Spotlight of the Beek, I mean Week

Well, someone really dropped the ball, and of course, I had to pick it up.
Here's a spotlight of someone we all know and miss, or wished we had known and missed knowing.

Name: Beeki, Beaky, Biqui, etc.

Time with us: July 3, 2003- November? 2003
Favorite foods: Anything, those goat pellet treats were a favorite.

Hobbies: Escape artist, I was a master.

Memorable times: My first week at the Olsen home I had to share my attention with one "Cooper". It was never the same after that.

I loved to see if I could yank out my stake out of the lawn. It worked once, but then it just hurt my neck.

I also loved to jump on everything to get out of my pen. I'm a clever goat.

Someone should find out if I'm still alive.

Culinary Expedition Journal #1 "Brownies"

Well, I am embarking on an expedition into the wild world of culinary arts!! I have plunged into this agitative and appealing artwork!! This is a world of unknown secrets (for me) and I will be diving into the deepest of it.... ITS BROWNIE TIME, FOO!!

At first, it was a little confusing, but i got the hang of it.

When I did, i got out the ingredients, measured them carefully, and put them in a bowl.

Then I mixed it all together with mom's hot mixer.

After it was all gooey, I poured it into a well-greased pan, and it went into the oven.

My ending results were better than expected!! :)

'till my next entry of this culinary expedition...

apartment tour

I hope this takes, this is a little cyber tour of our apartment. or should I say a special podcast.

New Weekly Olsen Spotlight-- get on board!

Hello everyone, hello from RVA (Richmond, Virginia). Unfortunately Ashley and I don't have any big news for you yet. But we will, by and by. Anyway, I believe there has been some wonderful response and participation in the blog. Mary Ann deserves recognition for making it her homepage on her new computer!! Wonderful, everyone. Simply wonderful. PS- feel free to add pics to your post, or email them to me if you want them to be part of the layout or upcoming slideshow (on the right of the screen).
Anyway, get ready to be a part of history, bloggers. Today is the day for the grand unveiling of a new program: the Olsens Unite!® Olsen Spotlight of the Week.™ Here's how it works: Whoever is spotlighted has the responsibility of choosing the next week's spotlight. You could even choose James if you had to. The interviewer can borrow previous questions or make up their own questions, format, and whatever they want to do to keep it interesting. Interviews can be conducted by phone, email, webcam, YouTube, or whatever. The person being spotlighted has the right to decline to comment on any question. Each Sunday the spotlightlight will be posted for all Olsens to enjoy. If you have any questions, make up the answer. There are no rules to the Olsens Unite!® Olsen Spotlight of the Week.™

Olsen Spotlight of the Week:

Greg and Andrea

Greg and Andrea are the perfect candidates for the first ever Olsens Unite!® Olsen Spotlight of the Week.™ They are young, fresh, energetic, and Greg is starting a new job in Cache Valley after his recent graduation. They are both so busy tackling current projects and working on upcoming adventures but I was grateful that they could take the time to be in our blog spotlight.
OK guys, let’s get started…


Favorite food:
Greg: Lasagna… traditional, I know.
Andrea: Clam Chowder and rolls

Most recent date: Went to the USU Basketball game, the came home and watched “Hitch”.

Describe your dream vacation:
A: Grecian islands.
G: I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska. I don’t know what I’d do, but I think it would be fun to spend some time up there. Bear hunting, salmon fishing…

What was for dinner last night: Sweet Pork Burrito at Café Rio.

Favorite season:
A: Summer or fall. NOT WINTER.
G: Spring, or world cup season.

Favorite church movie:
G: Between Heaven and Earth
A: Joseph Smith Video- the one at Temple Square

Ideal pet: ask Kurt (aka Birdman); he did an independent study. Maltese puppy http://www.toypuppies.com/images/maltese.jpg


Latest hobby:
G: Playing Guitar
A: Attempting the piano

Most frequent website:
A: amazon and cnn
G: ussoccer, youtube

Myspace or Facebook: None

Plans for 2008: Andrea will Graduate, I will work in Logan, go on a cruise, visit Mark and Ashley in Virginia

Favorite Holiday

A: 4th of July- nice fireworks
G: Anything that gets me out of work

(photo: July 4th, 2006)

Weirdest or worst job:
A: Cashier at a Dollar Store....got closed down because the owner was dealing drugs in the back of the store
G: Line worker for a fencepost company

Favorite ice cream:
G: Mint chocolate chip
A: Cookies and cream

Favorite sport:
G: Soccer
A: Haven't found it yet
Do you ever play together? Yes

What in the US do you want to see/experience/travel to:
The East: DC Boston and Church history sites
How about the world:
Italy, France Egypt, Jerusalem and ....... Canada?

