American in Norway

4th of July in the states..   I love everything about it.. the kids, the fireworks, the family, friends, food and drink.   this year didn't disappoint.   So nice to come home and be wrapped in the love of my family and friends.   Everyone was just where and what I needed I needed that fill up to get through the rest of the year...   I am so blessed, in so many ways..   My adorable mom and beautiful niece Jenna  

It has been several years since my kids have seen my sisters kids... far too long..    

Summer vacation it was spent in the Best possible place, at home with our American family,in Kansas City.  Please forgive the picture laden posts...  but I have 5000 pictures I need to post somewhere.   Eva with her American Bestie.. Back where I belong...  3 generations.. WORLD CUP SOCCER IN KC!  WOO HOO  

I just wanted to share some photos from 17 May 2014 I like the idea of having all of the pictures in one place (my blog) for the kids to find later.

Doing a little throw back Thursday - on Saturday.. Cause that is how I roll 😜 Bjørn and I met at a Royal Caribbean Cruiseline Halloween party 18 years ago- & been together ever since...  Happy "meeting each other" Anniversary Blue Eyes- love you

march 29 The best thing we could have done..  was to pack up the car & get out of town.. & that is what we did... The greatest revenge is HAPPINESS.. and we were determined to have a FANTASTIC time.. no way I was going to let - some mean.. turd.. ruin our time.. NO WAY... I traveled to Prague as a backpacking college student.. and LOVED the city.. I couldn't wait to bring my children here... if I could have my way.. I would take my children to all of my favorite cities... so they will always remember their first visit was with ME.. :-)  & Prague at Easter was fantastic..  

march 28 Hello PRAGUE... here we come.. Thank goodness my children are 1/2 TEXAN.. and are used to CRAZY,LONG ROAD TRIPS! (as a child... it used to take us a good 12 hours just to get out of Texas..) could gobble this little one up...  L O V E.. after 16 hours.. (with an overnight in Denmark.. 1/2 way) we arrived.. Hilton - Prague.. 

march 27 After Dane was attacked.. I was pretty sure that our Easter vacation was RUINED.. thanks a lot - you big jerk. bully.. but after a weekend of being in the dumps.. I decided to just screw it. if the Dr. thought it OK.. we would load the kids in the car & head somewhere FANTASTIC. Dr. said Dane'sleg was healing nicely... & we should enjoy the Easter holiday.. :-) WOOO HOO... NO - ONE- can throw together a last min. road trip like me :-) We threw the kiddos in the car... and decided to head to PRAGUE for a much needed break. yes.. one of the totally cool things about living in Europe.. being able to hop in the car & just go to Prague.. or Paris... or...  heading through Sweden as the sunsets...

Shoes By the Door Amid the mess And the stress The calls and the shows I'm reminded Lord Despite it all I'm truly blessed So for evermore Dear Lord This shall be my prayer To be loved And for kids shoes to be lined up Aside the front door. (thank you to my fabulous friend MW- for the wonderful words to my photos..)

Although I have been a BAAAD  blogger... I have still been taking a picture   every.day. march 9 365-68 Flying home from the U.S.  march 10 365-69 Sunday walk with the hubby... I think he missed me. march 11  365-70 new FAVORITE coffee cup..   - I am kindda a weirdo when it comes to my favorite cup... I don't like to share. 

SO the reason behind my surprise visit.. was the surprise party for my mom & dad's 50th wedding anniversary. with children all over the world.. it ain't easy.. but we managed. I am so proud to have you.. (mom & dad) as my parents.. and if my children love & respect Bjørn & me half as much as we love & respect you... I would say we have done alright. Happy 50th mom & dad! the girls. :-)

This was going to be one fun filled  - surprise filled week at home. On Thursday I surprised mom ... she thought I was in Paris..hehehe..   On Friday .. my baby sister was able to reschedule her ultrasound.. so that I was there when they found out the sex of her first baby..  SURPRISE... it's a GIRL!  xoxoxo Summer vacation is already planned 2 weeks before-2 weeks after her due date. No way I would miss the arrival of our little princess. 

So pick up where I left off... here  is the rest of our year in  review.. JULY-   our long awaited trip "home" to the USA.. woo hoo.. & WHAT a trip home it was... the day after we arrived , my cousin just happened to be in the Kansas City area... - we haven't seen each other in 17 years...  (I know..how sad is that? )   But after years of chatting on FB.. we were finally able to get our children together.. what an AWESOME reunion! 2 days after landing... we did a major road trip down to TEXAS... where there were even more reunions! Michele.. one of my BEST FRIENDS in the entire world... Mich & I have been friends since 4th grade.. we backpacked across Europe as college students.. worked on cruise ships together... and she was my maid of honor..  - no matter how much time and distance.. things between us never change... Kids finally made to a REAL ranch with real cowboys.. finally made it to ...