CATCH UP!

We're on spring break in CO this week with Tom's sister, Annie. With two extra hands available this morning, I have a moment to catch up on a few photos (OK, quite a few photos) while the kids are actually awake. Incredible, I know! This is a RANDOM grouping, but just roll with me, please...

a new R & B duo

Kaj's buddy Annie following in her father's footsteps

and another favorite friend, "Ella Kahn-wert"

An armful of 2009 babes - well done, Jenia!

Leif and Siri conspire

Kaj gives Doug and Germaine a taste of parenthood (for when the time comes...)

Just when you're relaxed, a curious three-year-old has a better idea.

Leif's first haircut - whatever works, right?

Our handsome boy!

Post-haircut pizza dinner at Mesa's where they actually serve macaroni & cheese pizza and

dad agrees to share his root beer. A hit, as you might imagine!

And now, the first part of our Colorado visit...

Checking out sea creatures at Denver's Aquarium

WOW!

Leif loves hats - on other people, that is

He looks so big in this picture!

snuggles

and giggles

Making friends with tarantulas at The Butterfly Pavillion's "Crawlaseum"

After this impressive feat Kaj was branded with an "I Held Rosie" sticker,

much to Aunt Annie's dismay.

The Butterfly Show

Leif is at the cusp of walking alone. I think if he were a less skillful crawler he'd be more motivated to stay on his feet.

Taking in a butterfly's first flight

The littler Larsen seems especially impressed - the larger, more contemplative

Hi, Mom!

Check out my teeth!

TEAM BUTTERFLY!

The rainforest dance

I'm gonna throw that beanbag in the caterpillar's mouth.

1, 2, 3....Oh, yeah!

What's in there?

Checking out the prairie dogs on the nature walk - no snow, no mud, no coat - LIBERATION!

Happy First Birthday, Leif!

We had a wonderful weekend in Iowa City with a sizable crew gathered to celebrate not only Leif's 1st birthday, but his Grandpa Larsen's 75th as well. (Disclaimer: You may have to print, cut and paste to put these photos in order if that's a biggie for you. I keep forgetting to load the most recent photos first!)

Opening up his new tool set from Aunt Annie

I can already see his wheels turning - "What will I build with these sand tools come spring?"

A special lamb from cousin Kristen, imported from Madison, WI

We left the frosting-covered clothes behind post-cake

After initially just wanting out, once he tasted the frosting the whole game changed...

Kaj "helping" Grandpa Larsen

For the next three, scroll upward - 1) Birthday boy fingers frosting and brings it directly to 2) mom's face, then 3) mom's shirt

Reaching for the keys Grandma Hawley was shaking in the hope of getting a cute, smiley photo

(FYI these don't typically happen after bedtime)

Hanging out with his favorite Mpls Grandma

Leif often zooms down the hall straight to Kaj's room, where he takes a slightly roundabout path to enter the bottom bunk at the foot of the bed so he can put his chin down and push through the dangling blanket. When he takes off down the hall, we always know where he's headed (unless the bathroom door has been left open. Then it's 50/50.)

Playing with his face stacking blocks with cousin Jonus

Checking out his new books from Great Aunt Pat - thanks for sending them along with the cute blue outfit! He'll be wearing it tomorrow morning. :)

Now that's a cake!

The birthday balloon was a hit!

Did someone say "vintage?" Think 1976. Guess who used to wear this outfit...

And this sweater? Another second-generation number made by their Great-grandma Larsen

Preparing for the festivities

The cake maker, and below, a little preview

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEIF PEDER! WE LOVE YOU!

A String of Cold Days

How do we keep ourselves entertained when the weather suggests "indoor recess?"

Entertain the highchair-bound with the craziest of tactics

Test the theory of gravity

Play "sprinkler"

Pose for photos with cereal in our teeth (what is this about?)

Mmm...yeah

Perform free concerts for the public

Enjoy the local wildlife

Cruise from chair to table to fireplace to tent, then repeat

See if we can get inappropriate toys in our mouths without mom or dad noticing - extra points for doing it while being photographed

More free concerts

(*note the kazoo has left us as of late since moments after this photo was taken it was mistaken for a dog chew)

Going for a dip in the local watering hole

Smiling for the camera

(*as of a few days ago Leif now has teeth poking through on top. Check in soon for teeth shots.)

Poop

I just have to share...

7 pm

Kaj (sitting on the john): "Daddy, I'm gonna tell you what kind of poop I'm going to have - a great, big, giant tyrannosaurus rex poop!

7:05 pm

Tom: "Kaj, are you finished?"

Kaj: "Not quite. I just have 3 inches left."

7:10 pm

Tom: "Kaj, I'm so proud of you!"

Kaj: "I'm so proud of you, too!"

Tom: "You mean, you're proud of you, too?"

Kaj: "No, I mean I'm proud of you because you poop all the time!"

A Duet

I realize I haven't posted FOREVER and am overwhelmed at the thought of sifting through photos from the last months, so I'm ignoring that task and focusing on today. Before their afternoon naps - I'm amazed they napped at the same time, that's too convenient - Leif was tooting away on a kazoo and Kaj rediscovered his harmonica. Before they knew it, they were watching each other for cues and really jamming! Ah, brotherhood!