HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIKA!

Guess who is 9 today! My baby! Congrats, Annika and have a great day!

Post sledding warm up!

Nothing like visiting the friendly neighborhood barista to take the chill off after some hard core sledding. Keep in mind 20 minutes of sledding, an hour plus at Starbucks.

More snow!?!?

As if it had never snowed here before.

What else do you do with that much snow?

Blizzard '09

Who needs 75 and sunny??

Christmas #3

Not wanting to stop unwrapping long enough for photo op's brings out the best in some kids.

Christmas #2

Christmas at home is always so fun, isn't it?

Annika decided to dive right in to one of Santa's goodies he brought.

Christmas #1.5........Wicked fun!

Annika got to open her big Christmas present today...tickets to Wicked! She and Courtney hopped the train to the city to see a 2 o'clock show. Much fun was had by both, and it turned out not to be spoiled by the freezing rain and ice we were supposed to have had today. Nice!

Christmas #1

We usually lead off the Christmas season with Papa Bob. This year was no different. Family fun and food, what more do you need? Here are some of Annika's goodies. Thanks Papa and Mona!

Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread.....house?

Annika was at her dad's last weekend and they made gingerbread houses. Here's the result, minus a few well chosen picks by the builder herself

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'Tis the season

Last week Courtney and Annika went downtown for Valpo's Holly Days. There were all sorts of things going on. A live nativity, Santa, a bell choir and sleigh rides. They went back on Saturday with Grandma and Lily for a ride.

??????????????

Courtney showed me this portion of one of Annika's papers from school the other day. I asked if she had indeed discovered an entirely new species, or just the result of bad hygiene. You decide.

Who's that girl?

Annika got her hair cut today and looks like a totally different girl! I thought that maybe she had an older sister! :)

Better late than never

Let's catch up on the last couple of weeks...

Annika got a ride on a Valpo fire truck with Bo and company.

Annika and her friend Sammy decorated the Christmas tree. (kept them busy all afternoon!)

Annika spent 4 days over Thanksgiving at her dad's house. Sorry, no photos.

Happy Birthday Papa Bob!!!

Happy Halloween!

Carving...

At the Pumpkin Patch

Annika reads...

Annika read an entire book from her Aunt Nat to Addie the other day. I posted a picture, but the video was more than nine minutes. Too long to post, I guess!

The two girls...

It's been a while since I posted the girls together. Get your fix!