My birthday

The post is not all about my birthday I promise, but I do have to say I had a wonderful one. I am housesitting this week, so Aran took care of Lilja on Friday and two of my friends took me out to a wonderful dinner with martinis and yummy appetizers and yes dessert!! Then a quiet evening at the house. On my birthday morning I got greeted by four noses at a wopping 6 am!! but they gave me lots of licks and that made it all better. I had a great walk with the dogs and then went home to get greated by Aran and Lilja all excited because we were going to bake "pink" cupcakes..Lilja was the excited one ;). Then we sang "Lang zal ze leven" and blew out all OUR candles.. Lilja believes in my birthday is her birthday.. I guess i do too ;) THEN>>>> we had a wonderful early sushi dinner where Lilja ate all her miso soup and lots of salmon and we devowered some amazing rolls..( my daughter does not like french fries but loves miso soup.. I guess we are doing something right ) Then... yes, there is more... I got shauffeured back to Caroline's house and Aran took Lilja home. My real birthday quiet night..It was wonderful, but too quiet.. ,  I am ready to have that little one with me again..But thank you Daddy for the wonderful time, and the amazing roses too.. And thank you Lilja for being such and amazing little girl who I miss even after one night away.. That says alot!!      

A martini, appertizers and yes, a yummy dessert with some great friends 

I asked Lilja what kind of cupcakes we should make she said: "pink ones with sprinkles" I made them a little 'healthy with applesauce and ygurt in them but they still were really good. i was impressed and Lilja so excited she could help all the way! 

The next day we all went skiing again. This time we both skate skied and took the backpack with us instead of making two trips. She again did really great. We bought her a new ski suit as the other fashion were a little bulky.. yes, I love to buy clothes for Lilja.. sue me!!

After the longest skiing as of to date, Lilja wanted in the backpack.. so with her new warm hat and Lamby in tow we went the whole loop around, with the hill up first.. I AM SORE!! 

happy dog, happy child

on daddy's shoulders

First Lilja went "skiing" down the hill, but today she was a little tired. and as Daddy has been saying.. "let's keep it positive!" so he put her on his shoulders and we went back to the car to get the backpack.. It was a little windy, and Lilja loved catching the wind..

Our new x-mas day tradition!

Our x-mas morning was uneventful besides that Santa stuffed the stocking with doggie toys and little somethings and a beachball appeared under the tree. We had celebrated x-mas with Aran's parents a couple of weeks ago so it would be a little confusing for Lilja to do it twice. But we had told her that Santa wanted her family to be together, that's why he came early, but for other kids he would come today. And because he came early he thought of her this morning with some little things and just to say Hi . Then we went skiing, this time we brought everything to do our big excursion.

First we ski with Lilja and Aran has his classics on (I only have skate skis) Aran said he feels we need to seperate our skiing together, then we'll go get hot chocolate at the car and have lunch and then it is time for the backpack.

We waited a little long with starting to ski and this time was right at nap time.. she was pretty tired and Aran saved to day by putting her on his shoulders. Don't worry.. I trust Aran completely, he is an amazing skiier and is very safe  (just for you mom) 



Hold on tight, Lilja!!



We just had hot chocolate, changed her clothes so she would be warm and toasty, and put her in the backpack. Aran changed in his skate skis, and we are off on our excursion.

We did a nice little loop, my goodness, we have not skate skied for the last two years. Aran had Lilja in the backpack and that was apparently pretty heavy. I think we are going to look for a sled contraption. But our legs and arms are tired, our cheeks are rosy.. and we are a happy family!! Merry x-mas!!

merry x-mas

Happy Holidays to all our friends and families, close ones and new ones. Lilja is a very lucky girl to have so many people love her and adore her..   we love you, have a wonderful christmas!
Nicole, Aran and Lilja

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snow girl

fun in the snow!!

second day of "skiing"

Lilja did so great yesterday that today we had a big plan. First we were going to ski with Lilja and then Aran was also going to put his skate skis on and Lilja would go in the backpack. However, Aram forgot the second skis, so tommorrow will be the long excusion.. Again today she did great. Trying to figure out her outfit as yesterday was a little bulky, but I think we got it for today.. She will be the fashionista of the trail..

