In the spirit of Christmas, we started early and made gingerbread men (and women, and candy-cans, and trees...). It was so fun having kids old enough to actually be able to roll out the dough themselves and take the cookie cutters and go wild! I think everyone enjoyed it, especially after when they came out of the oven and we got to taste them! Yums!!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS TIME!!! (ps. don't ask about Sofia's clown outfit...as you've noticed, I don't decide what she wears these days.  As for Samuel's santa get-up, he's been wearing that for 3 days straight, ever since we got it out of storage)

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! 

Baby nr. 3 :)

Boy or Girl?

    

Yes, it's true, we are expecting our third child and are absolutely thrilled!!! I've gone 14 weeks now...which puts the due date somewhere in the beginning of April. I thought I'd just make it official and announce it to all you out in cyberspace :). I haven't been feeling so hot, but hopefully I'm nearing the end of the morning sickness part (whoever named it "morning sickness" was totally off! It's pretty much an all-day-sickness). But, we are excited. When i first told Samuel, he asked directly if he could see it. A bit disappointed, he found out he had to wait for mommy's tummy got big and fat to be able to see it. Samuel's rooting for a boy. Honestly with one of each, it'd be fun either way! Most Swedes don't find out the sex at all and because it's our third and we do have one each, we're contemplating that surprise approach.  It's not very common at all, and in fact if you do want to find out the sex, you have to pay (all other medical costs are free) and you have to wait until week 27! But, we'll see. Anyway, now it's official!!! :) 

      

General Conference

General Conference weekend was excellent this year!  We get all sessions broadcast over here except for Sunday Afternoon. Our Saturday night, they broadcast the Saturday Morning session live via satellite at our church. It was from 6-8pm. Chris and I both knew the kids wouldn't make it two hours of sitting so late in the evening, so Chris went to the church and I decided to set up a little "prophet movie" (as Samuel called it) for us at home! Thank goodness for BYU-broadcasting!!! We hooked up our computer to the tv, got a little Satruday-candy (the kids can only eat candy on Saturday...hence the name), crayons and paper, blankets and pillows and were ready to go! Samuel lasted a surprisingly 45 min. However, as soon as Sofia's candy was gone, she was up and down and everywhere. Made it difficult to consentrate. By 6:50, we called it quits, brushed teeth, and I put the kids down. By 7:00, I could enjoy the last hour in peace and quiet in the comfort of my own home. It brought back memories of growing up and staying home and watching it on tv and all the little things mom had for us to keep us busy. :) It was sweet.