Happy Easter!

Today, it's Easter Friday. The day was absolutely beautiful - sunny and warm. The boys enjoyed both their morning- and day-nap in the garden. We sat on the terrace and showed the world to the boys. For them, everything is new... so they have a lot to discover!
I had this photo in mind since the day when I bought the boxes. Those boxes are actually to keep boys' clothes in their room. But I thought they would look cute in them. I waited for the right moment to take this shot, and when Easter time was geting closer, I realized it will be a perfect time. And it was perfect time - because they enjoyed sitting there very much and found it funny! :) So here they are - our 3 little Easter bunnies... we love them so much!
The rabbits, with ribbons with boys' names, are a gift from my dear Nowergian penpal Annette. The lovely Tigger t-shirts are a gift from our neighbours for boys' 6-months-birthday. Thank you, and HAPPY EASTER! :)

Midsummer

The weatherman blessed us with such beautiful days during Midsummer celebrations (everyone is waiting for the forecast during Midsummer as much as during Christmas (when we hope snow), because Midsummer parties are outside parties and the rain and windy, stormy or cold weather would ruin it totally). This year, we had a quiet celebration and couldn't go to Muhu island. Luckily here, in Kiia village, we had a village bonfire with a party, where we went for a short time, too. Most of the time we spent the evening with our neighbours, quietly. And on Midsummer Day, my brother's family visited us. It was good to see my niece Lisanne again!
SOME PHOTOS:

Photo: During Midsummer, we always have the national flag up.

Photo: In the village party, we had a snake-dancer!

Photo: Our small bonfire with neighbours

Photo: Our neighbour-boy Glen celebrating Midsummer

Photo: My brother and my niece Lisanne visiting us during Midsummer Day

Photo: My brother and Lisanne

... and 2010 is here!

A Happy New Year to all of my friends! This time, 2010 came with loads of snow. In January 3, the snow record of all times was broken - 62 cm of snow blanket was measured in the Weather Observatory some kilometres from my home. I hope this lovely winter lasts for many weeks!
My New Year's celebration was once again with my dear friends. We had a lovely night together and in the morning, with a sunny beautiful 1st January, we decided to make a short trip to the nature nearby together with our dogs Tony and Bethu. They, as well as us, enjoyed the trip a lot.
Here are some photos.

Photo: The clock has turned 00:00 and it's time to be outside, watching firework and drink champagne!

Photo: We tried to stay still, except Sven, who was moving here and there and that's why he is very "invisible"

Photo: Our small firework inside the snow-cave

Photo: Sven with sparklers

Photo: Nature in the morning of 1 January

Photo: Nature in the morning of 1 January

Photo: Kristi and Eve and my dogs Bethu and Tony

Photo: Here you see thos 0.6 snow blanket...

Photo: Our road took us to the Vahijoa Waterfall (which was frozen)

Photo: I, Kristi and Tony near the frozen waterfall. Yes, everything is covered with the snow in this moment...

Photo: Frozen Vääna River

Photo: Eve during our trip back

Photo: Frozen Vääna River

Photo: Nature in the morning of 1 January

Christmas celebrations

For this year, Christmas is over again. All greetings and presents have been exchanged, all Christmas food is eaten and lots of time spent with the family.

Here are some photos of the celebrations.

Christmas with friends:

Photo: Each Christmas, we gather to Pille's place. This time, it was 19th of December

Christmas with my family

Photo: Celebrations with my brother's family and my mom

Photo: I and my niece Lisanne (1 year and 2 months old)

Photo: Lisanne is a cheerful girl!

Photo: Lisanne making her dancing moves...

Christmas with Erik's family

Photo: Our Christmas Eve dinner table

Photo: The Christmas tree

Photo: Erik's nieces Anna and Emily (3 years old)

Photo: Our family picture at Christmas + Erik's niece Anna

Photo: Time to exchange presents!

Photo: The end of the party - all tired and comfortably resting on the couch - I, Martin, Erik and Helen

Photo: The family photo on Christmas Eve

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Like snowflakes,

the Christmas memories gather and dance -

each beautiful, unique

and too soon gone...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Walkaround in Tallinn Old Town

Today, I and Kristi had our small Christmas party and this year, in a café in the centre of Tallinn. Afterwards, when it snowed so very beautifully, we took a walk in Tallinn Old Town and went to see the main Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square as well as the Christmas market. It was really like in a fairytale!

I only had my little camera with me, so the pictures cannot show all the beauty...

All I can say is that "ESTONIA IS READY FOR CHRISTMAS!"

Photo: Viru Gates - the entrance to the Old Town

Photo: Our Town Hall and the main tree

Photo: Christmas market in the snow (already closed at that late time when we went there)

Photo: Houses in the Old Town

Photo: I sitting in the bench of Tammsaare Park

Photo: Tammsaare Park

Xmas cards made by my friends

Each year, I get some really lovely Christmas cards made by my friends.

This year, I have received four lovely cards which I'd like to show here. I know that Christmas will be here only in the end of next week, so I'm sure I'll get some more lovely self-made cards! I'm grateful for all friends who take time to make something special!

Photo: Christmas card from my friend Martina (Austria)

Photo: Christmas card from my friend Annette (Norway)

Photo: Christmas card from my friend Birgit (Austria)

Photo: Christmas card from my friend Pille (Estonia)

Christmas with colleagues

Yesterday, we celebrated Christmas together with the colleagues. The party took place an hour from Tallinn and about 100 people took part of it (it was the Christmas party for Econimics Faculty only).

It's the funniest party we have ever had with our co-workers. All people enjoyed it, we danced a lot, had so many different activities, also many performers (folk dancers, local fire fighters dancing club, singers, choir, live band) and even our own band (just for fun)!

Photo: The Band "TTY Wild" made of my colleagues. By the way, the singer is the only Afro-American professor we are having in our faculty (and maybe the whole university)!

Photo: The people in our faculty Photo: My room-mate Marina and I, and our secretary in our party