Steve, Rachel, and Annika Family

Sunday, March 22nd

2009-03-31T13:05:00.000-07:00

Annika was running around the house being so wild after church last Sunday. I absolutely LOVE these pictures of her! Her skin color and curly hair are SO PERFECT!

2009-03-31T13:03:00.000-07:00

The other day, Annika wanted to get her favorite Hello Kitty spoon to use to eat with and she knew it was in the dishwasher, so she asked me "dishwasher clean, mommy?" I told her yes, and she said "ok" and got her hello kitty spoon out of the dishwasher. So funny. Steve always asks me if the dishwasher is clean before he grabs a spoon out of there, so she must have picked that up. =)

Annika's New Bike

2009-03-31T12:59:00.000-07:00

When the weather was warm a couple weeks ago, Annika wanted to be outside more so we decided to get her a bike with training wheels and a helmet. She loves it!! But as soon I got it put together, it's been snowing since. She's been able to ride it once outside so far and a couple times inside. Our little baby is growing up! She looks so grown up on her new bike!

Hello Kitty Mask

2009-03-31T12:55:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this hello kitty mask was kind of scary at first. =) Annika's aunt Anneka got it for her for her 2nd birthday. Annika was scared of it at first and just recently has started playing with it. She loves to wear it and run around the house "roaring". When other kids come over to play, she ALWAYS puts in on and says "rhar!" and tries to scare them. She's so hilarious! Everyone who sees it has to know where I got it because it's so strange. =) I think it's the funniest toy she's ever owned. I believe Anneka got it in Tiajuana, Mexico. =)

Disney on Ice

2009-03-31T12:49:00.000-07:00

On March 14th, we took Annika to her first ever Disney on Ice! She loved it! Especially because she was there with her cousins. She loved sitting next to her favorite cousin, Carson! She actually sat most of the time and watched and enjoyed it. She loved Minnie and Mickey Mouse and The Little Mermaid. It was so fun to see her eyes light up with the characters would come out on the ice. She also loved wearing her Minnie Mouse costume from Halloween!

Bedtime

2009-03-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

Annika looked so cute when she went to bed one night that I had to get a picture of her. She was so happy! Although she has a little bruise on her head from hitting her head on the car door when trying to climb in. =(

St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

Annika loved St. Patrick's Day. I didn't even tell her about wearing green and she picked out her green jammies all by herself. She also loved getting the mail with Grandma's & Nana & Papa's gifts. She wore the headband and glasses all around the house. For dinner, I made avocado chicken salad so that was green and Annika insisted on using her green bowl and green spoon. It was a fun day!

Family in Hawaii

2009-02-13T21:03:00.000-08:00

Happy Annika in Hawaii!

2009-02-09T09:34:00.001-08:00

Annika ready for the Beach!

2009-02-09T09:33:00.000-08:00

Hawaii

2009-02-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

We had a fun 11 days in Hawaii!! It was so hard to return to all the snow. Annika loved the beach and sand so much. She would always say "go to beach, water." She especially loved playing on the beach with her cousin Carson. We stayed at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club on Oahu. It was so beautiful there and was a perfect place for families. We went there with Steve's parents, his sister and bro-in law and their 3 boys. It was so fun to be there all together! Steve and his sister went on a couple deep dives and had a blast. Steve and I won a free trip for 2 on a 3-hour snorkel, boat ride with dolphins, fish and turtles. It was only my second time snorkeling ever and I actually felt comfortable with my face in the water. Anyone who knows me well, knows that it BUGS me to have my face wet. =) We drove to the North Shore with all the kids and got shaved ice, played at Sunset and Waimae Beach and ate at Shark's Cove Grill, the best place to eat breakfast on the North Shore!

The flea market at Aloha Stadium was so much fun! It's way better than the International MarketPlace in Waikiki. We got some awesome deals on souvenirs. By far, this was one of the best vacations ever! (Key West with Brooke and Cari is also on the top of the list of vacations!)

