Great-Grandpa Helmer with a "Heytch"

We will miss you but our memories of you bring us happiness.

Little Singer

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

Sofia is beginning to say most of her words correctly but the ABC song really points out those sounds that are still difficult for her.

Bo Diddily Beat

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

It is apparent in this video how much both Dada and Lussi love music. Music is one of Lussi's favorite classes in school and she is constantly making up her own songs. Perhaps she'll be a song writer like Grandma Gladys or Uncle Chad.

The Chariot Train

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

This was well liked by all the neighborhood kids. And the train is a great way to use the new biking trail that comes out to Lakeside from Canal Park.

Sisters & Leaves

Sofia and I have had sooo much fun playing in the big leaf piles and helping Mama and Dada drag the big tarp of leaves over to the neighbors gardens.

The real deal- Halloween!!!!!

I was so excited for this night! It felt like the day took forever and that the night would never come. Taavi stopped by during Sofia's nap. I kept saying "Isn't he sooo cute!" I chose to be a Vampire. I wanted to be something scary on Halloween because Halloween is scary! Sofia didn't quite get what halloween was so she just dressed up as a lion and willingly stayed home with Mama to hand out candy while I went with Dada and all the neighbors down our street. Unfortunately it was too dark to take pictures of the neighbors and this great adventure but I told Daddy on our way back home that "This was the best night of my life!"

Boo at the Zoo

Sofia and I got our first fill of candy at the zoo. It was my idea to both be lions even though my costume was a little small. We met Brinnon and Tae there but Mommy only took blurry pictures of our friends.

Lussi's first day of Kindergarten

As you can see in the picture, I am really nervous. On the first day we had to draw a picture of what we were worried about the most. I drew a picture of the bus! But after the first day, I realized it was fun to ride the bus and go to school too.

Farm Camp

Lussi had many chores at farm camp. Her favorites included counting the eggs and giving the weather report. She met a new friend, Lydia who will be in Kindergarten with her and hung out with her old pal Amelia. They looked for garden fairies, trolls under the bridge, read stories under the tree, held bunnies and chicks, tended to baby lambs and a fawn, and planted some seeds.

Our First Garden in Lakeside

Well we finally did it. Lussi was a big help and planted the potatoes all by herself. They even came up pretty straight. You can see she is proud of helping us. She named our garden gnome Charlie and so far he has done a great job keeping the animals away.

Sofia turns two!

Sofia's birthday fell on Grandma's marathon and she had a great day riding in the Chariot to see the finishers. Later we had a pizza party in her honor with a cake that looked like her favorite puppy, Phoebe.

Sister Play

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

Thanks Grandma!

Grandma Gladys made me this fancy outfit and I love it!

Fida smile(hard to catch)

I can't say "Fia" so I call myself Fida and I call Lussi Ti-ti.

My silly pose...

I am being really silly here and I keep doing this over and over again and laughing. Mommy called it the laughing downward dog.

Art for Momma

I painted the purple flower for my Momma for Mother's day and then when my Momma got sick I made her this get well card while she was sleeping on the couch.

Big (little) helper

I got to help Momma and Dada take down the wallpaper. I really like using the tools and sprayer.

Summer comes to Duluth

Mom is in a sweater... what's her problem it's 65 degrees out! My neighbor Heather told me people in Florida throw on their parkas when the weather drops to 65. Not here in Duluth. We break out the swimsuits and the sprinkler!

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

Sofia talk

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

I've been trying to get some of her sentences on video but everytime I turn on the camera she says "I see, I see!" and runs toward the camera to look at the screen. This was the only way I could get her to talk while the video was running.

I do it!

Untitled from Kara Salmela on Vimeo.

Hand-me-downs

I'm wearing my Mama's old raincoat that she wore to Kindergarten and sofia now wears my old raincoat which first belonged to our cousin Maggie. We love and appreciate hand-me-downs.

Another birthday party... for Lussi

Neighborhood Easter Egg hunt

Yes it is Easter and yes we are all really cold but at least we're not wearing snowpants.

Coloring Easter Eggs with Dada

Easter egg hunt with our cousins.

We went to Maggie and Hanna's house for a great Easter Egg hunt. We saw all our cousins and our Grandma Jan and Grandpa Don for the first time since Christmas!