Summer

Our little summer babe has had a great start to the sunny season.

A couple of weekends ago we went looking for, and found, rough-skinned newts:

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

They are cool, and Annikka loved them. I'd catch a newt, show it to Annikka, we'd let it crawl back into the pond, and Annikka would tell me to go get another one ("anada wun"). We did that six or seven times. Great stuff.

We've gone on a couple of hikes to Finley Wildlife Refuge.

From May2009

We saw frogs ...

From May2009

... tractors (technically, not part of the refuge) ...

From May2009

From May2009

... snakes, and countless birds.

We went to Amani & Hirut's birthday party, where we played and ate nicely:

From May2009

From May2009

Annikka has managed to scrape her chin ...

From May2009

... bonk her head ...

From May2009

... and scrape her knees (twice!).

From May2009

All of which has left Annikka completely exhausted:

From May2009

A Fun Dessert

Annikka knows a few lines in many songs, and we enjoy getting to hear them. Baked goods and play dough can often lead to this one (it's her version of patty cake)...



She wasn't a big fan of the marionberry cobbler, but it was cute.

Bye Anani

Today was a very sad day around here, we had to say good bye to Anani.

From Anani & Oliver

She was just about the best cat imaginable...she played fetch, purred at even the slightest touch, would talk your ear off, always let you roll over in bed, loved to be spun around in circles, could jump onto my shoulder from the floor, welcomed everyone that walked in the door, and always helped make the day more interesting.

From Anani & Oliver

From Anani & Oliver

From Anani & Oliver

From Anani & Oliver

Anani was one of a kind. We miss her.

From Anani & Oliver

Box O'Fun

From May2009

It amazes me just how active Annikka is these days. When she's not busy in her kitchen, she loves running around the house. And some times that leads to hiding. Oh, the fun that can be had after new diapers get delivered.

From May2009

From May2009

From May2009

Daddy likes this game, too.

ABC song

Here's a video on which Annikka sings the ABCs. Unfortunately, she won't sing the song on request, but she will sing it when she busy doing other things, like watching Mommy on the video camera screen. So, while you get to hear Annikka, you'll also have to watch Mommy. Enjoy the music.

Cousin Taisto

Annikka has a new cousin! Aaron and Kristin's son Taisto James Dean Larsen was born on April 28th (one week early). He was 7 lb, 11 oz and 20 1/2 inches. Taisto (pronounced tie-stow) is a Salo family name--he was our mother's father's brother, and his middle names are his 2 grandfathers', just like his Daddy. We are looking forward to getting to see the proud parents and meet him in June.

About 90%

Just wanted to let everyone know that Annikka is walking and running all the time now; I'd say she's about 90% of her pre-cast self. And the cats are remembering what it means to have an active wobbler/toddler around again.



She also knows about 90% of the ABC song (one of several songs she sings along with at bedtime). We'll see if we can get it on video for you to enjoy, too.

From April 2009

BTW, my favorite thing she does now is saying "Mommy bless you" when I sneeze (and yes, she also blesses Daddy).