is amazing to listen to how they have heart to carry on the word of God and to witness (in history this week they are discussing evolution versus creation). So, this morning I am reflecting on the joy of spending 2 hours with a roomful of teens.

Grandma and Grandpa are lovin the ultra sound pix

Proud parents Bill and Rachel had their first OB appointment today. We were able to view ultra sound pix of our new Olson grand baby today. What an amazing miracle this is. We are looking forward to this grand event sometime around June 19th.

Kailey Visits

Future danceline participant


Kailey love playing with the dollies, she found this cute pink hat in the doll clothes and had to try it on




Look at me

Kailey and I had fun coloring while she had juice and a snack

I had an unexpected visit with my niece Kailey last night, she is quite the talker and we stayed busy coloring, having a snack and playing with the babies (dolly's). We had a few giggles when we tried to take a picture of ourselves together. It was a fun night with the little chatterbox!

We tried to take our picture together and she really snickered at this one. She thought it was the funniest that we could take our own picture!

Vetrans' Day

I am honoring today my husband Bill and our son Bill, two proud American soldiers who fought for our country's freedom. God bless you both! God bless my nephew Josh who is in Afghanistan, may God's protection surround you!


Josh reinlisting in Afghanistan!

The Lefsa Makers

Darlene shows Jada how to roll out lefsa

Jada says "how does it look mom?


Do we get to eat some soon?


Darlene teaches Courtney how to roll out lefsa

Courtney and Kayla having fun rolling out lefsa

This weekend Darlene and Jada came to Albert Lea to make lefsa. Darlene had never made it before so I taught her the skill. She's pretty good at it too. Maybe, she will try it on her own next year. We really had a fun afternoon making lefsa. Jada loved rolling and eating! Colton, Courtney and Courtney's friend Kayla came over about 5:00 for supper. Darlene taught them both how to roll out the lefsa. We had a few good laughs while they learned!

My sister visits while the deer hunter hunts!

My sister and her daughter Jada are spending the weekend with us. Her husband Jay is deer hunting with his dad and cousins way up north. We are going to make lefsa, this is the 2nd time this year that I have made lefsa. The first time was with the pro's Angie and Barry last weekend. Darlene has never made lefsa so this will be her first time making it with me. (Hopefully we will be making lefsa one more time with Bill, Rachel and the girls). We invited Brandy to join us this weekend but she and Mike are spending some time alone this weekend. Yeah for them!

Lefsa ..............

YUMMM! Abram loves mom and dad's lefsa!

Angie rolling lefsa and Barry cooking

Angie's perfected the skill of rolling out lefsa!

It was a tradition when Angie was growing up to go over to Grandma and Grandpa Olson's to make lefsa for the holidays, she would watch carefully for what must have seemed to her a very long time and then Grandpa would let her roll one out. After Casey passed away it was a sad time and for a few years the lefsa was put on hold. Then I started making it again while Angie was in college and since she has gotten married we have renewed the tradition and we spent the better half of Saturday afternoon making lefsa. This is Barry's 3rd year of baking; he has quite mastered the skill. Abram got to have his first bite of lefsa and seemed to like it as much as his mom and dad. We spent the afternoon telling stories about grandpa and grandma Olson and grandpa Bill even rolled out some. It was fun to watch Abram eat his first bite of lefsa. He was lovin' it!! We plan to keep the tradition going and hope to see Abram rolling his first piece of lefsa soon...........

Halloween Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's

http://s495.photobucket.com/albums/rr313/rolson58/?action=view&current=235275a4.pbw

Halloween night was fun for the little ones. We even had a trick or treater dressed up like Sarah Palin. It was a beautiful night and a first in a long time was no coats, hats or mittens! Grandma and grandpa were really excited be able to see some of the grandkids in their costumes.