Now...Nana and Bampa's Christmas

Nana and Bampa know how to throw a Christmas morning party. They even wore their finest gowns. (I think this might be why mom gets nervous when we take her picture.) In addition to the gowns, we dined on Eggs Benedict, Mr. D's Apple Fritters, and Mrs. Ramlo's fancy pastry. After the feast, we sang Mom's favorite tunes (Silent Night, Oh Christmas Tree [German version, too], Jingle Bells, Oh Hell [Noel to everybody but Dad and Grandpa], and Oh Little Town of Bethlehem). And then there's that moment. The moment when every child under 70 looks at Nana to see if it's time yet. Thomas already has the first target selected and his finger nails are poised for ripping. Caroline's smile is beginning to make her cheeks hurt. When mom gives the go ahead, the chaos is beautiful as long as nobody loses any body parts in the ensuing frenzy.

And Lars, well, this is the passion that creates Harley dudes. If he could, he'd be dressed in leather and sporting a foot long beard. I don't think it's too great a leap from Christmas morning Big Wheels to a Hog. With the rosy cheeks and Santa hat, Lars is destined to be a first-rate elf, or maybe even a mall kiosk with his own stable of elves. It all started at Nana and Bampa's...



Chuck, Tracey and the girls doted on the Luce Goose. Charles played with her at her level, given his uncanny ability to understand the mind of children of all ages. Tracey found the Donald Duck giggle noise and conquered yet another Gunderbaby. And Erin and Ailey played long enough to remember that they don't want one until they're at least 30.












On Christmas Day, we took the assembled masses on an epic walk to Riverside Park from Erik's house while waiting for the arrival of the Chuck clan. There were voluntary face imprints left in several snowbanks but only one incident of unwanted snow exposure. We also narrowly missed Uncle Harry and Aunt Signe's SUV with a Christmas Snowball.As you can see by the picture in front of the Mississippi, it was a good, long walk, and Tessa's face tells the story of the tired voices asking "Dad, are you sure this is the shortest way?" Of course, Tessa rode most of the way, as did a sleeping Lars and Lucie, but it was still a good way to shake off the rust. The walk wasn't enough to dim the present opening enthusiasm, and Andy and Thomas found all the goods in record time. Andy is looking like a an ice rat first order. That's a good thing.










Finally, we spent Christmas night at Uncle Erik and Sofia's place for the annual Gundersen family party. Lucie made it until just before Kjeringe Med Staven, so sadly we missed the big dance. However, we had a fine time and Lucie was given her first tastes of anything other than mother's milk. What better non-milk beverage than Jim Beam? At times, Jim Beam has been a milk substitute for more than one Gundersen. In this case, it seems that a crying baby without teeth can only mean she's teething and we all know Jim Beam on the gums is the best remedy. It was a fine affair and fun seeing all the young Gundersen progeny becoming young men and women with ideas and aspirations. Amie was also able to try on her first Bunad, and despite a fine fit (as seen with niece Erin) she decided for the easy access sweater so Lucie could wash down her bourbon with a little milk.

In short, it was another fine Christmas, and even more special with our little gift in tow. We look forward to next year...

The Ultimate Gift

Then...The Leikvold Tapestry

As soon as possible after Lucie's arrival we plotted our escape to our family place on Lac Courte Oreilles dubbed Leikvold, or "playground" as translated from Norwegian. For those of you who have been there, you understand the draw of the cabin. For those of you who have not, it's the place of sunsets, days lost in water and wood, belly-busting meals overlooking the lake, cocktails on the porch, and endless memories of family and friends. In the middle of the woods, it's also the perfect place to take a newborn to block out the hustle and bustle and find the joy in her every new trick.

Just a few snapshots of the moments that are priceless and timeless. Priceless because no number can be put on weaving together lives and memories. Timeless because the torch has been passed for three generations and Lucie is simply the next stitch in a Leikvold tapestry that will go on forever. Here are the moments...

Dad took a break from the important news of the day to read one of our trashy, trendy, theory of the week, thirtieth trimester, make-your-child-brilliant, breastfeeding-for-Norwegians, babies-are-people-too, child rearing books.











Lucie gave Kathy Burgess an earful on the deck of the boathouse. Jim and Kathy Burgess stayed around with Mom, Dad, Amie and me and dined, drank, and decided the fate of humanity. Oh, sorry, Mr. Burgess decided the fate of humanity, the rest of us took notes. Leikvold will always be a great place for real, ideal, and surreal talk about the state of the world and the doings of the meek and the mighty.

Aunt Signe took a break from saving has-been sailors from capsized boats, planning her next kransekake, and monitoring bunad allocation to have a drink at the boathouse, absorb some afternoon sun, and meet the newest Gundersen. Harry and Signe are clearly on the High Court of Lac Courte Oreilles, if the not the King and Queen, and we've already signed up Lucie for Admiral of the regatta lessons.






On a visit to Paul and Jill Johnson, Paul gave Lucie a Godfather-like kiss on the forehead and got a smile or two in return from our little lump of mush and fur. Paul has always been affectionately know as Baldy Paul, and was a Sunday morning staple at the Gundersen house for smokes and coffees with dad. More than once we emerged from our rooms in the basement and were ordered to "go put some pants on, Baldy Paul is here." Of course, dad was usually lounging in his underwear, but that didn't matter. Paul and Jill's refurbished cabin just a few miles from ours means we'll be able to turn the tables and show up, this time for something far more dangerous - morning exercises and herbal tea.


