Bear Lake

We were able to get away for a few days and go stay in a cabin at Bear Lake last week with the Olsen Famiy. I was ready to get out! I was getting a little stir crazy staying home with a new baby, so it was nice to feel the sun & play a little in the water. We also visited Minnetonka Cave with all the kids (12 in all!)Here's a pic with the bigger kids. Crazy, we have at least one of every age from 0 to age 9, minus an 8 year old!!

All the stairs in the cave might have been a little much for me, since just having a c-section. Needless to say I was a little sore the next couple days.

Tate & Koyce @ the cabin

It was a great trip, and Zeke did wonderful! I think he slept better at the cabin than he had been at home!

Zeke Dan Olsen

Our new baby boy finally came into our family 7/07 at 3:05pm. We named him Zeke Dan Olsen. He weighed 7# 12oz, a little smaller than expected, but perfectly healthy is all we care about! His brothers both topped the scale at 9 lbs, so we were expecting the same for this little guy. The kids were all thrilled to meet him.

We also celebrated Bricker's 7th Birthday one week after Zeke was born. I can't believe how fast the kids grow up! Next year will be the BIG #8, and baptism! Holy Cow, where does time go??

Messy

Do you think this kid likes jam? I had to post this picture, I love it! Except for the part of having to clean him up, his hands are just as bad. This is what his face looks like after every meal! And you should see what his highchair looks like! I sure hope he grows out of being such a messy eater...

Preschool Graduation

Madelyn just finished up preschool. I really can't believe it. I guess you hit those milestones with each child, but it doesn't make it any easier each time! I'm not ready to send my little girl off to school! She is ready though, and very excited for kindergarten & riding the bus.

Soccer

Bricker finished up his first year of soccer & loved it. He didn't want to play last year, but this year he had been playing at recess with all his friends & decided to give it a try. I must admit, I was a little bummed. I'm not a soccer fan. It rains too much in the spring & is usually just too cold. But this year turned out great! We only had one cold, rainy game! Shane & I discovered soccer is the PERFECT sport for Bricker. It keeps him moving around and busy! HA! HA! It was just what he needed.

32 Weeks & Counting...

I don't think I've ever been so tired of being pregnant. Well I probably have, but just forgot! I don't mean to complain, I'm grateful for this little guy, but it's been a long road to get him here! Last week at my doctors appt we did an ultasound to check up on everything since I'm on some medications, & he measured over a week big, and already over 4 lbs!! No wonder I'm already feeling so horrible! So I hope that means he'll be early like my last little boy. Tate was 3 weeks early and 9 lbs. Sorry no prego pictures, I'm not a fan of my BIG belly!

Time to slow down

Life's always busy for a mom. Lately I've been pretty tired. This has been my hardest pregnancy & very different from the rest. I frequently have been having contractions. At least once a week I'm pretty worthless & can't do much, which is frustrating for me. I like to stay busy & get things done ASAP. It's hard to remember I need to take things a little easier now. The dishes, laundry, & house work can wait I tell myself, but its hard to watch the work load grow as I don't keep up! I completely took my past pregnancies forgranted. I've always felt great until the last couple weeks before baby comes. My doc says it's normal & I've just been very lucky in the past. He isn't worried since I haven't started dilating, so thank goodness no bedrest. It could be worse I tell myself!! So with life getting busier, mom getting more tired, and another baby on the way I've had to make some changes. One of the hardest has been the realization that it's time to stop babysitting & slow down. I've been babysitting for people pretty well since I started having my own kids. Our house is pretty crazy somedays, but I LOVE it! And my kids have LOVED it too. People always say I don't know how you do it, but I wonder how working moms do it!! Shane has been awesome with all the kids also. The kids LOVE when he gets home, they all pile around him.

Here is a picture of Tate & his "buddy" Ryker as he calls him.

They are only 3 weeks apart & have pretty well grown up together. I started watching him when he was about 7 weeks old. It will be a bitter sweet goodbye. Tate looks forward to the days he gets to come play with us. Hopefully we can still see him when his new babysitter needs a break. I plan to finish off the school year then take a break. We will see how I feel in the fall. I'm sure 4 kids will keep me plenty busy, but we are going to miss all our extra "buddies"!