Pre-November Recap

I made this image by combining a few photos off the internet and then put one of my favorite quotes:
"Human Nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which made it a living thing."

I like it a ton and may even eventually do a painting from this concept!

October Recap

Dear wonderful family and friends:
I apologize for the tardy update. No excuses, I will do better.

OCTOBER:

Wyatt was dedicated at our Church, Trailhead, on October 19th. The Olinger family (Mom, Dad and Katie O.) and my dear friend Reagan Ann Kemper traveled here to help celebrate the occasion.
It went very well. Austin and I both had to read a statement that basically meant we were giving Wyatt back to the Lord and that we trusted Him with our precious son. Pastor Jeff then prayed for all the families and babies. Wyatt proceeded to "talk" through the entire prayer. Maybe he was just practicing is praying skills.

Erica and Justin came the following weekend to spend time with us. We celebrated birthdays (Erica's and mine), went for a brief hike, went shopping at the mall, and played sequence. It was a wonderful time. We are so excited for the both of them because they are expecting their first child at the end of May. YIPPY!!! Wyatt will have a cousin!

I turned 24 on October 27th! Twenty-four is my favorite number and has been since I was six. In kindergarten my desk number was 24. When I was learning about numbers, more specifically multiplication, I found out many numbers go into 24 (1,2,3,4,6,8,12). Austin and I were married on the 24th of June. The list goes on and on. So yeah, it was a pretty cool birthday. I taught my first art class to some adults from our Church that night. I received so many nice presents (Austin totally rocked the presents this year!). So thanks everyone for making the last 24 years of my life so amazing. I really love you!

Wyatt had his first Halloween and I made him a rollie pollie costume. We didn't go trick-or-treating because he can't have candy so we went to a pumpkin carving party and shopping with him in his costume. I didn't document these events very well so here is the best picture.

SO SWEET RIGHT?!?!

This is getting a little lengthy so I will post one more thing of Wyatt and write more in the near future...I promise.

Family Visit (Part II)

Oh Yeah! Part two! So on Saturday we went to this awesome park about a mile away from our apartment. It was so much fun. There is a few ponds, a killer play ground and beautiful landscaping. I can't wait until Wyatt is a little older so he can enjoy it more.

He wasn't into picture taking at that moment.

Example of the beautiful Landscaping

I stumbled upon these models in this giant tree..."Work it, Work it!"

YEAH!!! I love grandpoppy

Fun weekend with the Fam! (Part I)

We were so happy to have my dad (step style), Naomi and Eli come to visit us this weekend. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH and wish we could see them more often. We went up to the mountains on Friday to a place called O'Fllon Park. It's a modest little park that has some awesome short trails and there is a little stream that runs through the whole length of the location. Wyatt had a great time...we have found he really likes the outdoors.




Along with the hike we took and the million pictures I took. We also played some hill billy golf which is hard to explain but is a really simple and fun game. While Naomi and I weren't playing that we were doing a premature "Senior" picture shoot and practiced our model walk.
Dad and I also through around the frisbee a bit. It was fun to get some fresh air and spend some quality time together!!!

Half Birthday!!!

Me and Fred with my new high chair!!

"W" is for Wyatt!

"OK Mom! I've had enough pictures now!!"

Wyatt is six months old, can you believe it! He has mastered getting his feet up to his mouth to chew on. We bought him this mini high chair that fits onto a regular kitchen chair. It was cheaper and is better for the space available in our apartment!! Wyatt is still too young to have cake so Austin and I celebrated by eating some DQ...Yummy!

Wyatt's Newest Photos :)

Here is some more of my cuteness!!! I love you guys!

Look how sweet I look in my dinosaur bib!!

"Hi Mom."

Attempt #1Attempt #2 (I want to wear the glasses!!!!)

Yeah!!! Finally!

Looking Cute with my Poppy!!!

Church Labor Day Retreat

It has been a while since I've updated so I am starting a few weeks back. Wyatt and Austin went on their first Trailhead Church Retreat over labor day weekend. (I went last year alone because Austin had just started working at Best Buy and couldn't ask off). We stayed in the lovely Highlands Camp in Allenspark, CO (about 20 mins away from Estes Park).
www.highlandscamp.org
We really enjoyed our stay. Every family had their own room, each having four or more single beds. The first night Austin and I thought we could share a single being slender people and all but about halfway through the night I kicked him off and into his own single. Wyatt is so funny. He always sleeps so well when we are on "vacation" while at home he wakes up ever 4ish hours like clockwork. I think he slept a solid six hours the first night.

On Saturday morning the women had a time of sharing and reflection. It proved to be a very meaningful time of sharing our hearts with one another. Many people broke down and it was evident that we all needed someone to listen to the challenges of parenting and marriage and just life is general. For me the time was priceless and I felt as if I walked away from the whole experience loving all of the women in a different and deeper way.

The guys went on a manly hike in the afternoon. The rest of the day was filled with relaxation and rest. We played games with a number of people (we love games!!).

Sunday morning I was in charge of worship during a time of prayer. We sang six songs total and Austin helped by playing the guitar with a few other dudes. It went so much better than I could have imagined. This was my first time being the el capitano for the Worship Team, so I was a little nervous, but everyone did a great job and I have a lot of fun in the process. I hope I can do it again someday.

