Sikorski Saga

Our bird feeder is getting some action! We usually see cardinals, robins, orioles, and swallows. We went to a Belgian restaurant in Occoquan , VA. Kyla ordered escargot (snails) for Karen and Dan to try. Luella too and she loved them! Here's most of us at dinner. Starting left around the table is Luella, Karen, Fran, Kristen, Dan, Phil, Tom and Kyla. Luella and Mom with dessert. Belgian waffles never tasted so good buried under chocolate and vanilla ice cream with Belgian chocolate melted over the top with whipped cream! Tim and Kyla with dessert. Tim got the ice cream with caramelized pecans. Twins Dan and Phil with their cousin Tom Larsen. Fran and her daughter Kristen Larsen and Dad. Katja got the whipped cream in her hair and we were trying for a m ohawk . On a sad note, Tom's mother Frieda Larsen passed away on October 20 th . She was 94. Her funeral will be Monday, October 26 th in Taylor, North Dakota.

Luella's first pony ride! Her pony's name is Riley. Katja meeting a lama. Tim had fun feeding the goats. Fun times on the hayride!

Luella loves her Granddaddy! She loves her Grammy too! Wednesday is also dance day! Luella brought us all along to watch her dance. She's posing for Grammy. The studio does not let parents, etc. into the room. They have a closed circuit tv so we can watch in the lobby and a two-way mirror. Karen took pictures through the mirror. Here's the ballet lesson. Here's the tap portion of the lesson through the mirror. Katja playing in the lobby. Peek-a-boo! Karen had carpel tunnel surgery on her right wrist before they came to visit. It was infected so Kyla and Karen went to Urgent Care to get a prescription for antibiotics. While they were gone, Katja fell asleep waiting for dinner. While waiting for the prescription to be filled, Kyla and Karen hit the dollar store and got hot pink fake hair to make the mane and tail for Luella's My Little Pony costume. Luella had to model.

Katja's last bottle. She's been using sippy cups for a few months now, but Kyla bought the liners and dangit , she's using them until they're gone! Later in the afternoon we went to the Old Mine Ranch. They advertised a pumpkin patch, hay rides, petting zoo and best of all, pony rides. Luella couldn't wait to ride her pony named Riley. Such a happy girl riding her first live pony! So happy, but she knows her pony ride is over for the day. It wasn't long enough for Luella's taste. Katja got a posed picture on the pony, but definitely didn't like it as much as Luella. Petting zoo feeding the 7 year old pony that was just the girls' size. Katja loved the petting zoo! Kyla didn't post pictures of the turkey, peacocks, the little goats not in pens, a lama, donkeys, and pigs. Luella riding the tractor. Dan popped the hood and told us how his Aunt Leota had a tractor same model on his grandparents' farm. Katja took her turn riding the tractor...

Proud mommy Paige and handsome Soren ! A close-up of Soren and his really long fingers. Future piano or bass player, perhaps? Katja meeting Soren . She thinks he's pretty cute and little. Luella giving Sigrid her birthday present - matching shoes - after dress-up with the fire/police hats. Katja had to get in on the fire hat action. Katja playing with Sigrid's Easter eggs. Paige's d oula gave their family an Edible Arrangement because Soren was the 100 th baby she helped deliver. It was beautiful and tasty!

A little out of order, but Kyla got her mom's photos from the week they visited. While Kyla and Tim sat through a "vacation opportunity" aka "time share" presentation in Williamsburg , the girls played with their Grammy and Granddaddy. They had lunch at the Cracker Barrel. After lunch Luella found a rocking chair "just my size"! Granddaddy helping Katja play checkers with Luella. Studying their next move. Discarded checkers make great princess tiaras . They also make great Mickey Mouse ears!