Happy Birthday Dear McKay!!

Exactly 13 years ago, this very morning, I loaded up my big self, and drove down to go to a doctors appt in Provo, Utah. I was huge, and scooted that big seat back and far as she could go, and my stomach still hit the steering wheel. I was a little jealous that Ryan had taken my cute car up to Salt Lake to do his student teaching, but, I was adjusting. At the appointment, the doctor said, ok, you should have the baby anytime in the next week or two.

So, I was craving cheese popcorn, and licorice, so I made a little trip to Food 4 Less in Provo, and loaded up on 59cent groceries and got some treats and headed home. I think Becki Bitters (at the time) was with me, and we went home. After eating all those treats, I didn't feel very good, and went to sit down on the couch at our Wymount apts. I don't remember where in the apartment this happened or if it even got cleaned up, but my water broke around 3:30pm. I started freaking out waiting for the pain. I couldn't get ahold of Ryan, who was at work at the MTC already, but left a message with Steve's dad Earl who was our boss, to find him and get him to come home. Well, Ryan thought he was just supposed to call me, so he kept trying to call me and I was on the phone with Becky asking her to come back and take me to the hospital if Ryan didn't get there, and if he did there, to go find someones video camera and camera to get pictures of the baby. So after 20 phone calls of Ryan not getting through, because I was on the phone, calling the nurse, Becky, my mom (who was driving to Utah at the time), and Liz. He finally just decided to come home.

We rushed to the hospital in plenty of time, and after pushing (sorry folks) for 2 hours, using forceps, breaking his collar bone, little (well, huge) McKay Nicholas Olson was born at 10:08pm weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 inches. I was so happy to finally hold him in my arms, and was just so in awe that Ryan and I were parents. We are so happy that you are our son, and first born. We just can't believe 13 years have flown by so fast. We love you so much McKay and hope you have the best day ever!!

Here are the pictures of the kids this morning. Abby was dressed and all ready, but when McKay walked by with his mask on, she lost and and took off her costume and kept saying, McKay scared me, McKay scared me, so she would barely stand there to even get her picture taken, the kids sure thought that was funny. Poor Abby. You are the cutest sad mermaid!!

Here are some treat I made for the kids class parties today and McKay's birthday.

Husband Tag!

1.Where did you two meet? BYU, actually the MTC when we were BYU students. We met in August or Sept of 1993, and I remember thinking, who is that cute boy? I really remember waiting for him to walk by so I could see his name tag was Ryan. But he had a few girlfriends, and I probably had a few boyfriends for the next 2 semesters. We were friends for all that time though, but I do remember thinking of him as Katie Jackson's boyfriend, Ryan.

2. How long did you date before you got married? 9 months from April 1994- Jan 1995

Right before our first date, my roommate Vivien and I were staying at her Uncle's house, because we were in between apartments, and I remember talking to her, saying, I am kind of scared to go out with Ryan, because I had had a dream in Sept or Oct, of 1993, shortly after meeting him, that we got married in the temple. Of course in my dream, there were waterslides in the temple, but that's besides the point. I guess, I just knew what kind of person he was, and that I could fall in love with him and get married, but I was so stinkin young, so I didn't really want to rush things.

3.How long have you been married? just about 14 years. I am rounding up by 2 months.

4.What does he do to surprise you? He doesn't really surprise me. Is that bad?

5.Favorite feature about him? His good looks!! Actually is a sense of humor a feature? He is really funny.

6.Favorite quality about him? He is a good provider. He works hard for his family. He will work instead of sleep. It's hard to complain about teaching piano, when he will get up every Sat. morning at 2am to go teach English to people in Korea over the internet. He honestly has about 5 jobs. He teaches, coaches, broadcasts, Elutians, and more. I appreciate that about him. And when he is home, he is constantly helping me around the house, move laundry along, or doing dishes. He is so helpful with the house and the kids. I know I am lucky.

7.Does he have a nick name for you? Sum, Sums, We joke about Babe, but that's just for fun.

8. What is his favorite color? Cougar Blue (sorry, Linz, I am stealing that same answer)

9.What is his favorite food? Anything he doesn't have to pay for. But, really it's homemade Macaroni and Cheese.

10.What is his favorite sport? He likes watching BYU football. He likes playing basketball, and enjoys running.

11.Who said i love you first? He did.

12.When and where was your first kiss? On the drive home from one of our dates, maybe the Gina Bauchauer Competition in Salt Lake, but anyway, we were driving home in Big Blue, and I was sitting in the middle, and he kissed me on the top of my forehead. I think I was almost asleep, because I remember thinking, did that just happen, or am I sleeping? But our first real kiss was probably in front of the apartments I lived in my sophmore year, Park Place. Doesn't that name just sound so fancy? Or maybe it was in front of Barb's place? Not as romantic..... I am going to stick to Park place.

