Christmas and some older pictures...

Merry Christmas! We have had a nice relaxing Christmas here in Seattle with Marie's brother Rinus. The weather is gorgeous but cold. We have spent some fun times outside still, all bundled up going on a walk to the playground and at Alki beach. The past two months have been busy. Marie started a new job at OneAmerica managing their citizenship initiatives and is really enjoying it. Karina started daycare and after a rough start is loving it. She talks about her friends at school all the time. She is saying more and more words every day.

Marie's first day at her job and Karina's first day of daycare. Karina wasn't too impressed. We were telling her that Mamma was going to go to work and she would say, "No" and scream when we dropped her off. Now she barely acknowledges us when we come to pick her up and doesn't want to leave her friends.

Hamming it up on her 25th month birthday. (We missed 26 months)

Hamming it up even more. Karina loves to play dress up. She doesn't care if it doesn't fit her.

Karina and her friend Elias "hiding" under her highchair.

Christmas Eve and round one of presents...

Karina trying on some of her new gifts. It was hard to keep her motivated to keep opening presents. She would get something, start playing with it and not want to stop.

Christmas morning and second round of presents. Rinus and Tim show Karina how to use some of her new gifts from Santa.

Dressing up again. She loves to twirl in her new princess skirt.

Christmas Day playtime at the park. It was cold but that did not stop Karina from having a blast.

Karina's new haircut. You'll see its shorter than her 25th month picture. We were trying to grow out her bangs and finally gave up.

A real Seattle child...

Posing with Oom Rinus on Alki Beach with the snowcapped Olympic Mountains in the background.

Happy New Year from the Ericsons!

Birthday and Halloween fun!

Family photo in Ballard where Karina went trick or treating.

Karina posing on our front steps with the jack-o-lanterns.

A very serious little Papi.

She was supposed to be a butterfly, but wouldn't wear the wings (you can see Marie wore them instead). Karina got extra candy and a lot of friendly words from other trick or treaters for her costume :)

Playing with her bubble rocket.

Karina's birthday party was costume optional. The two little baseball players are very cute.


Marie had to help blow out the candles, but Karina is not grabbing at the fire anymore at least :)


Karina's Birthday cupcakes.


Karina really is her mother's daughter. Here she is quietly sitting and reading a cookbook.

A thoughtful gaze while taking a break from playing in the leaves.

Calling her friends on the phone...it starts early.

Tim has introduced Karina to his favorite pastime - bowling. She had a blast!

2 years old!!

Karina is 2 years old!! She is an amazing little girl who loves to play, sing and read. We have been keeping busy. At the end of August we went to Pacific Beach, WA with some friends. September went fast! The weather was beautiful, so we enjoyed the outdoors as much as possible. October is flying by as well. The rain has arrived, so we are now taking advantage of the indoor activities, like the Children's Museum and community center playrooms.


Karina singing her favorite song, "Open and Shut" with all the hand motions...

...and she's wearing one of Marie's old skirts :)


Karina and JJ playing in the sand at Pacific Beach.

Karina just wanted to run in to the water...


Here she is with Jodi after she succeeded in dunking herself up to her chest.

Enjoying a day at the Zoo!


Climbing, up, up and away!



Filling her pool...
Enjoying the backyard and shading herself with Marie's hat.


Getting out of the heat with some fun at the Children's Museum.


Karina having a snack with her doll (one of my old dolls)...


Reading on the couch wearing one of Marie's shirts as a child...


Karina and Tim all geared up for the rain...


She's a very good helper.


Having fun wearing Daddy's clothes.


23 months old.


Karina and Alice driving.

Karina and Tim reading Elmo together.


Another trip to the Children's museum. Karina loves to grocery shop!


This is what happens when you leave Karina alone in her room for a few minutes...


Gorillas are one of Karina's favorite animals to see at the Zoo, especially the baby.


Artistic shot...


Cute girl with pig tails.


Dancing with Mamma.


Playing with Claire at the Tot Gym.


Playground fun!


Scary Karina!


Making her cuckoo face while eating her birthday brownie. She is definitely a comedian.