Word Girl

While we were playing Taboo, Aspen was trying to get us to say a word that means really really hot.

None of us knew it.

Except for Hazel.

It was SWELTERING.

Thanks PBS and Word Girl.

Almost the end

Just a little note:

I have gone without dessert for 36 days.

Tomorrow is the last day.

Truthfully, it hasn't been as hard as I thought. And I might try going without desserts during the week, and partaking of them less when I do eat them on the weekends.

I had hoped to lose a decent amount of weight while trying this. Of course I didn't. In fact, the scale didn't even budge until about 6 days ago. Perhaps my body was in denial. I've lost a couple pounds since. Maybe I just needed a jumpstart.

Anyway, the dessert strike is almost over.

Norway Day 35

We did a lot of sight seeing yesterday. And these pics aren't in order. But here they are anyway.

We got ice cream after a late lunch. Hazel also wanted a stuffed penguin for her souvenier. I figure that whatever helps my kids remember their trip makes a good souvenier. And Hazel will always remember that she got the penguin in Norway. So I guess it works. Even if it isn't my first choice.

Hester and Andreas have been such gracious hosts. It's pretty brave to accept 8 long term house guests when you've only been married for 3 months. We really appreciate their hospitality.

We walked along the pier and wharf in the Oslo fjord.

This is the Nobel institute.

This is City Hall. It took them a very long time to finish it. Stopped construction due to the war. So it has a few different architectural styles. I guess they kept changing their minds.

We found a souvenier store that had one whole floor dedicated to Christmas things! I love Christmas.

This is the Parlaiment Building.

There are these two lions in from of the Parlaiment Building. They were carved by two convicts. Apparently their work was so good, they were pardoned and freed after they completed their work.

At another store there was this cute toy. The story of the Princess and the Pea and play set. It included a bed, a quilt, a pea and 5 mattresses, along with a storybook. Cute idea.

Hazel entertained herself at the store.

We went out for a lunch of traditional Norwegian food. Vickie wanted reindeer meet, so we found a restaurant that served it and went. Other traditional foods are meatballs, fish cakes, salmon, potatoes, and gravy. Meatballs are especially tasty with lingonberry jam.

It was a fun day. We walked a lot.

This week we will be travelling outside of Oslo to Bergen, Flam, Voss, and a couple other destinations. Going by train, bus and boat. Lots to look forward to.

Picnic in the Park no. 2

We picnicked in the park again last night. Hotdogs with lomper (kind of like potatoe tortillas), fresh fruit and chips.

Open flame seems to be a magnet for boys of all ages.

It's just a nice way to spend the evening.

Norway Days 32-34

This is the best meeting place in the city. It's a giant tiger statue in the square outside the central train station in Oslo. We met Nate here when he came from the airport, as well as Vickie and Earl, who arrived on Friday.

Hester met us there on her bike after work. We took the bus home and Hester rode her bus. She arrived at the bus stop by her house at the same time that we did! The bus takes a more circuitous route.

Norway Days 28-32

Yes, I know it's been a whole week since I posted last. But Nate is now here. Yaay!!

And we've kind of just been hanging out. Almost done watching Macgyver during the rainy days.

This is the street Hester lives on.

And this is the biggest grocery store that we shop at. Actually we shop at about different ones, depending on where we are in the neighborhood and how far we want to walk. I needed everyone to help me bring home the food this time. We were out of everything.