Olsen Family Christmas Project 2007

We will Blog again...just keep checking up.

2011-06-04T20:56:00.000-06:00

In the mean time here is Sadie the dog.

I am feeling....

2010-05-19T09:53:00.000-06:00

I am feeling something today....I need to write it down, but it will take some time. I learned in Stake Conference about creating. I created my day and i need to stick with my creative plans...therefore, I shall write a bit later. I only hope the feelings stick and I can remember the thoughts.

Sunshine

2010-05-13T11:16:00.002-06:00

The sun is shining today!
Hip, hip, hurray!!

ANotheR

2010-05-12T11:57:00.002-06:00

Today my mind is filled with..........NOTHING!
I am a bit overwhelmed with things I want to get done by a certain amount of time and it is....pretty much too much to do, so shall I start it or just not do it?? That is what is in my head today??!!

2010-05-11T11:36:00.003-06:00

I was just thinking... (this is something [thinking] that comes really hard for me to do)Today in seminary we finished 4 Nephi. I wonder how wonderful it would have been for the 1st hundred years after Christ had been among the people. Everyone was kind, and tolerant, they were of one heart and one mind. Their thoughts were good, with only good intentions, the people truly had the light of Christ. They truly believed His words. They walked the straight and narrow path he taught them about. There were no classes among them. Wow, I marvel how this was done. First was the changing of self. Mastering oneself that is. It can be done....it was done in Enoch's time also. So, I must take every efforts to learn of the teachings of Christ and instill them in my heart and act as I have been taught. I want to be among those people that happiness was all they encountered. The plan of happiness was understood, so therefore when trials came into their lives it was understood and did not become a burden, or a stumbling block. The people cared about each other and put their shoulder to the wheel and moved forward. They taught their children to do the same. It is interesting how we teach our children. Our every words will be remembered, our every action will be remembered....our children will remind of this whether they tell us about it or they emulate "us" in them as they go about their lives. Wow! I think I am talking in circles right now, but I believe it is true. When we slip up....we do affect those around us...the second half of 4 Nephi explains that...it started with a small portion of the people removing themselves away from the teachings of Christ...then it tumbles ever so quickly to confusion and pride and hatred. All it takes is a small portion and the decay comes quickly until there is physical and most importantly spiritual harm and even death!
Repentance is truly a gift from our Savior. How thankful I am for the opportunity to repent. I must keep out the little things or small portions I still allow in my life, cuz "I don't think they will affect me." I must remove them from my"self"....it is a straight and narrow path...no room for excess which doesn't bring eternal happiness.

Happiness

2010-05-10T14:17:00.000-06:00

LIfE

2010-05-10T14:01:00.002-06:00

Hello Ya'll

My thoughts on life. I sit here (something I probably shouldn't be doing cuz I have so much to do) pondering about life...my life in particular. It is amazing how quickly we can forget how blessed we are. I count my blessing and feel overwhelmed with appreciation and love for all that my Heavenly Father has showered me with. I have received so many blessing I am even embarrassed to mention them because it would sound like I was bragging and I wouldn't ever want to do that. It is interesting how quickly blessings can be forgotten just because of mine own selfishness, like if things don't go the way my head wants them to go, or I feel a little tired with a small headache, all my remembrance of my blessings get lost in my selfishness. My vision becomes so immediate that I cannot see nor feel what I should be feeling because I fill my soul with unnecessary thoughts and feelings that don't bring me eternal happiness. I don't want to do this anymore. I need to work on this daily, and on some days I need to work on this hourly and some hours I need to work on this every minute. I am so glad and thankful for repentance. I am so thankful I can talk to my Heavenly Father and ask for forgiveness. I am so thankful for the Atonement. It allows me to look at myself and make the changes I need to make so I can feel my Saviors love which helps me to change and work on being more like Him. I love the Savior. He has provided me with a pathway of happiness, if I will only follow it! He pleads for me, and I know it. He gives me second chances, just in case I don't get it the first time. I am thankful for that. Wow, I do love LIfE! It can be crazy at time, but if I would only count my blessings and remind myself very often....Life is great when we lose ourselves in serving others and trying to be more Christlike in all that we do.