Favorite dessert or treat:
A: Donuts
G: Ice cream

Best childhood memory:
G: Myyyyyy What a Happy Day!!!!!!!!!! or watch out for cars
A: Dancing in The Nutcracker

happy valley

ok, here's the report from happy valley....

I am still unemployed, which is embarrassing
But I do get to spend lots of time doing projects.

For example, as you can see in photos 1,2, and 3 Kurt, Danny, Kristi and I were very busy on Saturday building an ice cave.

I then (with mom's help, of course) made pita's for dinner, of which I am quite proud.

Also,I spend a lot of time with the Ricks family.

The bad news:

bills are piling up, rent is due, and i'm being evicted. (I got a notice taped to my door that I have to be out tomorrow. )

psyche.

The good news:

I'm almost done applying for grad school, and I have a couple leads on some jobs, so things are looking up....I'll keep you "posted..."

keep it real.... peace out..

Our new addition

Well, I don't know what this blog has ever given me but a few laughs, while KSL.com brought us this!

Welcome to 2008, Ricks Style

Well, I don't know about you, but the holidays were sure busy, and that made blogging hard. Well, here's a little photo montage/assault from the past while.

Jeannette's 30th ? Cake for her 30th Birthday

The Ricks Family

And who can forget THE QUILT!

Cade was an expert, and Jarom was a member of the Seamsters Union

Kelli came over to help once too!

A few specticals

Presents
Presents
and more Presents

Christmas morning. (I don't even look like I'd been sleeping, huh.)

Two PrincessesPlaying in the deep snow up in Idaho

(I took the picture, then wiped her face, she was fine)

Bowling with Aunt Mary Ann

Well, as you can tell, our holiday was successful, and fun-filled. And I hope to keep blogging from time to time.
The Rickses

Another successful Year

Twins

sledding fun

these are for mom

what a great Christmas holiday. filled with fun times, good food, and great memories. but like all good things it had to come to an end. Cade has to go to school every day and I work for eight whole hours every day. sending America into debt one payday loan at a time! that's what I call a great job. Mark and smash-- let us know when the baby comes.. I demand we be the first to know. if you tell us when you have it first, we'll tell you when (if) we are having a baby first.. and we sincerely apologize for our lack of blogging I know with all of my heart that we will be better. I especially will because I dont do anything when I'm not at work.



Soon to come... a podcast posted on the blog of our apartment! a cyber tour!

Calling All Olsens

Mom posted one heck of a blog. Did anyone read it? did anyone say "great blog mom" or "Mom good job posting pictures" or "mom I didn't think you could blog so well"? I doubt it. Our own mother had to make an announcement by email because she thought her own children wouldn't take the time to read her blog. Their own mother, home alone and lonely on school days with an almost empty nest. Her own children were too busy checking sites like www.KSL.com, www.craigslist.com, www.facebook.com, www.steepandcheap.com, www.pandora.com, www.myspace.com, www.hotmail.com, www.gmail.com, www.birdwatchingenthusiast.com, and www.voicesinharmony.com. Not to mention bank accounts, school websites, www.lds.org, affiliate email acounts, stock market, etc.

I hope you know this email is intended as a joke-slash-non-joke (don't worry james, you can catch up later). Anyway, if you have a regular site-checking routine, go ahead and add www.olsensunite.blogspot.com to your daily rounds. While you are there, click on through to our site. Don't be afraid. We are all in this together. I know that there is blogging potential lurking in the hearts of Olsens everywhere (except maybe Grandpa Olsen-- no I think even he has potential).

As a test, I will post this call to action on the blog. Comment on this post and give your pledge to participate and support our family blog...

Remember, kind of kidding, kind of not. Mostly kidding. Kind of. Just kidding.


Love Mark and Ashley

PS this is the only serious part- Ashley and I do like to be informed on what you guys are up to, and that's why we like the blog. And we like pictures.

PSS- Andrea, how was your birthday? Happy late birthday!!!!!!!!! From us with love!

the great chefs at work

Kelli, Kurt and Mom cooked up a fabulous Sunday dinner today. Mom was the head chef, Kelli was the "sue" chef and Kurt was the monitor in charge of drinks and salads. (Danny was collecting fast offerings and Dad was helping out in the bedroom, on the bed, asleep). Dad and Danny joined us at the end for the final touches. Kelli made up a version of orange jello salad (with the cool whip and cottage cheese). She used strawberry jello instead of orange jellos, thawed some frozen mixed berries (instead of the mandarin oranges) and, voila! a pink jello salad fit for royalty!

We are very lonely after the fun-filled Christmas holidays we had with all the family around. Mark and Ashley, it looks like the baby is coming along nicely!

The Olsen Chili cook-off is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, February 2, in conjunction with our Groundhog day festivities. Please let me know if there are any conflicts.

Love to all,

Mom