SUNDAY AFTERNOON

This afternoon, after church we did some relaxation, and quality/quantity

Family Time.

We had an intense Mario Cart Competition

Our regular Sunday Activity involves watching an episode of 

Little House in a Prairie.

Beloved TV-Series from 70's and 80's.

Can I just say 

Throw Back Sunday!

Here is a little trailer.

Since it was a Memorial Day Weekend we decided to go by cemetery and take some time 

to remember our loved ones 

who have passed before us.

What gives us comfort is the knowledge that one day we will meet again.

If you would like to know more about our beliefs, you can read about it here.

Families are Forever

...and that is such a beautiful thing!

CARROT FLOWERS

Who knew that the flowers of carrot plans were so pretty!

I guess, I have never waited for them to flower, 

but have always pulled the plants out of the ground to eat the carrots.

We must not have eaten enough carrots this spring, since we got to see the plants flower.

They make a great bouquet, along with cilantro, and flowering salad greens.

We did get some carrots as well:

SOCCER SEASON CAME AND WENT

Another soccer season is under our belts.

This time around it was Maija's and Niko's season of soccer.

Jason was the head couch for Niko's team, the Blue Man Group,

 and one of the assistant coaches for Maija's team, The Strikes.

We have so much fun watching both of them play.

Go Strikers!!!

Go Blue man Group!!!

We had Niko's end of the season soccer party in our back yard.

We all had great time!

KAI, THE EAGLE

Kai received his Eagle Scout Award last October.

We have been such slaggers,

not getting his Eagle Court of Honor done.

First it was the Holidays, then Tax Season....We finally decided that if we are not getting it done now, it will never be held.

We finally got pictures taken, scheduled the building and planned the program.

it really was not that hard.

He deserved all that, as hard as he worked for his Eagle.

Good job Kai!

SPRING CONCERT 2014

Another school year and band year is coming to an end.

Markus and Kai had their Spring Concert and dazzled us with their handsomness...

and their music :)

And then we dazzled them by taking them to a frozen yogurt :)

with grandma and grandpa 

CCSD CHEER COMPETITION

Maija did not feel that great when she woke up.

But she was determined to compete.

I made her my magic soup.

Blueberry soup

4 cups blueberries or huckleberries, fresh or frozen

4 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons potato starch flour or cornstarch
3 tablespoons water

Her strength returned and few hours later she was ready to go.

Her team did great!

Maija is kneeling on a floor, all the way to left

Update.

Few weeks later we had a cheer-pool-party in our backyard.

Here are our wonderful coaches.

They are the best!!!

NOT THE GIRLS NIGHT OUT WE PLANNED

It was the Eve of the last Cheer competition.

Jason was taking the boys out for Father and Sons camp out, our annual church sponsored camping event for boys and their dads.

Maija and I always have a fun girls night planned for this time.

Did not happen this year.

Maija came home from a school with a stomach bug.

Instead of going out to party..

we stayed home and 

watched Akeelah and the Bee

...and then went to bed hoping that Maija would feel well enough next day to compete.

CANDYLAND TABLE

We have our yearly Youth Fundraiser coming up.

We raise money to our church youth program by donating services or goods, and then having an auction.

This year I decided to paint and donate a children's table and chairs set.

I contemplated how to paint the table and decided on a Candyland Game theme.

I figured that  most of the little kids are familiar with Candyland, and it is quite timeless.

I finally finished the painting project today.  Yay!!!

Hopefully we have lots of Candyland fans coming to our auction.

SEWING AND SINGING

Maija had a school choir performance on Thursday night.

She was to wear Smalley t-shirt and khakis (pants, shorts, or a skirt).

Our week has been a busy one, and I failed to get her khakis...so Thursday morning, before she went to school I made her a simple skirt.

Thank goodness for my fabric stash!
Just happened to have some suitable fabric laying around.

And here is one of the songs the choir sang.

Maija introduced the song...I was just too slow to get the intro recorded.

We want to dedicate this song to 

Grandma Dawna to Idaho

and Pappa to Finland.

May you recover speedily.

We love you!

HAPPY EARLY MOTHER'S DAY TO ME

I have the best Mother-in-Law.  She gave me an early Mother's Day present.

I love chocolate and strawberries!

Best present ever!

This requires a good book and a comfy couch!

MARKUS' FIRST PROM

Last night was the Prom.

Markus with his beautiful date,

Good friends.

Fun places.

Pictures in the park.

Ventano's for Dinner

Container Park for hanging out

World's Tallest Ferris Wheel, High Roller to top the evening.

MAIJA'S TURN TO SHINE

This month seems to be dotted with performances of all shorts.

It is the other end of the year...first one being the end of December of course.

For us May is a pretty significant month.

School year is coming to an end 

and with that many other activities.

Last night Maija had her Dance Recital.

Dance Recital is always one of the most surprising to me.

With piano recital I know what to expect.  I have heard the kids practice their songs over and over.

With dance I am always amazed of the things the kids do.

It is always a pleasant surprise.

JAZZ IN THE WATER STREET

Markus plays trumpet in the High School Jazz Band.

They had a concert yesterday in downtown outdoor pavillion.

The weather was nice.
A perfect night to be sitting and listening some great jazz.

Markus has a solo in about 2:15 mark.

If you would like to see more jazz or our other family movies,

you can go to our YouTube channel.