Minnesota.

We left on our journey to Minnesota on The 2nd of July. We left at about 7 P.M. We were on our way. It was a very boring trip. No stopping at hotels and sleeping. We drove all the way.. straight through. It wasn't to bad at first, but then night time came. It was so hard to sleep in that car. The next morning we were in Nebraska me and Erika had switched spots with my parents so she was driving and I was in the Passengers seat next to her while the rents were in the back sleeping (we have a very back seat) =] So we drove and drove and when we were two hours away it was my turn!! It had been so busy I wasn't that comfortable with driving next to crazy cars who don't know how to drive. But I did it. I drove from Ames Iowa to Owatonna Minnesota, everyone asleep. Only me, the music and an energy drink... I had to stop at a rest stop 30 minutes out of Ames because that energy drink... well you know. So we finally got there. My parents slept for 4 hours while me and my sister talked to my grandma. Then Jon Jon came over to bring us an air mattress and I must say one of the funniest things that was said this trip was... "HOOTER!!"

So here is the story. We went down stairs to meet Jon Jon. We waited as he pulled up on his loud Harley. (before this my Grandma was telling us, when she was in Utah, about her "Hooters" she had to show us that looked just like Erika's Tatoo) So We gave Jon Jon hugs and talked for a minute and on our way back into the appartment Jon Jon yells over his loud Harley, " Is that a TAT?!?" I look back and the only word he says is... "Hooters!" Ok ok... I know what your thinking.. But Hooters is what our family calls owls. =] I guess you had to be there. =]

The next day (July 4th) we went out to the farm and saw Uncle Jeff, Aunt Kathi, Marshall and his cute little family, and Jon Jon. And the millions of dogs. We had a lot of fun. We ate Ribs and I got to play with cute little Graci and Gadge. Then we went back to Owatonna got some frozen custard at Cullver's (best frozen custard in the world!!) and set back for the hotel where we watched some amazing fireworks right across the street at the fair grounds.

Sunday we went shopping at the MOA. If anyone doesn't know what that is it is the MALL OF AMERICA. =] It is so huge and I love it. But I spend too much money when I go. It was really fun though. We didn't go to many stores because we were just there two years ago. =]

Monday we went to the Outlet mall and spent my whole life. And then went to dinner at the Timberlodge with the whole family. Except Marsh and his family but Laci came and surprized everyone it was sure cute!! And had awesome food!!!

Tuesday we went out to the farm again. This time was so fun! My aunt Kathi has Lyme Disease. When you think of Lyme Disease you don't think of anything that serious, its not a big disease like Aids... well Yeah it is. My aunt got Lyme Disease from a Deer Tick. These ticks carry these diseases and spread them as much as they can. We watched this movie about the Disease and it was so heart braking. But at the end there was hope. It made me so sad to see the things the Kathi had gone through and was going through. It took a man Eight years to get better but the disease is still there. It totally breaks my heart I want to help her but I can't no one can. I love her somuch and wish there was something I could do.

But on to something brighter Tuesday was so fun to see everyone. I loved it!! Here are some pictures. =]

Auntie Kathi and Grandma working in the Kitchen.

All of the cuties outside doing snakes. =]

Cute little Graci and Cashess.

Me and Piglet.

The boys, Jordy and Gadge doing some snakes.

Me and Cute little Graci!

Oh how I wish I would have gotten a picture with sweet (loud) little Emma. =] Nanny made that cute sun dress for her.

Gadge picking out some fireworks. (you should here him say fireworks in his little Minnesota accent) SO CUTE! =]

Let's play some baseball!! Marky was doing some good pitches!

The sweet little girls.

Marshall had left field. Dad has right. Gadge is on Shortstop. Marky is the pitcher and Graci is gonna get hit!

Dad was a wee bit tired after his baseball game so him and Captian Peter are catching some Z's. =]

We had such a blast! I wish I could have gotten some pictures of Jon Jon and Krystine but I couldn't. =( We had fun with everyone and it was so hard to leave because we don't ever get to see them. Jon Jon and Krystine are getting married in September and we can't go. I'm so sad. But I love you all!! I miss you already and I hope to see you all sooN!!!

