ABOUT THREE WEEKS

... have passed since we got back to the US. What have we done? Well, first of all, we needed to get over our jet lag, reclaim our apartment and most importantly reestablish a daily routine. Samu is now back in day care and also back to enjoying it a lot. Marko has moved into a new office and is back at work, Hanna has resumed dissertation writing - both loving what they do. We have taken care of our little vegetable garden, hung out with many of our dear US-based friends, visited our favorite beaches and taken a birth class. Oh glorious everyday life! 

What else? Hanna got an award (but was unfortunately not able to attend the ceremony).

Hanna also taught her summer class for Chinese teachers.

 After Delta broke our old one, we got a brand-new double stroller ...

... but are still waiting for a co-pilot. 

We spent a couple of super relaxed Saturday and Sunday afternoons at Lake Phalen or Lake Johanna.

 We enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July at Erica and Virgile's place.

 And, yes, we're still waiting ... :)

ESTHER'S BAPTISM

Here are some impressions from a beautiful celebration.

"I am the most innocent well behaved child in the world ... for now."

 The "baptismal family".

 Some simple and touching tunes for a good atmosphere.

 Blessings.

 This is it! The heroine of the day did not complain for one second.

 The godmother could not be prouder ...

 The whole gang.

 Flower power!

 What a wonderful celebration!

AUSTRIAN SUMMER

Quite honestly, our time in Austria was not very summerly. There was a lot of rain, storms and flooding. But the happy moments definitely outweighed the grey clouds. First and foremost, we loved spending time with Hanna's parents, brothers and their partners and kids. In addition, here are some more highlights:

1. Going out with beloved Parhamer ladies. Hanna is a lucky person to have such faithful, wonderful friends. Special thanks to hostess Gudrun + family and to Ursi + family for taking extra much time to hang out with us.

2. Another highlight was our evening at a Viennese Heurigen with beloved Dunstkreis people. Those who were there know where to find the pictures ;-) Thank you all so much!

3. Jenna visiting Langenlois - when different life realities merge and it feels completely natural ... 

4. Langenlois, family and Hanna's parents' house and garden = our refuge and oasis.

5. A trip to Upper Austria for niece Esther's baptism, where we stayed at a beautiful guesthouse + farm. Good for kids, good for parents! (More about the baptism is coming up.)

6. Seeing family members bond with Samu.

With a godfather like this you can go anywhere.

7. Finally meeting niece Esther.

8. Austrian landscapes

 9. A multilingualism conference with lots of positive feedback for Jenna and Hanna - and a famous keynote (Ruth Wodak)!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for making us, once again, feel so welcome. After four years in the distant US, we don't take this for granted. We can't wait to see you all again and spend more time with you! Somehow we feel that it won't be too long ...

FARM ANIMALS

Who would have thought that a trip to a farm/zoo can be so enjoyable for both child and parents? Marko and Hanna really seem to get kicks out of watching animals, and Samu ... well, he was in heaven. Many of these pretty creatures he had only known from books before - and now they came alive! Thank you, Lieksan pikkukili!

"Hallo Hase!"

"Ente ankka quak quak swimmen gehen" 

"Alpakka! Alpakka! Alpakka!" 

 "possu - Swein"

 "gose Swein kleine Swein - 

 iso possu pieni possu"

 "Pony lieb nicht haun"

 "Henne Henne - kana kana"

 "Jentierbaby kleine kleine Baby - poro vauva pieni pieni vauva"

(We were really lucky with this one - the little one had been born a few hours before we came.)

 "Siiiege gehen noch amal Siiiege gehen! Siege essen kommen"

 "Saf! Bäääh!" 

 "Possu!"

 After all this excitement, a little fire and some grilling by the lake was just the perfect thing to do. Samu was waiting very patiently for his sausages ;-) 

What a great family trip! We are sure to hear some animal sounds for a very, very long time to come. Yay!