The Birkeland Family Blog

Our yearly trip up to Jeremy Ranch this year was actually really fun. Usually we are cracking the jokes about going up the canyon 15 minutes to "watch TV". We think it is so lame, and usually don't call it a vacation. But I have to admit this year was great. The sleeping conditions were rough, but other than that we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. In the evenings it would cool off so we enjoyed evening walks and nightly hot tub trips. ahhhh!!! Emmi loved swimming, feeding the fish, saying "hi" to the moose, being with kitty 24/7, waking up to Grandma and Grandpa, and eating like a queen. Ella, Emmi's best friend even came up for the day to go swimming. Wow, was that a treat!!! Here are a few pics of the week.

I signed up for an online card sending service. It is the coolest thing I've seen in quite a while. I have always sent thank you cards, baby congrats, birthday cards, etc., but it is so expensive to buy the card and then take the time to write and get it into the mail. Now I can do it for all occasions easier, faster and for less money. There are thousands of cards to pick from or you can even design your own card with your own pictures. SWEET! If you want to try the system you can click on this link and you can send a couple of cards on me. It is really easy and just plain fun. Send out a spontaneous card to someone you are thinking of right now. You will be surprised how good you feel keeping up with family, friends and coworkers. Let me know what you think. I am so excited to keep in better contact with other people and I hope to inspire others to do the same. http://www.sendoutcards.com/inspiresomeone

EMMI and ELLA Two peas in a pod Ella lives up the street and Emmi says they are best friends. We ask Emmi who her best friend is and she says, "Ella". (Grandma Jill taught her that one) Wow have these two had a blast this summer together. They share everything, and play almost everyday. Ella is six months older than Emmi, but I can say that Emmi sure tries to keep up with Ella. Things they love to do together: swim wagon rides park adventures share sippy cups eat snacks play with each others toys talk jibberish and say each others names over and over

To make Emmi happy all you need to do is give her an avocado. Don't try to take it away or you will see some serious attitude. We are just grateful that avocado is available all year round. What would we do without AVOCADO! SHE IS IN LOVE!

Now I don't feel like a total failure as a mom. I finally got some pictures taken of Emmi. My cousin took them with her new professional camera. Thanks Heather. I have been having fun in photoshop with them. Granted Emmi was sick in these pictures, but hey I would never have pictures if I found a time she was well. Is summer ever going to come?????????????

Here we are still in Panama. We have had many new adventures in this crazy city. We have walked...or should I say we have 4 wheeled Emmi in her stroller all over the pueblo. We have gone to the biggest shopping center in Panama City and somehow we ended up eating at Tony Roma's. It was Brian's choice that day, and I didn't argue since there was a complete toy zone for Emmi to play in. Maybe just once we could really enjoy our food. We promised each other we wouldn't tell anyone we ate there, but here I am spilling the beans. Shhh don't tell Brian. Yesterday we went to church. We took a taxi to the church which ended up being literally up the street. Woops!! Brian and I seem to be the worst at reading maps. We always have to make at least 2 wrong turns before we manage to get to our destination. Do you think we could still be the winners on Amazing Race? We walked into the church and immediately Emmi was taken from me and we didn't see her u...

After some long travels we finally made it to Panama. We now can sit back, relax and enjoy ourselves. The weather is warm and humid, the food has been ok, and the views are spectacular. It has been hard getting around not speaking much Spanish but we have received tons of attention because of Emmi. Here is a picture of all of us at a residential development that we are involved in just an hour out of Panama City. The terrain is absolutely gorgeous. We went to the historical downtown of Panama City and was able to capture some cool shots.