Annika Overload

Brad has officially been home from Iraq for a week and a day. He has had reintegration in the morning, but afternoons he has been free to spend with us. On Thursday was the big welcome home ceremony and mini-carnival with free food and little rides. Annika yawned through the ultra-slow merry-go-round and looked slightly panicked when Brad took her on the bumper cars. Block leave started on Friday, but we don't really have any big plans. We just want to be home together, and Brad wants to get to know his daughter. They are great pals already. Annika loves being outside and lately she just stands at our front door waving "bye-bye" and hitting the door to let us know she wants to get out. So, we do. We jabbered at the monkeys at the zoo, we explored a forest, we picked daisies in a field, and we go to the park almost everyday. Now that there are two of us home, I can take pictures while Brad plays with Anni. I am loving it! Here are just a few shots of our overly photographed little girl.

She just ran and ran down this little dirt road as fast as she could go.

I love her pursed lips and concentrated face. She is a girl with her own ideas these days.

Brad (aka Mr. Amazing) took this picture of Annika the other day when we were exploring one of the forests around Baumholder. It captures her perfectly -- finding something new and exciting, and then wanting to share.

This last one I took when Annika and I visited Rothenburg in May with my Mom. I was playing with some new textures and opened up this picture to try them out. My brown-eyed girl.

That finishes up your Annika fix for the day. Hope you enjoyed it!