Thaw

We hit 60 degrees today! Finally a little heat wave to melt some of the snow.

Heading outdoors without a snowsuit on

Traded in the snow boots for rain boots

She's a little excited

The "ice rink" covering the driveway is almost gone!

Look who stopped by today?

Grandma and Grandpa Olson stopped by and brought an old photo album filled with pictures of the Olson and Chanin family. Evelyn loved seeing pictures of her daddy, uncle and aunt when they were little and wedding pictures of her grandma and grandpa. She could listen to stories from the past for hours and hours. 

Stir crazy

It happens every year. Typically in March. When we have had enough winter and just want the cold and snow to go away. Sick and tired of being indoors. We go stir crazy.  This year is no different. It feels like the girls have been stir crazy for weeks and we just aren't getting a break from winter. Lots of energy and no outlet. Refusing naps. It's bad. Here are a few pictures of the girls during the past few crazy weeks trying to get through the rest of winter stuck inside.

Climbing into bed together instead of napping

Reading the same books for the 100th time

Bringing all the toys in sight into bed with them

Lots of dancing

Lining books up right before walking and jumping on them

Little oasis

Como Park Conservatory is our little oasis in the winter. We retreated there today for a much needed dose of warmth and greenery.

This is Evelyn

Oh how we love this girl. All dressed up with everywhere to go. This is Evelyn. 

Sisterly love

Sometimes I find them quietly enjoying one another's company. Sisterly love at it's finest.

Little trains for little girls

Always a successful trip to the model train museum. Even better when it is followed by Punch Pizza. 

Evelyn the conductor

Escaping Minnesota Snowpocalypse

It was good timing that I had a work trip to San Diego. I just had to get out of freezing cold weather and snow that we were dealing with as a result of the Snowpocalypse.

The view from my hotel room. Awww feel the warmth.

Beautiful La Jolla

Despite the amazing Southern California weather, good food, beaches, room service, and bed to myself...I sure did miss these two (and Ari).

It happened

We have been told that every child does it. No matter how many times you tell them they should never ever do it. They still do.

On February 2nd, 2014 it happened. Despite the numerous times we told her never to do it. She did it.    

In a matter of a minutes, it was gone, those long locks of hair that frame her pretty face were lopped off. Chunks of hair laying on the floor. Oh my oh my.

The damage up close

I don't think Evelyn realized the consequences of her actions until she realized I would not longer be able to braid her hair like Elsa or Anna from Frozen. 

trying to fix it

 We did out best to make it less noticeable by taking a little length off and evening out the "bangs" she made without giving her a true bang. She still got a little braid in the front.

She promises she will never cut her own hair again.

The best part of the entire ordeal were all the fun stories I heard from friends, family, and coworkers about when their child cut their hair...or when their child cut their sister's/brother's hair, or their own stories about when they cut their hair when they were a kid. 

Teamwork

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary online, TEAMWORK is "work done by several associates with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole"As Eleanor gets older, the girls play together more and more. It is fun to watch them together. Here they are building "the biggest castle ever."

Associates

Favorite past time

The girls sure do love "playing babies."  They have so many of them that I can't keep them all straight.

Evelyn with Boo, ?, Cinderella, Tommy, Alyssa, ?, ?, Maggie, Emma, ?, Lyla, and I think Layla is under the blanket

Extended Olson Family Christmas

Being a part of a large family means that the holiday celebrations continue into the new year. We celebrated with the extended Olson family at Ari's cousin's home this year. Their beautiful home was filled to the brim with close to 50 Olsons! This year we entertained ourselves with a photo booth. 

Uncle Aaron, Ev, El, and Ari

Uncle Aaron, El, Auntie Athena, and Ev

Grandma and Grandpa Olson

Happy New Year 2014

Our tree