July & August 2015

July flew by, with summer in full swing!  Hana continued gymnastics, wanting to go more than once a week, because she loved it so much!  The 4th brought a lot of fun activities.  We went to the Cherry Creek Arts Festival and met up with John & Karla and saw Erika, who was volunteering. 

 

 

For the actual 4th, we went to Elitch Garden's (Hana's new favorite place in Denver, our little adrenaline junkie!), then the lacrosse game at Mile High Stadium and saw our SECOND set of fireworks for the week.  They were amazing, and set to music, by the way. 

 

I spent time with my mom and Hana did a lot of swimming after school/camp.  Hana started "Bear Club" at her new elementary school and absolutely loved it!   We wanted her to feel comfortable at her new school and of course, she fit right in, making friend with some "big kids" in 2nd and 4th grade.  No problems.  We also went to a Rockies game and this year, Hana got to see Dinger up close.  (She also got FREE ice cream after the game was over!)

 

 

 

Knute's cousin Anna and her family came for a visit.  They stayed with us a couple of days and the girls had fun at the zoo and hanging out, playing.  It was nice that the cousins could get together too!

 



  

Knute has wanted to bring Hana to Nordic Fest in Decorah for years and I was looking into it for next year, when an opening came up at the hotel in town, so at the last minute, we decided to go to Iowa!!  Karla loaned us their mom's old (50 years old!) costumes for Hana  and me to wear in the parade.  Aunt Gayle drove down from MN too.  We went canoeing on the Upper Iowa River (so awesome!) and had a great time at the parade.  Hana's favorite was all the ice cream and Knute enjoyed Mabe's daily as well.  It was extra special that Solveig was there too!

 

 







We started to get "complaints" for lack of weekly cupcakes at the nursing home, so Hana and I whipped up another batch and brought them over that very afternoon.  Mom enjoyed having lunch with Hana again, since I usually go alone lately.  I think Hana liked it too.... cupcakes and two kids of ice cream.  The wait staff really spoils her when she visits!  :-)

 

 

The BIG news this August is that we now have a Kindergartener in the house!!  Hana stared this week and just loves it so far.  We are happy that her friend from BECC (who also lives around the block!) not only goes to the same school, but they are in the same class and even sit around the same table!!  She is having fun every day and enjoys art and all the recesses they have!  We really like her teachers and hope she has a wonderful, fun and productive year of learning.  Yeah for Hana!

 

New backpack with matching lunchbox that she picked out.