Anna and Emma

Martin, his dad and my brother at our house at Christmas time. The piles of stuff on the tables are a combination of opened presents, food and drinks - just looking at the chaos makes me nervous, but it was nice to have everybody over and all the gifts we got were beautiful.

Among tons and tons of beautiful gifts of which most will soon become clutter (i.e. toys), Anna and Emma also got a girly pink tricycle that has the great advantage of allowing an adult to push it very easily using the handle type thing in the back. It was officially Emma's gift, but Anna has played with it just as much or more. The girls both love to sit in it (individually) and have us push them around the house. It will hopefully also serve well as an alternative to a stroller for Emma when the weather gets nice in the spring and summer for when we walk to town. The picture is of the girls with my parents and Martin's mom (holding Anna).

Emma often enjoys playing in my mom and dad's newly remodeled bathroom, and especially in the shower. When Anna joins in the fun, she likes to close the shower doors and be shut in there with Emma. I think I'll have to try it myself sometime soon ...

Anna's kindergarten class recently had a performance for parents just before Christmas where they sang and danced.

Martin with the moufflon (wild sheep type European animal) that he shot recently. Apparently, it's horns are of record dimensions, making it a prize trophy. I guess that would be like a man with big biceps? Martin has those, but I don't think that I'm quite ready to shoot him yet - although there are some moments ...

Martin's dog is usually at his parents' house (who live only about five minutes away from us) until we get the kennel at our house fixed up for her, so having her at our house is a special occasion for the kids. However, as the primary (read: only) cleaner-upper at our house, I am not that excited about her visits since there is always dog hair all over the place afterwards, although I realize it could be much worse if she had long fur. But, I am of course glad that the kids enjoy their time with her. The pictures also offer a complimentary view of dirt next to the potted plant that Emma likes to dig out now and again. I know, I am a superb cleaner-upper, as is surely obvious at the sight of that dirt that had been lieing there on the floor for who knows how long before I took the picture and for who knows how long afterwards ...

I actually took this picture lieing down to make the skin on my face lie flat and my double chin recede. It is obvious I am going to have to get a face lift soon ...

The girls had a fun time sledding with dad, while I was content to have the role of photographer. The hill had a big incline and was really bumpy but Martin was braking with his feet so they were going slow enough for it to be safe for Emma.

The girls flashed great smiles for the camera, and the picture is even better with the added bonus of chocolate all over their faces!

Emma is sixteen months old and can climb up almost anywhere by herself, with the help of chairs and couches. She can often be found walking around on the dining room table or living room window sill, for example. And, in the few instances when she can't get somewhere by herself, Anna is always ready and willing to give her that extra little push to get her anywhere. I do a lot of explaining, yelling, threatening, etc. etc., but it is clearly not helping and the thrill of exploration prevails.

This is the view from one of our living room windows. This picture is from October or November. Currently, the view is all white. The pond is now frozen and there is a layer of snow on it. Anna, Martin and I tried ice skating a few times this past week. Anna was on ice skates for the first time and did a really good job from the start. I didn't fall, but that is only because I was so extremely careful, as usual. I am glad that Anna seems to be quite athletic, which is something she clearly has not inherited from me.

Anna and Emma are always eager to have fun with my dad.