The two girls

I was skate skiing. Kind of like ice skating with long skis, and Aran went classic skiing.. But Lija wanted to go on Mama's trail the whole time. I think she will be ready for real skis before the winter is over.. We have been taking turns to just go ahead and ski on our own a little. looking forward to our big one tommorrow.. we'll see how Lilja will do in the backpack..

Our first skiing adventure

going, going...

our ski bunny!!

The moon... ski??

finger painting 2

finger painting 1

James got Lilja some finger paining  stuff.. Well, James I guess you can say she loves it!!

snow, snow, snow SNOW!!

Our second day of lots of snow. Grandma and Grandpa were lucky, they came right before the big storm, and left when it was done.. but in the middle they could sled with Lilja!!! Yeah!! Here we are going for a little walk with the dogs.

Lilja is on the awesome grown up slide in this picture, but she also seems to prefer the little blue one.

I fell off... again Daddy!!

Perfect for a Daddy/daughter team!!

Losing some stream, that's what daddy's shoulders are for.



Grandpa, Grandma and Lila



An extra walk around the lake in the toddler sled.. we made a nice path for the next family of sledders.

and the North Pole

The Polar Express take 2

The Polar Express

The Polar express

Last year was the first year we took Lilja to the Polar Express. When we found out Aran's parents were going to be here, we gave them the experience of the Polar express as a x-mas gift. Today was a fun filled day. First we went sledding ( see pictures later on) then Lilja took a great nap, had some frozen yogurt in durango, went to the train museum and then finally got on the Polar express. We had prepared Lilja this year by bying the book, which she wanted to read every night and on friday we saw the movie. so she was ready!! Bear with me as the photos are not very sharp because of the lighting, but I think you will get the idea. 



At the train museum in her jammies, she chose these to wear for the Polar express. 




The was kind of a long wait in the station, Lilja was getting a little overwhelmed with all the people and kids around, but she held it together. The train was coming!!! Check out the videos in a previous blog.



We had some chefs who gave hot chocolate and some yummie cookies and were great hostesses while they were singing and following the dialogue of the book.

We went about l10 miles to the valley and then we got to the North pole where Santa was with his sleigh.. There were lots of lights and a pretend North Pole village. Santa then gets on the train and we start singing songs to get him to come to our car.



Grandma and Grandpa were great singers!!



The conductor comes and clips your golden ticket..

And the book is being read during the trip over an intercom

And then santa comes on the way back while we all sing every x-mas song you can imagine!! Lilja was surprisingly enough very happy to see him.

He was a great santa and gives each child a bell from the reindeers harness.



Lilja loved the bell!it took about an hour, perfect time, great songs, and such festive atmosphere.. This is definitely the cutest thing you can do with a little child..



The Polar express!!

Our early x-mas dinner

A shrimp appertizer before steak and scallops, beans and potatoes.. lilja even had a 'no thank you" bite of the scallops and kind of liked it.. plus icecream for dessert for Lilja and a "milkshake of vanilla icecream, brandy and cream de cocoa.. it was delicious..all on Aran's grandma's plates.. so fitting..

a salad of mixed greens, cashews, goat cheese and cranberries and shrimp with home made sauce... so good!!

It has been such a fun weekend already .. But tommorrow is the highlight of the Polar Express..

one two three four

Lilja was not allowed to blow out the candles, so she found a different way.. we just had a good laugh.. so inventive

x-mas morning, Lilja is speechless

snow, snow and Grandma and Grandpa!!

I think it is becoming a tradition for Arans parents to come right before x-mas and celebrate the holiday with us early.. so we waited to get the tree and set up an early x-mas morning with lots of presents!!

We were going to cut a tree at vallecito this year like we do every year.. but ofcourse there is a huge snow storm right when we wanted to go and get it.. so we went to the local plant store and got a beautiful tree. 

Lilja got this beautiful dress from grandma and Grandpa on "x-mas eve. We went to a x-mas party and she loved to wear it!.. she looked like an angel.. here she is putting x-mas ornaments on the tree.

x-mas morning.. this little kitty cat "Milly' was a great success.

