December has come and gone . . .

We found these colored lights and Anja ran around with them for awhile (unplugged them a few times as well!).

It's hard to believe that 2008 is right around the corner. Seems like it was just Thanksgiving and now we're getting ready to welcome in the New Year. We finally decorated our tree on the 23rd, just in time to celebrate on Christmas Eve. Anja got into the act and had her own cluster of ornaments on the tree---and only tasted a few pine needles. She loves the tree's lights, flipping the switch on and off.

Anja's cluster of ornaments--not bad!

We celebrated with lots of family this past week--six celebrations for us this year. It was great to see so many family members, and exciting to see Anja light up with new people and in new situations. We've captured a few moments below---enjoy!

Anja had a great time playing with her cousins. Here she is playing under the table with Tia.

Grandpa Erickson helped Anja open gifts from her cousin, Lexi. You can never have too many rubber duckies! Thanks, Lexi!

Anja had a great time opening presents on Christmas Eve. Shred by shred of paper, she got better as the evening progressed.

More books for the bookworm.

And for the grand finale . . .

. . . my very own trike!

A Trip to the Erickson Bros. Tree Farm

L to R: Erik, Shana, Anja, Beck, Susie, Pat, Han, Heather, Taro and Christer.

As most everyone knows, Erik's family owns a tree farm near Taylor's Falls, so every year we have the opportunity to cut down our family Christmas tree. Two Sundays ago, with the freshly fallen snow on the ground, we ventured out with some friends and their families. The kids enjoyed sledding, stomping around in the snow, making snow angels, and of course, the cookies, cider and watching the ever-expanding model train display.

. . . and they're off!


Han gives the tree cutters the all-clear.

Taro makes a snow angel.


Walking on snow is a little more challenging!

All bundled up . . .

Beck and Taro give Erik a hand hauling the trees back to the shaker.

Our tree sits in our living room, still undecorated after 11 days. We hope to get it decorated before Christmas Eve. Anja is learning to say "tree" and "lights" -- "ornaments" is a little too advanced, and if you ask us, way overrated (for now anyway). We're looking forward to spending the week with family and friends, relaxing and unwinding before the craziness begins again!

A Day to Celebrate St. Nicholas . . .

All throughout my childhood, we set out our shoes on December 5th for St. Nicholas. This year we started the same tradition with Anja. For those of you who don't know who St. Nicholas is, check out this site: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/Brix?pageID=38 It does an excellent job of explaining who he was and what he did.

Here are some pictures of Anja outside her door, checking out what St. Nicholas left her. No orange this year, maybe next!

What's this? Another book? YES!

Nice bed head!

We flip and read/sing. Looks like The Little Drummer Boy by Ezra Jack Keats is winner!

Juxtapositions

I found these photographs by Matt Stuart online (no idea who he is) and thought I'd pass them on. Fun what interesting juxtapositions can do.See more at: http://alanocu.backpackit.com/pub/1305361
For the photographer's site: http://www.mattstuart.com/