Posts Tagged ‘family’

So we had a little garden party last Sunday, with my brother + family and my mom and dad. It was so nice to fire the BBQ grill again and be together on one of the few nice, warm and sunny days of August (so far). And MT was so happy, after being a bit sad over missing out on our last gathering in the garden (my birthday, also see below).

The nice thing about Sunday was that it took little to no planning. We just brought with us whatever we had on hand. I didn’t even have time to clean the house before this or set the table outside, we just didn’t care about the mess. It was more important for us to enjoy the afternoon and evening together. And to be honest they are family and know about my quirks and messes anyway.

My brother was nice enough to be the grill chef and barbecue the food for us. Thanks again We enjoyed being together, the food and the weather.

And we had some fun too.

Both kids and grown ups.

Later we spent some time talking about this and that, so great to be together and catch up on life. And the I got some help from all the guys to move a closet into my bed room too. Yay, it was a really good day. Now I have room for more clothes upstairs. Note to self: The closet needs some washing… and you need to fill it with clothes too.

……………………………………………………………………….
Anyhow, here is a scrapbook layout I made from the last barbecue in the garden, the birthday one (the one MT missed and felt a little left out of when he realized that his cousins where there and he was on vacation in western Norway).

Credits:
Template by Scrapping with Liz
Papers and element from Finley by Sweet Tomato designs (the red paper and banner is recolored)
Click the image and jump over to Flickr for journaling…

We went to a fair on Saturday.  It’s called Dyrsku’n (dyr = animal) from the beginning when farm animals (horses, cows etc.) where more important then carousels and cutlery.

The fair is local to us and one of the biggest fairs in Norway. We were one of ca. 30000 visitors that day – about 70000 visitor in total for the weekend – and that is in a village of ca. 2500 people. I can remember going to the fair every single year when I was kid; a great September tradition in our family.

MT went there for his first time last year. Now he was eager to get past the gate another time. There is a lot to see, a lot to buy and a lot of people. This time we even took time to watch the horse show.

MT was most interested in the amusement park part of the fair, though – and he went through his tickets like fire (he only had 6 and then his cousin got two so no wonder it went fast). But he got to do what he wanted to (at least almost, because he was too small (thankfully) for a few of the larger carousels and one cost more money than I was willing to pay).

Here he’s driving electric car and below he is in the Ferris Wheel, both with his cousin. He also got to walk through the fun house and jump on a trampoline (his all time favorite last year – this year I think it was the ferry wheel that topped the list).

(more…)

MT has stated practicing his writing skills.

We’ve been busy running around meeting people today. Some familiar faces (thanks for dinner SIL! + for candy mom!) and some new faces (nice to meet you new colleagues!).

We visited my new office (where I start in October), I’ve been interviewed for a local newspaper right outside one of the churches (the only one of three that I haven’t been inside off) – and only a few 100 meters down from the new house. [Being interviewed is always both a bit scary and a bit fun, I only hope I found the right words and that I didn't say anything stupid(!) - I probably did.] Then we walked to the store and bought a little lunch snack before we headed back to town and stopped by my brother’s house. I so look forward to doing this on a regular basis when we move closer! At around 4:30 pm MT finally got his wish for the day a stop by a indoor swimming pool(s) – he had so much fun and I promised we’ll return once we’ve moved there. He’s getting really good at practicing his swimming, not long before he actually can do it (and not only say that he can swim). [But in the end he got to confident and got into a little trouble. He broke the not-in-deep-water rule, one of the few really important ones when I'm not in the water with him. So he won't be taking another swim in the pool this month.....not that I planned it anyhow.] At the end of the the day we met mom and dad outside the store, just for a quick little chat. Nice to see them too. Not many photos from today, though…

Tomorrow he’s going to a farm with his class. Better figure out where the farm is(!) Night!!

Today have been a mix max of feelings and time spent with family and friends. We’ve both laughed and cried while we celebrated a woman that was very dear to us and that we got to spend so much quality time with.

It was the day of our Grandma’s funeral and we all had planned and gotten different things to do, say or sing. Even a couple of her great grand children placed roses on her coffin to say their thanks.

It’s been a good day, and I’m glad to know that my mummy feels that way to. It was of course sad as well and we all wanted her to be there with us like she’s been for so many years. It felt so good to be together with so many that had loved her and to know that she knew how many of us felt – we are a family of talkers (more or less) and my Grandma was good with reading people.

I’m just leaving you with a few photos from the day. I took a lot of people photos, not many of them any great since I didn’t use flash and people moved around…. Anyhow above and below are a few of those I took today, ending with a beautiful full moon taken outside our house when we got back home.

I’m going to go to sleep now; this day have been far to long already. I didn’t sleep much last night (4-5 hours) worrying about the speech I was going to hold about my Grandma at the funeral (it went well, thankfully) – so I’m really tired to put it mildly.

Below is my favorite, recent, photo of Grandma (or Mormor as I call her in Norwegian = mothers mother). There will be more later in the week about her and about this day. But for now: Good Night!

