More pics from our camping excursion

Way back in July, at the beginning of our 5-week family holiday, we went camping on Ljusterö. I'm finally getting the rest of the pictures from that trip posted.

Tomorrow, August goes back to dagis, James catches a flight to Baltimore until Saturday, and Leif and I go back to doing whatever it is that we do all day. Summer's over, just as it's finally getting started weather-wise. I suspect it's going to be a rough transition for all of us in the next few days, especially August. This morning after we read some books in his bedroom, I told him that tomorrow he starts school again, and also that James is going on a trip for a few days. He seemed fine with it, but then he walked into the living room and started crying.

We are so lucky to have had this time together--five weeks of hanging out as a family, going on trips, going to the beach, being at home. It's a part of the Swedish lifestyle that we hope to take with us wherever we go.

Now, back to camping.

Notice the falling carrot!

Leif and his grandparents

Not much to say here - just fun times with grandparents.

Mortehoe walk

Continuing in the vein of Devon country walks that August loves (see here and here, and for one of our few successes, see here), we tried to go for a little walk while we were in England. Leif seemed up for challenge, but from step 1, August definitely was not.

He clung to James:

He cried:

But he was totally up for the challenge of clotted cream chocolate ice cream:

Extended family at South Beara

When we arrived in England, James's aunt Tina and cousin Kevin were at South Beara waiting for us. I think the boys loved playing with them. Well, once Leif warmed up to all the new people. He sort of freaked out when we got there and wouldn't stop crying whenever anyone other than me or James tried to engage him or hold him. By the second day he seemed pretty much happy with everyone.

We don't have many pictures of August with anyone, as he rarely sat still, as per usual.

Leif learning to stand

More later, but a little video for now:

A day on Dartmoor

We're back in Sweden now, but I have several days of posts for you from England. Last Saturday we went with friends to Dartmoor and did a beautiful walk. It was a gorgeous day and we were thrilled to be outside.

August entertained our friends' baby by roaring at him like a lion:

The little figures right of center are me and Leif, and left of center are our friends:

Can you see how much Leif loved being there?

Superdad:

Summer holiday at South Beara

We're in Devon now, spending ten days with James's parents, eating massive amounts of food, and chasing August around the terrace while he rides his new toddler-sized tractor. The weather has been lovely and we've been mixing small adventures with staying at home.

August and cousin Kevin (James's cousin, which makes him August's second cousin?):

Leif and his Great Auntie Tina:

This is what most of our days look like, though often Leif is on the ground chasing August, and August is trying to run over Leif:

Camping on Ljusterö

We had our first camping adventure as a family of four last weekend. We took advantage of Sweden's allemansrätten - "the everyman's right" - to camp in the forest on an island near us. We took a car ferry over to the island, drove until we found a beautiful area, then walked around until we found a place to put our tent. It was, by all accounts, a success.

I have better pictures to post eventually, but here are a couple snapshots.

Our home between the woods and the water (the bright area in the back middle of the photo is the water):

On the granite slab just behind the tent:

Watching fish, throwing pinecones, and enjoying the view:

Our evening nature walk to the end of our little peninsula: