Nice people

People get a bad rap!

There are a plethora of nice people in this world.

Everytime we travel with Annika I am reminded of this.

I've heard (and even seen) some NIGHTMARE exchanges between children and strangers on flights.

Fortunately, I've never had to experience one. I've been lucky enough to sit beside nice people who think that everything my child does is adorable. (and why wouldn't they?!)

Maybe it's the flirty "Hi!" or the killer blue eyes that she inherited from her daddy, or perhaps it's the true interest that she seems to show in other people.

Whatever the reason . . . I'm grateful!

Older grandmotherly types, middle-aged businessmen, young college students, people who speak other languages, and those who are traveling from far away places-

they're all nice.

We hope you meet some of them soon!

Field Trip!

Geoff, Annika and I met Lori and Ben Casey and their two boys, Knox and Banks, at the Imagine It! Children's Museum downtown today. The kids all had a blast meeting Bob the Builder and discovering all the cool interactive stations at the museum.

After the museum, we took a trip to The Varsity. Annika is officially addicted to F.O.s! (Frosted Orange for all of you non-Atlantans!) We had such a great time!

Playing Pretend

Santa must have heard that Annika has been into playing pretend lately. In fact, at our Christmas Eve service, she pretended to sing along with everyone else.

To support the imagination that Butterbean is developing, Santa brought her a kitchen. You can see her washing her hands before she cooks breakfast.

She is also a very good pretend Mommy. She feeds her baby every few minutes-in between bouts of fake baby cries. Her baby cries a lot!

We hope your Christmas morning was as fun as ours!

Resting up for Santa

Annika received this chair as an early present from Daddy. She looks just like Geoff when she's asleep in an easy chair!

The Magic

How does she know?

She is almost giddy with the magic of The Season. Her laughter (Oh that Laugh!) is frequent and contagious. Her interest in ALL things Christmas is a delight. (Not just to me, right???) Almost everything she says gets punctuated with a "Ho, Ho, Ho!" and she signs the word beautiful EVERY time she sees Christmas lights. I LOVE THIS LIFE!

May the Joy of this Holy Season overcome you and yours!

Mor Mor

Mor Mor is Norwegian for Mother's Mother.

The definition of our Mor Mor is much more complex than this.

Jenny Birkeland Larsen

Mother to Alan and Lily, grandmother to Alan, Jr., Geoff, Jon, and Allison, great-grandmother of Tommy, Makenna, Mallory, Tori, Chase, and Annika. Knitter of scarves and hats that have been kept looking brand new to pass down to heirs. Crocheter of Christmas stockings, bedspreads, Christmas angel toppers, and more baby blankets than could ever be counted. World War II nurse. Beloved wife. Immigrant to America in the 40s. Fantastic storyteller. Loved dog owner. Patient teacher. Farmer's daughter. Maker of lefse bread that would leave you begging for just one more piece. Sneaker of uneaten morsels to Thor, Auggie, and I'm sure Freya too. Great cook. Author of witty remarks. Committed Lutheran church member.

An honorable Godly woman.

She will be missed dearly.

She loved us, and we have been blessed by her life.

Mallory, Mor Mor, Tori, Chase, and Annika

Thanksgiving 2008

Ho! Ho! Oh No!

Annika immediately thought that Santa should stay at the North Pole all year long!Then he made the mistake of talking to her!
She liked him MUCH better last year!

Isn't this what holiday memories are made of?
Season's Greetings!