American in Norway

Just wanted to share a few photos from Christmas 2012... this year was "lite" because lack of time this year... I did everything on a much smaller scale.. I was sooo laid back..(or just late) that this is the first time in 17 years together.. Bjørn asked if I was going to put a tree up.. Yes.. I was THAT late.. but the tree eventually made it up.. and the gifts made it under.. finally on the 23rd. (Eva 8 & Dane 13) We had a nice Christmas Eve dinner at my in laws, with the cousins.. We had turkey at our house on Christmas day... with a beautiful snowfall... we ran out & took advantage of it.. building snow people & of course the snowball fight. (Ya... you really don't want to know..) On the 2nd day of Christmas... - yes, they do that here... We took the kids to a PLUMBO concert... the kids had a fantastic time.. & were able to meet the band after the show.. I hope ...

This weekend has gone by in a flash... Trying to keep myself busy... whilst trying to grab some much needed downtime... On Friday.. hubby just returned from Italy.. baring gifts..(wine for mommy) the snow was falling & the kids were still out playing.. I decided to whip up my mom's French Onion soup.. the secret is the wine... lots & lots of wine... as I was finishing up the soup... we heard the news... Hubby & I sat and watched for a bit in shock & horror... until the kids came in I think this is the first time I have been able to turn off the news during a tragedy like this.. The only thing on my mind was spending as much quality time with my family... holding my babies just a little tighter. I am glad I was able to turn it off... and not have to hear every horrible detail.. even more thankful that my 8 year old still doesn't know what happened... Woke up the next morning determined to make the most out of our we...

My girlfriend Margot sent me this.... (thanks Margot!) If you have babies who are waiting for Santa in the next couple of weeks... you HAVE GOT TO check this out... this was the email video Eva received tonight... http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/f0f1e855a59d1377284beabe2950a474 (I think she is still kind of FREAKING out!) Works even BETTER when you have another child who may not have been as good... hee hee hee http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/c2c25e53979bea2281c3844e8b402576 Don't worry ... Dane was in on it... so he will not be scarred F O R E V E R. Pulled out the Christmas decorations today... I asked Bjørn if he wanted us to wait until he returned from Dubai... he assured me to GO AHEAD without him... THANKS honey! You know you are an expat c elebrating the holidays abroad... when your 10 year old can BLOW UP the Christmas tree by having the converter on the wrong setting... It didn't catch on fire, but it did blow all of the attached lights... ( that's what I...