The Skoog Family on a Midwest Tour

My second cousin Matti with Anette, Linnea and Mimmi came all the way from Sweden to see us - and the snow - this past week. It turned out to be a very good time of the year to make a trip to the Midwest: there were two snow days in school last week (= no school because of the weather conditions) and the kids got a lot of extra time to play. No hot and humid summer torture!

We saw the U of Cincinnati Bearcats' basketball game, went shopping and sightseeing, had a day on a waterpark, celebrated Maja's first birthday, went to see our kids' basketball games and did some serious barbecueing in the evenings. Finally we healed the wounds we got at The Creation Museum by pampering ourselves at The Grand Finale Sunday Brunch.

And off they went on their Midwest Tour - next: Chicago! Thanks for visiting us, thanks for the wonderful time!

//Hanna

Maja 1 year Febr. 21.

Hello everyone! I finally turned 1. Very cool. Just learned to walk two days before, too, it's awesome! I'm so tall and all my old toys look so small and boring down on the floor. You should just see how fast I am! No-one can keep up with my pace. Ha! They all are waaaaaaaaaay behind me! And get the best: I've now got four teeth. I hear there will be even more soon, isn't that something? Not only have I started to coach my parents to cook food that pleases my delicate taste, but I've also mastered the silverwear. Mom says it's a mess, but she doesn't knot it's a culinary - and somewhat scientifical- experiment. Mess? She should know that my hair is just that now. I wish she finally bought me a bow, but no. Sometimes I think my family really doesn't understand me. I just saw Britney Spears in a magazine, so I guess it's like that for all super stars. It could, of course, be my articulation - it still kind of sucks, to be honest. I also went to see Dr. Habel the other day. He thinks I'm too little! That rude, fat American! As I already said, I am 1 and from what I've heard it's pretty big. Besides I think I'm a nice looking young lady. Well, it seems like mom and dad are panicing: I now have to deal with this weird bottle with a icky-smelling plastic nipple, filld with some gross, sticky sludge called välling in stead of real boobs. I mean, it's like NO-ONE asks me! I wish I was 18 already.

Well, thank you all for the really neat presents and cards I got. Man, I know how to play! We also had a great birthday party for me: Elisa came with her mom&dad, and Mimmi&Linnea with their folks were here. I even got a surprise party at my friends Gabbi's and Bea's house before they had to fly to frickin' Paris, France. See the cake in the picture? My sister, brother, Linnea and Mimmi made it for me, isn't that sweet?

I wish I could see you guys in Sweden, Finland and Minnesota a little more often, though. We'd have so much fun. I think I miss you!

Love,
Maja

CSI, part 2

We were having fun in Colorado, and so did the burglars in Huntington Circle. As we came back, we learned that we had one flat screen TV, one surround sound system and one laundry basket less than a week before. Not a good start for an every day life back in Ohio, needless to say.

Just as the last time, the house was soon packed with police officers. They worked methodically, fast and didn't say much. This was one of the many break-ins that has lately occured in this part of Cincinnati. A relatively wealthy area with a lot of home electronic in the easy-to-access town houses, I guess. My unprofessional theory. We all like to think this is a safe and quiet neighborhood - so even the cops seem to be frustrated - and simply angry - about it all. But I do believe they'll catch them soon.

//Hanna

The Rocky Mountains, Febr. 2008

We were living our long time dream during one week in Colorado. Steamboat Springs is a genuine cowboy town in western mountain style. It's the boots, clothes, hats, buffalo, music, rodeos, the gals & guys, horses (although few)... well, the whole kit, and it is for real.
And awesome skiing with old traditions, of course. The Champagne Powder from the previous week was a bit packed now, but we enjoyed simply the Powder instead. Good enough - and it gives us a reason to go back again!

You are all welcome to see for yourselves at
http://picasaweb.google.com/Sandelowskyalbum/SteamboatSprings2008

Thank you, Calv and Susan, for your hospitality and help on our vacation!

//Hanna & Benke

NHL

Detroit Red Wings Rule! Yes, we saw them all - Zeta, Lidas, Samuelsson, even that cutie Filppula from Vantaa! This was an awesome, American show, worth every penny.

//Hanna, Benke and Maja

Birthday Boy in Helsinki

Our cousin Sampo is 2 years Febr. 2. Congrats!

//Johanna, Jonte & Maja
+ mom & dad