We got about a foot of snow and it is still coming down, so after opening all those presents we went sledding down our road.. That is the plus about living in a cul-de-sac and on a hill!! and this sled is one of those fast ones.. really fast!!

Grandpa is ready!!! thanks for the pose Lilja!!  'Again grandpa, again!!

Grandma and Lilja were getting them selves in trouble making snowballs.. look at that look!! and determination! From both girls!!

look at all that snow..Lilja still fit in her snowsuit from last year, perfect, nice and toasty!

Lilja loved to just roll in the snow and was trying to make little slides.. Tommorrow I think we are going to make a skiing path in the back yard.. Her first ski lessons...

Lamby gets a bath

My mom bought sun soap with her this summer, and she vows that it gets everything very clean.. well, she is right.. Lamby needs lots of washings as he goes almost everywhere with us.. Lilja wanted to help this time.. 

first you add the soap and scrub, scrub, scrub!!

Tada, lamby is all clean!! now into the dryer...

the reindeers

Lilja's gym teacher asked her what she wanted for x-mas and i overheard her say " a tiny reindeer" so I found two little guys at our local hard wear store. When lilja woke up yesterday, I told her I saw Santa and he gave me these two little reindeer for her because she had been so wonderful and she could play with them while Aran and I went to our x-mas party.. Lilja's face lit up, and she really loves them.. then suddenly her face got serious and asked:" momma, was it a pretend Santa?".... hmmmm.. I am not usually lost for words, but I had to think about it.. I said:" well, yes, it was Santa's helper, who had talked to Santa in the Northpole.." This girl is too smart for her own good. Stay Innocent for a little while longer girlie!! you are only three!!

The reindeers were watching over 'brother"( the little lamby in the box). Lilja always tucks in her animals for nap and at night.. so cute!

date night and x-mas party

Yes, are you shocked this page does not have a picture of Lilja in it.. Just Aran and I.. well, be proud.. we went on a date and had a x-mas party for my work.. yes, really a date!! and guess what, we had a blast. We ate, drank, even played musical chairs and... danced!!! so much fun!! I think we have not danced since our wedding, and that thought is so sad, because we always have such a great time.. reallyy I am in stitches when we dance.. and that is a good thing..

ready to have some fun. Our favorite babysitter is taking care of Lilja and we are having a free wonderful meal with great music.. let's party!!

Robin on the left is my boss and Karena and Alison are my assistants for tumbling Tots. I am so lucky to have such a great team to work with. They have been wonderful and able to fill in when Lilja is sick. Rachel is muissing in this picture, but she has been a great new addition to this team. Again vey lucky to work with such amazing women!! Thanks girls!! 

we are going on an adventure

Thursday, we had a day off from Tumbling Tots, but we still had to walk dogs. So to make it interesting for Lilja.. like she doesn't love walking the dogs (wink, wink). I told her we were going on an adventure to find some deer. She had gotten binoculars for her birthday so we took them with us..  

Lamby has been sneaking with us... hhhmmm how does that happen?



Mommy, I think I see some deer!




There is a cow!!



Mommy, I can see the stoplight..
hihihi, yes, I only took these photos when the car was stopped. But she was all into it.. so cute. She really can see through it and thinks it is so fun.. Love this girl!! Did not get photos when we were walkeing, but thought these were fun.

Our children's museum

It was mommy daughter day on Saturday while Aran starts training for his big bike race in Belgium in March.. so Lilja and I went to our children's museum in Durango. For such a little town, our museum is really nice, new and advanced. I am very imppressed with all the age-apropriate activities for all ages, and as you will see also activities that I would think would be over Lilja's head and she loves them.. go figure.. This is a perfect opportunity to see what she would want for x-mas..



Mommy, I see all rainbows everywhere!!



do you see them on the wall?

I think this was one of Lilja's favorite activities. This magnetic ball comes apart and then "helps" you put him back together, by however the magnetic field attach to eachother. JT has one and Lilja always throws it on the ground to break it and then tries to put it back together. He is usually not that happy about that one. 

Again something magnetic, she really gravitates to them   hihi no pun intended.. well, maybe a little :)