I Am Prince Haakon!

Ahhh, the cabin. What a place of total relaxation. . .I know this next week is going to be a big one. Apparently I am going to be a PRINCE! Grandma G and Papa do a race called the American Birkebiener in Hayward, WI every year. It's a BIG year for Papa because this year is his 20th year skiing this race. He get's to wear a special purple bib to commemorate his achievement. This year Grandma G and two of her friends entered a contest and were chosen to reenact the story that this great race is based from. It goes something like this . . . "Long long ago, in Norway, there was a little Prince known as Prince Haakon. His father, the King, was killed and the Prince was next. Two warriors, (who evidently were the best skiers in all of Norway) Torstine and Skervald wanted to save the Prince. Together they led his mother Inga and carried the baby Prince through a snowy blizzard and over the mountains to safety". . .a truly heroic journey. We will all dress up in costume and represent these great people. What a special thing I get to do with Grandma G. . .surly something I never want to forget! It's time to get my game face on and become little Prince Hakon. . .
Let the festivities begin. . . Thursday, the cauldron was lit for opening ceremonies, Inga and the two warriors lead the Hayward High School Ski Team down main street. . .what a gorgeous day!

Next was the Barnie-Birkie where kids dress in costume and race around the streets of Hayward. . . afterward I took many pictures with the kiddos. . .someday I'm going to do the Barnie-Birkie!Grandma G put me on her back and we talked to more people and took more pictures. . .
Someone even snapped a picture of me and mama. . .
I'm really starting to feel like somebody pretty darn special here. . .so many people want there pictures with ME! Don't worry, I won't let this go to my head people. . .
It's time for the Elite Sprints. . .two really fast skiers race down main street, go around a set of cones and go back up. . .the winner goes to the next round until there's just two left, and boy are those skiers FAST!
Oh look, there goes one now. . .
I mean, it's amazing how fast they go by. . .
The next day was the first annual "Barke-Birkie". Papa and Harvey entered their first ever Dog Skijor Race. . .Way to go guys!
Good job Papa and Harvey. . .there's a first time for everything and you did GREAT!

Back on Grandma's back. . . where to next?. . .
Ahhhh, break time. . . with me and my FAVORITE cousin Alden! She's losing teeth while I'm getting teeth. . . SMILE!
Oh, check this out. . .Now it's the Giant Ski Comp. . .Go Piggy Piggy! Oink!
What a fun day. . .Auntie Krista and Alden surprised Grandma G and Papa and came all the way from Seattle to cheer for them. . .what a surprise that was!!
Let's go over this way Grandma G. . .
I want to stand on the official Birkie Podium . . . #1 of course. . .
I can just imagine the journey. . ."head forth warriors!"
Wow, this is really cool guys.
. . .I don't want to go yet. . .talk to the paw. . .
BIRKIE MORNING! It's early, we're excited, but it's coooooooooooooooold! Go gett'em tigers!
We're at the start. . .and they're off!
Inga and the two warriors get to start before everyone else. . .(roughly 10,000 skiers race the Birkie)
Here is the first wave of Elite Classic Skiers! So FAST!
Whoosh!!
It's time to go. . .we can't feel our toes. . .
Well, I'm rested and fed and waiting for Grandma G and the warriors to arrive. I'll get on Grandma's back and we'll all ski up Main Street through the cheering crowds. . . I'm ready baby. . .bring out "The Prince"!
GO PAPA GO! HE'S ABOUT TO FINISH HIS 20TH BIRKIE!! HE'S A BIRCHLEGGER! YIPPIE!
They're here. . .time to go!
We start up Main Street and the snow is falling. . .
I love you Grandma G, you are the best Inga EVER!
It's a good thing this is so cozy because it's COLD out here. . . (2nd coldest Birkie ever)
The people are going crazy. . .
Ahhhhhh. . .
and the finish!
WE DID IT!
After the race it was so exciting. . .there were even more surprises. . .so many people came to watch Grandma G and Papa, and they had no idea they were coming. . .
Uncle Peder and Aunt Melissa, Auntie Krista and Cousin Alden, Grandma G's brothers Scott and Mark and sister Sabella, Marsha (Scott's wife), and Lauren (mama's cousin/mark's daughter). ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY!
Why do we always have to take pictures of the cake? Can't we just eat it already? mmmmmm delicious!
Nice sweater Papa. . .you are now an official Birchlegger! Way to GO!
Back at the Farm with my buddy Harvey.
What a neat experience. . .Now I can say that I have been a princ(ess) for a day.
Keep it real people,
xoxox,
finn.

Go! Pack! Go!

We were so excited when the Green Bay Packers made it to the SUPERBOWL!!
It was game time, we were ready to cheer hard for our packers. . .even Penny was excited!
Let's go . . . NA-NA-NA-NANANA-NA. . .GO! PACK! GO! we sang all the way home.
Come on guys. . .you can do this!!
Oh, the e-trade baby commercial is on. . .shhhhhhhh. I could do that gig.
Oh the suspense is killing me. . .we're so close to winning, but the games not over yet!
Oh yeah, we got this baby. . .we're officially the NFL Champions!!! YEAH!! Now I can just sit back, relax and enjoy a few more blueberries!
I'd like to thank Grandma Stanek for teaching me the official Green Bay Packer Cheer, teaching me how to raise my arms for a touch down, and bringing me fantastic Packer Gear that I now recognize and clap when I see! I love you!

xoxoxo,
finnley ann.

Christmas at the Farm.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas at the Farm was soooooo much fun! Everyone was there. . .Grandma G and Grandpa Cool of course, Uncle Peder and Aunt Melissa, Uncle Nils and Auntie Krista, and my favorite cousins Alden, Soren, and August. . .
Ahhh. . .cold, crisp and beautiful!
Christmas morning started with a trip down the stairs to see what Santa had brought us. . .ooooooh a harmonica. . .
A whisk to help mama cook with. . .
and then we opened presents. . .I LOVE and am actually very good at opening presents. . . WOW! a musical turtle set from Uncle Peder and Aunt Melissa. . .
I gave my cousins drawing pads, markers, and stickers. . .I think they really liked them!
oooooooohh, Santa brought me my very own Santa mug. . .
let's give it a good ol'fashioned try. . .
Ahhhhh, YUMMO!
Auntie Krista and Uncle Nils knew just what kinds of things I was into. . . I LOVE these things. . .
Whew. . .after this busy morning, I was pooped!
Oh, but then it was brunch time. . .Uncle Peder and I couldn't wait!

This tree wiggled, jiggled,and sung christmas tunes! It made me want to shake my little booty. . .
. . .oh look, one last present. . . My very first phone. . ."hello". . .come on cousins. . .lets all check it out in the playhouse. . .

My first sledding with Alden. . .hold on tight!
Weeeeeee, swinging with my cousins, this was cool! Literally.
Mama and Alden. . .we love her soooooo much!
All this fun outside, now it's time to take the "Official Lindgren 2010 Christmas Picture"
It was soooo fun to be with my Seattle cousins Soren, August and Alden.

The Dads. . .look'n good.
The Christmas Dinner Table. . .so pretty.
Grandma knows I LOVE cookies!!! Especially Grandma's cookies. . . YUMMO! I love you Granmda G and Grandpa Cool. . .what a great Christmas. Thank you for everything!!
There's nothing like wrapping up a great day with a great puzzle. . .Night, Night.
xoxox,
finnley ann.