Let me see

Annikka had her second loose tooth, which was confirmed by Eila.

From July/August2013

Then today, just 2 days later, Dad helped her pull it out.

From July/August2013

Theater camp

This summer has been our first experience negotiating the camp schedules for Annikka.  Luckily there are many different options offered, but Annikka's favorite has been theater camp (although there are many more camps still to come).  Here's a video of her group's song for their final performance (the actually performance was much too dark and quiet to get a video).



She liked it so much that she actually cried herself to sleep on Friday night when it ended (seriously, it was 1 hr+ of crying at bedtime).  She has made me promise that she can go back again next summer.

Emilie & blueberries

Emilie came to visit us and register for classes at OSU.  We took her blueberry picking.

From July/August2013

Eila is just the right size for blueberry picking.

From July/August2013

Annikka did a great job finding bunches of berries.

From July/August2013

From July/August2013

From July/August2013

After having lots of fun and picking almost 8 lbs of blueberries, we enjoyed popsicles.

From July/August2013

From July/August2013

4 month check-up

We returned from vacation just in time for Eila to have her 4 month post chemo check-up.  She's pretty used to the routine now, ultrasound & x-rays, followed by blood work & doctor's appointment.  Luckily everything came back clear!  The only "problem" was that her CO₂ levels are still too low (meaning her blood is still too acidic), so we need to increase her medication.  She will go back in September for a 6 month post chemo appointment -- a little nervous for that one because that's when they found her second tumor last year.  But right now she's just a happy, active 3 year old.

Family photos

One of the best parts of family vacations is all the opportunities you get for family photos.  We had LOTS of time together and took lots of photos to remember all the fun!

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

As always, these posts only show a small number of all our photos, so if you're interested in seeing more feel free to check out the web album.

Grandma's snacks

Grandma was so organized on this vacation, she came prepared to make special snacks with the granddaughters. The girls thought it was really fun and we all got yummy snacks! The first day Annikka and Grandma made spider crackers.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

(Eila's excitement is because she just woke up from her nap.)

From 2013 Summer Vacation

The next day Annikka, Eila, and Grandma made us worms in dirt.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Then Annikka, Eila, Ruthie, and Grandma made fish in the ocean.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

Ruthie liked adding fish to the ocean, but not eating the ocean ... it's for you Mom.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

4th of July

On the 4th of July, we went into town to see the parade.  Our girls had been to a parade just a few days before with their Larsen cousins and were excited to see another (and get more candy).

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

It was Ruthie's first parade; it was a success.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

She even got to enjoy some of the candy.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

After the parade we went back to the lake for naps and playing.  Luck for us, our resort did their own firework display that night.  It was much easier to let the girls stay up to see them since we didn't have to drive any where and deal with traffic.

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation

From 2013 Summer Vacation