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...