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS!

2009-12-27T16:14:00.002-07:00

This year has gone by so quickly and has been filled with joyous memories for me. Two new grandchildren born, a 1/2 marathon, Matthew returning home from his mission, Trevor and Megan's wedding, Wow, that is just some of the awesome stuff we have enjoyed this year! I first would like to thank my loving family for all their support. All of you are so giving and thoughtful. I have been able to hang out with almost all of you at least once this year! Thanks, I love to be around family. I have lived many miles away most of my married life, but I have never felt very far away from your love and support.

Thanks Mom for asking us to write a few thoughts down of our Christmas Memories. There are so many to choose from. Christmas Eve was always an exciting day. I loved helping and being at Grandma Olsen's house. It was fun helping her prepare for the big night. We always took home a huge load. Her Christmas tree was definitely a statement. I wish it were still around today. The colored light that lit up the silver tree was so cool and modern. I remember waiting, and waiting and waiting for Uncle Lew and Aunt Susan. I would look out of Grandma's big picture window thinking that every car that went by would be Uncle Lew!!! It seemed to take forever! Grab and Trade is also a tradition that was loved by all. We would laugh and laugh all night long. I learned on those Christmas Eve nights how much my Grandma loved us. She planned all year thinking and buying something for each one of us. She made the night as festive and fun as she could. I never could sleep on Christmas Eve. I had so much fun being around the family. Walking home from Grandma's house was like walking in a happy dream! I couldn't imagine life getting any better than that!

On Christmas morning we would all wait in the hallway so we could all enter into the Living Room together! I usually was one of the first cuz I was almost the littlest. We would enter into a room filled with good stuff! Except for the year I saw my Christmas in Grandma Olsen's closet. Ya, I did see it. A barbie doll. My heart sank on that Christmas morning. I tried to like that doll, but I just never did. I know Santa got it just for me, but seeing it ruined my Santa dreams, I was very confused. All of my Christmas's were so wonderful and filled with surprises! There was great toys and dolls and mini bikes and fooseball tables, race car sets and new pajama's, but most of all we would hang out together and I liked that a lot. There was always good food and Dad and Mom would work so hard for us to have a wonderful day. I never knew that the second job my Dad took on was for us to have a great Christmas. Thanks Dad, and Thanks Mom for all the extra time you had to put in while Dad was away! Now, I understand the sacrifices you went through preparing and making Christmas a magical time of year! Christmas is about the Savior, his birth and his life. He gave of Himself that we might live! I love this season and am grateful for the blessings of an awesome family, Thanks Mom and Dad you have taught us children well. Owesome Olsen and I shall never forget it!!!

Advent Calendar of Christmas' Past

2009-12-09T18:23:00.002-07:00

Christmas memories using different Christmas and holiday related topics for each day. Bloggers in the family can write about family traditions and how they or their ancestors celebrated Christmas, this then becomes The Advent Calendar of Christmas Memories.

Some topics to consider:
decorating the tree
purchasing a tree cutting one down in the forest or buying at a tree lot
White Christmas
Christmas movies
Christmas music
Christmas books
Christmas ornaments
Driving around and seeing the lights
Sub for Santa; volunteer work, homeless shelter, etc
Family Home Evening
Temple Square at Christmas time
Plays, symphonies, concerts
Holiday foods
Santa Clause
Holiday parties
Christmas gifts
Christmas Eve
Holiday traditions
Religious services, celebrations
Sweet memories from Christmas' past for you and your family.