Chalk Art Festival

The annual Chalk Art Festival was today at the Gateway. Erika has been in it for 3 years in a row now. Erika and her friends Lucy and Kirk love the band The Presets. This is what they wanted to draw.

This is what they did....

Pretty close I'd say! They did awesome. Of course Lucy and Kirk did the black.. Erika the skill. Nice huH!! They had some fun and got a little dirty.

But they had fun. The super sad thing is that it started pouring right when they were leaving. There were some fun pictures drawn.

School is OVER!!

As in the Title.. SCHOOL IS OVER!! WOOHOO! I must say no one really knows my excitement for this! In my last blog I was complaining about my grades.. But I got pretty good grades at the end of the year!!! A in English and Computer tech. B+ in foods. B in world civilizations and health. And C in Algebra 2 WOOHOO! and C- in Biology.. but that is because I have, pardon my french, a douche for a teacher! I thought he was pretty cool until about three weeks ago. I must tell my story...

So I walk into Bio one day and I was like MR. HANKS!!! I really need extra credit! and he said ok I'll find you something just finish your Final. I finish but my friend Lani who decided to go ask while I was taking the test asked him.. He gave her tests to Alphabatize and she got her grade from an F to a B!?!?!? WHAT!? Really? Then I asked again.. "I'll find something." Ok Ok. Now if a teacher says he'll find something.. He usually does... So my Friend Malyna asks... Gave her the same thing and got F to a B... Ok my turn right!!! WRONG! I went in and asked everyday.. Got nothing. At the end of the year I had an F so I asked if my grade would come up to something good and he was like yeah I have to put notebooks in... Puts it in I get a C-. So my mom was super mad and emailed. HIm!! OH WELL!

But summer will be awesome. Hanging out with Tyler! I love him!

Grades..

So.. I have decided I'm never ever missing any more days of school... EVER! Life sucks when you don't have good grades. I know they will be coming up and be up by the end of the year but the hassle with worrying about getting them up kills me!!! It's so stressful.

I'm not the kind of person that is like hey if I get a D- I'm ok. No. That is not how it goes here. You get good grades for a lot of reasons.. Mom's happiness, Getting my car sooner (license), Getting a job (which I'm working on =/), Getting a discount on insurence (which my parents won't pay for) And hey!! Getting into a good college is a great reason! Well I'm trying hard and I have to learn a song on the piano and do extra credit projects and try to get a job and talk my mom into paying for SOME insurence.. Greeat!! This is gonna be a great couple of weeks!!!

Grandpa Olson

My grandparents lived here for a long time and then about 9 or 10 years ago they moved down to Arizona for my Grandpa's health. Well he kept getting worse and worse. He had emphazima. They moved to Minnesota after it was getting really bad so they could get help from my aunt Kathi. Well he was getting so bad one year so my Aunt Lorna and my dad went out there for a couple days. He was really bad. Not really responsive except for when someone held his hand. They left and my dad said it was so so hard for him to leave, because he knew it would be the last time he would see him. So, they left.

The next week was Christmas. He woke up Christmas morning and was fully concious. They said it was a miracle. They asked him if he remembered anyone being there. He didn't. He had such a good day and the next day was worse than ever. 5 days after Christmas we were sitting at home and my dad was talking to my aunt on and off.

Then the call came. I remember it like it was yesterday. That night I was supposed to have a sleepover with a friend. My dad hung up with my aunt and my sister was on the couch watching The New Guy and I was on the computer playing a game. He said, "Well.. He's gone." I didn't know what to say. "Are you serious?" I choked out. "No he's kidding." Said Erika. There was a chouch behind our couch and It was like slow motion I just layed my head down and little tears dropped onto the floor. I couldn't get it through my mind. Then my dad went up stairs to tell my mom. Me and Erika slowly and quietly walked upstairs. My mom was crying, and me and my sister couldn't stop. (it's really hard just typiing this) We just sat on the edge of my parents bed and cried and cried. I still cry a lot of times. Just thinking about that day hurts me. My mom asked me if she should call Caitie and tell her I couldn't come over. I told her yes. My mom called her and with a quiet voice I heard Caitie say, "Sister Olson? Can I talk to Erin?" She told me how sorry she was and I just sobbed.

