Joslyn's Day at the Aquarium

Today was a great day.  We took Joslyn to the Denver Aquarium.  I especially enjoyed it because on the drive there and back Joslyn talked to me about the Harry Potter books.  She's been reading them, and is on book 5, "The Order of the Phoenix".  We had a special time talking about the parts we loved the most.

The Aquarium was exciting.  We always have a great time.  They loved the sharks, the otters, the spitting "archer" fish, and the flash flood area.  The liked the fish and birds in the beach area, and had a great time petting and feeding the rays.  Well, Isabelle was the only one who actually fed the rays, but Joslyn and James had a great time petting them

.  Joslyn tried her hand at climbing the tree.  She did a great job.  They all got "face" paintings on their arms.  We had a fun picnic out on the balcony, and it was a perfect day to watch all the other people as they toured the little rock garden below us.  We then played a little more, and went to the 4D theater.  They had a new show with Yogi Bear trying to get a picnic basket, and it was pretty jerky, but the kids LOVED it.

After the show we played in the rock garden park for awhile and ate more of our picnic.  The kids tried to do cart wheels, and spinning and racing, and dancing.  We had a great time.  Thanks for all the fun.

Isabelle's Birthday

We had a great time for Isabelle's birthday.  Robert was in Minnesota (he even went to a Twins/Red Sox game) for work, so we had 2 birthday parties:  one with friends, and one for family.  Although, only one other person (besides Beverly with Kirsten and Alana) came to the party at the park, we had a fun time.  We had cupcakes, kool aide, and a pineta. It was fun, but very WINDY.  She got new Barbie Dolls, and very sparkly dresses and dress ups.

For the Family party we re-did the pineta, and had some great food.  Isabelle got a new bike, and Aunt Beverly and family got her some more beautiful princess dress ups and fun pictures.  I also got her a bunch of new shoes, as she had grown out of everything she owns.  DeAnna got her a camera, Andrea sent her some jewlery and fancy fingernail paint, and her grandma Verna sent her a beautiful new jewelry box.  WOW, it was like christmas.

Hello Spring

Spring is here, summer is comming fast, and it's time to plant something.  I'm starting with some small window herb gardens.  It was alot more intense getting them correctly placed on my house than it should have been.  Isabelle, James and I had a great time planting herbs and a strawberry plant in them.  I have made some spaghette sauce with my herbs since I put them up.  Isabelle waters them all the time.  It's her job.  She even got to eat a strawberry the other day (which was a mirracle because James already picked the little green strawberries before we got to him-- he said he was hungry).  Great times had by all!!!

New haircut

Today was a plain, uneventful day.  We went to dance class, and did some laundry.  The best part was a new haircut!!!

Olander Night

The school that Isabelle is going to attend next year held an event and invited the incoming kindergarteners.  They had booths set up in for a "road trip" through the United States.  It was incredible.  We played games, tried to clean out the "Great Salt Lake", took canoeing trip in Florida, saw (and made our own) hot balloons, fished in the great lakes, and even stepped on some twisters in the mid-west.  It was a carnival of fun.  It would have taken us another hours or more to visit all the booths and games.  James and Isabelle had a wonderful time.  The 5th graders did a fabulous job.  LOVED IT.

I have been cleaning all day today.  I hope to get through all this and catch up on my life.

Idaho Vacation

our stop at Little America!! 

Half way there.

Dancing and a live Band.  Best entertainment

Eli and James

Eli and James

They had a blast, and no broken bones

Dancing with the stars

swinging from a rope.

We went to Firth, Idaho on vacation last week.  We spent some WONDERFUL time with Jana and her family, and Jessica and her family.  We climbed trees, and played with "Brownie", the neighbor's dog; I don't think it's real name is Brownie.  I got to watch Jana play basketball in her city league; she was great. We also went to watch her coach some softball, but the kids got bored with softball, and James was upset because he thought he would be playing soccer ball.

Isabelle and Kasen played themselves tired everyday, and James LOVED playing with Eli.  My favorite was that Mom was there too.  I miss my mom.  She flew a kite for the kids, and I don't know how Jana survives without her.

It was great to have lunch with Aunt Claudia.  I especially enjoyed hanging out with Jessica.  It was wonderful to just spend time with those I love so much.

Green Smoothies

I have decided to start making "green" smoothies for me and my family.  I have only begun this adventure, but we really like it.  The smoothies have passed the kid test, and both of them ask me for more every morning.  Now, I do put in 1/4 a teaspoon powdered sugar, and 2 TBLS frozen orange juice in my smoothies to help with the "kid" factor.

Yummy

Here my recipe:1/4-1/2 tsp. powdered sugar
2-3 TBLS frozen orange juice concentrate
1 to 1 1/2 cups water
one large handful spinach *I don't know how much that is, but you can see the picture*
one large handful Kale
Any variety of fruits and vegetable you'd like to try.
4-7 cubes of ice

I've tried: grapes, bananas, apples, oranges

we didn't really like the apples as much as we thought we would.  Isabelle said she would rather eat the apple by itself, not waste it like that.  She loves apples!!!!!  I buy them every time I go grocery shopping.

Things we want to try:  tomatoes, carrots, mango, kiwi

Fun times had by all.