Utö II

These are the first set of pictures from our family vacation, along with Erik's parents and his sister's family! One day we took a 20 km bike ride with a lunch and a visit to the beach along the way.

Alex tries a little saft (similar to Kool-Aid, but not as strong)

Alex, Isabella, and Jakob

Utö I

These are pictures of the boat and Erik and I on the boat that took us to Utö (an island outside of Stockholm).

A couple of cute pictures from the summer!

Jakob, Isabella, and Alex

Stefan, Jakob, and Ulrika

Favorite Little Shop!

These pictures were taken this past summer at the kids' favorite little candy boutique/cafe. They handmake their own marsipan candy and Alex and Isabella also like playing outside in their garden.

Trip to the zoo!

Awaiting for the subway to take us home!

The trip back on the ferry. I think Erik was a little overjoyed that it had come to an end!

Posing in the aquarium.

Isabella's pony ride.

Isabella getting a free ride from Pappa!

I forgot to mention that during our summer vacation we enjoyed a day in Stockholm at the zoo/outdoor museum (Skansen) with friends. Some may recognize Richard from our wedding. He was Erik's childhood friend, and now lives with Charlotta and their two children, Signe and Eskil, in Stockholm. We try to get together with them when time and schedules allow. It was a fun and hectic day. We took the subway and a ferry from their apartment to the zoo, and there the girls (Isabella and Signe) took a pony ride. Alex wasn't so keen on the idea. So, he played with a soccer ball that was brought along instead.

Still here!

If anyone was wondering, we are still here!!! Wow! I can't believe that it has really been 4 months since I last updated! I am sorry to those who have been checking. I must do better, and I will do better. It seems as if I need to work on a little time management!

Well, a lot has happened since the last update, and I am sure I will not remember everything. Just a quick recap:

The family took a mini-vacation to a small island outside of Stockholm with Erik's parents and his sister's family. Then shortly after our return, my best friend from the U.S., Felecia, came over for a two week visit. Within those two weeks, she and I also took a girls' trip to Paris, France. Also, on the sixth of August I became a very happy aunt to little Reid (my brother, Luke's and Jen's baby boy). We celebrated Erik's birthday on the seventeenth of August and then before we knew it, it was September! In September, along with my cafe job, I began teaching part-time at the local elementary school and doing private tutoring. My weeks have become much busier! In October we celebrated Isabella's (Oct. 2: 3 years old) and Alex's (Oct. 8: 5 years old) birthdays and had a big birthday party with a pinata. They both received new bikes and are loving them. After the celebrations, Erik and the kids took a week long trip to visit his parents in Spain. Other than Isabella wanting Mommy at times, they had a wonderful vacation. We have also renovated our 1/2 bath, and have started on our LARGE room downstairs (trying to make two normal sized rooms). Now, it has just been work, school, and today Alex and Isabella received their swineflu vaccinations. Hopefully, this will give them a little extra protection during our travels in December. We definitely do not want any sick babies!

On a sadder note: During all of this, my Aunt Patty Lynn (my Mom's sister) lost her fight to pancreatic cancer. It broke my heart to not be there for my family, but I feel that they know that I carry them, along with their joys, fears, heartaches, and griefs with me and in my heart at all times. She was a wonderful woman that I have so many wonderful memories of, and she is greatly missed.

The family and I will be heading to the States to celebrate Christmas this year. It will be a much needed visit for so many reasons, and I am really looking forward to meeting my nephew for the first time. I can't wait to hold him, kiss him, and love all over him. I only have two weeks to make a lasting impression until our next visit, so I have to make the best of it! Also, I can't wait to meet with family and visit with my grandparents. It is always so comforting to be amongst them.

I will also be posting some pictures that have been taken over the past 4 months!

Camping!

The boys eating breakfast.

Jonas preparing the campfire.

View from the island.

The boys inside and outside of the tent.

Jonas and Erik took the boys (Alex and Fabian) camping a couple of weeks ago. They camped overnight on a little island outside of Nyköping. The boys loved it although it rained some during the night!

Trosa Racing again, one year later!

Alex with "Spiderman" Fabian.

Isabella joined in the race this year with the help of Farfar.

Summer Fun II

Summer Fun I

Midsummer 2

Maypole (Midsommarstång) at Garvaregården.

Twister Scram game we played after dinner.

Claes and I during our dinner.


Isabella and Farmor at Garvaregården.

Midsummer 1

Although it rained pretty much the whole day we had a good time with friends and family. We had lunch, dinner, and fika (coffee with sweets) at Erik's parents and we went to Garvaregården to dance around the Maypole. We also played games outside during our 10 minutes of rain-free weather.

Isabella with her midsommarkrans on her head that I made early that morning with flowers from Birgitta's garden.

Elias and Helena

Fabian and Alex

This was my American-Swedish cake that I made. It was a 3-layer Red Velvet cake with Philadelphia cream cheese icing and strawberries. Strawberries are a must during Midsummer!

Kolmården

Here are a few pictures from Alex and Isabella's trip to Kolmården zoo with Farmor and Farfar. They also stayed a night in the Vildmarkshotell. They had a great time and WAY too much fun while Erik and I enjoyed a night to ourselves.

Alex and Isabella with Farfar at the pool in the hotel.

Alex hugging Bamse.

A bear crossed in front of the car during the drive through safari.

Alex and Isabella at the hotel with their new dolphin and seal.

Alex and Isabella with their new dolphin water guns.

Farfar with the kids in the petting zoo.

Farmor with the kids at the dolphin aquarium.