Then the next day was New Year's Eve. Aunt Lorna's family came over here so we could all fly out the next morning. New Year's day we were off and we went to Minnesota. I remember getting to my Aunt's house and reading his obituary. It was like I was the only person in the room even though it was so loud. It was like my Grandpa was telling me those stories. That night everyone was drinking and partying. My dad was so mad. He felt so disrespected and so did my Grandma. It was not the time to party and that's all they were doing.

The next morning was the funeral. We all got ready and went off. I got to the funeral with my Aunt and Uncle and all I did was read the announcment and I was done. I cried and cried because there was a poem on the back that was just what he went through. My aunt took me on a walk and just talked to me and there were so many hugs from Marshall and Laci. Then my dad had to talk during the funeral. He did awesome. I on the other hand started bawling again. The funeral was amazing though.

I miss him. I love him. And I really wish he was still here with us. It is so hard for me to think about him and talk about him and tell people this story. I love my grandpa so much and I don't know what I would do if I didn't ever get to know him. He was an amazing person and I can't wait to see him again.

Love you Baco.

Smiths

The Smith family is amazing. That would be my mom and her sister Diana and brother Doug. They were all born in Washington state. My mom was born in Moses Lake, Diana in Toppenish and Doug in Yakima. My mom did not have a good childhood. Her mom died when she was 5 almost 6 years old, and her dad always drank. But she turned out as the most amazing person I know. The strongest, pretty, smart and just amazing mom in the world. But I love the Smith family. =] I really wish I could have met my grandma. She sounds like such an amazing lady. My mom grew up living and moving around to a lot of her aunts houses, but she mostly grew up with Aunt Norma. She was my favorite. She was just like I think my grandma would have been like. When she died about 4 or 5 years ago, it was really hard. But now we have a huge family. Diana and Dennis have 6 kids, Trevor, Tyler, Todd, Kori, Brooke, Krystal. Trevor married Jacque and has 4 little girls.. well not quite little anymore. Kelsey is 11?, Lauryn and Kylie are 9, and Karliegh is 5 almost 6. They live in Watertown, Wisconsin.

Tyler married Dawn and also had four cute little ones. Jordan 10, Zach 8, Brinna 5, Max 2. They live in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.

Todd married Angela and has 5 wonderful children. Acacia 8, Pyper almost 6, Jett 4, Corbin 3, and Phoenix Kherington almost a year. They live in Riverton, Utah.

Kori married Todd Anderson and has two of the cutest kids in the universe. Isaiah 5 yesterday, and Allie 2. They live in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada.

Brookie was born with water on her brain so she hasn't walked at all in her life. She is such an example to me. I love her oh so much. She lives in Mountain View, Alberta with her parents.

Krystal married Paul Zygmont. They live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Douglas married Kelly Ann Brown. And they have three of the best boys in the world. They are like my brothers and I love them so much. Andrew is 21 and came home from his mission a couple months ago. Cameron is 17 and we are always told by his aunt Robin we look a lot alike. And Spencey Poo is 12. They all live in Las Vegas, Nevada.

And then there are the Olsons. Our cute little family. My mom, Carol, dad Richard, Erika 20, and Erin 16. Trust me this picture is absolutely terrible of us. We actually usually look really good.... not!

Wow! Our family is huge! I love it so much. There are 16 cousins in all (including spouses) and 15 little cousins. I love my family. Its most amazing. Here are just some old fun pictures of us all. Enjoy! =]

This is my Grandpa Smith. I only saw him (and remembered) about two times in my life but going back to Mississippi for his funeral made me get to know him a lot and I love him very much.

