Made in Thailand 2007-2008

You've got to love deadlines!

Apple has been reminding me for the last several months that our Mobile Me account (which hosted my original blog) would be closing at the end of June. With forty-six minutes to spare, I've reformatted all of my entries into a relatively impressive 41-page pdf.  Now I  am ready to share what I have found to be an enjoyable stroll through yesteryear, thanks to youblisher.com.

Made in Thailand: November 2007 - June 2008

If you'd like to know more about our lives in 2012, you may have to wait a few more days.  Priorities, folks.

Our Spring-like Winter/Our Summer-like Spring!

With such beautiful weather, we have been keeping ourselves quite busy and in good spirits during the last month. We've hopped around the Midwest a bit (Di also snuck away for a few days of fabulous professional development in San Antonio) and have started enjoying the fruits of Tom and Doug's patio-building labor by spending most late afternoons and early evenings outside. 

Who knew March in Iowa could be so lovely? 

Di & Kay at TMEA  

I went to Orff sessions, she to band, but we managed to snag a photo on the Riverwalk. 

Stonehenge or Court Hill Park? 

"Mom, look! L is for Leif!"

 Kiwi + Peanut Butter + Celery + Sprinkles = Why don't you want more, Mom? 

Kaj with his neighborhood buddies, Matthew and Kenji          

Di and Jenia showing off their half-marthon medals and beautiful children -   Our fan club at Mile 10 kept us going!

Adventures in Chicago with the Larsen/Reik crew

"Sue"

Leif flying a "Red Tail" at the African-American Museum in Cedar Rapids

Walking to 60th and Portland Dairy Queen from Uncle Doug's house - this needs to become a tradition

And we returned home to flowers, flowers and more flowers! 

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...

Welcome, 2012!

I've enjoyed my several month vacation from blogging, but I'm hopping back in the saddle and ready to share one of many fun days we experienced with the boys (and our new iPhones) during winter break.

 Tom and I took the boys to the Swedish Institute (Mpls) on a bit of a whim, and it turned out to be a wonderfully memorable late morning/afternoon together. We arrived around 10:30 only to learn the museum/house wouldn't open until noon. Instead of bailing on our plan, we headed a few blocks west to Nicollet Ave. for a lovely Vietnamese lunch of lychee and mango smoothies, fresh spring rolls and pho. After lunch we returned to the Swedish Institute, where we saw their Scandinavian Christmas rooms, listened to a Swedish storyteller (she was fabulous!), and ended our visit with the Dala horse token ride on the 3rd floor.

Silly mom thought she could inspire the boys to perform spontaneously in front of one of the many Christmas trees. This was what I got...

That evening we saw a performance of The Wizard of Oz at the Children's Theatre. We all loved it!

Leif is waking up, so off I go...