Christmas 2008

Alex opening a gift.

Isabella with Faster (Aunt) Ulrika

A picture of Isabella after she picked out her own clothes to do last minute grocery shopping!

Alex and Isabella waiting for a big night with Santa.

Alex with his stocking

Isabella with her stocking

Isabella receives a gift from Santa.

Isabella with a large gift

We were a little scared when Santa arrived!

Nice Santa!

Santa outside of the window.

THE Christmas smorgasbord!

Smorgasbord

Farfar, Alex, me, and Isabella


This year Christmas was calm, enjoyable, and relaxing. We celebrated with Erik's parents and his sister. Jakob (Ulrika's child) and his Dad couldn't be with us this year. Jakob had just come home from a 9 day stay in the hospital recovering from a stomach virus and severe cold. We missed having them with us.

We received a visit from Santa. He happened to be in the area and brought Alex his much anticipated race track and Isabella received a Pippi Longstocking doll house with accessories. He was met with a few terrifying screams from Isabella and Alex was a little stand-offish, but towards the end of his visit Isabella would point at him and sort of laugh and Alex warmed right up to him. He was very nice and I kept thinking to myself that he looked VERY familiar!

We had a wonderful dinner that we ate for three days afterwards! The julbord included everything under the sun and it was delicious.

We had a great Christmas this year with our Swedish family and friends and look forward to a U.S. Christmas next year with our American family and friends!

Bake Day!

This past Sunday was a big family bake day! We made lussekatter (saffran buns), pepparkakor (ginger thins), and my personal favorite, glögg (hot-spiced wine)! We all had a really good time and made a really big mess! At one point, Isabella was literally swimming in the flour!

St. Lucia

St. Lucia Day was this past Friday. The children's daycare did a St. Lucia tåg (train). They sang Christmas carols in their Christmas outfits. This "production" is put on at schools and preschools all across Sweden and is typically done outside. Well, it was raining, and quite a mess, but the kids did a wonderful job, and didn't seem to be phased by the rain.

Pepparkakshuset

I am a little behind with posts, because we made our gingerbread house (pepparkakshus) two weeks ago! We struggled with it this year. The backside of the house broke, and thankfully, Erik's Mom was there to help us creatively make a new backside so that the house would stand. Anyway, needless to say, we finally pulled it off!

Advent Kalendar

Advent is the season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. The progression of the season can be marked with an Advent calendar. Every year we faithfully light a new candle every Sunday beginning with the first Advent and the children receive their long anticipated Advent calendars. This calendar has 24 hidden pieces of candy and they open one piece every day starting Dec. 1 . They usually receive 2 calendars each because Erik's parents usually purchase them one also. Here is a picture of them opening ONE of their calendars.

New Family Member

No! I am not pregnant, but Alex and Isabella will be welcoming a new cousin on August 3! My brother, Luke, and his wife, Jennifer, will be welcoming their first child in a little over 7 months. I am very excited and anticipating his/hers arrival. I wish them the best and will be keeping them in my prayers. Congratulations you two!

Other pictures from this past month

Isabella, Mom, and Alex

The cafe where I work. I was off that day, though, to take a fika (coffee break) with Mom while the children were at dagis (daycare).

Leaving Alex and Isabella at dagis

Julbord

On the way home after eating the Christmas smorgasbord.

Alex with Stefan

Erik and I

Waiting to be seated

We ate the traditional julbord (Christmas smorgasbord) at Stadshotellet the Saturday before Mom left for home and as always we over ate and were miserable! The only problem: we wished that we had room to eat more! The food was delicious.

Trip to Stockholm

Past few weeks

We have been very busy these past few weeks. We returned from Spain on the 15th of November, then my Mom arrived on the 17th. It was such an enjoyable and pleasant 2 weeks. We went to the all famous IKEA one day while the weather was nasty and had a lot of fikas (that is coffee with a pastry). We celebrated Thanksgiving along with Faye (my American friend) and her family and Erik's family, and we also celebrated my 32nd birthday with a family trip to Stockholm the Saturday before and then Mom made one of my favorite meals for my birthday dinner, dried-beef chicken. Every night Mom would lie in the bed with Alex and Isabella, most of the time it was just Alex, shine a flashlight and tell stories. She brought Alex a Scooby Doo van with the people and he has played with it so much that the door has fallen off. She also brought Isabella a "princess" purse with lip gloss. She has used it so much that one tub of gloss is gone. She goes around and puts it on everyone, including herself. Mom helped me decorate for Christmas and we attended a traditional Christmas smorgasbord, and we also attended the Christmas market here in Trosa.
Alex talked with Santa and he asked for a racetrack. Yesterday he asked Erik why the stockings were hanging up and Erik said that they are there for Santa to leave a little gift. Alex responded by saying, "I think mine will not fit! It is too big."
Now I have been spending my days working and catching up from the time I was off in November, but going to Spain and visiting with Mom was definitely worth it!

Spain pics

Trip to Spain

We returned from Spain this past Sunday. We met Erik's parents there and stayed in their house. They have been there since September. It was really nice to take a break from the autumn weather here in Sweden. It was in the 70's everyday and sunny. Isabella and I didn't start the vacation off very well, though. Saturday when we left for Spain Isabella came down with a stomach virus, and then I caught it early Sunday morning. So the first half of our trip wasn't so enjoyable. Alex and Isabella loved playing on the beach, as usual, and Alex enjoyed swimming in the heated pool. Erik enjoyed golfing and eating the mediterranean food, and I enjoyed shopping at the markets, of course! We always have a great time in Spain and are already searching our calendars to schedule our next trip. I will try and post some pictures in another update. My Mom is visiting so I am going to go and spend some precious time with her now.

Children's Trade Show

This was Alex's first time to try and ice skate and he kept insisting to do it by himself! He struggled, but would probably be okay after a little more practice.

We started the day with none other than McDONALD'S!

Saturday we went with some friends and their son, Filip, to a trade show for children and baby products. There were a lot of activities for the children to do and they had a blast!!!! (and YES! Isabella still had her ballerina skirt on from the Halloween party the night before!)