SPECIAL TIMES

We thoroughly enjoyed our first reunited week after Marko's Finland trip. We did not do anything special, just spent a lot of time together. Then again, that is really the most special thing.

Although this year's winter has not been nearly as rough as the last one, we are happy to have revived the bouncy house that gets used a lot.

 

Sofia and Samu love to help with projects around the house, especially when tools are involved.

A new service we discovered (thank you Kate!) and have enjoyed a lot is Blue Apron. Every Friday, we get delicious, fresh, and organic ingredients with recipes delivered to our door. It has truly enriched our cuisine.

Look who is cooking!
 

On February 20, the day Marko first set foot into our Finnish house, our favorite radio station played the song that Marko used to announce to Hanna that our offer had been accepted. Perfect coincidence!

Here are some pictures from the week Marko was in Finland. We visited the stick house Marko and Samu had built in the park by the river a few weeks earlier. It had survived a heavy storm!

Backyard times are good times.

Samu and Sofia's creative games: These are their boats, which take them to all kinds of magical places.

This message reached us early on Tuesday, February 23.

The kids prepared very well for Marko's return.

After being sick for almost a week, Hanna returned to work on Thursday.

We've had very creative car rides: Who would have thought that whiteboards can serve as a real creative outlet?
Yes, Samu can write. But not only that, he is on the road to triliteracy. Wow!

 

A typical piece of art by Sofia consists of many black dots.

 With Marko's return, so many good things happened: We revived our sandbox, for example.

  

 

When it was getting dark or colder, we made heavy use of our art studio. The outcomes vary in quality, but the process is always a huge hit.

 

 

Hanna had a wonderful birthday. What better way to start it than with a family-surprise-breakfast? THANK YOU, family!!

Hanna's birthday was also Super Tuesday. Unfortunately this crazy woman is not the only one who supports an insane person.

Birthday drinks with colleagues. Thank you for coming out after work, Christina, Scott, Chris, and Naomi!

Hanna's new favorite dress was a birthday gift from Mama - danke!!

Special thanks to Samu and Sofia for the pretty cards.