Norway Day 13 at the beach

We have been trying to go to the beach for almost the whole time we've been here. Finally today it was warm enough and so we headed back to Bygdoy to play.

The kids had a fabulous time throwing rocks, finding shells, playing in the sand and tossing a frisbee.

The water was a little chilly. So no one really got all the way in the water. But everyone waded and built sand castles and found shells. Hester got a little nap. Andreas played with Hazel. The kids played some frisbee in the sand. It was just a lovely day at the beach. I think we'll do this again.

norway day 12

We went to the American Embassy today. To see where Hester works and meet her friends. (The highlight of the visit for the kids was finding giant paper clips and extra wide rubber bands. It sure doesn't take much to entertain them.)
We also went to pick up the hitchhiker bike that I shipped here for Hazel. We have been walking everywhere and I figured that though the older kids could ride the rental bikes just fine, Hazel would need something else. So I got this.
We got it home and Andreas put it together for us. (Thanks so much for his help!) And then we tried it out.

We didn't even make it to the end of the block. Hazel is too afraid to ride it. It kind of wobbles too much for her liking. And it is hard to turn corners on without really leaning to the side. Not good things for a little girl that is still getting used to training wheels on her bike at home.

So I think that this was probably an unwise purchase on my part. And I don't think Hazel will willing try this again. We're going to try again tomorrow...but I am doubtful. But on the bright side: I think I can sell it here and get back what I paid for it, including the double shipping costs. Even if I only get back the price of the bike, at least I won't have to get it back home and I'll get some of my money back.

I guess you win some and you lose some.

Happy Birthday Isaac

Wow! This is just too much for me this year. All my kids seem to be growing up way too fast. Isaac will be starting middle school in the fall. Hazel will be in Kindergarten. Toby is in high school. Aspen is in eighth grade. How did this happen so fast? Soon they will be leaving home for college and missions, then getting married. WoW! Too much. Let's just focus on Isaac turning 11. No longer a cub scout, now he's a boy scout. He is such a great kid. I love him so much. He always wants to be doing something...with someone. He is very smart. He loves to read (finally). He will do percussion in band next year. He has boundless energy. He is daring, and courageous.

To celebrate, we just hung out. It was a rainy day, perfect for staying in and reading and playing video games and so that's what we did.

norway day 11

On Thursday I went with Hester to the American Embassy's Independence Day Celebration at the Ambassador's house. Hester was in charge of this party. She has been planning it for more than 6 months. Nearly 2000 people attended. And it was a FABULOUS party. Hester did a terrific job.

Here is Hester and Andreas.

Me and Hester.

And the Marine Guards presenting the flag.

*****Note: In July most Norwegians leave for the country to go on holiday. So the party needed to be in June so that people would be able to attend.

norway day 10

Wednesday was the longest day of the year. Here in Norway, they hold a festival to celebrate the day. So we went back to Bygdoy to see it at the Folk Museum. Unfortunately, we arrived about 3 hours too early for the festival. And since we had already walk 2 miles to get there, and we didn't want to walk another 2 miles home, wait for 3 hours and walk the 2 miles back, we decided to just make the best of the situation and see the museum early. It is kind of a living history type museum with lots of hands on activities to show you how life was like in Norway in the past few hundred years.

The kids tried out the stilts by the barn. Isaac has a pair just like these that he made at home. So he was a pro. The others got the hang of it eventually.

Hazel is sitting in front of the doll's house. It looked like a play house, but I think it probably could have been a regular house. People used to be very small here I think.

I loved the really big tables most of these houses had.

We went for a cart and buggy ride.


I also liked the sod-roofed houses.

There was some traditional dancing in the little village square.

The kids enjoyed climbing around near all the buildings. Most of the buildings are built fairly high off the ground. I'm assuming it is because of the deep snow.

Other highlights included the lollipops at the grocery store (there was a rhubarb flavored one!), playing in the gardens, seeing a visitor get dressed up in 17th centery garb that took 20 minutes to put on her, the playground, and the holiday bread that a woman cooked in a fireplace for us.

Right as we were finishing, the traditionally dressed performers started arriving. But the kids and I were pooped. So we just walked back home.

Norway day 9 / Toby turns 15

Toby turned 15 today. How can he be that old already?

He is such a terrific young man. He has such imagination and creativity. He created his own language...with an alphabet and grammar rules and everything...written and spoken. He is a great artist. He is a talented pianist and is super smart. Whenever one of my kids, or my friends, asks me a question (especially science related ones), I just tell tem to go ask Toby. He knows everything...or at least a lot.

He honors his priesthood. He is also very loving, always comes up and gives me hugs for no reason and tells me he loves me (makes my heart melt every time). He likes to help out and do nice things for others.

Today we had birthday cake, went to Frogner Park (where the kids play tag on the playground. The only rule is that you can't touch the ground. You have to stay on the equipment.), and played a rousing game of Skipbo.

Best statements from the past couple days:

"I've figured out to ask for only one present...then you are sure to get it!"

When I asked him if he felt different now that he was 15, he said, "No." Then.. "Can I get my learner's permit?"

Me..."Heck no." ..............................................................................I am soooo not ready for that.

Still...how did he get to be 15?

Norway Day 8

It never really gets dark here. The sun kind of just goes around in a circle in the sky. The sun does set, but it never gets far enough below the horizon to actually get dark.


It is midnight right now. This is how it looks outside.

It is a bit overcast today, so it is darker than normal. It looks like this until about 3 am, and then the sun comes back up and it is day again.


It has really messed us up a bit. We end up eating dinner around 8 or 9 pm. The kids go to bed around 10:30 or 11pm - complaining the entire time that it isn't dark, it isn't time to go to bed yet, and that they aren't tired. But, by covering the windows with heavy drapes, we kind of trick their little minds into going to sleep...usually quite quickly once they settle down. For the first few days, they were up again at 6 am. But I think we passed that stage finally. Now they wake up a bit later and are getting more appropriate amounts of sleep.


Wednesday is Midsummer's Festival. We'll be going to the Folk Museum on Bygdoy. Hazel made sure that we are planning on taking the bus instead of walking. It's only a couple miles, but her little legs complain a lot. A whole festival for the longest day of the year.

Fathers

We sure missed all our fathers yesterday on Father's Day.


Nate is an excellent father. He always has all the answers and loves to blow things up with the kids. He also makes fabulous foods of all kinds. Best of all, he is ours.

This is me and my dad. It was great to talk to him yesterday. He has taught me so much. And he is a terrific example to me.
And here is Earl, Nate's Dad, with most of his grandkids. He is a super fun Grandpa. Always has something fun to do and is always goofing off with the kids.

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day. We love you.

Norway Day 7

We attended church on Sunday with Hester and Andreas at the Oslo Ward. We rode the bus to church. That's a new one for our family. Everyone was very kind and friendly. There was english translation so we could understand the speakers. We met some couple missionaries who knew someone I had know from India. I am always amazed at how small the world is in the Church. No matter where you go, you meet someone who knows the people you know. And as always, it is comforting to be able to go to church and be learning the same lessons as friends and family back home.

Also fun to note, this is the same building my dad attended as a missionary.