Family reunions

2008-08-11T13:40:00.011-06:00

My July was wonderful. It was a full month of getting ready for reunions and having reunions and reaping the joys of reunions. I loved what we did and accomplished at the Olsen reunion on Saturday, July 26th and the preparations before it. Having my daughters here cutting and sanding wooden blocks with their dad; for the house full of family coming and going and for the effort it took for each one participating was wonderful and rewarding. Thanks Dixie for all the work you put forth to organize us and for us to follow through on our quilts and the eagerness and time it took to paint all those wooden blocks. We're all trying to follow through with our commitment in giving of ourselves all year long like we did at Christmas time. I like to invite the older sisters in the ward to go with me to the Hale Theatre; those that are more homebound and those that are widowed. They love it and it does a lot for me too.
After the Olsen reunion on Saturday I had a Spencer gathering the following day on Sunday. This also turned out phenomenal. They just kept coming and coming and coming. It was a super evening together getting acquainted with one another. In Wayne's family (which is made up of three families) this is the first time they had all been together, so it was "get acquainted" time for them and they were thrilled to link themselves to Wayne).

How are the quilts coming?

2008-06-20T18:30:00.004-06:00

Soon it will be July.... and yeah The Olsen Family Reunion!!
We all get to hang out together and help others! I am very excited. I have a few tops prepared, but they are not a quilt yet! This will happen after we send Reilly off to the Naval Academy July 2. Next week will be a tough one for me. I will be needing to quilt my anxieties away.
Here is a pic of one of my quilt tops I just put together.

I am a beginner blogger!!

2008-05-08T15:23:00.002-06:00

Hi there everybody,

I just put some pics up of our new addition, Bruce.
He is a golden retriever, he was born March 21, 2008.
I brought him home May 6,2008. He is 7 weeks old today!
I just couldn't get over Murphy. He was the best dog in the world.
We still love Roy, but when these puppies were born I had a hard time passing up another Murphy! Welcome to our home Bruce!
Also, I put a pic of some deer right in the pasture next door. They are kind of hard to see, but it was just fun watching them enjoy the good eats!!

How is everybody doing with the quilts???

Our New Addition

2008-05-08T14:53:00.004-06:00

IRONIC

2008-05-07T15:38:00.002-06:00

Hi there Olsen's and those related!
These past 2 weeks have been an eye opener for me. My very good friend's daughter was just diagnosed with bone marrow leukemia. This has been devastating news for the family and all those who know them. It came on suddenly and has taken a big toll on Jessica. She is 16, and has down syndrome. She is the most beautiful young lady. She brightens up any room she walks into. Her presence is so pure and sweet. She is in my seminary class. She is always prepared when it is her turn to do devotional. She leads the music with enthusiasm and reads her scriptures daily. Her prayers are like none other I have every heard. She remembers everyone and prays for them individually. She brings a piece of heaven with her wherever she goes. I was lucky enough to be able to watch her little brother Joshua 4, and two sisters Laila 10, and Juliana 8 for 4 days. These were incredible days. I wanted to start over with another family. It was so much fun. They taught me so much. They were happy,lovable, and so fun to be with. They were grateful for every meal. They always said thank you Dixie.
This will be 4 days I will never forget! Thank you Mitchell Family for filling my life happiness!
I think this is very ironic that we are making quilts4cancer. I feel very happy everyone is excited and ready to take on this project!!

Quilts Bring Comfort

2008-04-04T10:11:00.002-06:00

Hi there Owesome Olsen Family!
The site to go to to learn more about quilts4cancer is: utahquiltguild.org
Look at the left bar of your screen and you will see the quilts4cancer link click on it and you will be able to learn more about what the donation we are going to be involved with for our family reunion. All quilts need to be at least 40X60, washed after finished, and they need a label. I will get the labels to put on them at the reunion in July! If each family can make 1 quilt, we will be able to help them make their goal!! And we aren't even a quilters guild!!!!! Just nice people trying to do nice things for others.
Thanks again for all of your efforts. I believe the more we try to work together as a family the more rewarding this reunion will be. I am looking forward to spending a wonderful day together visiting and working and eating!! I think we do all of those things really well, especially eating!
Thanks again,
Dixie
Please comment if you have read this so I know if this is a good way to communicate.

