Merry Christmas from the Kihlströms!

Ella, The American-Swedish Toddler
A Christmas Story
There once was a little girl named Ella. She had two quite unique parents named Amanda and Henrik. The three lived on an island on the largest lake in Sweden, called Hammarö. Everyone that took Swedish at North Park knows that,"Ö", means island in Swedish. Her pappa worked at Yamaha as the accountant and salesman, and her Mommy studied English linquistics, grammar, and phonology, and Spanish at the University of Karlstad. They had a friendly dog named Nelson that liked to take long walks, and eat lots of food.

It was Ella's second Christmas, and she was very excited about all the festivities. The month of December started out with lots of baking. Her mommy didn't have very much time for baking, but Pappa decided that they should make Lucia rolls. He even invited Ella's boyfriend Albin over to bake with them! Ella was so overjoyed that she deciced to stand up in her high chair and proceeded to fall backwards onto her head. After resting for awhile, Ella hopped back into shape, and continued to bake her first Lucia roll.



She ate alot of raisens!!

On December 13th, Sweden celebrates Santa Lucia day. It is a much longed for celebration because of the darkness in Sweden at this time of year. Ella was going to participate in her preschool's Lucia train. Mommy hemmed up her dress the night before. Both Mommy and Pappa had a hard time sleeping because of their anticipation for Ella's big day! They woke up early on Lucia morning and drove to the preschool. Ella was a bit frightened when she walked into a room full of parents watching her. However, she did have her best friend with her, Nam Nam. She could always trust that Nam Nam would soothe her(Nam nam is her pacifier). She stood right up front, holding onto her candle, and sucking on Nam Nam. There were many gingerbread boys, tomtas, and Lucia attendents there. They sang beautiful songs while their parents admired them, and then they served Lussekatter(Lucia rolls) and pepperkakor. The celebration was a great success.

On Dec. 20th the whole family flew to the Canary Islands for two weeks! Ella's Great-Grandmother Birgit turned 80 years old and decided to pay for the entire extended family to go there for Christmas and New Year's!! She was a GREAT, great-grandmother! They all had a wonderful time, aside from the occasional intense discussions between Ella's uncles Jonas, Magnus, and pappa Henrik.

This story is to be continued......

I hope that you liked our version of our Christmas Card this year. I would have liked to have sent a Christmas card to each and everyone of you, but my studies and strep throat have taken over!! Much love to all of you!

God Jul och Gott Nytt År!

Love,

Amanda, Henrik, Ella, and Nelson

P.s. Just click on the pictures if you want to see them enlarged.

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