Samuel's (and hence the rest of us) been cooped up inside for the past 4 days because he's been sick, so we were more than happy when aunt Sofia called and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the park with them and some of our other cousins. Here's the lot of them (the half that's not in school anyway). Although it was freezing (literally 30F), we managed to stay out for a good two hours! (And now I'm enjoying a nice quiet time while Samuel and Sofia are zonked out in their beds!) Having so many cousins so close has been so fun for us! 

Sofia's Punk-Look

P.S. She choose her clothes herself.

First Night w/ Bunk-Beds

Because we'll be needing Sofia's crib soon and because we there's not a whole lot of space in the kids' room (and because, come on, bunk-beds are FUN!) we decided to buy Samuel and Sofia bunk beds! We bought them off the internet Saturday evening, and by the time, daddy came home with them, it was too late to set them up. The next day, Samuel was sick and couldn't go to church, but it was totally okay with him because that meant he got to stay home with daddy and put together his new bed!!! When Sofia and I came home, he ran quickly and excitedly to me and wanted to show me the new beds immediately! (He loves that he gets to sleep on top). So, last night was the big debut. We were a little skeptical, but after only having to go in their room one time after we said good-night, it was quiet and we were totally impressed that Sofia would sleep there so easily. However, when we walked in to check on them this is what we saw :). (Notice her dolly on her bed that she had put to sleep so carefully). Needless to say, we picked her up and she made it through the first night without coming up again. We'll see if it works as well tonight. :) 

Halloween-Swedish Style

Pippi (Ida), Power Ranger (Samuel) and Princess getting into the spirit of the day

(not so sure what's up with Samuel's hand...:))

Halloween hasn't been very big over here in Sweden, however it is growing and more and more people are catching onto the idea.  There's a family in our ward who's husband is American and therefore have taken it upon themselves to spread the Halloween tradition to the world! Every year, they send out flyers to people in their neighborhood saying that those who want to be a part of Halloween can set a lantern outside their house so the kids know which houses to knock on and which not to. This was the first year we went because the kids have always been too young (and the 31st just happens to be Chris's birthday as well, so we haven't really put much emphasis on Halloween). 

Samuel and Sofia don't eat candy, but we told them because it was Halloween they could each choose one piece to eat that night and then one to eat the next day (since it was Saturday). They thought they were in Heaven. So, we drove out to the Murphy's and started door-knocking. Only about 1 in every 5th house or so had a lantern out, so it took a bit longer. And only 4 houses later the kids were freezing and ready to go in.  But they each had about half a small zip-lock baggie full and they were completely satisfied. I'm glad the kids could get a little taste of Halloween and these American traditions! 

This is back at the Murphy's. All the kids enjoying their earnings and watching the Wizard of Oz. (notice how many black witches and goblins there are!)

We got home around 8:30pm and I guess the festivities were too much for our little clown. She feel asleep in the car, and didn't even wake up when we got home, undressed her and put her pajamas on!