I love my family and am so greatful for them. They will never ever know how much they mean to me. =]

Bess Frens

My two best friends in the entire world are Tyler Ross Jonesy and Krystal Dawn (Jacobs) Zygmont. I love them so much. Krystal I have known sense a few weeks after I was born and Tyler.. I met him about four months ago. They both have a special place in my heart (that sounded kinda corny) =]

Krystal Is amazing! There are a couple of pictures of me and her on a couple of these posts. She is the one that looks a lot like myself. She is my older cousin. About 11 years older actually. At every family reunion all of the older people like my mom's old cousins. =] Ok not all of them are old but they are all older than her. But anyways at least once, more like 5 or 6 times people will call me Krystal. Like this last family reunion Jenny walked past me in the hall at the hotel (we had said hello already and hugged and all that stuff) and she goes, "Krystal! I didn't know you were here! Your mother said you weren't coming!" HA! I laughed a little.. I said, "Jenny, I'm Erin. You have seen me here already plenty of times." "Oh! My goodness! I'm sorry sweetie! You just look just like Krystal." Oh goodness! My family is awesome! My cousins Todd, Trevor, Tyler, Kori, Cam, and Andrew ALWAYS say I either look, sound, act, talk, pout or eat like Krystal. I don't try. Trust me. But When I was little Krystal was my favorite. I always followed her around. I was crazy. But I love Krystal with all my heart.

We can get in some GOOD fights and when the both of us get together we can sure yell and cuss and that whole shhpeel, but after those fights we always "Kiss and Make up" as everyone in the family tells us to do. I don't like being in fights with people and this past Thanksgiving we went to Vegas and we all got into a fight over the Corn Puffs/Pops, and everyone was weird that night and I hated it! I had to make it better I couldn't stand everyone making things awkward and not talking I had to fix it. So I just started conversations with everyone! It ended up being a great night!

We have fun me and Krys do. My sister isn't as.. adventurous I would say as me and Krys and Kori are. And we have so much fun. Whether its down at the river just swiming or tubing. Or if we are at water slides or in Park City or In Vegas swimming in the Smith's amazing pool. Even just talking about your life is fun with Krys. I can and do tell her everything about my life. I know she has been through everything I have and I can tell her everything. I love Krystal so much and can't wait for the Family reunion and Disneyworld to see her and get to have a blasty with her! I love you Krys!

Krystal and most of her neices and nefews. Let's see she has 10 more? About that.

Krystal and her hubby Pauly Wally.

Erika and Krystal.

Krystal on her honey moon in Mexico.

Ok. Tyler!! I love this BOY so much. =] He is amazing! He isn't only my best friend, he is also my boyfriend. He treats me like a princess and I really don't deserve it. When I'm with him I feel like we are the only two people in the world. I love being with him. We have had some ups and downs, but always come back from it.

Tyler is so cute! He loves his mommy! I always told myself that I would want a guy who would treat me they way he treats his mom and he does. Him and his mom are so close and he is so sweet. A lot of guys I know don't go up to their mom's while their girlfriends are there and go and give their mom a huge hug and kiss. When I saw that the first time I just couldn't stop smiling. That was so sweet. I hope my kids end up like that. Won't be embarressed to come and give me a huge hug! I love it!

Tyler and his beautiful mom.

Tyler loves soccer. He is really good at it too. I was so lucky I got to go to his game last week. He didn't play much but he did play and I loved just sitting there watching him. I love watching him jump around on the sidelines because he was cold. =] I can tell how much he likes soccer.

Tyler loves playing his playstation, but he loves reading even more. He has a monster for a truck/car. I think it could make it through anything Tyler puts it through. His best friends are Brandon and Jackson. I have had the privledge of hanging out with both of them and I love it. They are so funny when either Tyler and Brandon or Tyler or Jackson get together. I can just sit back and USUALLY be entertained... unless they are playing Starcraft. Ha!

We have had some amazing times together. Most of them were just hanging out at his house or mine and just cuddling and watching a movie. We went to a Jazz game a couple weeks ago. I got to meet his amazing Grandma Jones there she was so sweet! I have been to a lot of his family events and parties. His dad's family and his mom's families are so much fun. I'm so jealous of him that he has his whole family down here. I don't and it makes me so sad. =( but I get to see his family a lot and thats really fun.

I love Tyler. And I just want him to really know how much I do. I think he is the most amazing person in this world and I don't know what I would do without him. Love you babe!!!

Me and Tyler.

We ARE nerds.