As usual, I was living in the moment and didn’t take nearly enough photos of our time in the States, but I was apparently better than the rest of my family. Martin says he only took 2 photos the entire time, haha. Here’s the photo dump from our holidays!
Essie, Danely, and Karin decorating cookies
Karin and Martin decorating cookies
Karin outdoes herself with a cookie too pretty to eat!
Anders, Essie, Karin, Grandma Linda, and Martin – ready to open presents
Danely is also ready to open presents
The elusive Mr Bryce
Me and my mom (who is not actually taller than me)
Essie opening her present from Sarah’s family
Sarah and mom opening the photobooks I made
Karin with the Xmas dogs: Rocco and Maia
Fancy Xmas dogs!
Grandma Linda and Martin walking Little Sugar Creek Greenway in the nearly 80F weather
Martin with me and Grandma Linda, out walking in the sunshine
Contrary to popular belief, Maia did not deign to eat Martin or anyone else
Sarah took the girls horseback riding
Some of the things we did besides Christmas and New Years: visited Waxhaw, Carolina Place mall and Southern Lion, Sleepy Poet antique mall, Charlotte Premium Outlets. Had dinner twice at Yama, and once at Copper Premium Pub, lunch at Red Sake and Emmets Table, breakfast at Coney Island. Various people had Arby’s, Chick-Fil-A, Popeyes, Chipotle, Wasabi as well. Horseback riding, ice skating, running/walking, walking at Little Sugar Creek Greenway and seeing James K. Polk’s childhood home. Tom and Anders went to the Nascar Museum. Playing 20 Questions, Hygge, IncoHEARant, Hues & Cues, Travel Yahtzee (both Anders and I rolled a yahtzee on our first turns!). Putting together Martin’s mushroom jigsaw puzzle. Watching Klaus at home (the kids all went to see Avatar 3 in the theater). And eating amazing food at home including rib roast, turkey, spaghetti bolognese, Tom’s pizzas, artichoke dip, and more.
A fun vacation in most every way!
*Part the first was in December 2025.