Merry Christmas

To our family, adopted family, and beloved friends,

Nothing means more to us this holiday than to cherish the love and care that we share with you all. We wish that we could be with everyone we love for Christmas; that's unfortunately impossible this year. We say instead, with a lump in our throats and misted eyes, that we love you all, and are with you in our hearts and dreams, wherever you are.

Bertil, Jessica, and Allie

Portrait Proofs

Picture Day

So, it's picture day. Time to head on down to the Penny's Portrait Studio. Unlike some little girls we know, Allison Grace does not have naturally luxurious locks- thank you Caruso Ionic Steam Rollers. Allie LOVES to roll her hair and play (invisible) makeup which makes the photo primping a lot easier for me. So here's my confession, I'm not much on hairspray, and we used a bit of Besta's Elnet to secure Allie's coiffure. I had not mentioned the owner of the hairspray; But, as soon as i sprayed down her 'do, Allie exclaims, "Now, I'm JUST like Besta".

Photo session proofs to follow in a few days...

Allie's RB

At Mimmi and Poppy's RV a couple of weeks ago, Allie pointed to the letters on the side and recited, "L, M, A, I, P...that spells 'RB'". She loves going up to the lake and spending the weekend at the "RB". So, naturally, when we happened upon a box of ginormous proportion, we had to perform a little "pimp my cardboard box" and transform it into an RV - Allie's very first playhouse.

En Sien Påske

It's a little late for Easter, but this was too cute. Allie found some new dress up goodies this week.

"Happy and Sad"

Allie demonstrates her "happy" and "sad" for today.

She was thrilled to take a stroll to the park...

not so kean on being obedient at the park...

RE: Kindred Spirits

I think it was 1995...make that 1994 when I started high school. A freshman, the kid of a once minister, I'd been in and out of 7 different school by 14. I had no friends and no siblings. It seamed even the youth in my church had been "BFF" from the womb...and I was outa luck.

I met this silly, adorable girl from California that year in chorus (a.k.a. the place where weirdos congregate). She had tons of friends and three siblings, even a massive LDS youth group that all seamed to LIKE one another. She certainly didn't need me. But she said, "You need a friend, you got one! You need a sister? Here I am"

Relationships didn't come easy. There had been so many people I cared about come and go, that the door to my heart was locked up tight.



Along came a friend to open the door...and she's still in there

In times when I feel lonely or down, I know that she's there (even if I don't call). The days when I feel like closing out the world and lowering the blinds, her love and friendship urge me to let people in. I could walk the halls of a scary place at 14 because I had a friend. Today, I'm a stronger me because I have Amy.

The Father in Heaven gives us who and what we need to grow. Sometimes we need pain, sometimes we need people. I'm just thankful to Him above for giving me one kindred spirit.

Celebrity Look-a-like

I used to think Allie favored Meg Ryan a little (She does in some pictures!!) But since this recent photo, I'm not sure who her celebrity dopple ganger would be...

OK... that picture of Gollum looked much cuter at 2:30 in the morning. I am removing it remorsefully. Thanks for the perspective Amy ;)

A Labor Day "Pip and Pop"

Not much to do in Madison on Labor Day. So, " pip and pop" it was, or Slip and Slide as everyone but Allie knows it. 10 yards of pallet wrap, a garbage can lid, a watering hose, along with willing 2 year old; and we became a living Jeff Foxworthy joke.

The "Tilt-a-Slip" was daddy's brain child (an engineer with an unwitting participant can be dangerous)

The beagle-riding wasn't part of the planned activities...

The Junebug

Ever had the inclination to befriend a junebug? Perhaps you have wished to tickle one under his bejeweled chin with a feather? Allie loves beetles, and she doesn't discriminate. Today was her day. With junebug and feather in hand, she went for it.

"Tickle, tickle!"

Potty Time II - It's In the Small Victories

There is a new sound in the Riis household that makes one and all rejoice, throw high fives, shed tears of joy, take victory laps around the playroom (and pass out reward stickers). No, not a bathroom sound; rather, a potty sound. I am referring to the musical princess potty itself (note pictures below). Allie has finally begun using the princess potty as more than just a great place to watch cartoons, and it rewards all with a rather successful sounding tune each time she "goes". We haven't perfected the exercise yet, but we're counting the small victories...

So, yeaaa Allie! Yeaaa princess potty! And Yeaaa lower diaper bill!

"My Morgan"

This is simple, and there were no pictures to capture the moment. But it's post-worthy.

While looking at photos from our recent family trip to Norway, Allie turned to me and said, "It's MY Morgan - my best friend!"

Then she noticed and requested her teak elephant that Bestafar gave her on the trip. When queried as to where she go the carving, Allie replied, "in The Norway, from my Papa."

Let it be noted that Allie forgets nothing and no one. Her family in Norway is in her heart as much today as they were in May. She talks about "her Madalyn, her Marcus, her Besta, Dagfinn..." as if they were down the street. Possible, she believes that "The Norway" is down the street. Whatever the distance is in her two-year-old mind, they are close in her heart.

Potty Time

According to Allie, potties can be used for a number of things - not including elimination. Panties and or training pants, however, are an integral part of "doing one's business"

Fagre Norge (Part II)

Allie with her very best Aunt :)
Madalyn and some sour-faced child dressed up for May 17th
Allie gets to do "bump-a-dee" with her second favorite guy. Uncle Morgan turned out to be her sweet heart. She even feel asleep atop her uncle half way back to the car.
Besta and Bitty by the Sea
You get sugar from this sweety any way you can!
Here they are - the most beautiful grandchildren Besta and Dagfinn have ;)

Fagre Norge (Part I)

One cold baby girl on May 17
The proof! Allie can make ANYONE get up and dance!

Allie instantly fell in love with her familiy. She had an immediate recognition that they were hers - no explaination needed.

Sweet Spring

Our very own

Hanami In The Rain

Amazing Grace

Another Sunday after worship services

Allie is ready to be out of her dress but indulges a picture or two

The most recent comic relief - Allie has learned to sing all of the words to Amzing Grace by hearing me sing it over her the last two years...

That's precious enough. But the great part is HOW she sings it. Allie has noticed the vibrato in my voice and is comitted to making her voice "bounce" at key points in the song. So, here's her version:

Ah mazin' gray oh swee the sown

That sabed a wrehhh like me-he he he he (vibrato)

I won was loss but now I foun'

Was bline but now I see-he-he-he-he-he (vibrato)

"...one so fresh from Heaven."

Eggspert Hunter

Allie's very first Easter egg hunt was today. All the kiddos had a great time...here are some of the highlights -

Allie and Kaelie both adding eggs to Kaelie's bucket

Allie and Parker HAVE to be related somehow. Either Farrah and I have some distant crazy uncle or these two are spiritually connected, but it's gotta be something...

Taking inventory of her loot.

Playtime

Allie loves to do some many things these days. I'm continually taken aback at how she is becoming such a "big gur" now instead of my tiny new baby. So here are just a few pictures from play time; Allie playing dress up (anyone regocnize the scarf?), coloring pictures for her sick Mimi, and playing the "panno".

There are no better days than these!!!

On a side note, mommy is playing a lot more piano these days too... I'll be opening up my very own musically ambient restaurant soon. I'm calling it, "Bring Your IPOD".

Allie's Big 0-2!

Just a few photos from Allie's second birthday. Not much to say as most toddler birthday bashes are about the same...

Thanks for the birthday card and gift Besta - we got it a few days ago!