Some things are the same the world over; such as celebrating the birth of a new family member.  What is different, and so much fun, is the foods we bring to the celebration.  The Swedish Princess Cake with a soft green marzipan, powdered with sugar, and topped with a rose is a must for any celebration.  It is layered with what tastes like a raspberry jelly and whipped cream, for a very moist and unusually tart/sweet taste; unlike our American super sugary icings.  Ika chose a forest theme for Bo’s room, with fall colors of pumpkin, forest green and chocolate.  Katarina, Ika’s sister, provided the Swedish expertise; and Tasha, Katarina’s sister-in-law, outdid herself with the decor.  You will notice barefeet in the pictures, because a proper Swede leaves his/her shoes at the door.

Another thing I found refreshing was the number of little ones involved, and welcomed into Katarina’s home.  There was a special “toddler’s table” with tiny princess cakes for them.  They were welcome to join in the games, or hang out in Gunnar’s room and play in his tent:)

Laura Wilcox, Ika’s sister-in-law, did the photography (not these pictures, which I haphazardly took with my iPhone:)  Like the trooper Laura is, in spite of a foot in a boot due to aggravating a sprain during the ACL concert, she hobbled around to document the weekend for Ika & Matt.  Laura’s amazing pictures will be available later, along with some maternity shots she took of Matt and Ika in Galveston the next day.  So creative and filled with the emotion of the event.  I’m so blessed to have such talented people in the family!