Dedicated to Annika...

I thought I'd start a New Year's tradition a few days early. In 2009, I want to do a post dedicated to each of my nieces and nephews on their birthday, but didn't want to miss Annika's. So, today, I'm celebrating sweet Annika! She turns four years old today, and I am so excited for her!

Four years ago today, I was waiting outside the doorway of the hospital room when little Annika was born, and I got to hear her first cry. Here is me holding her just a few minutes after she was born.

Here is Annika in July of 2005, on our Alaska vacation. Her little personality was already apparent!

Here is my Mom holding her on New Years Eve 2005, when she had just turned 1 year old.



Here is a picture of Annika on the morning of her 2nd birthday, December 29, 2006.

This picture was New Years Eve of last year (2007), right after Annika turned 3 years old. Isn't she cute?!

Here is a picture of Annika and I just a few days ago, Christmas 2008. You can see her sparkling personality in this picture!

We went sledding recently, and she loved it! In the car on the way home, we counted her saying, "Guess what?" 25 times in five minutes. What a cutie!

And finally, one last picture--this is Annika doing her "moves." She is such a cute little dancer!

Some of my favorite things about Annika are her energy, her sparkling personality, her big smiles and huge hugs. She is such a sweet, smart little girl (can already read), and is a joy to be around. I love her, and I'm so grateful I am a part of her life! Happy Birthday, Miss A!