Quilts 4 Cancer

2008-03-28T15:53:00.002-06:00

Hey there fellow family members.
I have a challenge for you. I found this site Utah Quilters Guild.org and they are trying to make as many quilts for children 0-20 with cancer to donate to them. I thought it would be a wonderful idea if we add this to the Olsen Family Reunion. I challenge all families to bring a quilt at least 40X60 to our family reunion in July and then we can donate it to Quilts4Cancer. The quilts will go to those in need here in Utah. They can be quilted or tied, so everyone can be involved.
Please comment and let me know if you would like to participate!! I am excited!!

"A Humanitarian Aid Reunion 2008"

2008-03-17T09:05:00.007-06:00

Hi there all you owesome Olsen's
I have finally picked a date for us to reunion together.
Saturday July 26, 2008. 8:00 a.m.--???? evening.
We will meet at the Sandy Recreation Center commonly known
as the Rec Center. We will be sanding blocks and painting them
for the latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center. One of their high
priority needs is wooden blocks for children to play with. Since
we have a plethora of wood at the head of the family I thought this
would be a wonderful project that we all could participate in. Dad will
cut out the blocks prior to our reunion and then we will have a table
of sanders and a table of painters. We will also have a sewing center
to make bags to put the building blocks in. I envision this being a wonderful
day of service with lots of time hanging with the family. I will also have
a few quilts up which is another high priority of the humanitarian aid. Also
dolls are needed. So start collecting paint and brushes for your family and
we will create together! We will finish up the night with a wonderful meal together!!
I will update all information on this blog! There is more to know, I just have to go
take Reilly his lunch.
Love ya All
Dixie

When You're Swimming in the River and your Cheeks start to Quiver...

2008-03-14T08:47:00.005-06:00

This post is for Miles and Dallas and Chase and Land and the outrageous gigglefest we had several years ago on a trip home from Moab singing the 'Diarrhea' song. Can you believe there is a blog where the creative 'runs' can post new and inventive verses? I really don't think I have laughed as hard and as long as I did that night. It all ended though when Cindee hit a deer and Lexee felt so bad for the poor hurt thing.

post please

2008-02-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

i believe that more people should post to this blog.

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T14:05:00.005-07:00

we just wanted to wish you all a happy valentines day. we love you all and miss you lots!
love marc, echo, and addy

My history

2008-02-12T20:38:00.003-07:00

I'm taking a history class learning how to spice up my life history. I've located a lot of pictures that better defines my life and adds so much. For instance here is a picture of our home on 3269 So. 2nd West as you can see. This is before Daddy remodeled our home. He was a handy man. I hope my family's actively involved writing in their journals and writing up their histories. This is for your posterity.
Love
Mom

A time for Love

2008-02-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

We were so saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of Melanie's dear mother. Please help us in coming together to support Shane and Melanie during this emotional time and incredible loss. If you have ideas of what we can do as a family in addition to our personal prayers and condolences please let them be known. God Bless.

addy is 1 today

2008-02-06T14:27:00.000-07:00

i just wanted to brag a little about my child and let you all know that she is the best baby ever! today she turns 1 year old, and i just think that is crazy. she is getting so big and i love spending my time with her. i am so fortunate to be adelaide's mother.

this is addy pretending to talk to gramma.

Remember to VOTE!

2008-02-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

Remember those who make it possible for you to have the privilege of letting your voice be heard. Be inspired, take a chance, do your duty - VOTE!

