Ut på tur, aldri sur!

We brought Olivia on our little hike today and she LOVED it! She slept most of the time, but was really happy during the little time that she was awake. She was so comfortable and absolutely loving the fresh air!!!

Pumpkin huntin'

Have you ever gone Pumpkin Huntin'? Neither have we!

Halloween is soon approaching so I wanted to do something fun for the kids. If we were in the States, we'd go to the Pumpkin Patch, on Hayrides, Haunted House (well, maybe not until they're bigger) and do lots of fun Halloween'ish stuff. Since we don't have any of that here, we have to be creative.

So today we went for a hike where all of a sudden we found pumpkins hanging in trees throughout the woods. The boys were beyond excited!!! They ran around, super eager to search for another pumpkin!
Deep into the woods, we arrived at our bonfire area. Mike and the boys built a lavvo, while Olivia and I grilled our dinner ;)

They continued to build and had a blast playing on their own "climbing projects"!

The boys in my life!!! Our kids are so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing dad!!! And home we go after our fun adventure in the woods... :)

Playground fun... or not...

Mike had some work to do so I decided to take the kids out. My mom was nice enough to offer to come along to help. I thanked her but explained that we would love her company but that she didn't have to if she had other stuff to do because the kids are always so nice and good to me when we go out anyway. Well, lets just say I'm glad she came with!!!

When I told the boys where we were going, I expected a shout of excitement. Instead they both said they were tired and didn't feel like playing at the playground today. WHAT? I didn't believe them! I knew they would have fun once we got there - like they always do! Boy was I wrong!

The first half hour was constant wining, arguing, falling, and complaining. Apparently they meant it when they said they were tired and didn't want to go there. Luckily, my mom was there to help motivate the boys to run around and have fun.

After a couple hours of playing, we went for a walk to the pond to look at the ducks before we headed home. Not all days start out as great but we ended up having fun eventually. And although I like to be stubborn and not accept help, it sure was nice to have my mom there when I was out alone with all three!

After our outing, we went back to my parents' house where my dad had his grillpit ready for grilling hotdogs with the kids.

What started out... well, not so great... ended up great after all ;)

Family Day at the Firestation

This week is Fire Awareness Week in Trondheim. To be honest, I haven't heard much about it or the activities that take place this week, but thanks to facebook statuses, I found out about a local event that was happening today: Open Day for All at the Firestation.

We loaded up our car and off we were to the firestation. Inside the station, they had a contest for the older kids. They had to walk through the station and answer 12 questions about fires, which Elliot mastered easily. A fireman was waiting at the last question. He congratulated Elliot, wrote his name on a diploma, and gave him a fireman cap as a prize. Aiden got one as well even though he was too excited to run around the station to listen to the questions.

They also had the hose from the firetruck out so the kids could try out. The water pressure was obviously very low, but the boys found it exciting anyway. When the long line finally calmed down, it was time to go up on the ladder. Elliot didn't care for a ride, but Aiden was very excited to jump at the offer.

It was a really eventful day for all! :)

It's no MN State Fair

What I would do to go to the Minnesota State Fair...

I LOVE the State Fair and keep thinking about it since that time of the year is coming up. The good food! Fun games and rides for the kids! People watching! Aaaah, I miss it!

Today's "fun event" can't compare to the State Fair, but the boys had a blast anyway! :)

Through the woods and along the fjords...

I had the worst night of sleep last night due to pain and woke up tired and exhausted. I had no motivation to do anything. I truly wanted to spend the day just trying to sleep or relaxing on the couch. Like always, my crabby mood changes as soon as my boys run up to me to say good morning! No matter how tired they are, they greet me with their cute, smiley faces and big eyes excited for a new day.

Although I still was uncomfortable and in pain, I didn't want my boys to just spend the day inside. We had a long breakfast around the table with no stress, then the boys watched some morning cartoons while Mike and I tried to think of something to do. We were completely uncreative and couldn't think of any where that we wanted to go, so we decided to just get in the car and start driving. Mike got on the highway going towards Trondheim, then asked me which direction when we came to the big round-about. I chose right. That decided our destination... We decided to head to the other side of town: Lade!

We parked at Ringvebukta, which is a beach along the fjord of Trondheim. We spent a little while playing at the beach and climbing on the rocks, then we decided to go for a little hike.

We walked through woods, over huge rocks, and up and down many hills. We stopped to check out one of the mines that's along the beach, but we didn't go in too far since we didn't have any flashlights with us.

Along the way, we also found a playarea in the woods. Someone had hung up ropes from a couple of the trees with a big stick at the end so kids could swing on. I had too much fun pushing them on these 'swings' and forgot to take pictures.

I did take one on our way back to the car that I just have to post... Since we hadn't planned on hiking, we didn't exactly have the best hiking shoes on. Aiden kept getting rocks in his crocs when we walked down the hills. Mike and I kept trying to help him out, but of course, he would much rather accept help from his big bro. They're too cute! ;)

Perfect day for biking

It was the perfect day for biking today. Not too hot, not too cold. Aiden insisted on taking his electric motorcycle because he wanted to be a big boy like Elliot and was now "too big for the tricycle."

