a celebration for one

Normally I am not this slow when it comes to technology, but this morning I discovered that I *can* download the 500 birthday photos we took for Bergen and Annika's birthdays onto our computer. . . . I am excited to finally be able to share them with you!!




On Annika's first birthday we celebrated with Grandma Peg and Aunt Megan. We had a great dinner followed by some amazing cupcakes that Grandma and Bergen picked out. I couldn't wait for Annika to smash her face into the wonderful frosting goodness, but much to our surprise the second she tasted the frosting she started to gag so much I thought she was having an allergic reaction. She definitely didn't inherit my sweet tooth!!

fun, fun festival

We went to our local community parade on Friday August 1st with some friends. It was fun for us to think back to last year when we brought our 2.5 week old daughter. . . what a different experience this year! I think we both remembered it a little better this year given the sleep deprivation last time around! We had a BLAST watching all the floats, marching bands and the many, (too) many political figures working the parade route (Godfather Nils, we thought of you!) slowly stroll down the boulevard. It honestly could not have been a more perfect night to be outside celebrating our community!

This year we were a bit wiser and brought Bergen a "candy bag" to hold the vast amount of candy, toys and trinkets thrown into the crowd by all the parade participants. And even though we got a little heckling about the size of his candy bag (Steve!), his HUGE bag was almost completely full by the end of the evening. . . someone commented that it was a little like Halloween. But I think it is better then Halloween because you just stand there and the candy is thrown to you - you don't have to do a thing!

It was a great night with great friends. . . and all around great tradition!!

too cute for words

play me a song. . .

you're the piano (wo)man. . . .

in absentia

It has been too long, dear cyberspace. So much has happened since my last update that I don't even know where to start. Nothing huge, but lots of fun little stuff that summer is made of. If I were to give an excuse for the lack of updates, which I know I shouldn't, the key culprit would rest with my lack of a digital camera. Our family camera badly needs a trip to the ER and part of me feels like my left arm is missing with its absence; so I have in essence, "shut down" when it comes to online stuff. We combed the drawers and pulled out our old, old, old camera which has helped me get through this difficult time. . . . but I get more blurred images then Kodak moments. OK, enough complaining.

Anyways. . . just a few highlights. . . . .

1. OUR BASEMENT IS DONE!!!!!!!!!! After 6 weeks we have an updated, beautiful basement that we actually enjoy spending time in! Amazing what a few little improvements can do. We still have a couple of "to-do's" down there, but all-in-all we are enjoying what feels like a whole new house. Thanks family for all of your help with the painting!!

B E F O R E . . . .

A F T E R . . .

2. Bergen's numerous summer activities (soccer, Rainbow Kids) are now coming to a close. It is a welcome break for me to enjoy some home time with the kiddos before preschool starts up again in 4 short weeks. Bergen has tennis for a couple of weeks in August for a quick "boot camp" but that is it. . . we are going to kick back and play with friends for the next month.

3. Annika is getting more and more mobile every day. She has become a pro at pulling herself up and cruising around furniture - which is very exciting for us. Walking is one of those things that we parents so look forward to, but the second it does we know we could have waited another week or two for it to happen! I know she will be a running machine in no time and I am enjoying every second of her figuring out the process ever so slowly and building strength to take that first step. . . someday. I am in no rush.