Rainbow Falls

This was the highlight activity of the trip to Mammoth...

Trevor loved riding the shuttle bus down to the trailhead



The trail was 1.3 miles each way. Here are the kids taking a break from the hike.
Zoe, Kaylin, TJ, and Isaiah (L-R)



Kaylin took this picture of the adults (plus TJ) on the same log.
Pat & Teri, Amy & I, Shayleen & Mike Sanborn (L-R)



Well, let's be honest... TJ didn't do much hiking! However, Kaylin was a trooper... she walked both legs of the hike, 2.6 miles total, all by herself!



Here we are upon reaching the overlook by Rainbow Falls



Then, we hiked down the canyon further, waded through a shallow part of the river and posed for this picture on a log in the middle of the river. It's wild how loud a 101-foot waterfall can be! We also enjoyed eating a picnic lunch while at the falls!



I love swimming in rivers... so I couldn't resist. Mike and I waded out into the snow-melt... then, just after this picture, we dove in and swam toward the falls. Pretty cold... but way fun!



This picture is currently my desktop picture on my computer!

Camping Trip to Mammoth

We just got back from an all-church camping trip in Mammoth! The trip started out a bit rough... TJ was getting a cold and kept us up almost all the first night. After that, things were bound to get better! =)


Here's our "campsite family." Pictured here are the Hammans, Sanborns and Elfelts (L-R). Also in our site but not picture were the Morseys and Emersons.


camping sometimes meant being dirty and tired...


Amy helped the kids roast marshmellows for smores... but then they both chose to eat the graham crackers and chocolate without the marshmellows!


our borrowed tent (thanks Francis fam!)


Amy and I about to chow down at Sunday night's potluck dinner


here we are at Angel's, our friends Tim & Annette insisted we check it out... and it was good! Thanks Tim and Annette for the tip!


bathtime... camp-style!


sister needing a bath... wow!


here we are waiting for the evening session to start

Done with Classes until August!

I finished my last summer class today! I really enjoyed my two summer classes... but boy was I ready to be done. I've been in class almost non-stop since last August... fall classes, January term class, spring classes and then summer classes... whew!

Last weekend, this was my favorite spot to study during the heat wave:

Chair submerged in pool, umbrella for shade, Coke within reach!

Jaron, Jenni, Avery & Riley!

My brother and his family came to visit this past weekend... it was great to have them with us for a few days! Both our nieces are cuties! Kaylin and Avery were inseparable. If they were apart, even for just an hour, they would run to each other and hug as if they hadn't seen each other in ages... good stuff! Their blog has some posts about their visit too.


There was quite a heat wave during their visit... so here we are getting frozen yogurt at Golden Spoon... check it out, I'm even in the picture. =)


A classic, summer dinner together... hot dogs, corn, etc.

Thanks for visiting Olson family... we love you!

Hoopin'

Since they no longer had room for it, Amy's sister DeeDee and her family made a generous donation to our rec room...


Our family enjoys shooting hoops and it was a popular attraction during the last church gathering we hosted on a Sunday evening... thanks DeeDee and Steve!

A Coca-Cola Father's Day!

I have always wanted to collect Coca-Cola memorabilia. So now that we have a rec room, it's a perfect opportunity to decorate with Coke stuff!

On Father's Day, Amy and the kids got me a vintage, tin sign that is super cool!


Then, just for fun, we went over to a store Amy had heard about, "Cola Corner" in Anaheim. It was Coke heaven for me! It's a pretty large store and it was packed with anything and everything Coca-Cola related. I got to pick out a couple more things to add to my suddenly decent-size memorabilia collection... it was a great idea and a fun Father's Day outing! Thanks Amy, Kaylin and TJ... I love you very much!

Peaches!

Kaylin and Amy enjoying "first fruits" from our peach tree!

The Ferreira Family!

Our dear friends from Escalon, the Ferreira family, stayed one night with us recently and it was great to see them! They were passing through on their way to vacation on the coast down near San Diego. I've known Scott since high school and we became good friends when we coached freshmen basketball together at Escalon High School. We don't get to see them enough but we sure had fun during this brief visit! Thanks for coming by Ferreira fam!

Scott, Clayton, Amanda & Ben (Gracie didn't feel like being in the picture)

The Ferreira & Olson men

Kaylin & Gracie had a great time playing together... here were pretending to sleep! =)


TJ decided to crawl around with Ben

The Garden

Amy wanted to follow her dad's example (but on a smaller scale) by growing some vegetables. So her dad planted two tomato plants and some squash... and Amy's been tending her "crops." Stay tuned....

Typical Trevor @ Two

Untitled from Derek Olson on Vimeo.

Swimmin' with the Swains!

We've been frantically trying to squeeze in chances to hang out with our friends, the Swains, before they leave for Alaska in a week! We are glad they finally started a blog... we look forward to following their adventures!

