509 weeks old

Anders Cole is now 509 weeks of age.  So many wonderful things have happened during those weeks and he has developed from a tiny infant of 9 pounds 5 ounces and 21.5 inches in length to a strapping 71 pound 58 inch boy. 

An Anders story--during the first year of his life, he was a traveling man.  Before he was 3 weeks old, he traveled from Illinois, were he was born, to Grantsburg, Wisconsin for his baptism on May 27, 2001.  Then, a few days later on May 31, 2001, he travelled with Mom & Grandma and Grandpa Blomgren through the states of Iowa and Minnesota to spend ten days in Mountain Lake.  We had visits from many loved ones before our grand move to Idaho including travelling to Flandreau, South Dakota to visit Great Grandma Margaret Blomgren. 

Early on June 11, 2001, aunt Ibby, Anders and I travelled from Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Mitchell, South Dakota, Wall Drug and on to Rapid City, South Dakota.  We were amazed by the "mountains" of the Black Hills even stopping to take a photo of their majesty.

Back on the road early on June 12 where we decided to take a "short cut" across the Big Horn Mountains (real mountains compared to Black Hills) in Wyoming and spent the night in Cody.  June 12, you would think would be warm and wonderful?  It started snowing on June 12 and when we tried to cut through Yellowstone on June 13, we had to drive several hundred miles south as the east entrance was closed due to heavy snow fall.  Goes to show, when Clarence and Vivian Blomgren tell you to stick to the interstate, you should.  We arrived late on June 13, travel weary to our little five bedroom apartment in Idaho Falls.  It was so great to reunite with Brad!

Next adventure was back to Minnesota on July 5, 2001 where we travelled to North Dakota to visit Great Grandparents Grace and Clarence and attended first bacherlorette party and wedding of dear friend, Julie Anderson Thibodeau. 

Another adventure in August 2001 to Los Angeles, California for cousin Erin Olson Batstone's wedding and Universal Studios/Pacific Ocean.  Back to Wisconsin for Thanksgiving 2001.

Two unexpected trips back to the Midwest for the funerals of Great Grandma Blomgren who passed away on February 17, 2002 and Great Grandpa Clarence Swanson exactly a month later on March 17, 2002. 

Our last big trip of Anders' first year was to Las Vegas in late March 2002 so Brad could meet up with Lambda Chi buddies from Mankato. 

In sum total, Anders visited Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, California, Arizona and Nevada--12 states in 12 months.  WOW!

More for later...