2017 Wrap-up!

Happy Holidays from the Olson's!

As 2017 comes to a close, the year seems to have passed by in a blur, especially the second half! We have many reasons to celebrate. I finished my Master’s of Education in Learning Design and Technology online program through St. Mary's University with a flurry of activity this December and some significant changes in my classroom. Mark successfully installed the hot water system in our home, which is heating the space very efficiently while we are away. Raif, Cora, and Fiona are all growing both physically as well as emotionally.

I had to take a hiatus from blogging as my graduate work took all of my extra time (late nights and early mornings). Since the last post, we had a wonderful 20th anniversary celebration over Labor Day weekend with family and friends. It was a great mix of people from our lives. My mom’s side happened to have a family reunion that weekend at the lake cabin that is only 45 minutes away so many of them managed to come.

Grandma Nonie and I at the cabin celebrating our family reunion!

The next generation of cousins on the dock at Lake Eshquagama fishing for crayfish.

We need to work on our selfie game - but still happy after 20 years of marriage!

Mark was so excited to own his own pig roaster and lots of people were willing to help out with the project.

We had a wonderful time hosting our first large party at the new house!

Siding has been installed on most surfaces of the house except for the middle lake side, and a few small portions on the front. The honey colored stained wood gives a nice warm glow in the sun, and helps to anchor the house among the trees. We purchased a trampoline for the kids, and they all spent many hours jumping and laughing. The sauna got quite a workout this summer and throughout the fall, but we haven’t been using as much as we would like since the snow fell. 

Mark did quite a bit of food preservation with the whitefish that he netted, as well as the wonderful wild rice that he gathered. My cousin Tait got in on the harvesting action, and even had the opportunity to "dance" the rice. First, the rice is parched over the fire. Then someone has to put on mukluks and "dance" on of the rice in a wooden box. Once the hulls have been loosened, the rice is tossed or winnowed to send the fluffy hulls into the wind, while keeping the precious rice kernels in the shallow container. It is a labor of love, but the efforts paid off with many pounds of rice for delicious meals and gifting.

 

Tait's friend Sara dancing the rice.

Raif, Cora, and I had the pleasure to be part of the high school production of “Footloose” this fall. It was such an enjoyable show, and the music and dancing was really fun! Raif played a sidekick to the bad boyfriend Chuck, Cora played sidekick to the lead Ariel, and I did much of the choreography. The costumes were awesome with the 80’s theme. Raif looked like a feathered hair heart-throb and Cora rocked the big hair! Although they have been in many shows, it was really cool to watch them in this performance. It was really special to have our friends from Menomonie come up to watch the show. Kate and Steve as well Taura and her girls made the trip and it meant so much to the kids.

Raif ran cross country again this fall, and I was a volunteer coach as well. This consists mostly of me struggling to run their warm-up, then watching as they complete the rest of the workout. Whew, those kids can work! Raif is trying to figure out his asthma, and had a slightly frightening bout of heat exhaustion at one of the meets. We are not sure what caused it exactly, but that day was very humid and hot before a storm blew in. His heart rate was racing, and he struggled to recover. It is crazy to watch your kid work so hard at something that they collapse, but go back for more the next day. The team had a growing year, but two of teammates made it to state. They are hopeful for the next year having more success as a team. 

After Cora's inital fears about having me as her Algebra teacher this year, I think she has adjusted very well. I really love having her as a student, and she doesn't complain (much) about my class. Her impersonations of me teaching are very funny to watch.

First day of school photo!

The biggest joy of our fall/winter has been the ice skating on the lake this year. It froze almost perfectly smooth with no snow for a few weeks. Mark bought a new pair of skates and was out nearly every day swooshing around. Several skating parties happened, and we were ecstatic to have this activity right out our door. Now that some snow has fallen, we aim to keep a rink shoveled. There is a small mountain of snow in the middle with a tunnel through it for fun exploration. Fiona has begun to skate more comfortably, and Raif and Cora increase the amount of tricks they can do on skates. 

Skiing has started with a bang this year. Raif skated to a 15th place finish in his first race of the year (4th on the Ely team), and the boy’s team finished 2nd at that meet. Cora finished 12th in her race, and felt very pleased with her result with many other successful Ely Junior High girls on her team! They are enjoying spending time with their friends on the ski team, which makes practice so enjoyable.

Both teens applied and were accepted into the Junior Rotarians group this fall. Their participation will include attending meetings, doing community service, and helping around the house (isn’t that convenient?). They are also both doing speech this year. Raif is currently exploring topics for his persuasive speech in Original Oratory. Cora is working to memorize a piece in the Drama category. She thought at first about Prose or Poetry, but her coach steered her in a different direction. We are looking forward to hearing their selections. Cora continues with band, choir, and dance. She will attend an Honor’s Choir in January, as well two different dance competitions in March. She recently said she wished she could stay in band class all day! Raif will be busy in January and February with pep band. Just another trip into town - we are glad we chose to live only 4 miles from the school!

Fiona started a dance class and she loves it! Every Monday when she finds out that she has dance, she holds her hands in clenched fists by her mouth and shakes while smiling. There are tutus, tap shoes, and toe tapping. It is great! She also is attending pre-school as a spot opened up for her in November. Many of the kids go to her day care and both of the teachers used to work at her daycare as well, so she feels comfortable there. She turned 4 this December with a sliding party - her first friend birthday party! It was lots of fun and I am not just saying that. Mark and I both remarked after the party that it was really fun for a kid’s birthday - maybe because many parents stayed and they are all really cool folks!

Our new concrete countertop created by our friend Wayne!

As we settle into our new home, we have noticed some things. One is that we feel very comfortable in the spaces. Maybe too comfortable, as we don’t have much pressure to finish the basement. The kids love their bedrooms, and Mark and I are fine up in the loft. Now that the heating is done, it will be easier to finish the rest. We are eager to have the space for storage, not to mention the extra bedrooms. Since Raif is only 2 years away from leaving home, we want to get his bedroom done before he leaves!

Another inevitable fact remains that we are the same people, no matter where we live. So I am always too busy, and Mark gets a little down in the winter. The kids are kinda messy, just like they were before we lived in this nice new house. Life can be crazy, but one thing that always keeps us sane are the times we spend gathered around the woodstove in the living room. With the flames glowing and the wind and snow whipping outside, we can be thankful for the warmth we feel.