befriending others

2008-01-12T16:54:00.000-07:00

I think it's important to keep in touch with family and others. Uncle Jack Dyet is so very lonesome since Renie has passed away. He misses her so much. He lives with his son, Cliff in Sandy and they get along very well together. He is in Hemmet, California right now and close to Jolene his daughter. He will stay there for the winter then come back to be with Cliff. I call him and chat with him and I know he enjoys hearing from Aunt Ruthie and I. It cheers him up and I know this is an important part of serving others. I also call the older sisters in the ward every so often and chat with them. They don't come out to church anymore and some are home-bound. But they appreciate the fact that they are not forgotten. I also call sisters that I miss when they are not in Relief Society. Sometimes they are home sick or whatever. But they feel good when they know they are missed. These are things that we all do almost every day, but with the attitude of serving others it's very fulfilling to think of others and do what comes naturally, but you're doing it and feeling the rewards of it.
A few weeks ago we had a young couple speak in our ward. The husband talked about writing down your blessings of the day. So as you kneel for prayer at the end of the day you can thank Heavenly Father specifically for our blessings; for our physical abilities, the beauties of the season, the warmth of our homes at this winter time. As we count our blessings daily, we become a more thankful people.
I love you all.
Mom

Miles' News

2008-01-10T18:44:00.001-07:00

Ewell's Cleanup
On Saturday, December 1st, our family went to Grandma and Grandpa Ewell's in Genola; they were out of town. We remodeled their bedroom and also cleaned up their house. What I did was cleaned off all the blinds in the house and hung them back up. After I vacuumed a lot of the house. I thought it was fun but it feels really good that they loved it and was happy. It was a surprise for them.

Dallas's news

2008-01-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

I went to the Christensen's and we gave them food and I felt really good and they were very happy and liked it alot. The other day I gave the Walters a lesson and we gave them a very nice dinner and it was very nice. Then we went and gave food to 3 older people and you could see their gratitude and happiness. We did it as a family. I liked that. I also helped a kid with his math today.

Spencer's news

2008-01-10T17:47:00.000-07:00

The looks on the Wrights faces and the smiles that came to their faces was all the blessings I needed. When we went into the Pearces and the Wrights home it was like they hadn't had a visitor in years. It felt great to listen to these great people who have lived long great lives; people who have given of themselves to their families and communities and their beliefs. It's been a great honor to serve in a bishopric that oversees these good people. It's been even a greater honor for me to have grown up around these people and learned from them and know and be able to look back and also look forward and see what a great an impact these people have had on my life. Taking over a dinner was a very small jester on our behalf, but it let them know how much we notice and care for them.
It also felt really good to take dinner to one of our younger couples who are just starting a family and are following the prophet in all his teachings. They have decided for the mom to stay home with the young ones, while the dad, who is a school teacher, be the provider. They work hard and have great faith. I can see them fifty years from now being just like the Pearces and the Wrights. We have so many special people around us and so little time to really to get to know them or recognize them.
We have also had a couple of Family Home Evenings with the Armstrongs and the Walters. The Armstrongs have been in our ward about 2-1/2 years. I think Scott Armstrong is a sports nut and I've really enjoyed his friendship. Most of all I've enjoyed his love for the Savior. He is great with the young men. He's been a great example no matter how competitive he gets and he is a competitor. Chelsea, his wife, has been in Young Women for a while and is always so well prepared and always seems so in tune with the Spirit and what the Y/W need to hear. The ward will miss their leadership. We will miss their friendship. They are moving to Kansas to be with family and to buy them a home. They have worked hard and been best friends through the schooling and working and just making it in their little apartment right by the church. I'm very happy for them and hope that they feel our love and wishes that we have for them. The Walters was the other family we had over for dinner and Family Home Evening. This family has had it's trials and tests. They lost a boy about 4 or 5 years ago to a freak accident and now Brian the father is at his second go around with brain tumors. They have been a semi-active family until Brian was diagnosed with brain cancer about 1-1/2 years ago. I remember the night that Melanee, his wife, called us at the church on bishopric night and told us the news. We went right up to the hospital. When we arrived Brian wanted a blessing and he asked me to give it. What an honor it was for me. Brian was directed by the Spirit to get to know the Savior and to rely on Him and to make that his focus. He has. It's been great watching this man and his family rally together and get to know the Savior and see the blessings and the Spirit pour into their lives. Again it makes me feel so good to be able to be a part of these people's lives and I hope that I'll always be able to help others in some small way.

