Sunday 5 February 2012

Birthday Boy!

We celebrated Leif's 3rd birthday over the weekend, and it was a BLAST! 

R2D2, as requested 

 Check this out, mom! 
 with cousins, Annika and Kristen

 Kristen and Leif shared the R2D2 cake...
 ...blew out the candles together...

  ...but apparently Leif felt Kristen got more of the candle-blowing action.

 
 So, we lit three of them again, and...
everyone was happy! 

 
And yes, my three-year-old now has his own light saber. All is right with the world.
                                                                                     




January


Before we move into Leif's 3rd birthday celebration mode, I must take a few minutes to highlight some family adventures we've shared in January. It has been incredibly mild in Iowa (the thermometer in our car actually read 60 - twice!) in recent weeks, so we're all (OK, I have been) enjoying the ease of skipping hats and mittens and other tedious winter gear for the time being. Tom can't wait for more snow, but I keep telling him it will be here soon enough.
Kaj went to his first Timberwolves game with Tom, Uncle Doug and Grandpa Hawley. 


Kaj and Leif especially enjoy the "Take Flight" exhibit at the Iowa Children's Museum. 
A Saturday morning book and hot chocolate/cappuccino at our favorite coffee house, Java House

(Below) Does this look like Hickory Hill Park in January? in IOWA? Craziness! 



And yes, this looks an awful lot like a cougar track! 

We rode the "Hawkeye Express" as part of the Iowa City Children's Book Fesitval. (Nice face, Leif)
Kaj Guy still loves Angry Birds in all its forms...
Tom did slip in an afternoon of skiing on one of the few snowy days this month. 
After the local roller derby team gave a demo at a local event, Leif wanted his picture taken.
We'll have to save this gem for a senior slideshow...
A twilight hike inspired by Own Moon
Where am I, you wonder? I'd be the one taking the photo from the rear, 
terrified the cougar (see cougar print several pictures back) might be stalking us.
And counterpoint to my half marathon training program, but oh so worth it...