Coke Museum

In January, Uncle Neil and Ansev visited us and we all went to visit the Coke Museum. Luke had a good time watching the machinery move all the Coke bottles around and he did really well sitting through the movies they have you watch. He tried his very first taste of Coke (as well as a couple other international flavors which were...interesting). I'm glad to report he thought Coke was gross. So now when he wants a sip of my drink, I tell him its Coke and he squishes up his nose and says "Ew, gross!" Wouldn't it be wonderful if he always thinks it is gross :) The other thing Luke did NOT like at all was the large alive Polar bear that you could take pictures with. I really wanted us all to get a picture with the bear who was really funny, but Luke wouldn't get near it. Surprise suprise, right? Josh held him off to the side while Neil, Ansev, and me got our picture taken with the bear.
After the museum, we had lunch at the Varsity. Thanks for visiting us Uncle Neil and Ansev!

Remembering my Mummu

Today the Lord called my Mummu home to be with Him. Mummu (Finnish for Grandma) is my Mom's mom. I am thankful that she is at peace and restored in Heaven. A few of my fondest memories of my Mummu are her sense of humor and her laugh, our shared love of green jello and cottage cheese, and how she used to play with my hair when I was a little girl. I love you Mummu and await the day I'll see you again!

Mummu pictured here with Luke and my Dad in August 2008.

Requested by Uncle Neil

Luke's uncle Neil has been pestering me for a new video of Luke. This was bathtime tonight. This is for you Neil :)

More from our visit to FL for Christmas

While home for Christmas we kept busy! It was too bad that Josh had to go back to work, but the rest of us (me, Luke, and Noah) got to stay for a few extra days in the warmer FL weather! We went to Parksdale Farms in Plant City to enjoy strawberry shortcakes (a Lustila tradition). I couldn't get Luke to eat any of the one we were going to share, so I had to eat it myself, bummer :) I did manage to get him to sit on my lap for a picture on the strawberry throne!

Luke and I took a trip to Orlando to meet my friend Melissa and her son Logan. This was the first time I had a chance to see Logan and I was so excited! After we got stuck in I-4 traffic going by Disney World,we made it to the Mall of Millenia and got to have lunch and visit for a bit. So fun!

Luke was helpful around my parent's house
And he did a bit of modeling for the camera
Wrapping up the trip, here is a picture and video of Luke riding the "tractor" that he was fascinated with the whole time we were home. He was in heaven riding with his papa!

Ed rocks the accordion

Luke's Papa (Josh's Dad) has played the accordion since he was a young child. I have known Ed since 1996 and this Christmas marked the third time that I have seen him play it! Although he thought he was rusty, the small crowd he performed for on Christmas day thought he was great! He played several Christmas carols for us and then played his special trick...Lady of Spain. This is special because it is a difficult song by itself, but Ed plays it blindfolded, wearing gloves, with a cloth over the keyboard! Luke thought it was awesome! He watched with much excitement and cheered like the rest of us for his Papa. Here is the video I promised of Ed playing Lady of Spain:


Thanks for the treat Ed! Hopefully it won't be so long til we hear you play again!

Christmas Recap 2009 Part 2- Christmas with the Floetkes/Lustilas

We headed over to my parents house Christmas afternoon where we were joined by my brother and his girlfriend and 2 of my mom's brothers and their families.  Luke continued to receive lots of great toys and again had no idea how to handle so many toys.  I suspect that my cousin Grant had more fun with Luke's toys that day than Luke did himself, but thanks to Grant, Luke learned how to play with many of them.
Luke did really well with opening the presents himself and being super excited about whatever he received.  I wasn't sure if we'd have to wait until next Christmas for him to really get into it, but I was pleasantly suprised that he understood as much about it as he did.  He talked a lot about baby Jesus, Christmas trees, and Santa and became very fond of saying "Merry Christmas Tree!"
I guess my photographer got worn out taking photos (or else was too busy opening his own mound of presents to afford me a large selection of photos of the whole group of us) so here are a few of Luke.

Luke's mound of gifts

Checking to make sure we got them all out

Luke and Grant distributing gifts

Luke popping bubble wrap with Grant

We had a really nice time.  It was a little bittersweet as we had once thought that maybe this would be our last Christmas that we would have to travel to FL, but as many of you now know we have decided to stay in Atlanta.  I could right a whole page on the subject, but I'm just going to let it stand that Josh has been blessed with a wonderful career opportunity here and we are looking forward to him finally being done with school/residency/fellowship.  It has been a long time coming for him and us as a family.  While we will miss being closer to our family and good friends in FL, we hope that everyone will come visit us here in Atlanta!

Christmas Recap 2009 Part 1, Christmas with the Elliotts

Ok so I am a little behind getting the pictures from Christmas up.  Josh did a great job as usual being the photographer and there are way to many pictures to choose from so I will just share a sampling of our trip to Lakeland and St. Pete.  Luke and I were able to spend about 10 days in FL, we stayed for a few extra days after Josh had to get back to Atlanta for work.  We spent Christmas Eve and morning with Josh's parents and brother and sister-in-law.  His aunt and uncle came over on Christmas Day and joined us as well.  It was great to see everyone and spend Christmas together.  Luke received so many great toys, he didn't know what to play with first. 

Luke building a tower with Aunt Jayce

Luke building a tower with his papa and Uncle Matt

Luke wrestling and pinning his papa

Christmas begins with a carrying case for his cars!

So happy

Shrek!!!! (the 3rd...Josh and I were getting seriously tired of Shrek 2, we also ended up borrowing the orginal Shrek from my parents, so at least now there is some variety to the Shrek watching at our house, which still occurs daily).  He also got several other movies, but none have replaced his favorite...Shrek! I think Shrek 4-D coming out in a few months may be the first movie we try to take him too.  That is if he still loves Shrek in a few months!

Animals!!

The aftermath of Christmas morning

Luke helping mommy with a snowman puzzle

And finally a little teaser for a future post involving video: