WWE Fan's Reaction to Surprise RAW Tickets

Most Monday nights you can find our entire family at home watching WWE Monday Night RAW. 

There are very few Monday's (and usually Tuesday's) that Emmitt doesn't come flying in to the living room just before 7 p.m. to rip the remote out of anyone's hand to flip the channel. We all moan and groan and say we don't want to watch it and then I look around the room a few minutes later and there we all are staring at the T.V. 

Two months ago I had an email, text and a coworker tell me that WWE Monday Night Raw tickets were available for pre-sale in Minnesota. I quickly text Barrett, tried to convince him we needed $500 ring-side seats and settled on lower level, nobody behind us seats. 

Next up...keep the surprise from the boys for two months. Fast forward to Monday morning. The boys are up and getting ready to head to Duluth for Emmitt's ortho appointment (braces are off!) and we tell them to pack an overnight bag. We are heading to the cities to have dinner with the Uncles and off to Wisconsin to meet new baby Clara. 

We pull into a random parking lot that has a GIANT "Event Parking" sign and a few random people wearing WWE t-shirts. Nothing. They have zero clue what is happening. I toss Emmitt both of his WWE shirts and tell him he should change. Still nothing. All he thinks is we're having dinner and heading to uncles to watch RAW on his giant flat screen.

We legit walked past a WWE Staff sign. Parker busts me trying to record with my phone and gets suspicious. He whispers in my ear if there is a surprise for Emmitt tonight. I just wink and then lie to his face and say no. 

They still think at this point we're walking towards the Excel but that we're crossing the street to the restaurants and waiting for uncle to text us. 

We didn't totally plan out how we were going to tell them but as we're approaching the entrance the loud speaker makes an announcement and that was it. Emmitt did not react how we were thinking he would. How do you ever really know how people are going to respond? He heard it, hugged Barrett first, went to hug Parker assuming he was in on it. Parker awkwardly pushes him away and says he didn't know anything and then he comes to me. Which at this point I'm bawling for an unknown reason. I think it's because he didn't freak and scream and jump like we anticipated but that he was grateful. #worthit

Still getting used to that new smile but love how genuine it is.

Once we got inside we walked around the Excel, found our seats and saw this random Fox 9 News station where there was a very short line to do some announcing. They have a script of lines they want you to say. Emmitt asks the guy if he can do his own thing. 

PLEASE child, always do your own thing! I'm now a new follower of Fox 9 News on Facebook and stalking to see if and when this footage is ever used.

Parker's fave - Roman Reigns, The Roman Empire. 

Momma's fave male wrestler - Seth Rollins 

Becky Lynch has such an amazing name that she's my for real fave!

$45 for 2 pretzels and this fancy cup I'm making them use forever. Just look at this face though.

Here's to one unforgettable night for the entire family, especially our WWE Superstar in Training.

Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary

Ten years ago was the last time we visited the Vince Shute Bear Sancutary as a family. The boys had been there a few times over the years with other family members or friends. 

Well we finally had a weekend evening free and what do we do? We hit the road and do something. NONE of us do well with just being. Something we should actually work on. But our weekends and time to do what we really want are pretty limited. Not that we don't want to travel for sports but sometimes we just need to have something different. 

Going back and reading the 2009 post makes me laugh and cringe at the same time. 

https://becknbear.blogspot.com/2009/06/bear-sanctuary.html

The boys were tiny, would never remember it, busy, harder to handle, etc...but we still took the time to do things with them. I still laugh that I thought we were heading to the bear dump to watch the bears from the back of our car! 

But here we are 10 years later and nobody peed off the observation deck, we didn't have to tell anyone not to yell or run and I wasn't concerned about anyone falling asleep in the car unless it was the driver.  

Still enjoy watching the little ones get down from a tree. 

Too "old" for a face painting tattoo, but will totally take one on his hand.

Bears = Bugs

And these new insect repellent wipes were a MUST towards the end of our evening!
Just open them up, wipe your skin and carry on. 

Still trying to get over the fact that he has me beat in height. But love that he'll still hang out with us.

Happy Birthday Puppy Boy!

Our sweet nine year old made good on his word. Last year he debated on a puppy party but chose hunting/camo instead. He just kept pushing the puppy theme out and I thought for sure it would never happen. Or that maybe he would pick dogs instead of puppies. I wasn't sure if puppies were too babyish or if his love of puppies (his puppy) would win out. It did. He is so sweet! He loves tiny things, baby puppies, small versions of big stuffed animals he already has. 

So I went for it! We were short on time when he finally decided on his theme. So the dollar store had to come through for me. I have never really minded buying table clothes, plates, napkins or silverware from the dollar store, but much other than that is pretty much crap in my eyes.

But low and behold their picture frames aren't too bad and they even have a pet aisle! I was floored!

I spent a total of $20 on decorations. The signs I designed and printed out myself. I even found a little All Star puppy sweatshirt for his new stuffed animal. 

Parker woke up to puppy paw prints all over the floor of the house leading him to his breakfast...his own bowl of Kibbles and Bits. Cocoa Puffs look amazingly like dog food when served in a dog dish!

I had the table all set up for the party. Including dog dishes of napkins--Wipe Your Paws, silverware--Fetch!, Bone Appetit (just may be my favorite), and a big ol' bowl of puppy chow!

When the time came he did what he typically does ONLY on his birthday when being sung to...he got shy. His face is so adorable and sweet when this is happening. Melts my heart!

 He did manage to blow out all nine of his candles but it took a good couple of breaths to get them out. He's getting old enough that the girlfriend comments truly embarrass him

 I usually go all out on the cupcakes. Or pupcakes this year. But I was able to just frost and use a Scooby Snack bone shaped graham cracker for decoration. I had quite a few people ask me if it was a real bone! It may say more about me than I want to know. I also used an oreo for the paw pad and three milk duds for the toe pads. It looked like a tiny puppy paw.

The puppy chow was a hit for the kids and the adults! I don't think I have ever made it but somehow had the recipe for it. It turned out great and was super easy!

 And one of the funniest stations of the night was the "toilet water." The kids got a huge kick out of this! The adults thought it was pretty funny too.  

 The party was a success, the theme was adored and the birthday boy totally approved. I wish I could freeze time at this age because it totally fun! It's crazy, busy, fun but I love it!

The boy and his puppy. 

Merry Christmas from the Olson's!

Merry Christmas from the Olson's!

Complete with footie jammie's, Santa hats, puppy kisses and smiles!

I chose to scale back on not stress out about sending out Christmas cards this year. I just couldn't do it. The amount of time and money that goes into the card was just too overwhelming for me this year. I did however still get my family together for a picture in our jammie's under the tree. Just being us and enjoying the season together. It was one of our favorite years yet.

Merry Christmas!

The Boys Call Santa

Lefse, Lutefisk and Love!

Lutefisk! Lefse! Love!

We attended our third Lutefisk feed with Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Tolle. We drove 50 mph through freezing rain and slippery roads for gloppy fish. Yep, we are true Minnesotans. Or Norwegians. Parker referred to it a couple of years ago as "lunafish" and the name has stuck. He also didn't care for it and stick sticks to the meatball platter. But Emmitt gobbles it right up like his dad and Grandpa. Yep, he just pours the butter all over it and scrapes his plate clean. I manage to get down one spoonful and call it good.

Now Lefse! Parker pounds the Lefse! He's mastered the art of making it and knows the hard work and hours that go into it. He's quick to judge the thinness too. But he's the master butterer and sugar spreader for the table. Lefse is by far one of my favorite Christmas goodies!

And this guy. Yeah the dude in the middle. It's his fault we all love this food! Papa Milo has started this tradition! He is the ring leader in our Lefse making day and Lutefisk seeking adventures. It's something I love about him. He's a traditional guy like me. Loves doing the same activity year after year and creating layers of memories.

The little desserts that follow the plate of Lutefisk, Lefse, cranberries, pickles, coleslaw, buns, pickled beets, mashed potatoes, rutabagas, green beans and meatballs are amazing! They are these little bits of sugared air dusted in more sugar! Sooo yummy!

Dad fits right in and glops it right on his plate and slurps it down! You may not know it but this guy loves tradition as me! Love that he dives right in next to me making memories.

Me and the little dude. As you can see from the background of the pic we are one of the younger tables that attend. We did however have young waitstaff and Emmitt claims he wants to work at Littlefork Lutheran church next year at the feast!

Auntie Tolle getting her fill of meatballs and lovings from the Emmitt.

Until next year Lutefisk! We'll miss you. Sort of.

Happy 9th Birthday Parker

Tooth Grinder

Evidently he grinds his teeth at night. So back to the dentist we went. We did find the tooth under his pillow (ironic I know) and were able to get it in water right away. That kept the tooth hydrated and Dr. Herzig was able to glue it back in place. We start over with soft foods for the month and just try to let that nerve relax again. Every trauma to the tooth hypes up the nerve all over again. We are then at the risk of the main tooth dying. He was more scared this time around. He does realize how serious this all is. But he is the strongest boy I know! So proud of him. 

for his other mother

Because Stephie is his other mother...I know this picture may actually bring tears to her eyes. Well Stephie...your baby boy is 4. Can you believe it?! Check out our other two boys' cheeks! How fast they grow. I could not trust a more caring, beautiful woman to help me raise my boys with. Thank you for letting me show up on your door step just about 6 years ago with a screaming, hungry, colicky baby (Parker), and setting your 10 month old twins down long enough to feed my "needy" son a bottle of my milk. I love you and I will never forget how you took him in your arms and walked into the kitchen and fed him like you had known him his whole life. As they say...the rest is History!

