Vintage

Henry wearing a shirt of Aunt Liisa's purchased in Monaco in 1982.

Tuckered

Helena seems to be able to fall asleep anywhere. It will be nice if this continues.

Nora : 4 Years

Andrea took some pictures Monday of my girl. Everyone says this, but it has gone so quickly. She was just born yesterday and now she runs, jumps, talks and knows everything.
A few days old.
Almost one (with Uncle Jon).Two.Three.The birthday princess on her actual birthday, enjoying her third party.

Helena : 3 Months

Her superpower is smiling. Helena likes to suck on two or three fingers as she drifts off to sleep. Sometimes she does this trick in her bed, all by herself! She has slept through the night a few times and hopefully will continue to do so. She enjoys kicking and has started grabbing things. She is a happy girl.

Early birthday parties

Mark's parents came to visit us after Maryann's graduation. We celebrated Mother's Day and Nora's birthday.Nora had a second party when Anja and Liisa came to town to hold a yard sale. We had a well-earned celebration with dinner and ice cream sundaes. Nora has also received cards and letters and packages in the mail, so for her the festivities have been almost continuous.

Cement

The poured the floor and drive for the shop last week. We missed the cement truck on Wednesday, but saw it when they came on Thursday. Henry loved it. They came and went before 7.30, which is why the kids are in their pajamas. The final touch, the door, is supposed to be up Friday. Then we can empty out the garage!

Day Trip

We drove to Moscow, ID for Mark's youngest sister Maryann's graduation. Since Mark started in 1991 his parents have had at least one child enrolled at the U of I. Lunch at Mickey's, our favorite Moscow dive. Henry really liked the Greek olives. We visited a few friends, but did not have time to see everyone we would have liked to.

Almost Done

The last week was a busy one: more perlins on Monday, insulation and the roof on Tuesday. Mark helped put up the metal siding on the long sides last Wednesday. On Thursday the ends were sided. All that is left is to pour the floor and apron and put up the big door. We are excited about the idea of a cement truck coming to our house.
Mark is considering some sort of mural for this side. Suggestions welcome.

Octopus with earmuffs

I thought it was a good likeness. And a fun subject.

Reading

"In my experience when people once begin to read they go on. They begin because they think they ought to and they go on because they must. Yes. They find it widens life. We're all greedy for life, you know, and our short span of existence can't give us all that we hunger for, the time is too short and our capacity not large enough. But in books we experience all life vicariously."

A City of Bells
Elizabeth Goudge

New towels

Here are the shiny clean children in their novelty towels.

More building

The shop will shade quite a bit of the backyard from the morning sun.
Today the trusses and perlins were put up. It is starting to look like a real building. The siding will be delivered on Monday.