Annual Texas Turkey Trot

Over our annual thanksgiving visit to Austin, Axel participated in the 1K race for the third time. Uncle Xaq ran as well.

Axel caught two of the "turkeys" during his race (adults dressed as turkeys).

  This was the first year where I think Axel really got into the race - he put in an impressive finishing sprint,  making it difficult for his race photographer (i.e., me) to keep up.

Hanging out with Uncle Honus and Aunt Violet after the race. 

The Tooth Fairy

Axel has lost his first tooth. This is something Axel has been waiting for for a long time - especially since his friend Bo has already lost two.

Axel put his tooth in a plastic bag under his pillow. Overnight the tooth fairy came by and left him a shiny gold dollar coin.

The Pumpkin Patch

This weekend Axel and I went to a pumpkin patch on a farm in the mountains in east San Diego county. It was scorching hot (my car thermometer said 99 F) but we still had a great time.

When snow is not an option, use cotton seeds instead.  

Axel loved playing all the different games.

Axel showed me how to navigate the maze,

Then it was time to practice somersault on the trampoline.

This was a working farm so there were lots of animals around - including a petting zoo with some very sleepy (and probably hot) goats.

There was also a three day old calf.

At the end Axel got to pick out his own pumpkin., He wanted a square one.

Hiking with Far

Today was  Sunday and the weather has finally cool off. It even rained. Imagine that. Axel and I decided to go for a Sunday hike in a nearby park.

We found Ash Yggdrasil.

Metaphor for life? Too obvious - I know....

Time for a water break.

A fantastic day out!

First Day of School

Axel is now a kindergartner! First day of school was this Tuesday 

The whole family walked Axel to school the first day.

Several of Axel's frends from pre-school started the same day.

The proud parents (and dog).

A little nervousness setting in as it was time to say goodbye to the parents....but...

...this was how Axel looked when we picked him up in the afternoon. A great first day.

Gone Fishing

During our summer visit to Denmark, Axel got a change to go crab fishing in Rørvig - a fantastic little seaside town in north west Sealand. 

Unknown to me and Axel, it turns out that crab are quite stupid - they will hold on to any piece of raw fish with their claws. So to catch them you just lower some fish on a line into the water and wait for them to grab it - then just pull up the crab.

Deep concentration.

Catch of the day. 

Team work by Axel and Matilde. 

Visit from Violet and Grandpa

This summer we had some visitors:

We took them to the beach of course:

And obviously Grandpa never goes anywhere without seeing baseball

Violet and Axel played constantly since they shared many common interests . . . soccer for one

and Dance video games too

We loved spending time with you, thanks for coming to visit us!  

Preschool Graduation

After years of rigorous academic dedication and studying, 

Axel has earned his first diploma . . . graduating from: preschool.  

We were so lucky to have Ms. Kathy as Axel's teacher - she was fierce, loving, academically challenging, and totally no nonsense, which is just about perfect for a class full of 5 year olds. 

As usual, the graduation after party got a little rowdy!  

Wine Tasting in France

When we were in France we went wine tasting at a local vineyard.

The hosts were extremely generous.  

After about 16 tastings, the kids were pretty bored (but not the adults. . . )

Axel got to have his first taste of soda, in a wine glass.  

The next day he asked if we could go wine tasting again. 

At the end of the world...(well - of Sealand at least)

At the end of our Denmark trip we stayed at a vacation house with Claus and his family in the north west region of Sealand called Odsherred, From here it is possible to drive to the westernmost point of Sealand called "gniben". It is a military area, but you are allowed to go in for hikes. There are huge cannons in there, used to protect the Danish waters. I asked Axel why he thought the cannons were there. He said "it is for people who don't follow the rules", which I guess is correct.

This is "gniben" - as far west as you can get on Sealand. 

Time to find some rocks.....

..and then throw them in the ocean.

We finished the hike by building a rock sculpture. A beautiful day. 

The Firemen's Ball

On one of our last days in France, we went to the local firemen's charity ball. It was quite an evening.

Lots of dancing.

Our very friendly host Jay joined us for a while.

No party in Alsace without "flammkuchen" - an Alsacian pizza. 

Axel preferred the pretzel.