Crazy July

What a fun month July has been for us! We kicked off July with a "rockin" fourth! We spent the evening enjoying rock band with cousins. It was too hot to view the fireworks! That does make two years in a row without viewing fireworks. I think I need to try harder next year and let the kids enjoy some fireworks. Emery has never seen them.


A week later the kids and I flew to Chicago to visit my parents. They have recently moved there. We absolutely loved being with them. We don't see my dad very often, so it was fun to spend time with him. They live in downtown Chicago on the 43rd floor of an apartment building. Emmet enjoyed the elevator and really liked putting trash down the garbage shoot. He kept asking why we can't live in an apartment. Thoughts of Morningside Heights kept coming to mind!!! (My apartment in Mayrland) I explained that while an apartment was fun for a few days, he would be much happier in a house. He didn't quite agree. The apartment was quite small, but had a gorgeous view of the river and lake. We especially loved looking out the window to watch the all the different boats go by.

No trip would be complete unless we went to the American Girl store. My dad was quite excited to take Emery there. We would walk up and down Michigan Avenue seeing red bags and cute girls dressed just like their dolls.

My parents apartment is in a great location. Everything was within walking distance. The kids just hung out in their strollers and loved being pushed around. One evening I hit a bump and Emmet flew out of his stroller. From then on he would yell "pit hole" whenever he thought he might go flying. I'm not sure how he came up with that.

We spent a lot of time at Millenium Park. We listened to a great concert out on the lawn. I would have stayed longer, but the symphony didn't hold Emmet and Emery's attention. They also have a great water area. There are two brick towers with images of prominent Chicago citizens who are projected on the towers. Their lips eventually pucker and then they spit at you. It's great. Eventually it turns into a huge waterfall. The kids loved this!!


The kids had fun swimming, in what Arizonans would consider a "fake" pool. It looked like a giant bathtub. The kids enjoyed it though because it was outside on the 16th floor of my parents apartment building.

The highlight for Emmet was the boat ride we took on out on the Lake. We had no idea that we were sitting in the splash zone. We were looking forward to a quiet ride, but we got soaked. Emmet was hit the worst. I really was trying not to laugh. We literally were the only ones getting off wet. Emmet kept making sure we wouldn't go on anymore boat rides.

before

during the ride--he's quite mad!!

I could go on and on about how much fun we had. I love that my parents finally live in a fun place to visit. Emery loved the dog park we visited daily. There were the cutest dogs there. We visited Oprah's store. Nothing special, but we had to see it. I have to say though that my favorite part of the trip was going to see Wicked.

I hadn't been to a musical in almost ten years. The theater was beautiful. We had great seats. Two short women sat in front of us, so I had a great view of the stage!! I knew nothing about the story, but it was so fun and quirky. The two leads were women and I was stunned by how beautiful their voices were. The were so strong and clear. I was mesmorized. My mom and I walked home, thats how close the theater was. If you have an opportunity to see Wicked I highly recommend it. I came home and downloaded some of the songs!

We got back from Chicago a little depressed because we were on the go so much there. We were invited last minute to go camping and on a whim we went. I drove my car following our friends and I actually kept up. I have never taken the kids camping, but we had a great time. I drove on a dirt road for a long time and the kids were quite nervous about my driving abilities. Emmet and Emery at first really didn't know what to do, but once they realized I didn't care if they got dirty they had a great time!!


To leave the campsite we had to go uphill. This made Emmet nervous, so he kept saying the sweetest prayer as I drove up the mountain. He was so excited that we made it!! I would definitely take them camping again. Especially with our friends we went with. They set up our tent and cooked. What more could you ask for.

The next weekend the kids had the fun opportunity to spend a few days with their Nanny and Papa (Sam's parents) while I attended my ward's youth conference. I have to say I had a hard time leaving them. It was the first time I would be apart from them that long and I wasn't sure if I would be in cell phone range if there was a problem. But...when the kids got home they couldn't stop talking about all the fun they had and I had a great time as well. I love being with the youth. We camped outside of Flagstaff and it was beautiful. I got to go repelling, which I love to do and hadn't done in years. We sang silly girls camp songs, which is always fun. I feel quite lucky to be in young women's.

Well...I think August won't be as exciting of a month. Emmet starts preschool in a few weeks. That will keep us around!

My Summer Splurge

Who knew that buying the Wii would end up being such a blessing!! This little box has changed our lives. First of all I was able to hook it up all by myself. It's very user friendly!! Second, these long hot summer days somehow go by quicker. Emmet can navigate through the games without my help!! He absolutely loves creating Miis. I think we are up to 78. What's funny is the names that Emmet chooses to give them. Such as Cup, Hot Star (that's Emmet), Picture Frame, Dog, Happio, Legs, Carpet. The only problem with this glorious box is that Emmet hates losing. We were bowling and I was honestly trying to lose and I kept getting strikes. So, I think the next lesson I need to teach Emmet is that it's okay to lose!

