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.