Maryann's Service Work

2008-01-03T21:14:00.001-07:00

The last weekend in November we arranged for my parents to go to Idaho so we could suprise them with a new bedroom. Wednesday as soon as I was done with work, I headed down to Genola, Utah and started taking everything out of her bedroom. That evening with the help of a few other family members we had everything out of their bedroom, their carpet pulled up and we removed the closet entirely. We didn't go to bed until 1 a.m. The next day got up we sanded all the wall previous to texturing. I primed the entire bedroom. I got home that evening about 10 p.m. that night. I returned on Saturday after work where we starting to put the bedroom back together along with cleaning the entire house including scrubbing the walls, ceilings, lights, and pictures on the walls. Parents reaction was they sure felt the love of their children. My dad actually started crying. They got new carpet, paint, molding, baseboards, new headboard for their bed, their closet was completely remodeled, a new bed set, new chair for their room.
Every Sunday for the month of December except for the Christmas Party at the Olsen's, we invited someone from our ward family over for dinner and Family Home Evening. Everyone contributed to the meals and the lessons! We used the general conference talks and then played games and enjoyed each other. We invited the Walters family, played the game signs, and had a great time visiting and not even a week later the father passed away. This was a treat for us to be able to share time with him before he passed away. Spencer picked the families that we invited to come to our home.
On Monday's we prepared dinner, soups, salad, bread, and a dessert. We would take it to two families each of the Monday nights. Maryann made sure all food was put into containers that could be kept.
Maryann has a lady friend that she cleans house for. The last time I did it I left a little note, "this one's on me" and left the money there. She had a big t.v. that was a piece of junk and Spencer helped me to get rid of it for her.
There is not anything funner or more rewarding than to be able to do something for someone else. To give someone your time is the coolest thing to do.

Ronald McDonald House

2008-01-03T05:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Dirk and Daryl
On behalf of the board, staff, and guests I would like to thank you for your generous donation of eight game boards that you recently gave to the Ronald McDonald House. Each year we provide housing for an average of 1,500 families, so as you can imagine the tremendous amount of food, cleaning supplies and other household items that are needed. We truly rely on the community to help us provide a safe, clean, affordable "home away from home" for families with critically ill and injured children who need to travel to Salt Lake City for medical treatment. The donations that come in each day mean so much to the families who stay here and they are often surprised by the generosity of people in our community. signed, Bonnie Billings

We did the same for a Boys and Girls Club in Midvale and Sugarhouse. They in turn were appreciative of our generous gifts to them. This was our privilege and great opportunity to help others.

Sheet--rock for Christmas

2008-01-01T15:52:00.000-07:00

Well, Hi there Olsens!
The Henke's and the Hatch's had a fun experience just before Christmas. We had the opportunity to help out our friends with a project they ran out of money on. They were fixing an old shed into a livable space for their son that needs a place to stay. They are on a pretty tight budget and we found out there was a need and really wanted to help out. We had so much fun delivering sheet rock to their doorstep without them seeing us. Sheet rock is heavy and large, and they have a large glass window right in front of their house. Heber, Ben, Trevor, and Reilly quietly set it down (which wasn't easy)on their front porch.It was great fun! Russell Davy and I watched from the truck, Boston supervised. It felt so good to help others. This was one of my most favorite days! I will get pic later from Bossy. Thanks to all the Olsen clan for working so hard to help others this Christmas!! I hope you all have felt a little more Christlike.

