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.
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).
By any chance, have you noticed a theme to this birthday celebration? If not…do you recognize this?
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. 🙂
Hahahaha! The candles on Annika's ice cream birthday cake are the relighting kind.
There! I think she managed to fully blow them out.
Annika showing off one her birthday gifts (The Avengers t-shirt).
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:
PS. A quiver is the portable thing holding all of the arrows. ;-)
Family watching Annika shoot (while holding her new quiver):
She did great shooting with the whole family watching (she claims it makes her nervous).
Remember the story of William Tell? Apparently it is possible to spear an apple!
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:
Annika, the kneeling archer (taken on an earlier day):
Happy Birthday Annika!
Never stop reaching for the stars!
We love you!!!