Flowers

While back in MN, we stopped by the cemetery to bring flowers to my mom's grave.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Even from an early age, Annikka has always been surprisingly understanding that her Nana isn't here to be with her. She will often say that Nana is in heaven and she will see her one day when she goes to heaven. She was very interested in going to the cemetery with flowers.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Eila thought the cemetery and flowers was just our first stop and asked several times about going to Nana's house to see her. (I guess I haven't done as much to explain to her why she doesn't get to see her Nana.)

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Overall, it went well and it felt good to do something to include my mom in all our family time. There's an obvious hole left by her absence, and I hope the girls will always feel like she's still looking over them.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Next stop, OSU

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Emilie is coming to Corvallis this fall to go to school at Oregon State University, so her grad party included this awesome beaver cake. We are super excited that she'll be living out here.

The party was a great time, hanging out and playing games. And it was wonderful to have all Papa's grandchildren together.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Eila and Taisto really liked playing games together.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Party nails

The first big event of our vacation was cousin Emilie's graduation party. To get ready for it, Emilie invited Annikka & Eila to get their nails painted with her, an invitation Annikka would never refuse.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

And to make it extra special, the nail lady added these small stickers on her little fingers. Annikka felt so fancy.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

 But this was also Eila's first time getting her nails done.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

She showed she could be a big girl too and was surprisingly patient (and very determined) through the whole thing.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Eila choose blue, of course. And was very happy when the nail lady was able to find these tiny stickers to fit on her thumbs too!

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Party nails on their little hands

From 2013 Summer Vacation

MN swimming

Our big summer vacation this year (and the subject of the next several posts) was going to Minnesota. We had time with both of our families, so the pictures are endless. We started the vacation with the Larsen side and LOTS of swimming at the Tappes with the cousins.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

It was prefect MN weather for a pool party.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Eila continues to be fearless in the pool (thanks to her "floaty suit") and loved jumping off the diving board.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Eila made it look so fun that she even convinced Taisto to give it a try.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Annikka, however, preferred to get thrown into the water by Dad.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Overall, just a great day to hang out together.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Annikka's last day of kindergarten

Annikka's first day of kindergarten was a big milestone, but with everything that we were going through at that time it was relatively easy to take in stride.  Annikka's last day of kindergarten was harder for me -- how can we possibly have a child who has already completed kindergarten?  It's amazing to think about all she's learned over these past 9 months (reading, adding, vocabulary, basketball, and more).  This time is going much too fast.

From May/June2013

This is Annikka with her teacher, Ms. Carla.  Annikka was so happy to get to be there to celebrate her last day, she has pneumonia and had to stay home both Monday and Tuesday.  She is going to miss Ms. Carla and all the friends she's made this past year; she's transferring to our local public school for first grade.  To celebrate her last day, I told her we could do something special after school ...

From May/June2013

She choose getting her nails done, of course.  And now she begins the adventure of summer camps; wish us luck.

Father's Day

Letting Daddy sleep as long as he wanted was supposed to be part of his Father's day gift, but the excitement won out and the girls went to deliver his favorite cookies and the gifts they made him in bed around 9:45.  Earlier than he might have chosen, but not a bad way to start the day.

We wrapped up the day for dad with one of his favorite dinners, sushi.  The girls even tried a bite ... but then returned their piece to Joel.

From May/June2013

Our happy girls with their dad :)

Eila's words

Last week while eating dinner Annikka suddenly asked Eila what it felt like to have cancer.  It's always hard to think of (or see) your children suffering, and since Eila was so young she did so much of her suffering quietly.  I imagine that's why one reason I had never asked her this big question, but I was very interested in what she would say ...

It feels like you are going to throw up!  It feels like there are yuckies all over in your tummy.

And although her chemo is done, our poor little Eila still suffers with stomach aches because the medication she takes twice daily for her kidney also causes an upset stomach (it can increase the production of stomach acid).  It doesn't make her throw up, so it is an improvement over chemo.  And hopefully we'll find some things that help minimize these aches over time too.

Strawberry picking

Annikka had another early release from school on Friday, so we went out strawberry picking.

From May/June2013

It was a warm afternoon for our first time picking strawberries, and I know Annikka didn't know what she was getting herself into. 

From May/June2013

She thought the picking was okay, enjoyed a little people watching, but she REALLY enjoyed eating the fresh berries.  I had forgotten just how good strawberries are when they are first picked and still warm from the sunshine.

From May/June2013

We managed to pick 2 big buckets full, then went home to bake a cake so that we all enjoyed strawberry shortcake after dinner.

From May/June2013

It was a great afternoon together; I'm so lucky to have this little lady.

From May/June2013

Spring Sing

Annikka's school had a spring concert tonight.  As we all know, Annikka LOVES to sing, so she was very excited about this.  They had been practicing for weeks - here's a couple of the songs that we heard over & over again at our house.  The kids did a great job.  Sorry the image is poor, the room was fairly dark and I only had our camera along for recording.





Eila sat nicely and listened for the first half, then she and her friend Hugh did some dancing and rolling.

Birthday party

Eila's birthday party was at the Little Gym with her preschool friends.  Everything went surprisingly well, and it was really fun to see how well they all play together.  Here's a few videos of the fun/chaos.







Eila's only request for her party was blue cupcakes.  She helped add the sprinkles and Annikka added the kitties.

From May/June2013