Icebar Stockhlom

A famous landmark in Sweden is a hotel made from ice up in the far north of Sweden. They also have a bar in downtown Stockholm so you can get a 'taste' of the experience.  

I think this is much more of a novelty for tourists than Swedes.  Fredrica was happy to stay at home with Christmas TV and relax in a warm house, so Amanda and I checked it out.

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How cold is it?

The ice sign above the bar

A variant of drinks feature Swedish Absolute Vodka (of course) are available

Our drinks

Cheers

Throughout the bar there were these cool ice sculptures built into the walls

At least they put insulation on the ice benches, I thought this was a cool shot learning against a block of ice next to a mirror

There were all sorts of cool ice designs in the walls

On the back wall

Just like a kid

Christmas 2011

Christmas morning Fredrica made a beautiful breakfast in our apartment in the city

Barbaba Pappa and Mamma joined us for breakfast

We opened a few presents at home in the morning

Bella got her first Raggedy Ann doll

In front of our tree

In the afternoon we went to Ansi and Johan's for dinner.  We had the whole family together, it was really special

Ansi's table was beautiful, I loved the red lilies

Amanda and Fredrica getting settled

Noah, charming as ever, moved Tant (Aunt) Jessica 

Our elves for the evening, deliver presents to everyone 

A beautiful dress for Bella... she loved it!

Everyone knows I am a sucker for Grilled Chips... now I have the shirt to prove it.

Fredrica was eyeing these red boots everyday the first week we arrived in Stockholm

Amanda's dad makes the best homemade salsa... we brought some from California from Ola & Friday and Karl & Jessica

Amanda gets a traditional Sweden art piece of a mouse

Busy at work

Karl... one happy boy, an iPad and beer from his favorite San Diego brewery

Ola... dad to be.  The hat he is wearing has a light on it so he can find the baby at night :-) 

Frida... due in April.  We'll have a new addition by next Christmas!

First Week in Sweden

Bella is ready for Christmas... when do we get to open these???

Amanda and Emma... buddies

Noah loves dogs... Emma and her are just at the same level

Ahhh... massage my paws a little more

Woof!

On the subway out to Ansi and Johan's

Little elves wrapping gifts

What does the 'b' stand for?  Bad Baby... why won't you to go sleep before 3am... PLEASE!

But with this smile, how can you stay mad for long -)

Sunset... view from our apartment

Cuddle Time

Not everyone is on vacation... green-mom.com still has to be updated!

Eskimo kisses

When is the snow coming back???  

Noah's First Subway Ride

Too cute... we happen to sit where Noah could see the door open.  This was so fascinating.

Jul Gran ... Christmas Tree

Morning walk... to Old Town to see the Christmas Fair

You can see a few snow flakes in the foreground, we are in  front to the Christmas tree in the heart of Old Town

Time to decorate our tree... Amanda and Bella got right to work!

Family photo :-)

Our latest edition to the family, Walter

Dress up for Christmas

Its Snowing!!!

We owe a longer update to our blog, but when we arrived in Stockholm we went outside and they were literally having their VERY FIRST snow of the year.  Its now a great video clip, but this is Isabella's very first time experiencing snow.

Goodbye, hello and more teeth

So today is the big day when we leave for Sweden on a 9 pm flight. The past week has been an adventure to say the least. First Bella got sick and gave it to Noah who on Wednesday suddenly got worse and stopped eating and sleeping. In the mean time Amanda has been sick to and did not had her usual energy, James has been working more than even which left me with all the packing, getting house ready and caring for a cranky baby.

I finally took Noah to the doctor, send Amanda to one as well. Noah is fine but recovering from his cold and taaa daaaaa teething. In two night two more pearly whites showed up.
Yesterday my body finally gave up and I came down with high fever, chills and sore throat. I has miserable trying to care for Noah at the same time. Amanda at this point we found out have food poisoning. I have no idea how we're going to make it today but I know it's going to be a lot of responsibility on James hands poor guy. Boy do we need a vacation so Sweden here we come!!!!

What a Difference a Week Makes

A week ago we got lucky and captured Noah's first steps.  I had forgotten how fast things go after that.  Literally within a week he is moving across the entire room. He is such a happier boy how; he doesn't have to whine if he wants something, he just crawls over and gets it.  Lucky we got the house baby proofed (including the new kitchen) a couple of weeks ago... just time time for that... but his new found crawling will make our flight to Sweden far more tricky!

All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth

After weeks of trying we finally got a good picture capturing Noah new pearly whites.  They are just the cutest.  Two on top and two on bottom.  But watch out because he has strong bite with just four teeth. What a smile :-)