Birthday Boy

Pake celebrated 92 years young:-) His birthday was on Sunday so we had a cake reception at church after the morning service and then a family party at the golf course after that. Anika was insistent that Pake needed a party hat so we had party hats back at home that night with a little more cake:-)

With the Grands

Anika's new "do"

Auntie Anna does Beppe's hair every Sat. Anika greatly enjoyed the process. When Aunt Anna finished, Anika said to Beppe, "You look beautiful". Beppe was still laughing about that when we left.

Visit to Pake and Beppe

Anika wiggled for Beppe once and then Beppe couldn't get enough of it so she got to wiggle a lot more!

This weekend we were able to travel to Salem, OR for Pake's 92nd birthday. Lloyd's parents were also visiting and we had a great time together. The kids (especially Anika) loved all of the attention. (Her feet hardly touched the ground for 3 days -- Mom is now living with the consequences!)

HONK!

Andrew loves to honk noses. Anika more than tolerated it; she actually enjoyed it!

Paul's goodbye

Paul headed back to college this week. Anika & Andrew are sure going to miss him! We got spoiled having him home for a long Christmas break.


Paul and Anika snuggle.
Andrew takes a few steps to Nathan.

Andrew laughing

This was so funny. Andrew couldn't get enough of Paul, our neighbor and friend, talking on the phone. He kept handing him anything that looked like a phone and then laughing when Paul said, "hello".


In this pic, they are talking into a toy bathtub!

Kiddos

Some shots of the kids in a good mood! (After today, I'm wondering if I'll see such looks again. Just one of those crabby days, I guess:-)

Andrew's Handprint

It was Andrew's turn to get his handprint impression for posterity!

Favorite Spot

The kids have enjoyed spending LOTS of time right here - on Grandpa's lap.

"Crampa" and Anika

Anika loves having visiters and Grandpa is no exception. His special name from Anika is "Crampa".

Letter Recognition

Anika received a number of things for Christmas and her birthday to help her learn her letters. She is really starting to recognize "A" for Anika. I was really proud of her A on her aquadoodle notepad. (Yes, it appears she is going to be a lefty like her mama!)

Grandpa's Here!

Washing the Dog

Anika and Andrew give Daddy a hand washing the dog. It takes amazing patience to deal with a 3 year old, 1 year old, AND a wet, soapy 3 1/2 year old puppy in a tiny bathroom.

Birthday Gifts continued

Anika and Andrew continue to get gifts for their birthdays! I think it will be Birthday month around here. If you ask Anika whose birthday is was she says, "Andrew's and mine. We share!"

Me and my birthday kiddos

FIRST STEPS

I can hardly believe it but . . . Andrew took his first steps at his first birthday party:-)

Cake Eaters

FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Decorations!

When Anika got up from her nap, I was still decorating for her birthday - I think she was a little overwhelmed but she LOVED the balloons. She helped me color the Banner and hang it up.

Dora Birthday Cake

On Friday, we had a little party to celebrate Anika and Andrew's birthdays. We had a great time. Anika was so excited about her "birthday" (birthday cake) so I had to grab a pic of her first glance at her Dora cake.