A Lindhjem Creation: 06/01/2011

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Teenager-in-training

Heard from under the covers this morning... "But Mom, I just want to go back to sleep!"

Why, oh why, can't this happen on a Saturday morning?!?!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Yesterday morning, we lost a dear woman, Erik's Aunt Marlene. She was a regular reader of this blog and loved keeping up with the boys. She always sent cards, and on her final day, she even reminded her sister-in-law to please mail Levi's birthday card that she had sitting at home. We will always remember her for her warmth and endless care for others. We love you and miss you, Aunt Marlene!

Being a young toddler is tough!

Both boys graduated to new classrooms this week. Gunnar is now an official preschooler, and Levi is a young toddler. What happened to my infants???
Gunnar is loving his new class, which is huge and has all kinds of new toys to explore. Levi, on the other hand, misses his comfort zone. The new room, new schedule, new teachers, and new friends have been a bit overwhelming (translated: cause a lot of screaming and crying). Last week the infant room teachers were trying to prepare Levi for his new 1-nap schedule, and this was the result at lunchtime...

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Levi's 1st birthday, part 2!

Grammy and Pop-pop continued their tradition of helping to celebrate birthdays on the actual day of. They came to visit for Levi's official 1st and happily doned their birthday hats for the early morning, video taped serenade. Grammy made Levi his very own I Spy quilt, which he loved rolling around on.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

And it was a good thing Levi has a big brother to help him open packages, or we may have been there all day.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Levi made his handprints on Grammy and Pop-pop's very own walk of fame.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

So... it took a couple of tries to get it right...

From Levi's 1st Birthday

We had a great morning, hanging out and blowing 3-D bubbles.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

In the afternoon, the boys had fun running through the Birkdale fountains.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

And we all worked up an appetite for ice cream! This was Levi's first taste of our favorite treat.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Happy birthday, Levi!

From Levi's 1st Birthday

The pool

Before we left Richmond, we got to take Levi for his 1st official swim. Our previous attempt in the winter was a bust due to a broken heater at the YMCA. He loved it!

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Gunnar, of course, had a ball as well.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Thanks, Patty and Rooty! We can't wait to come back!

Happy 1st Birthday, Levi!

From Levi's 1st Birthday

I can't believe my baby is 1! We spent the whole week celebrating, starting off with a party at Patty and Rooty's. We were joined by the Pierces, Duersons, McElfresh's, Uncle CJ & family, and Monroes. Aunt Lizzie made the most adorable birthday shirt, and Patty helped me make the sock monkey cake.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

We feasted on Buz and Ned's bbq and played in the backyard. Here's Charlie on the tricycle.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

And Gunnar and Bradey were inseparable.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Levi was excited to see his cake.

From Levi's 1st Birthday

He licked some of the frosting...

From Levi's 1st Birthday

but preferred mashing cake everywhere (I don't think he actually ate any).

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Sign #36 of a good party: when the guest of honor goes straight from the highchair to the bathtub.
Here is Levi post bath:

From Levi's 1st Birthday

Tweetsie Railroad

Gunnar has been asking to ride a train for a while now, and it was the perfect time when Thomas the Tank Engine came to Tweetsie Railroad. We stayed with Mary Ellen and Joe and spent our first morning in Boone visiting Grandfather Mountain and crossing the mile high bridge. Gunnar loved "hiking" across the rocks, but we let Levi stay back by the bridge. The day was a bit hazy, but the views were still incredible.

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

The mile high bridge...

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

We got to the bears just in time for their feeding!

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

The otters were show-offs.

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

Time for the trains!

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

Just when I thought I was going to get a picture full of smiles, I realized that Gunnar was screaming and crying because he wanted to drive.

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

He was much happier on the planes...

From Tweetsie Railroad 2011

And after riding the ferris wheel twice and loving the chair lift, Gunnar definitely proved that heights are no big deal.

MAGROO 2

Several months ago, I got the opportunity to rekindle my love affair with a certain little red car. When I was 15, Dad and I rebuilt a 1977 BMW 320i, painted it bright red, and off I went on the great adventures of Magroo. During my college years, a rusted frame and frost on the inside of the windshield forced me to part with my beloved. Then, just a few months ago, came the call from our dear friend, Dixon. He was ready to part with his 1990 325ix, bright red. Magroo 2 was born.
We got to show it off at this year's vintage BMW rally in Winston. Patty, Rooty, and our UVA friends, Steph and Andrew, joined us. Andrew is a fellow bimmer lover, and Steph likes to drink wine and make fun of bimmer lovers. The weekend consisted of drinking wine, looking at cars, getting caught in the rain, drinking more wine, and looking at more cars. Patty and Aunt Lizzie even suited us up in our very own Magroo 2 uniforms! As you may guess, Steph these photos (note the lack of full car in the pictures!) Also note that we have no pictures of Steph or Andrew. Perhaps because Andrew spent most of his time wandering in the land of bimmers, and Steph was drinking lots of wine. :)