Annika Coloring in Hawaii

2009-02-09T07:46:00.000-08:00

Sunday Dress

2008-12-23T22:03:00.000-08:00

Steve's mom got Annika the most beautiful dress ever! It even came with a matching dress for her baby doll. On Sunday, Dec 21, she wore the dress to church and even brought her doll to church with her. She is truly a little princess!

Christmas Cards

2008-12-23T22:00:00.000-08:00

Annika loves to scoot her chair around the kitchen to use as a step stool. She especially loves to look at all the Christmas cards on the pantry door. She always has to point out her favorite cousin, Carson. She absolutely adores him. =)

Annika's First Time Snow Shoveling

2008-12-23T21:57:00.000-08:00

With the many snow storms we have been having lately, we have had to clear the snow many times from our driveway and stairs with the shovel and snow blower. Annika insisted on putting on her boots, mittens, coat and hat and came running out of the house to help. She is such a big helper. =)

Our Christmas Tree

2008-12-21T19:25:00.000-08:00

We finally have our Christmas tree up. It's a fresh tree delivered from North Carolina! Annika was such a good helper in decorating it. For the most part she has left it alone, although sometimes the temptation is just too much for her and she has to go hit an ornament. =)

2008-12-12T21:40:00.000-08:00

Annika and her cousins

2008-12-12T21:09:00.000-08:00

Nov 2008 Family Portraits

2008-12-12T20:56:00.000-08:00

Annika is so smart!

2008-12-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

A couple nights ago, Annika was extremely hyper and was throwing her little bear in the air and catching it. She figured out that she could throw the bear high enough to reach our keys on the wall and knock the keys down. I have a video of her doing that but I need to wait for the video camera to recharge and then I can post it. =) It was so cute! It's the bear that her birthparents gave her on her 1st birthday.

Taking apart the piano

2008-12-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Last Monday, I was practicing the piano with my headphones on and Annika decided to come over and break the headphones out of the jack of the piano. Part of the jack was still stuck in the piano, so it you couldn't hear anything out of it. I had to take apart the piano in order to use tweezers to pull the broken parts out. Luckily, I was able to put it back together and it all works great. I do need to buy a new headphone attachment to be able to use them again. =) I guess I need to give Annika more attention and practice the piano after she goes to bed. =)

Sept 2008 Family Picture

2008-11-22T08:34:00.001-08:00

Snow!

2008-11-22T08:30:00.000-08:00

Annika loves the snow. Last year she didn't care for it and would cry out in it, but this year she seems to love it. She says "cold" when she touches it but likes to kick it with her boots.

Go Boise State!

2008-11-22T08:13:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, we had the opportunity to go to a Boise State Football game and sit in box seats. It was so much fun! Annika loved being able to run around and even watched the game a little. It was very cold outside, so it was nice to be inside with a catered meal and be able to watch the game. Annika loved to grab the cookies all the time. She was sure hyper that day! =)

Happy Halloween

2008-11-22T08:05:00.000-08:00

Annika absolutely loved Halloween this year! She dressed up as Minnie Mouse. She loves Minnie Mouse. She still keeps asking to wear her "Minnie Mouse" dress. So cute! She had so much fun with her trick-or-treat basket and would carry that around all day handing it to people saying "candy" or "trick-or-treat." She had to hold candy in her hands at all times. Our day was quite busy. We went to Steve's work, Steve's best friend's place, then back to our house to trick-or-treat around our neighborhood and then to my friend's house for a Halloween Party. We were all so exhausted, but had so much fun!

Annika's Bedtime

2008-10-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

Annika does not like going to bed. =) It has always been a struggle to get her to bed on time. She just loves to stay up late. Well, tonight we had gone to a friend's house for a get-together and Annika had so much fun playing there, she must have worn herself out. After getting home, getting her bathed and ready for bed, she walked into her room, climbed into bed and put her blanket over her. We couldn't believe it!! We usually have to tell her to get into bed, and then I lay in bed with her for 10 minutes or so and sing her primary songs until she goes to sleep. But tonight was definitely a first! She must have been so tired to just climb in bed all by herself. Hopefully this is a start to a new pattern. =)

Our 11 Year Anniversary!!

