MY FIRST MEAL

Three words: Rice cereal, messy and fun! Only why do they call it "solid" food? There was nothing solid about it.

SUN

When the sky is that blue, the sun is that bright and the temperatures that mild, work and school need to be abandoned for a while - even if it's only for a quick walk. We love those spring-like temperatures!

ELECTIONS

are always a little nerve-racking, but rarely as exciting as the Finnish ones! We have our own ideas about who of the two remaining candidates that run for presidency will support the rights and voices of minorities and stand up for social justice. And we are happy to see that the youngest Finnish citizen around here shares our opinion ;-) Well, in our household, the president has been elected.

HOORAY!

Finland has a new citizen. And a great one at that!

Translation for non-Finnish speakers: Kansalaisuus = nationality, Yhdysvallat = United States, Suomi = Finland

LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

To be honest, it has been difficult for us so far to see the similarity between Samu and Marko that everyone else seemed to see. But then Marko got his baby book from his mum and what we found in there was almost shocking. See for yourselves ...

Samuel, a little over 3 months


Marko, about 7 months

HOMEWARD BOUND

After a fantastic month in Europe, we had to turn our backs on you again, Finland and Austria.

Before we left, we enjoyed some last visitors an visits



[It would be great to add pictures of Heli + family and Jenni + girls here ... If you have any, we'd be grateful if you could email us some.]

And so the crazy trip home began - in the middle of the night, in the middle of a snowstorm. Two days of trains, taxis, planes and cars. For the most part, Samu enjoyed it a lot.

Fascinated by his reflection in the window.


Trainrides are fun!


Enjoying the view from the plane. Goodbye, Finland!


Let me eat the camera!

We are grateful to be home safe and happy, with bags full of gifts and heads full of beautiful memories. Thank you to all who have hosted us, fed us and spent time with us, above all our families! See you in the summer!!!

LIEKSA

On on of our daily walks we were lucky enough to catch some of the rare winter sun rays, and for a few minutes even see sun and moon at the same time! Beautiful Lieksa!

FRIENDS

An essential part of our European holidays is going to Joensuu too see Marko's college city, but most importantly old friends and their children. Good memories, old ones and new ones. Thank you, dear friends, for giving us a warm welcome and having time for us!

WHAT IS BETTER

than Christmas? A second Christmas! That's what we had in Lieksa. It was just like the original one, including ...

joulukinkku (Christmas ham),

Christmas tarts and decorations,

joulu tonttu ;-)

gifts,

and Christmas lights.

THANK YOU for such a nice, unexpected second Christmas!

BAPTISED 2

As promised, here are the good pictures of the baptism. Many many thanks to Jakob and Benedikt!!!

The before pictures


From Samu's perspective

Grandparents and priest waiting for the ceremony to start

Friends admiring the beautiful program booklet

Good listeners ;-)

Thank you for the music!

Touching words from godfather Jakob

Samu and his godfather

Blessings for Samu, who was totally excited about this ritual



We baptised Samu together: The priest, Marko and Hanna. Good teamwork!


Anointment with chrism

Lighting the baptismal candle


The precious, historical baptismal robe

After the religious celebration a more secular one: Thank you, Mama and Papa Ennser, for the delicious and festive banquet!


The poster of good wishes for Samuel. (For those who missed it, you still have the chance to sign it. Just let us know.)