Monday, May 31, 2010

Swimming at Lake Harriett











Mikko loved to play in the sand.




David kept washing the sand off Mikko's toes.






Playing with buckets.





Walkin' on the beach.






David wanted to go out really deep!




We ventured to Lake Harriett on Sunday to take the boys swimming. The both completely loved it and had absolutely no fear of the water. Mikko splashed and splashed. David loved to venture way out into the lake with Daddy.
It was a fun last minute thing to do on Sunday afternoon - something I can envision doing many more times this summer.



Sunday, May 30, 2010

Westfork Maple Syrup




David and Mikko feasted on Grandpa Huntz's Maple Syrup this morning. Here is David feeding Mikko waffles. Mikko ate a whole waffle.
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Westfork Syrup, best in the land.
Best of all, it's made by hand.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Pretty cute






Several mornings I've woken up to giggles from the baby monitor in Mikko's Room. I'll go downstairs and find David in Mikko's crib and they are playing and laughing. This morning I snuck and got the camera to capture the sweetness!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Underwater World

Today I took the boys to Underwater World at the MOA.
David really like to push Mikko.
I think David's favorite part was looking at turtles.

He was PETRIFIED of the sharks. Here he is as one approaches.


Hiding from the sharks. I finally had to tell him to just look at his feet until we were out of the tunnel. Yikes.

Mikko wasn't scared though.

Ahhh....these fish were more David's style.

Mikko looking at Jellyfish.

My little "Treasure".

Sitting on a turtle.

Mikko and David in the shark tank.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Mikko's Birthday Party

Party Boy all ready for his family and friends to arrive at his party!

The swimming gang!

Mikko welcoming Leah into the pool. It was her very first time swimming.




Another creation by Carrie...She is truly remarkable. Not only was it adorable, her homeade fondant was so tasty! Mikko's individual cake to devour was even a dog dish filled with dog food (Cocoa Puffs). Super cute idea Carrie.

I made Mikko this special bib for his most special first birthday.

Mikko attacked the cake.




The chaos of opening presents!

Do those two look like trouble, or what?

The kids playing on the beds. They were moving so fast even the picture is blurry. I love David in mid-air on the bed.

David, Win and Viv.
David stuck his head through the fence and got it stuck right after this picture. I was sure we'd have to call the Bloomington Fire Dept. to get it out but Daddy rescued him. Do we think he learned a lesson?

David riding the cart out in the morning.


Grandma and Grandpa Wagner at breakfast in the morning

Win and Viv loved pushing Mikko in his stroller around the hotel
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We had a wonderfully fun party for Mikko's First Birthday.
We rented a hotel room at Embassy Suites. The kids swam in the pool, we ordered pizza and feasted on Carrie's fabulous birthday cake.
Britta and the girls rented a hotel room too so we had lots of fun and laughs with them way into the night and had breakfast in the morning.
We were so happy to share Mikko's super special day with our family and friends.
Happy Birthday Mikko!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Mikko's FIRST 1st Birthday Party

He is now officially addicted to sweets. This was his first chocolate ever.
Before he attacked the cupcake.

Getting every last lick of frosting. Does this remind you of Greta on her 1st Birthday?


High Fives for everyone.

Grandpa Dave brought over pizza from Broadway. We were so happy Dusty joined us too.

We decided we need to have cake and open presents every night at our house and Mikko will never be crabby again.

Of course, the paper was the best part of presents.


This was our present to Mikko - a play door that goes in his real doorway. It has a mailbox and a doorway. David is going to show Mikko how it works.

Mikko figuring it out.
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We celebrated Mikko's birthday today...a precursor to his big bash this Saturday! We invited Grandpa Dave, Grandma Mary and Dusty over because they can't come to his party on Saturday. It was fun to have 2 celebrations. Mikko had a great time eating a cupcake and opening some presents. If he attacks his real birthday cake on Saturday like he did his cupcake we are in for some real clean up. Foxy and Jimmy were a big help cleaning up the mess.
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A special thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Wagner for their great harmonious singing of Happy Birthday over the phone...and to Sophia for calling to wish Mikko a Happy Birthday.

Mikko is 1!




Playing with his shape sorter from the Fougner's

Happy Boy



A mischievous look



Practicing clapping



Having a good time




Just so you know he isn't all smiles all the time, here he is laying at my feet having a "moment".
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The day has arrived, our baby Mikko is now 1 year old.

I feel like it was just yesterday that Damon exclaimed "It's a boy" in the delivery room and my heart melted when I saw your beautiful face.
Never in a million years did I think I would have TWO boys,
and I wouldn't change it for the world.

You have the blondest blond hair and the biggest blue eyes.

You've challenged me,
made me laugh,
made me cry
and made me work really hard to be a better mommy to you.

You are sometimes demanding but also very sweet.

You are truly a Mama's boy at the point in your life.

The last year has been joyful and really hard, all at the same time.

I recently read that the name Mikko means Quick and Nimble - wow those words describe you to a "T". I have never seen a baby so curious and able to grab objects so quickly.
I know you will continue to be a very busy guy as you grow up.

You adore your big brother David.
It is fun to see you beginning to "play" together.
You want to play with everything that David is playing with.
You still giggle when David runs by.
We might as well skip the baby toys because you want all his matchbox cars and games.

Your attachment to Grandma Marlene makes my heart melt because we named you after after her father - Mikko Victori Kuusisto. You snuggle on her lap in a way different than you do with anyone else.

I can't wait to see you helping Grandpa Huntz at the shack. He has so many wonderful things to teach you about the Northwoods.

You will have so much fun growing up with your cousins - Bobby, Greta, Leah and Sophia. I never really had cousins growing up that were close to us so I am so happy you will get the experience of having cousins.

Grandma Carol will spoil you with her complete undivided attention as she has done for David.
She really is the proudest Grandma ever. Soon she'll be taking you to the Wild Rumpus and treating you to books, a favorite activity of hers!

We'll spend many fun June weeks with Grandpa Dave and Grandma Mary at Peter's. You might even skinny dip there!! They are so generous with you and also love you tons.

I love you more than you'll ever know my dear little Mikko.

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for you.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Mother's Day Interview with David

Damon did the cutest thing EVER with David.

He gave him a Mother's Day Interview...here is the transcription that was given to me in the form of a card:

David, what do you like most about Mommy?
- Her Nose

What else?
- Her glasses (sunglasses)

What is your favorite thing to do with her?
- Wrap presents

What is her favorite color?
- Pink

What is her favorite number?
- One

Favorite Dog?
- Foxy

What job does she do?
-Go to work

Favorite Food?
- Fruit

Favorite Twins Player?
-Mauer

What else do you want to tell her?
- Hat
- I can suck my thumb


PRICELESS Stuff. Thank you Damon, that was the greatest gift - Thanks for the new cell phone too : )