2008-10-18T21:11:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, Oct 15 was our 11 year wedding anniversary! It seems like just yesterday we got married, yet it also seems so much longer than 11 years because I cannot imagine life before I met Steve. He sent me the most beautiful flowers ever!! 2 dozen roses!! We also went to a wonderful french restaurant in East Salt Lake called Franck's. I did not know food could have such great flavor! Everything we tried was wonderful! The atmosphere was so romantic. It was a perfect anniversary date! I felt like such a princess! Steve is so wonderful and I'm so glad I found such a wonderful man to be with for time and all eternity!

Lia Sophia Jewelry Party!

2008-10-13T12:52:00.000-07:00

I am having a fun Lia Sophia Jewelry party on Thursday, Oct 16th at 6:30pm at my house. It will be a fun girls-night-out with some yummy treats and fun socializing as well as trying on fun jewelry. There's a special going on right now...buy 2 items at regular price and get 1 item 1/2 off, plus up to 3 pairs of earrings for 1/2 off plus $10 off your entire order! Click on the link below to see the current Fall/Winter 2008 catalog. The party will be a blast! Hope to see you there!

Lia Sophia Fall/Winter Catalog 2008

Helping Unload the Dishes

2008-10-10T12:52:00.001-07:00

Annika loves to help me unload the dishwasher. (We have had a few broken dishes, not a big deal though). =) Today, she was saying "I help" and putting the dishes on the counter. It was so cute!! I love that she wants to help me with the dishes.

Annika's Winter Hat & Gloves

2008-10-10T12:43:00.000-07:00

We just recently bought Annika a winter hat and mittens for when the snow comes, and she couldn't wait to wear them. She wore them all around the house last night while dancing, jumping and being extremely hyper! It is amazing the little things that get her excited. =) She also loves to do head-stands that she learned in gymnastics.

2008-10-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

2-Year-Old Pictures

2008-10-02T07:58:00.000-07:00

Annika just had her 2-year-old pictures done. She is quite the little model. =)

Annika & Daddy

2008-09-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

Annika loves her daddy so much! When he comes home from work, she runs to him and hugs him and gets all hyper. She remains hyper for the rest of the night with him around. She'll jump on him, tease him, tickle him and ride on his back. It is the cutest thing ever!

Moab Restaurant

2008-09-24T17:23:00.001-07:00

While in Moab, we ate breakfast at a restaurant. Annika was so well behaved. She had a crepe and rolled it up to eat it all by herself. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. She carries on full conversations with us. She loves to talk! Some words that she can say are: chocolate milk, Hi Sam (her favorite cousin), eat, cars, police car, ipod (pronounced "pod pod"), iphone (pronounced "phone phone"), movie, tv, grandma, grandpa, mommy, daddy, Minnie Mouse, bear, juice, snack, and so many more!

Moab Park

2008-09-24T17:08:00.000-07:00

Annika loves playing at the park. Recently, while in Moab, I took her to the park. She loved playing on all the toys, slides and swings. If I didn't swing her high enough, she would say "higher" and "more." We spent hours there and when I tried to get her to the car, she would run across the field back to the playground. She has so much energy!

Recycle

2008-09-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

Annika knows how to recycle now. The other day, she threw a piece of cardboard in the garbage and I told her to take it out of the garbage and put it in the recycle. She took it out and ran to the garage and threw it into the garage, ran back into the house and said "recycle." She must have seen me throw the recycle out in the garage, although I put it in the recycle bin, but she didn't see me to that. She thinks that I just throw it in the garage on the floor. =) So now whenever I tell her to recycle, she throws it on the garage floor.

New Blog

2008-09-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

I have never done a blog before...but thought I would try it to document all our family's fun adventures and Annika-isms. Annika does so many funny and amazing things that I have to write them all down.