Turning 12 brings all things amazing. In KK's book that equals...

Young women's
Getting to wear mascara
Being in the ward choir (?)
Babysitting more frequently

It's a good life.





-Okay. Stop right here. Explanation for the LOOSER of a cake! I have to plead absolute deathly sickness to this one. I was so sick this day. I had the best idea for this cute Christmas Stocking....let's just say...this isn't it. But she did have a cake and it was in the shape of a stocking. The end.

For Kennedy's birthday, she wanted chose, instead of a party and presents, to have a girls weekend. So Kennedy, my mom and I went to the SLC for the night. We spent the night at the Red Lion hotel and went to Texas Roadhouse for her dinner. We walked around Gateway in the lightly falling snow and got hot chocolate. We rode TRAX to temple square and looked around. Shopped until we dropped. All together the perfect weekend for a 12 year old. We really had so much fun together and enjoyed some "girl" time. While we were shopping I surprised her with a 12 year old makeover and bought her her first mascara and lip gloss. Her most prized possessions.

-post makeover!







It's been a fun ride, sis! Thanks for being my girl.

Louis is wrestling again, this is his 4th season. He loves it! It is so fun to watch him grow and learn and become very good! I recorded all of his matches so I don't have any action shots. This is his bestie Sierra, she came to root him on! What cute kids.




Gettin' psyched up ;)

Kennedy was in Upstage Theater for Youth's production of Alice in Wonderland Jr. She played the part of "Lily". One of the "Girls of the Golden Afternoon". A very exclusive club.

She did such a great job!!

Here are a few of us waiting for it to start.

I took the kids up Santaquin canyon a few weeks ago. It was actually the last day that the leaves were pretty. I did a little "ghetto" photo session. I can't believe how fast the kiddos are growing and needed to update some pics I have at the salon. They turned out pretty cute!




A few months ago some of my high school friends and I decided we needed to quit talking about it and actually get together after sixteen years. Holy....that makes me old!!!


I love these girls. I have such fun memories with all of them!! Thanks for finally accepting my invitation to be seen in public with me!



The pumpkin patch with Cole's preschool class. His best buddy Ashlynn and his buddy Nolan.




I took this picture on Sunday, right before the primary program. It is the only year that all my people will be in the Primary Program. Cole is in Sunbeams and Kennedy is going to Young Women's next month. Yikes!!! Where did the time go?? Pretty cute little crew if I do say so myself!


The annual Olsen Family Christmas Party must involve the donut on a string game. Always good for a few laughs.

Here were some of the highlights




Our pumpkins this year. A few years back I suggested painting them pumpkins so they would last longer. The kids have loved it and it allows them to be very creative. They came up with their ideas all on their own. *Note to self...poster paint isn't the best option for painting pumpkins.


The little people on Halloween night

Cole: The scary pirate


Kennedy: The nerd
Louis: Indiana Jones

This was the first year that I didn't...well...basically...tell them what to be. I have to admit, I have a pretty awesome persuasive personality when I need to :) But I decided to just let them decide. I was pretty surprised with what they came up with. It was cute to see them help decide what to wear. Cole came up with about 35 ideas and thought he got to be all of them. He was a bit disappointed when he "only got to be one pirate".


At the kids school, they have them dress up in the area that they are studying in history. Kennedy was dressed up as Aphrodite: The goddess of love. Louis was dressed as a knight. I couldn't find a knight costume for under 30 bucks and wasn't willing to buy 2 costumes. The dollar store had all of this awesome armor for one dollar. Apparently it was made for 2 year olds. The helmet wouldn't even fit over his face!!! It was hilarious. OH well...I tried!! Next year...one costume. You will be what you have to dress up as for school....the end.


I can't believe it's time for the holidays to begin. It is my favorite time of year, I am just hoping to keep things a little more calm around here so it doesn't go by so quickly....

Kennedy had her first performance last night with her group at school. She had the only solo in her group and well....she basically rocked!! Go sis!!

School started for the older kids on August 17th. They were soooo ready to go back. I wasn't. I dreaded the day that they leave me and ..... okay..... we were all doing the happy dance!!! They love school and were getting bored and fighting constantly. They need this!! (So do I!!!)

Kennedy's first day of 6th grade. Um...when did that happen? She's so grown up and she has grown like 6 inches and 5 shoe sizes in the last year. Seriously. She loves school so much! She loves being organized, having a task and completing it. She loves structure and learning. She's awesome.




So proud of her shoes!!


Lou started 4th grade and is Mr. Social. He is the popular, friendly, concerned kid. He is friends with everyone and loves having his peeps around. He's the ring leader. Hopefully for the good ???? He's in Mr. Moulton's class and seems to be loving it!!





Do you see that look? What is that? She is usually asking me to not forget to take their pictures by their door. I think I might see a bit of embarrassment? Rude. I may or may not have kissed her right after this. I'll show you!!!


So excited to get going!!! Little embarrassed but not much. Kissed his cheek and let him go!





Who knew? Who knew that this kid starting his 2nd year of preschool would actually make me cry? I don't think I have cried when any of my kids have gone to school. Not that I don't miss them. (that doesn't make me look very awesome, does it??) But they have always just been so excited and so ready. I am not ready for my baby to be without me. I still carry him around on my hip. Maybe that should stop. Seriously, I still rock him to sleep. How rude to go and grow up on me.








Colie with Miss Andy and Miss Jane. We love them!! So glad they are here for another year. What would we do without them??? Love.