Birthday Girl - 8 years old!

On Sunday evening Nora had some friends over for a party. On Monday morning she started summer school, so in addition to red velvet cake for the party, I had to bake 18 German chocolate cupcakes for her class.


Kate and Jake

Harry and Nora

Kate, Jake, Klara, and Liz

Grace and Hope

Last evening we ate cake and opened the presents sent by relatives. What a fashionista!






Even Klara managed to get in on the action!

Still, the 8-year old was happy to get toys too!

Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader
American Girls of the Revolution: Elizabeth and Felicity
3-D sidewalk chalk - it works (with special glasses of course)!

Garden Fence Update

The gate is built but I guess painting has to happen before hinges are attached.

Early Reader?

60's and 70's day

Nora wore an authentic flower girl (not to be confused with flower child) dress from the 60's.


Klara didn't have a special day at school, but she had to get in on the act with Elton John glasses and platform boots!

Planting and Painting

On the Saturday of Memorial weekend I got Rick to go along with putting a garden in the front yard, so we dug up the grass on Saturday and Sunday, tilled on Monday, and I planted on Tuesday. Rick has also been busy painting all the wood adjacent to the house, like deck, fence, flowerbed boarders. He also plans to build a fence around the garden soon, but for now you can see our progress. Today I could see something growing in every row!



View from the front step.


Flowers, berries, and freshly painted fence


The deck and furniture look great after a fresh coat of paint! Makes you wanna come over and hang out, doesn't it?

Graduation

May 9th was graduation at MSU. Here are 9 of our MA graduates with one of their professors. (Just wanted Mom and Dad to see that the robe is put to good use at least once a year. The rest of the time it hangs on a wall in my office as decoration.)

International Festival

It's not the one in St. Paul, but it's still pretty good. Lots of great food, entertainment, and activities. Klara is sporting her 'Sami' crown here after our trip through the kids activities. She was skeptical of the photographer, but otherwise she and Nora had a great time. In fact Nora was off running with several of her second grade buddies, so she didn't make the picture. The festival is a weekend in April every year, so if you're looking for a cheaper version of the big event, just drive on down!