Santa Claus is coming to town

Gingerbread House

We made a Gingerbread House today, and Annika was bouncing off the walls after eating a piece of candy for every one she stuck on for decoration. Axel slept during it all but was happy as always when he woke up.

Santa Lucia

Today they celebrated Santa Lucia in Annika's school - they have been practicing for weeks (although Annika apparently was absent on those days!) and it was a very sweet performance. Below is a description of the meaning of the day.
"The festival of Santa Lucia begins before dawn, on the thirteenth of December, which under the old Julian calendar (used in Sweden before 1753) was Christmas Day and the longest night of the year. Throughout Sweden, the eldest daughter in each household comes to her sleeping parents, dressed in a long white gown tied with a red sash, and wearing a crown of lingonberry leaves in which are set seven lighted candies. In her hands she carries a tray of steaming hot coffee and "Lussekattor" (Lucia Runs). The procession includes her sisters and brothers also dressed in white, holding lighted candles, and singing of the light and joy of Christmas.The sisters of the Lucia Bride wear a wreath of tinsel in their hair and a piece tied around their waist, while the boys have tall pointed caps sprinkled with stars. Awakened by the lights and the singing, the parents arise and eat the breakfast served, thus ushering in the Christmas season."

Tree Bling

Annika loves decorating the tree, and Axel loves to destroy it! Ever since we put the tree up it has been decorated by Annika at least 10 times - at least she is learning to put the ornaments higher!

Oh Christmas Tree

On Sunday we went down to Santa's Tree Farm in Half Moon Bay to cut down our Christmas Tree. Morten was very disapointed at the selection, as it did not come close to the quality found at the Hansen Christmas Tree Farm in Denmark (for real, Morten's family has a Christmas Tree farm) but, we finally found a great tree. Annika felt very empowered with the saw!

ONE

I dag er Axel's Fodslesdag, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah!!!!
It was Axel's 1st b-day today. We made blue cupcakes, sang birthday songs, opened presents and ate cake (Annika did most of the above!)

Field Trip!

Annika went on her 1st field trip yesterday to the firehouse with her dolphin class at the Scandinavian School. They were so cute.

Annika is very attached to Maria (the Danish teacher)

From the left: Maja, Aura, Lukas, Selma, Taso, Delilah, Markus, Lukas, Maria, Annika

Tea and Cake

While Flash and Sue were here we had a girls tea at Lovejoy's - "boys are NOT allowed" Annika stated several times.



We also had an early one year birthday party for Axel. Annika showed him exactly how it all worked.

Suz'a gift to Axel, a shirt "Boys can wear pink" - but Axel was very interested in the truck he got from Nana and Papa.

Becky!

Becky was in town visiting her brother, Johny, and came by to see us. Annika was thrilled to see her, and I am wondering if she is actually Becky's daughter as they look more alike than she and I! It was fun to catch up and gossip about GR.
Beck - we LOVED seeing you!

Thanksgiving at Brad & Michael's

In what has now become our tradition - the Hansen/Roy family headed to Brad and Michael's for another beautiful Thanksgiving - this year almost 30 of us!


Michael gave a beautiful toast...


Annika only wanted "the pink food" along with bread and butter...


Axel and Papa were bewildered by all of the strange guests....


Until we decided to join the fun!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Day before Thanksgiving

Axel is very comfortable on his feet, but has yet to try and really move them to get anywhere. Don't think the walking will happen for a couple more months.
The day before thanksgiving at Drewes Bros. (the fantastic butcher around the corner) people come from all over the city to get their turkeys here. There was a lull when I took this picture, but people were lined up all day - they provide coffee, cakes and tequila shots while you wait.
Annika and Axel laying in Bella's bed (our adopted dog downstairs from us) Flash and Sue are dog sitting/house sitting for the week. Works out very well.

Big girl bed

Annika spent her 1st night in a big girl bed - complete with all of the ikea accoutrements...


Annika made play-doh hearts while Axel ate them in the backgound....

Annika is already putting her brother in his place, this time the bottom of the toy basket...