chocolates

2007-12-23T14:00:00.001-07:00

Our Christmas Joys

2007-12-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

The labor of love. I think I started something years ago that will never go away. And to make you all happy puts 10 pounds on me. I happily sample several each batch I produce. And then your know to get the chocolate off of my hands, I take a few licks too. This year I came up with something new; pretzels, caramel and chocolate. These are nummy!!! I made plenty!! Hope you all enjoy.
This year I sent Susan and Benson a time-line of their family like I gave each of you last year. I was really excited to do this. I sent them a CD so they could add to it as their family increases.
Dad and I and Fairen put together game boards and delivered them to the Ronald McDonald House and to a Boys and Girls club in Midvale and one in Sugarhouse. They were so appreciative of this. We left about 8-10 games at each place.
We've had an explosion on our site on the internet this year. I could hardly keep up with the orders. I got up one morning at 3:30 to start loading game boards and packaging them up to mail. I continued on until 7:30 that evening. Each day since December 1st has kept me very busy. The chocolates had to wait their turn. Heber created some adwords on Google for us and this paid off. The proceeds from the sales will help pay for my new hearing aides, which I am so thankful for ($6500.00). They don't come cheap.
Hey, I'm into this blogging thing.
Love
Mom

Lessons From Davy

2007-12-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

Everyday I have been trying to do small acts of service. As I have served, I have received so much more. I have noticed the love of others and not been so cynical. At night when I go to bed and think of my day, I realize how much I am blessed. Before I lay my head on my pillow I realize that like 5 other random people have given me something, or just called me on the phone out of the blue, or came and helped to light all of our 150 luminaries, or when I go to seminary, I look at my students and feel their love every morning. This is what Christmas is all about. It shouldn't end. I am thankful for the TIME I have had to learn how important TIME is!
(side-note)I love these pics of Davy. He has taught me to be more loving and believing. I love his eyes. Happiness shines straight from his eyes to my heart. He sat on Santa's lap and looked with awe and wonderment. Santa will get Davy a remote control bull dozer for sure! He knows that!! Ben and I took Davy for a Saturday of fun. We all had a great time!!
I Love you all!!
Dixie

Sugar Cookies Too!

2007-12-19T22:51:00.002-07:00

We here in Wellsville, thought Echo's sugar cookie extravaganza was brilliant and so on Saturday morning everyone in the house had to participate in the making, baking, decorating and delivery of Christmas cookies. Each person filled a plateful of yummy cookies - we were out of traditional holiday food coloring and so the final product was yellow, silver, and hot pink, but they were tasty nonetheless. I delivered mine to two good friends Marty Cannon, who I went to Europe and Chicago with and Nancy Maughan. Darren surprised Mark Anderson who he worked with in scouts for a long time, Ryan, our neighbor, made a plateful for Brady Anderson, in appreciation for being the carpool driver... Brady said he was going to keep this on the "DL" and hid them in his room. Land made his for his friend Kohner's mom and his brother and sister - and Kohner. Land spent A LOT of time with Kohner and his family when he had his broken leg and Carol prepared him much good food. On Land's note he wrote - Thanks for the magnificent times. We thought that was a bit weird, so he scratched out times and replaced it with dinners. Chase brought his Christmas gift to his violin teacher who he has not seen in a couple of years. When she saw him at the door she gave him the biggest hug, and started to cry. She invited everyone in for refreshment. Chase was invited to play violin at her church on Christmas Eve. He actually said thanks for having us make cookies. It was a great day! Thanks to Echo for the idea!

I didn't notice it at first, but look at the flour facial hair that Land has sprouted - he's a silly kid, that one

henke elves

2007-12-15T17:07:00.000-07:00

check out russell and davy too!

elfed allreds

2007-12-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

us too!

elfed addy

2007-12-15T16:08:00.001-07:00

so so funny!! check it out!!

Stormwater and Newborn Kits

2007-12-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Darren and I went to a Wellsville City Council meeting because they were discussing and adopting a new stormwater management plan. If they failed to adopt a plan they would be fined 30,000 dollars a day or the mayor would go to jail. Since Darren had written the stormwater plan for Summit County he thought he could help. Our first action taken was to clean the stormwater drain that is at the end of our street. It had about 10" of compacted dirt on it with dried sunflowers and other various "native plants" that had taken up residency. We were shoveling and sweeping and burning the weeds and another neighbor came down with a tractor and helped clear the debris... and that led to some of the children coming to help keep the weeds burning and others asking what in the world we were doing it wasn't even our property or our responsibility. We had decided before that we would just do it to help out the community and not start griping about the owner of the weedfest. We broke a sweat, but it brought a lot of neighbors out to work on a common project and learn why stormwater runoff is such a problem.