And finally, the faces and fannies that will create the greatest impression on our little one. Caroline and Tessa sported their flower tiaras for their joint birthday celebration. Tessa also donned some extra facial decorations, courtesy of a less than graceful tumble from the front seat of theErik Gundersen family truckster. The flowers. The bruises. Can't wait for Lucie to have all of that and then some. The crowd on the hammock is where she'll see it all.

Now...Drooling On/Decorating Grandma's Christmas Tree

When I uploaded these shots I was a little frightened by just how idyllic a scene was emerging on the screen. Ah, but thankfully one shot made it all okay. You decide which one made me secure that we weren't living out a Norman Rockwell painting...

This first holiday season hopefully will set the trend for the future of our little Jewish Viking. She'll get a good dose of Christmas cheer and Norwegian culture from her Grandma, Grandpa, Nana, and Bampa, and then bask in the glow of the menorah with her Bubbe and Zadie.

Beyond her childhood enjoyment of the lights, decorations, food, presents, and general good cheer, we'll be working to make sure she grows up appreciating the real foundations of the holidays - family, culture, history, and compassion. Lucie will go to Hebrew school, grow up knowing her Rabbi and appreciating her Jewish roots, but we look forward to exposing her to the common ideals of other religions. My Lutheran roots and family traditions are founded in a commitment to family, involvement in the community, and living an examined and meaningful life. "Kjeringe med staven," my family's traditional grand finale Christmas song/dance/march is about the "old dear one with the cane," making butter up in the Hakke dalen just like Ula had before. While the song doesn't say it, the old dear one was making butter for her family and friends, and simply finding her place in the circle of life that rules us all - not to mention being the matriarch who'll whack your behind with that same cane if you get lippy (my favorite interpretive twist).

Regardless, we feel blessed that Lucie will grow up with a bounty of culture and family, and we expect to toss her into a full and complete circle, if not full-fledged merry-go-round.

Then...Pilgrimage to Badgerland, August 8th, 2005

Chuck, Tracey, Erin, Ailey, and friend Marina made the trek to Madtown to see the Goose and scope out UW-Madison. At the time, Erin and Marina were both Badger wannabees. Erin is now a Badger-to-be and Marina is waiting to hear. We're excited for next fall and to host Grandchild Number 1 playing with Grandchild Number 8.

We also look forward to seeing more of Chuck, Tracey, and Ailey on their trips down to see the Badgers eat Gopher over grass, wood, and ice. It will be great fun having Erin here so we can see her bloom and she can become a part of Lucie's early years. As we told Erin, we'll be by her dorm room every Sunday morning at 7 AM for our weekly breakfast, boy update, and grade check.

Now...Lucie's Digs

Lucie has a pretty cool pad. We're continuing to add accents here and there and will update the blog as we get them. Regardless, we thought some of you might be interested in seeing the room that Lucie built.

Tomorrow?...Toothless Smiles

Bampa giving Lucie a preview of her future? Or maybe it's Lucie giving Bampa a preview of his? Time will tell. I'm betting on Lucie keeping her teeth - once she gets them. Dad, well, maybe Margy can find the appropriate saint.

Then and Now..."She'd rather laugh than cry."

It's how we describe her now and how I hope we always do.

The proof is in the pictures...

Now...Thanksgiving and Then Some

Lucie knocked off a few more premiere events.

She gave thanks for free-flowing milk, butt paste, and leak-free diapers. We gave thanks for leak-free diapers and the butt that fills them. We spent our annual Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house. It was great fun seeing Skip, Jean and the gargantuan Peyton - gargantuan not just because she's bigger than our peanut, but because she has a big personality. She's not afraid of the camera, that one. We also spent quality time with Myla and fiance Bryan. We will work very hard to find fish bowls for their wedding, since that's the only detail that hasn't been fully planned. Sandy and Larry put on another fine turkey day, with a juicy grilled bird and all the fixins. I prepared the stuffing and squash/butter/maple syrup/butter/ cream/butter soup. It had butter in it. Very good food and company for all...

We then made the Friday trek up to Bubbe and Zadie's newly remodeled digs and just hung out. Literally. Paul has been hanging onto his beloved macrame swing, made to swing from the railing of the second level of the house. Knowing no fear and loving macrame much like her Zadie and her father, Lucie immediately took to swinging. After manipulating her Aunt Whitney (who has named herself Aunt Nini, to go with Aunt Dana, until Lucie can speak and calls them both something completely different) for several sets of pushes, Lucie made the rounds of family and friends. Joyce made us the Thanksgiving quiche (no turkey in honor of the veg-head mother of Lucie) and there was much merriment. We can't wait for Lucie's first dip in the lake...

On Saturday, we took part in the union of Michael and Ta, Larry's oldest son and his Montessori-teaching, world-traveling fiance. While there was an early snow cover, it was a beautiful sunny day and wonderful wedding - with a little something for everybody. There was fine food and drink, cooing babies, good conversation, and heart-felt best wishes for a great couple. There was also drunken antics (not to be catalogued here), crying babies (see the attempted Christmas card turned "grandparent photo from hell" below), and family intrigue (if you were there, you decide which family and which intrigue to recount). Clearly, it was everything a wedding should be.

It was a memorable first Thanksgiving and filled with the people and traditions that will become not just Lucie's firsts, but her every years and forevers.