We made it! We’re in! And can I please say that we could not be more thrilled to be here?! On September 24, less than 12 hours after I flew back in to Duluth, we closed on our condo on the water and by noon that day, we were moving our things in. We are now nearly settled. It doesn’t take long with only a small U Haul. Pete and I did the unloading and we took the next week to get everything put in place. A lot of it was done while Pete was working at night and the kids were sleeping. The time was a bit magical, playing music and finding a home for each item. Now we’re working on getting a few pictures hung and are considering buying a few small art pieces for the mantle. But that’s about it!
How about some photos? I thought I had more than these, so I’ll have to work on capturing a few more!
Here is a view of the living room into the kitchen and dining room. The condo was furnished with everything but that when we moved in. Isn’t it beautiful? We are so very grateful for the opportunity to live here!
On Tuesday this week, our big girl made the journey by bus for her first day as a kindergartener. I was thankful to have Pete by my side as she walked up those bus steps like she had done it a hundred times before. What was I expecting? A hesitant, questioning glance back over her shoulder as she climbed slowly up the steps? Not Ella. The girl who approaches new experiences with more confidence than her mama possesses on any given day. The girl who makes friends at every turn and who proudly introduces every member of the family to anyone who has an ear to listen. She was more than ready for this next big adventure. She marched right up those bus stairs and into the world of formal education.
A few photos from a recent trip to Grandma & Grandpa’s!
dinner on the deck
View from the deck
We took an afternoon to visit my grandma in Wadena. We love visiting The Pizza Dina, which actually changed its name years ago, but we’ll always call it by the name it had when my mom was in high school. We took over their old-school party room in the basement.
We spent the afternoon at the park across from my grandma’s.
What?! Where are all those amazing posts I wrote in the last couple weeks? Holy moly, I know where they are. In my head! They were awesome posts, people! And they nearly made it to the blog. We started with Sam turning two and then Ella turning five and her last day of preschool, my sister’s wedding shower and bachelorette party, and of course there was Father’s Day. Good heavens. I was going to get on myself about not posting during all that time, but then I realized it was because I’ve been busy living all those moments, and I’m definitely okay with that. I will, however, really work to post at least twice a week through the busy summer days, particularly through the month of July. We have a whole lot coming up this month, but it’s all super fun stuff, so I’ll definitely be here. Okay? Lovely.
As I work on putting the posts together from all the amazing events in the last month, here are a few fun moments from our regular June days.
Oh, my dear bloggy friends, I have not left you. I greatly apologize for my absence. Life has been a’movin!
Not long ago, I mentioned that I am working on two big projects this fall. I revealed one in our last post – a vintage camper makeover. I’m happy to share that yesterday she was taken away to begin work on her roof, the first step in her winter-long transformation. Next will be all new outside lights and a paint job. I can’t wait for the painting to begin! Then we’ll see real changes. Anyway, that’s project number one.
Project number two is a biggie and will surely be noticed by all of you. I am so exctied to let you in on my little secret: Amazing blog changes are just around the corner! I’m currently working with a deigner to create a completely new everything for the blog. We will soon be celebrating Little Olsen’s fifth (yes, fifth!) blogaversary, which will be the perfect time for more than just a makeover. With a new look, there will be a new commitment on my part to posting. Twice a week you’ll be able to ckeck in for written updates or simple musings. Two other days each week will feature photos or guest posts. You’ll be able to click to our blog and know which days you can find what and know that it will always be fresh and new. I want to tell you so much more, but I’ll try to contain myself for now. Just know that there is much more to come. And soon. I hope to have everything rolled out by the start of the new year. It’s going to be great!
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Now let us catch up a bit. A couple weeks ago, we had Halloween with our annual trick-or-treating with the cousins at the university dorms. Such a genius idea to do this in the dorms since then we don’t have to cover cute little costumes with big, bulky jackets and snow pants. You know how it can be here in Northern Minnesota. I remember many years trick-or-treating with a costume pulled on tightly over my pink snowsuit and boots. Do you know how hard it is to unwrap those tiny Tootsie Rolls while wearing plushy mittens? I’m so thankful to stay indoors for the festivities with our little ones.