Christmas Tree

While mormor was visiting last weekend, we broke out the glögg and the Christmas tree ornaments, and got to work decorating Anna's first tree at our house. What fun!




Now, everyday when we get home from work/day care, the first thing Anna does is light the tree. "wow", she says, in a whisper.

Happy Birthday Annika!

We headed over to Gibsons recently to celebrate Annika's 1st birthday. Unfortunately nearly all of the other cousins were sick, both on Marcus and Suzi's sides, but the silver lining was that that meant that we got to visit with them a little more than we would have if they had had a houseful. Kiki is so gorgeous and squeezable and, well, she's just stinkin' cute.



Kiki got plenty of help opening her gifts and with eating her cake. Anna happens to be especially fond of birthday cake (at her 'tea partys' at home, she always serves bertday cake), and didn't turn down a piece.

And, Patrik got some good exercise in...



The view from the ferry, while heading home.


Thanks for a fantastic day Johanssons!

Hollyburn with Pappa

While mom and I were getting pampered as a treat for her birthday, Anna and Patrik headed up to Hollyburn last weekend on a bluebird sky day. What a day they look to have had!

Shift in Skiing Expectations

After a few days of skiing under our belts this year, we realize that we've entered a new phase in parenting where we have to shift our "skiing" expectations when we're out with Anna. Two years ago, Anna was just a few months old, and we either skied with her strapped to our bodies in an Ergo carrier or in a Chariot later in the season. Last year, Anna was perfectly lulled to sleep in the Chariot from a combination of fresh air and the sway of her ride, and we were able to ski for close to as long and far as we would had we been skiing without her.


But, this year is a different story. Anna doesn't easily fall asleep to motion anymore, and if there is anything at all going on, she would rather not sleep at all. And, it can get a bit boring riding in the Chariot for more than 20 minutes or a half hour. So, we think that weekend skiing this year will largely be about having fun with Anna in the snow - letting her try her skis when she wants to, tobogganing, short ski tours, and general monkeying around in the white stuff. And that's quite all right with us.

Snow slides...




"Bus" with pappa...


Hot chocolate breaks...


Snowballs and snow forts and much much more.


All of that is pretty fun for grown-ups too.

Snow in the City

Although my mother and father-in-law Solweig and Bengt would have a hard time believing this, it doesn't actually snow very much in the city here in Vancouver. Solweig and Bengt happened to be visiting three years ago when for the entire month they were here, minus maybe the first two days, the city was buried in snow. But in a normal year, we try to make the most of each snow day in the city, always aware that it could be the last of the year.


So when we woke up to snow a couple of weeks ago, there was nothing for it but to throw on our snowsuits and head outside.


Anna was quite impressed with her first snowman, though the nose didn't last long. Seems that it was irresistibly tasty, and while mamma had her back turned shoveling the walk, the carrot disappeared down Anna's throat.

Skis

...and lots of skis...


This picture dates from earlyish-November, when rumours of snow flying soon were in the air, and the temptation to get the skis out and prepare them for the season ahead was just too great. There may be a pair of Malin's skis in there too...

Season Opener

Turn right for nordic area...


Ski season is here! And if the opening weekend is a sign of things to come, then we are in for a spectacular winter. Unfortunately, we did not have the nice camera to do the day justice. But, these shots at least give you a taste of the day we had. Can't wait for next weekend :)


PS A small side note to Ebbe: Patrik has been dreaming about skiing on twin tips for at least a couple of months now...

Happy Halloween

This year, for the first time, we went out trick-or-treating with Anna. We stuck to our neighbours, but that was plenty to imprint quite an impression on our wide-eyed princess.



LOOK, mamma, LOOK!


Little does she know that we'll be swapping out her sweet sugary treats for some lovely fruit leather while she sleeps. How long do you think that is going to work?

Before we headed out, we got to talk to Bella on Skype. Tell me I don't have the cutest niece in the world!

Date with Bella

Bella came over for a visit today, and she brought her mom and dad with her too. We met them down at the aquarium, and the girls had a blast. How could they not?





Thanks for the visit - we'll see you soon!

Grattis Farfar!

Stora grattiskramar från oss alla!

Work and Play

Is this fair? Anna and I head over to the island for the weekend, and Patrik stays home and works on the house. Maybe not quite, but that's what this past weekend looked like for us. Anna and I had a couple of days with mormor, morfar and cousin Bella to start with.



And then I left a very happy Anna with mormor and morfar and headed over to Protection Island for a weekend with the girls. Biking, walks on the beach, reading, knitting, and good food and conversation with great friends. Oh, and did I mention the sleep-ins? That doesn't happen all that often these days.





While Anna and I were enjoying a weekend of luxury, Patrik was at home slaving away on the house. We'll have to make sure that we really spoil him this week (and beyond)!

Dog Mountain

The weather has decidedly made a turn towards winter, but just one short week ago summer was fighting to hold on just a little longer, and we took the opportunity to head out for a hike. Dog Mountain was one of the first hikes we did with Anna when she was about 4 weeks old, and this was our first trip back since then. 'Twas a gorgeous fall day...




Who knows, maybe we will be able to squeeze in one or two more hikes before the snow flies.

Thanksgiving Weekend

In the week leading up to the Thanksgiving weekend, there were a couple of stories on CBC news about the origins of the holiday. I have always linked it to the American tradition about the pilgrims and the celebration of the harvest. But, what I learned was that the Canadian tradition of Thanksgiving goes back further than that, and one of the earliest reasons for this holiday was for the celebration of homecoming. Safe homecoming was not something to be taken for granted, way back when.

This past weekend I guess you could say that we celebrated both. Although a safe homecoming is much more certain these days, it is not always so certain that all of the kids in the family, and their loved ones, can make it home all at once. It is certainly something to be treasured, and something to be celebrated with a feast. And mom sure did deliver on the feast. Thanks for a great weekend everyone!



There were no photos snapped while all of the family was around, but on a sunny Sunday afternoon, mom, dad, Anna, Patrik and I headed out for a coastal walk at Neck Point.


There was some goofing around with morfar,


and of course with pappa.



Neck Point Park is located in the city, but you feel like you could be on the wild west coast of the island. There is not a sign of the city anywhere.




Anna soaked up some time with "momo" and "fofa", and so did we.



Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)