2nd - At my grandfather's Christmas gathering we worked on a humanitarian aid project by putting together newborn kits. It was fun catching up with my aunts and cousins as we filled the bags. Darren was the photojournalist. I posted a picture of my grandpa who is 89 years old with his wife Erica who I consider my grandma. He read poems to us and talked about Christ and tried to remember the words to the song "Freckles" that he used to sing to us when we were little. He promised he would sing the whole thing next year.
DeAnn

missionary surprise

2007-12-09T21:30:00.001-07:00

Keeping in tune to the Christmas Spirit.
I was in line with Andrea and Nate at Cafe Rio buying a vege salad w/black beans. There were 2 missionaries ( they come in pairs ) in line behind us.
I got out of line and went to the check out and payed for their meal. I didn't want the misionaries to know who did this.
I hope they enjoyed their Rio meal. I enjoyed mine.
Laura

Olsen Christmas 07 -- are you THERE??

2007-12-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

Hi there all my favorite family members. Dixie here, just wondering if this blog thing is working for everyone?? If anyone has any questions, please call me and I will walk through this.

Do you know there are about 47 of us all around the globe working to help others at this time of year. If each of us participate, there will be so many people touched with love. It just gives me chills thinking about this. I am so excited to hear from everybody. Please don't think it has to be something big. It is the little acts of daily kindness, and spending time with others that really make a difference.

I sure love everybody and I thank you all for what you are doing.
Love
Sister Dixie
Aunt Dixie or whatever you want to call me!! (Be nice)

sugar cookies

2007-12-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

yesterday i did a little service project that i wanted to tell you guys about. it wasn't anything big but it was fun too. as many of you know i am the pitching coach at BYUH. this year we decided that the girls al needed to pick someone that inspired them and to write them a note letting that person know that they have been a great example to them. but they had to do it anonymously also. as an added treat i decided to make sugar cookies to had out with the cards of appreciation. so yesterday i spent like 3 actually more like 4 hours making sugar cookies and cutting them out and frosting them. i wish i took a picture so that i could show you how many i made. it was a bunch! i had a fun time doing it and was glad to participate with the softball girls in expressing their gratitude for those people in the community that inspire them.

Luminarias

2007-11-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Every year just before Christmas and just before the sun goes down and the big New Mexico skies go dark, the desert hills begin to glow with thousands of luminarias. It is a New Mexican tradition. For those of you who don't know what luminarias are, they are a brown paper bag with some sand in the bottom and a small candle.(I'll post a picture when they are lit). So San Jaun College put on a really big show every Christmas season (Like Temple Square only different). It takes a lot of work so the community gets together and helps out to make it all happen. Schools and clubs fold all 50,000 bags and each bag need to be filled with some dirt and needs a candle. I was able to help, along with some other institute students, direct some of the work. Elementary kids from ages 5 to 8 came by the bus loads and filled up thousands of bags in just a few hours. I was just there just to make sure the sand actually got in the bags and not in someone's eyes. It was fun and i am looking forward to seeing the Christmas lights this year.
Trevor

a new blog!! how exciting

2007-11-24T17:41:00.000-07:00

hi everyone it is me again. if you will please email me and let me know your email addresses or any other blogs or websites i will add them as links to this blog so we can all stay in better contact. my email is echoallred@gmail.com. for now i will leave you with this picture of marc, addy, and i.

christmas project 2007

2007-11-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

aloha olsen family!! this is the place where you can come to read and write about the christmas project for this year. i will be letting each of you know how to post on the blog, you can also add pictures of your experience. i think this is a great project and i hope you all have fun reading and sharing your experiences with everyone else.
echo