Into the New Year

After all the parties and celebrations and general business of the holidays, our little family has been able to enjoy some relatively quiet days together - all of us.

Here's Morten, trying to read a bit (ha!) with Sammy. Sam's a cuddle-bug, and it took him awhile to get us to understand what he wanted since Max loved to be by himself in his box most of the time. Max hardly ever WANTED to be held, he just tolerated it. But Sammy craves it. But as you can see, it's not really that hard to adjust to...

Here's also Sam, all bundled up for a trip outside. It's been below freezing the last few days, so we really pack on the clothes. It's like going to the moon just to get outside with two adults and two kids, but we manage. Thank God for our car...

And here is also a picture of Max in Sam's lift. This is his new thing....just a reminder that he is also our baby, I think. We certainly haven't forgotten our big boy. He's adjusting well to Sam and is very sweet with him, touching his head, comforting him when he cries ("Leah, Leah - he's crying. You should carry him. He wants a pear!" or "It's ok Sammy... you don't have to be scared of firecrackers. They don't come inside."). Here Max thought he should sleep in Sam's box and Sam could sleep in the big boy bed, but that only lasted about 5 minutes once that long legged 3 year old tried to get comfy.

Here's also some footage of the dusting of snow we got the other day. Not much to speak of, just got the roads icy, but it made everything look fresh after the New Years excitement.

The first clip is of Max racing down our road on his daddy's old tricycle with his stuffed dog in the back. The second is of the 4 of us at the Botanical Gardens feeding the ducks. Well... I guess we were really feeding the seagulls. They were more fun anyway...

Christmas Eve in Århus

Ho, Ho, Ho! A few pictures of our Merry Christmas at Anni and Jens'. Morten's Aunt Ruth came, which always makes everything much more fun. And this year, we had lots of new-ness around us: Anni and Jens have redone their living space, with wooden floors, designer furniture and a new paint job. So the spiffy house looked lovely as we danced around the the tree, glowing in the middle of the room.

Here is Anni with her newest grandbaby, Max with his newest "Cars" edition (it was Flo's cafe), a pic of my 3 boys, and another of the 4 of us.

Party, Party, Party

It's been a busy, busy December - full of festivities!

Max's daycare hosted a Christmas party, and Santa even had time to drop by. Max waited patiently until the next to last, with his hands behind his back, for his little bag of candy and then smiled and almost bowed to Santa with a big TAK! We were so proud of his manners, but aren't quite sure where how he got them, as we have never taught the royal bow..

There was also a Santa Lucia parade - with all the pretty girls dressed in white, with candles on a wreath around their heads and in the hands... very festive.

And there was an unveiling as well. All the kids got to draw a picture of themselves - and here is Max's rendition. We must admit we were also very proud of this. Here at home, we are happy about circles that (almost) meet and knowing that red is red and blue is blue. But a decided face with arms, legs and hair - we were most impressed! Those daycare workers are definitely earning their money!

Here is also a picture of me, mom, all dolled up for my Christmas party (all dolled up meaning I actually showered and put on mascara). Sam-O came with and got ooh's and aah's from all my classmates. He was good as gold.

And up top is Max at gramma and grampa Denmarks celebrating Christmas Eve with "wine" in his own glass - Diet Coke. We are all junkies over here, and admit it. We don't overimbibe alcohol or smoke, but man alive... we can't quit the DC. Though we only drink it on weekends (it's more expensive than booze), the thrill that comes on Friday when we know we can have Diet Coke has made an impression on Max as well. The other day, Max and I took the train into the city and enjoyed a day together, just the two of us. I bought him a new wallet with Lightning McQueen on it and he got 10 crowns in it to buy what he wanted, which of course, was candy. He bought gummi soda bottles. On enjoying them on the train, he shouted, much to the amusement of the kids sitting over from him, " It's Coca-Cola Light!" Mom was busted...