6-16, A Visit from Patti & Allan

Follow this chain:  Sven's dad who lives in Pittsburgh, has a sister who lives in Virginia, whose husband has kids who live in Denver.  And where do we live?  Denver!  So, through many miles and a lengthy family chain, we were fortunate to have a visit from Aunt Patti and Uncle Allan this week.   We're all operating on a 'tight vacation schedule' and were thrilled when the timing worked out for them to spend a few hours and have dinner with us on Monday evening.  Nikolas was so excited for their visit.  Of the many things he can't remember from his earlier years, he clearly remembers our stays with Patti and Allan at their home in Virginia.  The connecting link?  The Koi pond in their backyard.   (It's amusing to realize the pieces of information that access a child's memory!)  I was happy to finally introduce Emalie to Patti and Allan.  One of the gifts we received when we first brought Emalie home was a beautiful pink knit blanket (very beautiful and so soft!).  I couldn't wait for Emalie to make the connection of the blanket that's in her bed every night with the wonderful lady who'd made it for her.  Emalie took to the two of them immediately.  In no time, both kids had Allan out playing ball in the yard while we manned the deck with glasses of wine.  It truly was a great evening.  It was so nice to be able to catch up with them after so many years (we'd decided it had been three years since their last visit-- right after we moved to CO).  Thank you, Patti and Allan, for taking the time out of your schedule to stop by and see us.  We loved seeing you again!  We hope the rest of your vacation has been wonderful and the miles home enjoyable and safe.  We love you!  

I love how Sven is holding Emalie like a sack of potatoes.  I think it was the only way he could keep her still and away from the light-saber she was swinging around!

6-13, "Mr. Bluebird......"

This is a funny story.  We were sitting out on our back deck for dinner on Friday night.  I was studying a condiment bottle on the table (hmm.... 'where did Sven buy that?  I haven't seen that before.  I wonder if it's spicy.....'), and I felt a rush of feathers and talons on my arm.  I screamed like I was being murdered and I needed the police in downtown Denver to come save me.  Emalie immediately started crying because I had scared her.  I felt like I was going to hyperventilate.  The long and short of it, as seen by Sven who saw the whole scene unfold:  a baby blue jay, possibly it's inaugural flight, had flown from the nest in our Russian olive tree to the deck, LANDED on my arm, I screamed and scared the poor creature, who again took off in flight to get the heck away from me.  He flew to a little tree, where he remained for the next hour.....or more..... he was still there when we headed inside.  Now you have to understand, I love these blue jays.  I waste a lot of water doing dishes watching them through the kitchen window.  I love this time of year when the new babies hatch and I hear their little screeches from up in the tree.  I felt so bad that I had traumatized this poor little guy.  As long as I didn't weaken his heart too much from the incident (though I can't say the same for mine) then it worked out well because I was able to get up pretty close to him and take his picture.  I've been pooped on before by birds (in NY and China), and this time it was an honor to be landed on instead.  And, how cool is it that I was then able to photograph him?!  I must say we all (even Emalie) got a good laugh about it once our heart rates slowed down. Gotta love nature!

"Baby Blue Jay"

6-13, Family Test Shots

I get some of my favorite photos of the family while I'm preparing for a photo session and need test subjects.  This was the case on Friday.  The photos coincided nicely with the upcoming Father's Day weekend.  Here, Sven is the subject of hugs and kisses from the kids.  So, honestly, his actual Father's Day was a bust (having to go buy a new washing machine when just the day before the darn thing gave no indication that it was giving out on us-- that's the condensed version, by the way), but the love from his kids (and me!) is true!