Picking blueberries/Reading with daddy

The 4th

I am a bit mortified that these photos are from the fourth of July, but I've got to get back on the horse sometime. We've been going through a HUGE transition during the last ten weeks, so I'll cut myself a little slack.

My parents, Doug and Germaine all came down to Iowa City over the Fourth of July weekend, which luckily coincided with the Iowa City Jazz Festival and Sunny's birthday. All in all, a lovely weekend. This would be my elder son in what appears to be a popcorn food coma...

Whoa! Germaine captured this beauty.

Leif with Uncle Doug - what a pair

Meeting Jonas

Leif meets his cousin, Jonas, who is only one month younger than him.

Jericho, Uncle Sam and Kaj build critters in the playroom while Grandma Larsen and the two little ones observe carefully.

A special table for Kaj and Jericho...

The boys

Leif about to tip over!

Returning home

I am so behind in my blogging, I hardly know where to resume...

Perhaps this photo will give you a sense of the spectacle we made on our big trip home. All in all, it went remarkably well. Kaj slept most of the way, and Leif was awake but happy to bounce around on our laps most of the time. My parents and brother Doug met us at the Mpls airport and helped us lug our enormous suitcases, dog, cat, and two children back to Point Drive. I honestly don't know how we could have done it with fewer than three cars!
Once at my parents' house, we immediately began to relax. We dug out some warmer clothes (68 degrees felt chilly!) and Leif's introduction and Kaj's reorientation began!As you may recall, Kaj is obsessed with the bassoon. My dad was a good sport and dug his out of the basement and played it for the first time in ten years (self-reported). This was a big hit!

Kaj also rediscovered the harmonica down in the guest room.

Here's Uncle Doug getting to know his new nephew.

Meeting Ella/Off to Wisconsin

Literally days after we returned to Bangkok last August our good friends Emily and Brett welcomed their daughter Ella to the world. We have been following her adorable photos for months, but were thrilled to meet her in person (and visit with Emily, of course!) during our first week home. Then, off to the Hayward, WI area... look closely and you will see Kaj and Tom in the muskie's mouth!

Kaj loves going out in the boat with Grandma Hawley and actually caught a fish this year! We captured this photo early in the morning one day when the rest of us were just getting up. Apparently the boat is fun even when it is tethered to the dock.

I got this fishing bear outfit from a colleague in Bangkok when Kaj was born, but it was too small by the time we got to the lake. With Leif, the timing was perfect!

Mother's Day and more - how did I forget to post these?

These are from a while back, but worth posting!The "Baby Bjorn" - the only way I've been able to manage after school while Tom is teaching and Kaj's in an active mood. Not quite sure what's going on with the hair...

Our three-month-old happy baby

Mother's Day

OF COURSE the boys are looking their own directions! Kaj requested to wear his "handsome shirt" that morning.

I like this one

The boys at 3 1/2 months

Leif at 3.5 months

Kaj and 3.5 months

My wonderful high school friend, Nora, occasionally posts side-by-side photos of her girls at particular ages. Here is a pair of Kaj and Leif at 3.5 months, where Tom and I think it is clear they're going their own directions. The verdict: Kaj's a Larsen and Leif's a Hawley. Crying baby - gotta go!