Isabel's 4th Birthday

Today was Isabel's 4th birthday and, as per what is becoming our family tradition, we began the birthday celebration at the breakfast table with Isabel's "life candles" lit and her opening of a couple of presents from family members near and far. 

Here are a few photos of our sweet, friendly and enthusiastic four year old opening gifts on her birthday!

Lukas was very supportive of his sister on her birthday.  Here he is reading her birthday card from Yiayia and Grandpa out loud to her.

On his own initiative, Lukas made a birthday card for Isabel.  Translation: "I love you and can't wait to see your big smile.  You are a princess. Love, Lukas"  The picture is of a castle being guarded by two knights.

She got a Snow White Cottage and Bunny/Forest Lego Set from Yiayia and Grandpa.  She followed the photo on the box to assemble the cottage and forest scene in her room right away.

Tante Steffi and Onkel Jochen gave her a Playmobil "Ponyhof" (pony riding school). After a little help from Papa to get it assembled, she and her brother have already spent a lot of time playing with it.

After school, Isabel got to finish opening her presents.  Here she is celebrating the sparkly red shoes that Thea Lesley and Uncle Derrick gave her.  She also got a "Snow White Tutu" (as she calls it) and a red shirt to got along with the shoes.  Shortly after opening the outfit, she insisted on "trying it on" and below is a photo of her modeling the new ensemble.

Our miniature "Snow White Ballerina"

Isabel loves gymnastics and so she was super excited to receive a couple of leotards, with matching shorts and a Connie DVD from Oma and Opa.

Isabel also decided to model one of her new gymnastic leotards.

We gave her a new bike, helmet and bike accessories--notice the color motif?! :-)

For her birthday dinner, Isabel requested macaroni and cheese and chicken nuggets.  Here she is gleefully eating her special meal!

Christmas in Colorado

We were in Colorado visiting my parents and sister's family over Christmas and New Year's.  We had about 3 hours of delay on each side of the trip due to snowy weather across the country, but it was well-worth the hassle so that we could be with family!

What a fun time we had together.  In addition to opening gifts together Christmas morning, some highlights for the kids included a trip to the Firefighter Museum in downtown Denver, a tour of the football stadium at Mile High, an open gym at Liam's gymnastics studio and an afternoon at Dave and Buster's (an arcade).

The adults enjoyed lots of opportunities for good conversations, dinners/lunches out, a girl's day and a guy's evening as well as a low-key New Year's Eve celebration.  A special high point for Olli was helping Derrick to make a homemade batch of Hefeweizen. I especially liked participating in the tradition of baking, cutting and eating Vasilopita (Greek New Year's bread) as I got the penny this year!

Three out of four cousins: Lukas, Isabel and Liam

Lukas read the Christmas Story from the family Bible on Christmas morning.  We were all impressed by his reading skills!

Isabel wearing the much-hoped-for Snow White Dress

Lukas with a couple of his gifts from Yiayia and Grandpa

The cousins watched several episodes of Sid the Science Kid together

Lukas reading a board book to Mia

Isabel behind the wheel of an old-fashioned fire truck at the Firefighter's Museum

Lukas the firefighter!

The four cousins on their way to a fire emergency

Lukas and Liam in front of the stadium at Mile High

Lukas imagining what it would be like to be a football player

Viewing the stadium from the media box

My boys

Lukas zip-lining into a foam pit

What a leap!

Isabel skipping down the long trampoline

"Look! I have a stamp on my foot!"

Everyone gathered around to cut the Vasilopita and see who will get a "good luck coin" for the New Year

Grandpa gave Isabel her first "real" tiara and inspired her to be like a princess toward others (i.e. kind and generous)

Grandpa and Lukas scared by a leaping mountain lion at their "boys day out" at a Bass Pro Shop

Lukas and Olli at the Bass Pro Shop

We also managed to fit in a couple of visits with Olli's host family, the Ahlgrims, including his host brother's family who were visiting from North Carolina.  We had dinner with them a couple of times and even went caroling--an activity that no longer seems to be culturally current.

Caroling with the Ahlgrims

Lauren with Olli's youngest host sister, Kristin, and her 11 month-old son, Ethan

Fast Friends: Emily (Olli's host brother's daughter) and Isabel

Olli, his host brother (Joel) and Joel's nephew, Andrew and niece, Alicia

Olli's host sister, Jennifer and Ethan

Alan and Linda Ahlgrim (Olli's host parents)

Andrew, Lukas, Emily and Isabel

Lauren reading a factual story about the first Christmas to Andrew (Olli's host brother's son) and Lukas