Yay! Good News!

Anders presented his doctoral defense today and HE PASSED! He's officially a doctor now and can graduate in May!

Fun News!

Anders is going to be super embarrassed that I'm posting this, but he found out the other day that he is the recipient of a University of Illinois Alumni Association Student Leadership Award!

Only 50 students in the entire university's graduating class win this award each year. I'm so proud! I figured this post was the best way to get this bit of news out to his family.



One of Anders' friends sent me this ridiculous photo of him having lunch at school this week. He looks so small next to his giant spoon and bowl of soup!

Christmas Tree

After a couple of years without a tree, Amanda surprised me on Friday by taking us tree-shopping. We found the perfect sized tree and proceeded to Target to get decorations...

Anders Halloween 2009!

I'm finally getting around to posting Halloween photos.



Anders went as an 80s rockstar and I was a fish. No one could tell I was a fish. Since Anders' costume was so good and he was so into it, here are lots more photos of him...



Anders with Mel and Adam.



Jessie and Anders.



With his "goblet of rock."



He pretended to really play that foam guitar all night.



A pretty believable wig.



Playing the guitar.



Eating late night burritos. Anders actually went up to that table of strangers in the background at one point and pretended to play the guitar for them. Sigh.

Fall Weather and Brunch with Niklas

Today was a great day, sunny and warm, nice for being out and about. Thus, perfect timing for Niklas to be in Chicago. My second cousin was in town for a conference this week and today, before he went back to Calgary, Amanda and I met him for brunch. It was a lot of fun to see him again, I hope it won't be another 16 years until next time!



Amanda preparing her Halloween costume last weekend - I will post more photos as soon as I get the photos from Jessie...



Long shadows in the park last Sunday.



Niklas and I enjoying the sun in Wicker Park earlier today.

Fall Trip to NYC

This past weekend, Amanda and I went to New York City. One reason for the trip was that my passport expires soon, and I can't get a new one here in Chicago. The other reason was simply wanting to go there!



The first night we stayed at our friend Anthony's place in Brooklyn.



Amanda and Anthony having coffee - doorstep style.



Friday was a little bit rainy - but Times Square was still worth it!



Another touristy pose in front of Rockefeller Center.



Amanda and the F train in motion.



The Flatiron building was too tall for this photo op.




Amanda + art installation at the Museum of Modern Art.



Amanda daytime on Times Square after securing tickets for Hair.



We went to see Hair! It was a lot of fun.



View from the New Museum of Modern Art on Lower East Side.

Kanelbullar

This past Sunday, Sweden celebrated Cinnamon Roll Day. This inspired me to finally get around to bake some "kanelbullar" myself. The results are pictured below - please don't make fun of my first attempt on American soil. I'll blame the weird shapes and degrees of brownness on (1) the gas-fired oven and (2) the dry yeast I had never tried using before...

First roll - I think I rolled it too loosely.

Second batch - not uniform, but at least they look a little better.