Happy 4th Birthday Emmitt...

one of those you must write down

Parker tells me that Mrs. Pavleck said that if something is flat it's "tootie" (insert childish giggle here) and if something is bigger like this ball (he smiles holding a ball) it's three d. And when she said that mom, some other kids and I laughed.
It took me a few seconds to comprehend what he was saying...two-d, and my cheeks still hurt from smiling.

Flarp (cuz, farting is funny!)

The Smashing of the Gingerbread House

The Christmas Pageant

A New Member of the Olson Family

His Name is Chippey. Chippey the Elf. He is our Elf on the Shelf. We got our Elf the day after Thanksgiving. We read the story and had to come up with a name. He was Elfie for a day or two. Then the television show premiered and he quickly took the name of the elf in the movie. So he adopted a new name. Chippey. The basic scoop behind Chippey is that he watches us and then uses Christmas Magic to fly back to Santa at night after we are sleeping. He reports to Santa if we have been naughty or nice. The boys need little reminding that Chippey is watching them. They tend to remind each other that Chippey can see you right now. Chippey can hear you Parker. Chippey is watching you not listen Emmitt. And so on. Early dawn, Chippey returns and picks a new spot to watch us from. The boys basically race out of bed to find Chippey first. Somedays it is very easy to spot him, other days we must search for him. One day he was in the basement waiting and watching for the boys to pick up their toys. Other days he is placed on shelves up high all over the house. He was in mommy and daddy's room for 2 nights to be sure a certain little boy stayed in his own bed. Today he was found strategically placed between the boys' school pictures to remind them, Chippey knows what happens at school too! The only rule is the Chippie must not be touched or he loses his magical powers. Well...this week Chippey was in the little tree in the boys' room and Emmitt (alledgedly) shook the tree, Chippey fell out and Parker put him back in the tree. The next day, Chippey left mommy a voicemail on her cell phone warning the boys to not touch Chippey again!!
I love Chippey!

My boy is 6

I never want to forget this face. The face of pure shock! You were so shocked the morning of your birthday. Momma scored a Ninetendo DS for you at a good price and totally surprised you. You had no idea you were getting one, I kept telling you that you were too young. But like I said, I got a good deal and you got a DS. You officially had to be set on a gaming timer. You would literally sit there all day and play if we let you. I am no longer ever going to wonder what you'll do in a car or any other long trip. The DS will babysit you. As much as I hate saying that, it's true.

Once I got you to put down the DS you went on to open the next present from us. And footie jammies still excite you too! You love them. You always have. And I believe you'll be the guy that sleeps in those giant ones with the trap door on the butt. Like Pa Ingalls.

The 3rd batch of werewolf cupcakes turned out even better. I did take the easy way out and cut off at 2 dozen for the party and plainly decorated the rest. We managed to shove 6 candles on one and as we sang to you, you did something you have never, ever done. You played shy or embarrassed and ducked under the table until we finished. I have no idea why. It's so not like you. But when we finished, you came up and blew out all your candles and the moment passed you.

You of course got way too many gifts. Lots and lots of people got you 6 one dollar bills in your card. It was significant in many ways.

Everybody enjoyed the cupcakes. Well the kids did for sure. All the kids loved the marshmallow and fruit by the foot nose. The adults questioned if the whole thing was actually edible.
Miss Shelby Lynn and Emmitt

Brooks' face is soooo hilarious is this pic! Like he can't quite get that crazy Auntie Becky gave him all that sugar! And Miss Gracie Lyn, cute as ever!

Daddy and messy Parker

Garret and Miss Jillian

Over all, it was a great party. It's hectic with all the people at times, but it's a great hectic. You never feel like you can talk to everybody, but they all talk to each other. It's become such a tradition. I had all the guests fill out their numerology and discuss with each other. You took the last 2 digits of the year you were born and how old you were or will be this year and when everybody compared answers it was 111. It was so awesome! The kids of course just came out to 11. But still. It was creepy and cool. We had a surprise visit from my Aunt and Uncle who haven't ventured this way in 10-20 years. That was special.
And to top it off, Parker got his new jersey for his purple hockey team and he chose number "11".