A few weeks ago, Amy and I got to go on a double date with Jason and Lindsay... we enjoyed some great chat time and some yummy dessert at the Cheesecake Factory. In fact, we had such a great time that we forgot to take a picture. So, when our families got to hang out recently for swimming and "grillin' out" at our house, we made sure to take pictures!

Trevor and Savannah enjoyed jumping in to their dads:

no comments about my incredible whiteness... it's still early in the summer season

Here are our kids and the Swain girls, Ellie and Savannah... sorry Jacson, we didn't get a picture of you going down the slide!

Lindsay and Amy just chillin' and watchin' the swimming action!

The Latest...

One Down, One To Go!
I just finished the first of two classes that I am taking this summer. I'm really glad to have taken it because I always felt my knowledge of church history was pretty weak. Up next, "Life of Christ" with Dr. Darrel Bock from Dallas Theological Seminary... I'm really looking forward to it. Please pray that I'll be able to push through for two more weeks!

Sunday Evening Gatherings at our House
We've been really enjoying opportunities to use host people in our home. Check out this post on the GHFC Young Adults blog to get an idea about our Sunday night gatherings that are going on this summer.

Ding, Dong! It's Avon!
Amy has been busily getting off to a great start on her new adventure of selling Avon. Follow this link to check out her Avon website.

Makin' Progress, Slowly but Surely!

We arrived in SoCal in January 2007 for me to begin working on my seminary degree. I just completed my third semester... plus I took classes last summer and during January term. I just finished the spring semester in which I took the heaviest unit load yet... 8 units! Whew... loved the classes but glad I'm done!

Spring '08
Greek II - 2 units
Hermeneutics - 3 units
Pastoral Care & Counseling - 2 unites
Research Methodologies - 1 unit
Field Education - 0 units

Now, in an effort to keep the number of classes that I have to take during the full semesters manageable, I am taking two classes this summer... starting today!

Summer '08
Historical Theology Survey - 3 units
Life of Christ - 2 units

All of this means that, by the end of June, I will have completed 29 units toward my 66-unit M.A. in Biblical & Theological Studies. Not bad... I'm hoping to finish in summer 2010... but might need until December 2010.

Grams!

Grams came to visit on her way to San Diego... and we'll get to see her some more on Wednesday!

Kaylin and Grams making suncatchers!


We all went to get treats at Baskin Robbins!

Congrats Rachel!

BIG CONGRATS to my cousin Rachel who graduated from Biola today!


What a great young woman Rachel is! We've been thankful to live close to her since we moved down here!

Happy Birthday Amy!

Today is Amy's birthday! So TJ, Kaylin and I are wishing her a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

When she got up, her gift and cards drawn by Kaylin were waiting for her. We got her a floating lounge chair so that she can just "kick it" in the pool.

Then, since mommy loves eating breakfast out, we went to IHOP...


Then, since mommy loves eating breakfast out, we went to IHOP...


...on our way to Disneyland!


Amy even got a birthday button that caused every Disney employee that saw her to wish her a Happy Birthday!

Visitors from Florida!

Since my cousin Rachel will be graduating from Biola on Saturday, my aunt and uncle are in town. They came over for dinner last night and it was very fun to visit with them!

Aunt Rynette, Rachel, and Uncle Carey all chillin' with their feet up!

A cool, new website!

Just thought I'd share a cool website that I came across today...

Something I thought I'd NEVER do....

I (Amy) just did something I thought I'd NEVER do....started selling Avon!! I know, some of you are shocked. I actually kinda am too. But when a friend from MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) recently gave me a catalog, and I realized that I pay more for my cheaper quality make-up at Wal Mart, I decided it was worth a try! Then I realized that no one (that I know of) at my church, among my friends, in my family, in my Talbot Wive's group, etc. sells it. So....I'm giving it a shot. And in case you're wondering, I have no plans to start selling door-to-door (but I will add you to my email list if you'd like :). And I promise not to pressure or harass you. I honestly think the products sell themselves (plus they have a risk-free money back guarantee!!!).



Want to place an order? You can easily order online....I already have a website! If you live locally, you can choose the delivery option. Or, if you live far away, you can have it shipped (they have a lot of free or cheap shipping specials). There are so many great products! Make sure to bookmark my site! Check it out.... youravon.com/amyolson

Happy Mother's Day!

We wish our moms a very happy Mother's Day! Thanks for all you do and for being you! We love you!

On Friday, Kaylin helped me plant flowers for mommy in the flowerbed on the front porch. Last night Amy and I enjoyed a double date with our friends Jason and Lyndsay. They are the ones who are moving to Alaska in a month and we'll miss them. Our trip to The Cheesecake Factory for dessert with them doubled as a Mother's Day weekend treat for Amy. Then, today, we had some family over after church for Mexican take-out lunch, hanging out together and even some swimming!

Amy with her Mom and Grammy


Four Generations


Here's an action photo of our "Mom-of-the-Year" from a couple of months ago

To my amazing wife: I love you so much and am so thankful for the incredible job you do in loving and caring for our kids each day. Happy Mother's Day gorgeous!