Hello Teenager!

10 August 2016 –

Woot! Woot! Woot!

Thirteen cheers for Annika….she's now a TEENAGER!

We celebrated her birthday with family in Michigan before we returned home to China.

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We even had Aunt Karen and Uncle Chuck join us for the birthday celebration! Also celebrating with us: Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle Ray, Aunt Beth, cousins Lily, Gregory, and Henry; Ava and Mark (who flew in to be with us for entire whopping TWO DAYS).IMG_1790
By any chance, have you noticed a theme to this birthday celebration?  If not…do you recognize this?

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 I'll give you a hint: it's supposed to look like Captain America's shield.  Who is Captain America? All I know is that he's a Marvel comic book character and he's part of The Avengers.  For more detailed and accurate information ask any of the kids who attended this birthday celebration. 🙂

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Hahahaha! The candles on Annika's ice cream birthday cake are the relighting kind.IMG_1803

There!  I think she managed to fully blow them out.IMG_1804

Annika showing off one her birthday gifts (The Avengers t-shirt).

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  Another new development this summer, Annika started proper archery lessons under Grandpa's guidance.  They bought her an absolutely beautiful bow (I think it's a 30-lb bow) and she practiced shooting it (with Grandpa standing) nearly every day, sometimes even twice per day. She asked Grandpa if he'd teach her how to shoot with a bow and arrow this summer and she is really enjoying the challenge!

Grandpa (and Grandma) gave Annika this quiver:

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 PS. A quiver is the portable thing holding all of the arrows. ;-) 

 

Family watching Annika shoot (while holding her new quiver):

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She did great shooting with the whole family watching (she claims it makes her nervous).IMG_1830

Remember the story of William Tell?  Apparently it is possible to spear an apple!IMG_1842

 

And here's Ava!  She's sporting her new glasses (her right eye is -1.0 but her left eye is still 0.0), a cute short haircut, and a Spiderman t-shirt (because certain comic book hero movies are ALL the rage in our family)…oh, and I almost forgot…she also has braces:IMG_1821

Annika, the kneeling archer (taken on an earlier day):

Annika kneeling archer

Happy Birthday Annika!

Never stop reaching for the stars!

We love you!!!