13.Favorite thing to do as a couple? We like to go to the temple. That 2 hour car ride each way goes by pretty fast, when we just talk and talk. That's pretty good, that we still have lots to say to each other after all this time. I guess that's how it should be if you are married to your best friend. We like to get the kids to bed and watch Our Shows together alone. There's only a couple that we like, Amazing Race, and The Office. Anytime, we can sneak away for a date is great too.

14.Whats a hidden talent that he has? He sings Karaoke. He's got lots of talents, but I guess his ability to get up and teach a room full of people whether it's Seminary, Gospel Doctrine, or talking in Sacrament meeting, and not be nervous, and do such a good job. Even if it's just on the spot without any warning.

15.Where was your first date? We went to a BYU Ballroom concert, that I had to go to for one of my dance classes. It was at the Wilkinson Center, I think. Yikes, it was in 1994!! But, I don't know, when you work together every morning for a semester or 2, it's kind of like I already knew him.

16.How did he propose? In the canyon , I think it is called Hobble Creek Canyon. It was in autumn in September and was so beautiful. We went for a picnic. I was suprised, and he was pretty nervous. It was so cute.

17.What do you most admire most about him? The kind of father he is. He is so great. Our kids are so lucky to be able to have him as their dad. I also admire his work ethic. He works all day, and comes home and still will help me with all of the other responsibilities around the house. That's how he shows his love for me and the kids. He was raised by such a wonderful family, and the kids and I are reaping all the benefits.

I TAG whoever reads this and is married.....

McKay's in the Parade!!

McKay played the saxophone in our Burlington homecoming Parade today.

The High School and Junior High made floats today. He did a good job.

This is Mrs. Neves with the Junior High Band.

I teach a few of these kids piano.

McKay is at the right end, next to the kid in the cowboy hat.

Sydney got to have her friends Ahna and Alora come over to play today. They were awfully quiet while I was teaching, and then they came down the stairs looking like beauty queens, all dressed up in dresses and make up. Aren't they a sight?

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok, So I have this new recipe that I wanted to share. Its from the same recipe book that the other cookies and cream cheesecake recipe is from. This one is so easy.

1 Spice Cake mix
1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips

Mix together cake mix and pumpkin. Add chocolate chips. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen. How easy is that?

Ready for church!!

Here are the kids all ready for church. We had a little bit of cabin fever this weekend, with all of the snow we got in Burlington. It snowed all night Friday, all day Saturday, and continued through Sunday. It sure makes us wish we still had a 4 wheel drive.

Christmas in October ??

Well, we woke up this morning to this......

We just barely started to get out our decorations for fall and halloween. The kids are

getting their gear on to go outside and make a snowman. I will take more pictures and post them later. Also, Sydney is very proud of her clean room. She got some dressers and a nightstand and wanted to take a picture for our blog, so I will put those on also.

Gymnastics

Maddie begged and begged to do gymnastics this year. So, we found out what day it was on, and it happened to be the day I don't teach so I can take my kids to piano, ballet and jazz. This week it started. We were about 10 minutes late, because I couldn't find the armory. I saw a building that said Wyoming National Guard, but didn't know that was it. Anyway, they go in, (we signed Sydney up too) and get in a line to do stuff on the mats. Ok, the instructor tells them to do a round off, tuck whatever thing, and my girls are just standing in line looking at me like deer in headlights as they get closer and closer to the front of the line. I don't know what to do , so I just keep saying good luck, and smiling nervously, because I don't even know what that is either. I want to stop the class and say, wait, this is their first class ever, but I don't want to embarrass the girls either. So luckily the instructor helped them and then by the end of the hour, they were catching on a little bit. How scary!! It's just an 8 week session so that's good. I sat and talked to a couple of moms, I didn't know, but by the end of the hour, one of them asked me and the other mom if we were LDS, and I said yes, and she said she was too, and she could just tell. That made me feel good, that people could tell my religion without me saying anything about it. (or maybe just LDS people) either way, it made me realize that someone is always looking and watching our examples. Another fun thing about gymnastics was, a few states away, my sister had signed her kids for gymnastics too. We always do that, where we do the same thing without knowing the other one has done it. Like buying the same purse, or outfit for our girls. Sisters are great!!

October already?

Can it really be October? We ordered the kids' Halloween costumes yesterday. They should be here soon, and the kids are really excited. McKay will be 13 on Halloween, and we have absolutely no idea on what to get him. What do teenagers like? Hmmm, probably money, but I just don't know. I am glad he still wants to dress up this year. The poor guy got the flu last year on his birthday and had to stay home from school and miss all the fun. Here are the costumes we got.