We went to a family party yesterday afternoon. It was nice to be with them and sort of a tradition each summer. We ate barbecue outside and then cakes and coffee inside (since it started raining). In the late evening the rain stopped and the temperature wasn’t that bad so we all (not all come to think of it, but me, kiddo, my brother and his wife and kids) went to have a night swim in a nearby lake. The water was so warm and we had a great time together. Swimming, laughing, splashing and talking. Love you guys!!

Hoping to return to this lake another time this summer.

Every Easter Day since MT got baptized we have been celebrating the day with family and friends. This year was no exception and we invited our closest family to join us.

Photo from the baptism Easter Day 2006.

But first I had a little work to do, an Easter service up in the mountain. In a small, cozy church. I didn’t bring my camera, so I have sadly no photos to show. The service didn’t start before 3 pm so we had plenty of time to enjoy the morning and early day.

MT was happy to find some candy for him in the living room and thought it was a nice breakfast (ahem).

(more…)

Happy birthday!

I’m just in time to congratulate you on your day. Hope it was nice! Above is my current favorite photo of you

Enjoy life, be your self and be proud! Love you lill brother

It’s been a really long time since we’ve had so many days free in a row. But this weekend we had Saturday, Sunday and Monday all to our selves. After spending Saturday relaxing and doing our things, we went to visit my parents on Sunday early afternoon. It was nice to spend some time with them at the farm, we slept over and spent Monday with them as well.

Sunday night I helped them install broad band and this photo is priceless. Look at mom’s face Hopefully they’ll have some fun surfing the net and learning how to stay connected through it!

In the morning I went for work, I spent most of the day alone there – and it was nice to get to work without much interruptions My mom called to see how we were doing, she told me my dad got sick that morning. I just knew there would be others….

In the afternoon it became clear that I got the bug from my mom. It was no fun. But for some reason I managed to get MT to bed and wash some laundry + hung it up before I landed in my comfy old and well used chair.

We spent the day at the farm together with my parents and my brother and his family. We had lots of fun in the snow. Sadly my mom  was sick, so not so fun for her; but she still cooked us Sunday Dinner – like all crazy moms do!

I did write a post about this weekend, you can find it here.

Today we got a visit from my brother and his family. SO NICE! And the kids played in the snow for hours. MT had so much fun; he loves to be outside when there is someone to play with And we adult got to talk and talk. Sadly we talked a bit much so dinner got late and they had to go before dessert. But I promise: next time we’re going to be finished in time for ice cream

We spent the last part of our weekend with family at my parents farm. My mom was feeling a bit under the weather on Saturday, but the rest of us had some fun together. By Sunday morning my mom felt a lot better (looked better as well) and made us all some delicious Sunday dinner.

We spent a good part of the Sunday outside and I took some photos (off course). It was a bit cold, so I was afraid for my camera – but it seemed to go okay and it still works as normal.

I look forward to live here at the farm some day, but I really do wonder how I’m going to make a living of it. As it is now my dad barely breakes even and my he has worked as a full-time teacher as well as being a farmer. I’m not sure if I have the energy to do that (having a full-time job AND doing the farm work) – I only know that I need some money to pay for things…. Hm…

We celebrated my Grandmothers birthday with friends and family. It was great to be there with her and nice to be with our extended family on my mom’s side; we don’t meet them too often! I had so many photos to choose from, but decided at last on this one where she cuts her cake. Those hands have done so much work and care for us all

The celebrating of the New Year!!

I absolutely LOVE this photo of my nephew twirling his star sparkle (or what to call it) while the smoke from his fathers firework is making everything kind of purple. We celebrated New Years Eve with my brother and his family. We had a really good time with them and I LOVE this tradition of spending the Eve together. Thanks for having us!!

I made this for this week CT-assignmetn at Pretty Scrappy answering to a challenge at Scrapmatters. The first scrap I’ve finished since Christmas (I started a few, but those got lost in the crash…). It’s good to be scrapping again.

I was inspired to find a word that could follow me throughout the year. I found a word that evokes a lot of feelings. Both good and bad. I think it’s the right word for this year. Time will show if I think that a year from now Because of the  computer crash I’m starting the new year rebuilding and downloading. Feeling a bit vulnerable since I lost a lot of stuff that was dear to me, but also fine since new beginnings are exciting and can give new directions and answers that the old me couldn’t see….. Maybe

journal: It might seem like a strange word. But for me it’s a word that suits me both in my personal life and when I think about how everything are connected and how my choices affects others far away; the environment etc. Now I’m curious; how will this word give meaning throughout the year?!

credits:
template by Scrapmuss design
staple by Jess Gordon
all else from Dan by Just passin’ thru

–^–^–^–^–^–^–^–

So, got to run, my Grandma is celebrating her birthday today It’ll be fun to see her and all the other members of my extended family!! She’s a old goodie, turning 98 this time around. I love her! But now I’m late – as usual……. ehe.