German visitor

Sanaz' best friend Neda visited from Germany, and the girls travelled to NYC among other places. They gave us 'I Love NY' t-shirts as a gift!

Spring was here...

...now it is summer!
I havent taken as many pictures of our flowering bushes and garden this year, it is 'old' news compared with last year which was our first spring at the house. But I did just finish staining a wooden bench I bought with money from my Dad, and prepared a piece of the front yard where I put it together with some freshly planted pots. Looks good, doesn't it?

Alaaeldin's Wedding

Steve and I attended Ala and Liz' wedding party in Herndon April 7. It was great to see some of our old friends again - Ala, Jean, David! Sumer was on a business trip so he couldn't make it.

A beautiful couple getting ready for the party. Can you believe we've been together for 8 years now!

At the dinner table

Jean and Alaaeldin

From Left: Ala, Steve, David, Kine, and best man (his name escapes me)

Ala and Liz

We had not only one, but two belly dancers perform at the party!

Anika 3 years!

Anika had been looking forward to her birthday party for a loooong time, and to finally get to wear her new polka-dot birthday dress!!

Lots of family and friends came to Anika's party, I never had time to count, but we had lots of food and cake and fun in the sun. Happy Birthday Anika, we love you!

Two beautiful girls dressed for the party



The big Birthday Girl!

Neighbors Ella and Sophie (with Sophie's mom Sharon)

Mamma's delicious home-made chocolate cake with 3 candles for the birthday girl


Everyone getting a piece of the cake

Anika loving it... she has a sweet tooth just like her mom :)




Charlie, Liam and Colter enjoying icecream



Grandma Kathleen prepared the birthday treats. Thanks for all your help with everything that day!



Anika and Freya playing in the jungle tent Anika got for her birthday from mamma and pappa.



Anika also got a beautiful new ballerina dress and a baby doll stroller from Sanaz (sorry mormor Inger, the old one has fallen apart)




Other gifts included a beautiful wodden doll house from grandma, clothes from mormor, clothes from morfar and Eva, and a money purse from grandpa Earl (yes, she is putting more money in it!). Thanks you all!

Grandpa Jim and the girls

Grandpa Jim flew from California to Virginia in mid-March, and he got to see Freya for the first time! He stayed at an Elks Lodge Home in Bedford, Virginia for 5 weeks before he moved into Kathleen's apartment in Brooklyn, New York. She found a bigger place that she, Chris and Jim can all live in comfortably. We can't wait to visit and see the new place!

Catch up - Feb-April pics...

Sorry folks for the few postings lately... life has been very hectic at work with multiple trips for both Kine and Steven, the girls growing like weeds (especially Freya), and dealing with Grandma Shirlie's passing and helping Kathleen taking care of and getting Grandpa Jim situated in Virginia and then Brooklyn.

I'll try to post the best of the pictures taken in the last few months + create a few extra postings of special occasions like Anika's birthday and our recent vacation to Florida!

Happy sisters! It is so much fun these days as they are interacting and playing together.

This was Freya at 7 months.


Anika in sweather and hat knitted by mormor Inger, and gloves knitted by ... one of our aunts I believe.

Freya in a beautiful knitted pants and socks set by great-grandma Magnhild. Our little Easter bunny!









Anika and Ansel having fun at the National Zoo!

Tadeusz, Ansel and Anika are good friends at the Zoo.

Anika and pappa built a stellar snow man in February...