After lunch we went to Estes Park where I looked for some Christmas presents. We went with two other couples from our Small Group from church. It was a grand ol' time.

In closing: We are so thankful that God had provided us with a church family since we moved to Colorado. We still miss everyone from college very much and of course our wonderful families but are glad that some meaningful friendships have started to form here.

for more pics go to http://www.evrett.com/2008-trailhead-retreat

Let's hear some CHATTER!

He is getting too smart for us and every time we think he has done something video/camera worthy he decides he is done doing it. So I had to sneak attack him with the camera while he was telling us how is day was. He has started talking more lately. He'll wake up from his naps and just have so much to say. I am going to say that he inherited that from me :) He also will just bust out in random fits of laughter but it's too random to capture. He is such a joy! We all miss you very much!!!

The Crash

Sorry I have been so slow getting these pictures posted but here is the damage...and if you don't know the story already it goes a little something like this:

We were going to make a left hand turn off of 6th street when a sweet young man rear ended us. He confessed that he had just gotten his car fixed from another accident recently which made me feel a bit sorry for him. We were and are all right...it just shook us up a bit. Praise the Lord that it wasn't worse.

If you are wondering the car was declared totaled by our/their insurance.



In Other News!!
Wyatt is still so adorable and his big brown eyes are becoming more curious everyday. I LOVE LOVE LOVE being home with him and I think he likes it too.

New Wyatt Pictures

Hello All the People I LOVE!!!
Here are some new pictures of yours truly!

Here I am looking at mommy. I look so much like a big boy...almost five months old!

Mommy thinks I look like an old man in this picture. Does anyone want to play some chess??

You maybe wondering why I am wearing this hat with long sleeves...it's because Denver got a cold front last weekend it was in the 50's. Burrr!

Beware everybody! This is where Poppie hurts my big feelings! Not the lower lippy :(

Here I am entertaining Wyatt with a little dancing!

BIG FINALLY...LAUGHING!

Yay! it's summertime!

Hello everybody this is Austin's first posting. My last semester of seminary was pretty stressful so I'm glad it's summer time. I have spent most of the summer relaxing, seeing family, and spending time with my new son. Wyatt is getting to be more fun as he is crying less and more observant to the things around him. That is all, I hope everyone is doing great.

Here is Wyatt's first Olinger family photo. He is so excited to be part of the family.

This is Wyatt again, and the title is "old man at the wishing well."

Summer fun: Smiles all around

Smiles at last! Our little man is smiling and responding to us which is such a joy! He loves the car so much so I was able so capture a few of his awesome grins. Yesterday was his two month check up and he is weighing 10lbs 12ozs and he is almost 24 inches long...he is a tall skinny baby the doctor told us. He also had to get three shots, which was painful for all of us. So far the summer is off to a good start. We love having daddy home to hang out with us and allow some relaxation for his brain. We are looking forward to everyday together and are so thankful for how this time is making us all grow. :)

Happy Mother's Day

Today was my first Mother's Day, which is really hard to believe! Yesterday I got to start celebrating with Austin giving me my present from Wyatt which was "Dan in Real Life". An excellent movie if you haven't seen it.
Austin had to work from seven to two today so Wyatt and I just lounged around this morning and I got to sleep in a bit. At three I met two of my pals from small group, Ali and Emily, at this little tea joint called The Tea Box. It was so relaxing a fun to just get to chat and being solo for a short time without our little sweeties demanding every other second. I got a iced peace white tea and a peanut butter and apple sandwich with some nice chips. De-licious!
After the tea and chat we went walking a few blocks to check out all the closed shops...it was getting late so most people were closing.
I called Austin to see what we were doing for church and how little love was doing. Austin was super exhausted and Wyatt just fell asleep so he told me to just go ahead a go while he stayed home. So off to church I went for the prayer gathering. It went really well and I got to meet some newbies in the church and prayer is just awesome to do together.

In closing: I have to admit that my first time of celebrating this holiday with myself included was really great. Being a mother is a mission in itself and has it good times and hard (from the seven weeks I've experienced). I am looking forward to Father's Day so Austin can relax and feel appreciated!

Fun with Photoshop!

BEFORE and AFTER

Here is a photo I altered. I made us have whiter teeth and put a cool filter on us to make things more dramatic!

A little of Wyatt :)

Leaves of Spring

So today is BEAUTIFUL here in good old Colorado!
(Back to how I suck at blogging. I think it's because you always have to wonder "What is worth writing down for all the world to see?" There is so much pressure with these stinking blog-a-roonies.) ummm, yeah. Small group is coming over night and I am making a post-Cinco de Mayo meal. Hopefully it turns out.
Things I hope will happen today:

• Michelle finds out she got the job she wanted.

• I am able to get the house clean, myself clean, a meal made and see the little girl I use to tutor.
• Wyatt stays cool and content.
  

Alright...I promise Austin will start writing on this darn thing also :) until then. Have a wonderful day!

Hello world!
This is the first entry for the AKO Team.
I, personally, suck at keeping up with these things but we will see how this goes.

Closing thoughts:
Happy Cinco De Mayo!