I survived another anniversary

Amazingly, today was a really good day. I think I've learned to plan ahead and make lots of plans on days I know will be hard. It was bittersweet looking back 9 years and remembering my wedding. I loved that day, I've always loved it. I spent time in the Temple today and as I walked to my car I realized how stinking hot it is here and memories came flooding back of how hot Sam was in his tux and I in my dress. I don't stop by Sam's grave often, but I made a visit there today. It's easier to visit without the kids. I love his tombstone because it has our marriage date on it!! I even ate Rubio's for the first time since Sam's death. I have been boycotting my favorite place to eat because it was the last meal Sam and I ate together. Then, I thought today I'll eat it for the both of us. I really enjoyed my burrito!! I squeezed in a facial which was fantastic. I highly recommend them, I was quite sad when it was over it felt so good. I ended the night at a vinyl lettering party that was lots of fun. I'm in the process of getting Emery into a twin bed and I bought some fun stuff tonight for her walls. I'm grateful that I could make today a positive day. It doesn't mean I didn't cry some, I still miss him, but I'm glad for such wonderful happy memories!!

Summer Vacation

The entire Olson clan got together last week for a memorable vacation in Cancun. We don't see each other often, so it's a fun occasion when we are all together. It was a very stress free, relaxing vacation. We stayed in an all inclusive hotel right on the beach. It was so nice to not worry about food. I think the we all ate too much though, because the food was great!! I even tried sushi for the first time and loved it. We had an endless supply of smoothies and by the last day we came up with the perfect drink. Emmet and Emery were in heaven with an endless supply of ice cream, pizza and 7up!!

It's so hard to capture in picture how beautiful the water really was. I was amazed at the water's warmth and how soft the sand was. It was quite picturesque. The highlight of the trip was when the hotel sponsored a "keep your balance" game in the pool. Jenny (my sister-in-law) convinced us to try. She going first of course! There was a giant surfboard in the middle of the pool. A person was at each end of the board. The game was to see who could keep their balance the longest. I spanked the competition. They could not get me off of the board. They even lifted half of it up in the air. I was shocked that I could hold my balance so well. Most people couldn't last over 10 seconds. I lasted almost 40 seconds!! I have to say I was pretty proud of myself. I won a shirt!! This little girl later that day, said, "hey your Kira who won that competition". So, I was a celebrity for a day!!! It was fun to be with family. My kids had a great time and there were no hiccups getting to and from Cancun. It went perfectly!! Thanks mom and dad for a great trip.

18 Months

June was a rough month last year. Sam's six month mark, Father's Day and our 8th anniversary hit one Sunday after another. It's funny how grief works, but those significant days somehow are different than other days. It will be 18 months since Sam's death next week. I keep thinking how he hasn't even been gone as long as a mormon mission! There's a lot I've learned in the last 18 months.
--I've adopted the phrase, "make it 'till you fake it" and most of the time it works!
--Kids are resilient. I think Emmet and Emery are the happiest they've been. What a relief it is to see them enjoy their childhood.
--Everyone grieves so differently. I think we all go through the stages in different orders. I've really had to learn that it's okay for those I love around me to grieve differently than me. It doesn't mean they don't miss Sam!!
--You can't go around, under or over grief, you must go through it head on. It's the only way it will not consume you.
-- Writing my feelings down in a journal and blogging is therapeutic. I've never had a gift with words, but that hasn't stopped me and I always feel better when I've written in my journal.
--I have so much to be thankful for.
--I've learned I'm much stronger and capable than I've ever given myself credit.

There's a lot I thought would get easier and hasn't.
--Asking for help. I'm still awful at it, I'm not sure why I am. It's still a puzzle to me.
--Emmet's sweet prayers asking for his dad to come home. That hasn't gotten any easier for me to hear.
--I thought Emery wouldn't talk about her dad, but she does all the time. She's even thrown a few fits screaming for "daddy". --Sleeping by myself, but usually one of the two kids end up in my bed by morning. So, they keep me company.
--Not being able to share the cute things the kids do with Sam.
--Lastly, I really had no idea that still my first thought in the morning and my last thought at night would be of Sam.

So, my point is to enjoy every moment you can with your husband!! They may drive you nuts, but you'd miss them, I promise!!

My little mother

I never knew how much little girls loved babies. Watching Emery with her baby cousins makes me realize how true it is that women are innately nurturers! Since Emery will never be a big sister, I'm thankful she can still have the opportunity to hold babies. She loves it!

Zuchini Bread Recipe

I just picked a nice big zuchini out of my yard and want to make bread with it. I've been looking on-line for a good recipe. I thought maybe someone had one that they love. I make banana bread often, but I've never made zuchini bread, so I'm looking for a simple recipe. I'd take any suggestions!!