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Another first- castle-hopping!!

 Ananlise and I pretending to be a queen and a princess at Sofiero.

 Sofiero had the most beautiful grounds and gardens.

 The inside of the castle by comparison was not impressive.

 Here is the actual castle.

 And the cool playground right next to the castle.

 The view from the second story balcony. How would you like this to be your backyard?

A few days later we went castle- hopping (is that a real word?) with our friends.  First we went to this beautiful castle that is a private residence called Trellenas.  Someone actually lives here!

 There are swings for the kids thank goodness.

 Here E is being very sweet with my little man.

 Do you see those two princesses walking in for high tea after a lovely afternoon making daisy chains?

 Next we went to Trellenor a short drive away.  This castle has a section open to the public but the day we went it appeared there was a private party so we could not go inside.

 The last castle we went to was Bosjökloster which was originally a monastery. It is located on the shore of lake Ringsjon. In February Ray ice skated across lake Ringsjon to the castle and had lunch on the ice. However on this day in May it was warm and sunny so we went back and toured the castle, garden, grounds and had lunch at the cafe. We spent the day with our friend Wes and Hannah and their kids E and S. 

This is a really big, old oak tree.

A rare picture of Angela and Hannah since we are usually taking the pictures or wrangling the children.

Playing with friends in April and May

Annalise with A at the apartment swings.

 One of the things that is so cool about living in another country is learning about different traditions and holidays.  In Sweden on Maundy Thursday Swedish children dress up as Easter hags paint their faces, carry a broom, and knock on their neighbor's door for treats. (Sound like Halloween?)

 It is so interesting because it seems as though there are pagen and Christian traditions associated with most holidays.  Here the kids are at an Easter party at Kulan.

 Enjoying a snack with H and T during a very fun playdate!

 Lucas playing peek a boo!

 Annalise showing her true love in Sweden, tire swings.  I know not Swedish necessarily but Annalise would not go on them until we moved here.

 Here Lucas is at Kulan with his good friend S.

 Lucas will now play with playdough without eating it- yea!

She is such a great big sister to share!

 We went to Malmo to Folkets park for a fun filled day with friends.  First the carousel, them a petting zoo, and more rides!

 Annalise with her good friend E.

 Three pretty girls on a train.

 Here Annalise is being her sassy self with her equally sassy friend S on Valborg's.  This is basically Labor Day in Sweden.  It is celebrated by large bonfires in most local parks. Note the big fire behind the girls.

 Bonfire means roasted marshmellows!!!

 It also happened to be Ray and I's actual anniversary.  Happy Anniversary babe!

 When I was a little girl and I dug a big, deep whole adults would always say sarcastically," are you digging a hole to China?"  Now fast forward and my daughter is now the one digging big, deep holes but do you know where her hole leads?  Denver she informed me very seriously.  She misses Denver just like her mommy!

 How did Lucas get so big?

 Here Annalise is at Kulturen for International Children's Day.