Olson-Thomas household update

What a week and it just keeps on getting busier from here on out.

The kids came for the week. Still missing one though. I guess her mother isn't tired of using her yet. At least Hallie is stilling coming and seems pretty happy to be here. Went to her school conference on Tuesday evening and she is doing great in school. She is behind on a couple of homework assignments. And, seriously, it has to be when she stays at her mom's because she usually does her homework in the first night here and turns it in early. We also found out that her mother didn't even show up for conferences last fall.

Friday we took Ty to meet with an Air Force recruiter. I can't believe we are planning his grown up future already. I'm not ready for him to be grown up, am I? We really liked what the recruiter had to say and are leaning towards this. He was ready to sign up. Matt and I told him to let it sink in a little bit first. In a couple weeks we will go to ISU's college of engineering to check that out and see if that may be in his future. Maybe that is an option too. The Air Force could help pay for that if that is the path he chooses. Did a little shopping while we were in town too. Birthday present for Ty and a book for me. Plus, took Ty out for lunch for his birthday.

We had to pick up supplies for making table centerpieces for a surprise 40th birthday for one of my best friends. We had such fun putting them together when we got home. Here is a picture of them almost finished. Brian did most of the work. Who knew he could be so fussy about how they looked. Everyone loved them. It was a Vegas casino theme.

After we made these, we went to the local fish fry. KJ spent the night with a friend. Ty was working as sound tech for the school drama. And, Hallie was at a birthday party. We picked her up after the fish fry. What a busy day.

Saturday morning, I had to get ready to go to the birthday party later in the day. But, first I had to rush off to do post-prom stuff. I'm on the donations committee. We organized the prizes that had been sent so far. Then rushed off to head to the party in Nevada which started at 3 pm. Brian wanted to get there early so that he could buy a shirt that he wanted at the Harley shop in Ames. His feminine side sure is showing. :) We made it in plenty of time, but worried about what the weather was going to be like for the evening and next day's ride home.

Anyway, the party was a hit. My friend is turning 40 next week and the party was pretty much a surprise. She did get a few giveaway clues. I knew that it couldn't possibly have been kept completely from her. We stayed the night at their house. Just Brian, Hallie, KJ and I went. Ty stayed home because of another showing of their drama production. He was very responsible and the boys that stayed and he even washed the dishes they dirtied while staying at our house. He had 2 friends over, even though I told him only one could. I had a feeling the other one would stay too. I guess I'll find out soon enough if they did something they should not have. The house was still in one piece. The dishes were done and he even helped put them away when I got home and carried out the pop cans they used. He is either buttering me up or is truly growing up.

Well, the weather was nasty coming home. We left their place in a snow storm. I think they had 6 inches fall when we left. The main roads were not plowed yet. We had to detour off Hwy 35 because of jack-knifed semi-trailers. Took a terrible backroad that had not even been plowed, but there was one lane that had been tracked over by the many cars ahead of us. Luckily, we only met 2 cars coming the opposite direction, and they had no choice but to pullover because of the 3 semis ahead of us. There was no way that our convoy could all pull over. We finally hit Hwy 20 and that was somewhat plowed and had periods of clear sailing and then 100% snow cover. By the time we hit Waterloo it was raining then outside of Waterloo it was all snow covered again. Then the further we got closer to home the roads were completely clear and we could drive the speed limit again. So, it was a very interesting ride home. And, here I am posting party pictures and blogging while the girls do their homework and Ty is playing with his new ITouch he purchased himself with the money he earned from his job and also some birthday money.

Life is good. Busy, but good.