The motorcycle is not exactly the fastest thing, especially going up hills, but he has fun on it and Elliot is nice and slows down once in a while so his little brother can catch up to him, so it worked out well.

One of our favorite stops on our neighborhood outings is Elliot's school. They don't really have any fancy equipment there, but the kids love it!

Aiden is especially amusing to watch. He wants to do exactly like his brother so he just climbs on up like he's a pro. He has no fear so he'll just drop his feet and hang there like a cute little monkey, then jump down. He can't get up quite as high as Elliot (which I'm completely ok with... hehe), but after a few minutes of failed attempts and words of frustration, he continues to play and laugh!

The perfect breakfast

We woke up to beautiful weather this morning so Elliot had a great idea: Let's make waffles and eat them outside. Perfect thought, if you ask me!

So onto our deck we went... Mike set up our outdoor cooking station, while Elliot helped me make the batter and Aiden helped make the waffles.

Norwegian waffles are delicious any time, but even better when you sit outside to enjoy them!

SUMMER!!!!!

We're finally getting a taste of summer! The weather is gorgeous. It's hot and sunny! FINALLY!
There was only one thing to do: Set up the pool and jump in!!!
Off to enjoy the sun! Happy Summer :)

Happy Easter!

Today is Easter Sunday and like every other year, we spent the day with my family. Usually we spend it together at a cabin, but this year we decided to spend it in town. It wasn't that big of a deal to be home for Easter, but it also wasn't the same feeling to wake up in your own bed on an Easter morning. We still had a big breakfast, but it was strange being just the four of us. We really missed having my entire family there, along with the comfy feeling of staying at a small cute cabin up in the mountains!

This afternoon, my mom and I went on a walk with the boys. We ended up at the playground so they could run off some of their energy before our big dinner.

That's all for now folks! Hope you all have a HAPPY EASTER!!!

Barnas Skidag

Dog-sledding

Elliot got to go dog-sledding with his daycare today! It sounded like so much fun - I wish I got to do stuff like that! ;)

We have a fun weekend ahead of us so T.G.I.F.!!!

Have a good weekend folks <3

Ski day with their Grandparents

My parents love spending time with Elliot and Aiden, and ask to be with them any chance they get. Our boys love them more than anything so being with their Mormor (grandma) and Morfar (grandpa) is definitely one of their favorite things to do!

The weather was gorgeous today so we decided to head out skiing. My mom and dad met up with us in the trails.

Elliot skied up front with my dad and Mike, while my mom and I took it easy with Aiden. We had a sled for Aiden to sit on when he got tired, but he insisted on skiing like his big brother the whole way!

As always, we have to stop for a lunch break out in the woods. It doesn't get much better than sitting around a fire with a sandwich, hot cocoa, and orange slices... and of course a bite of chocolate before you hit the trails again!
We made a cozy sitting area near a hill where the kids could play. The kids are referring to Aiden, Elliot AND Mike and my dad. ;)

It was such a fun and relaxing day, and I am so grateful for my parents being so involved in our boys' lives. It is so nice to have them with us on our little outings!

"Poengrenn"

Elliot is a part of a ski activity that we call "Poengrenn." It is cross-country skiing where you meet once a week for a ski meet and then you get a point for every meet you attend. At the end of the season, you'll get an award based on the amount of points you've collected. For Elliot's age group, they get an award as long as they've been to a certain number of meets. They don't take their time so it's mostly just for fun, but it's still set up as a ski competition, only it's more about just completing the trail.

Elliot LOVES it! He has his own jersey that he has to wear at every meet. They all start at the same and end at the same location, but throughtout the course, they get to choose their own route. The little kids have a shorter lap on the flat ground, while Elliot likes to ski the middle length that's more hilly. There is a longer trail for the bigger kids, but we haven't tried that one yet.

I cheered Elliot on as he was approaching the "MÅL" (goal) sign. He was doing so good! As I ran up to congratulate him, he said "Hey mom. My buddies are over there so I just have to say something quick," and off he went. What happened to my little boy? He looked so old today. After hanging out with his buddies, he came back to me and gave me a big hug! Yay, my little boy was back! I squished him and told him how proud I was of him!

Another Poengrenn was over. We had so much fun! Elliot got another point towards the award that he's so excited for and we're already looking forward to next week!

Sleepover fun

Our boys get spoiled by love and attention by our family! They are so lucky to have such amazing grandparents and unbelievable aunts. This weekend, they each got to have a sleepover. Aiden went to Marianne's for a night and Elliot stayed at my parents' house. Although they love being together, it's really nice for them to be apart once in a while too. Not just for their sake, but for my sisters and my parents as well.

Marianne is such a great auntie and always finds fun stuff for the kids to do when they stay with her. My parents are the exact same. They always take the kids out on an adventure!

On Sunday, my parents took Elliot out skiing by their house. Marianne had taken Aiden on a walk with the kick-sled and brought his skis incase he'd use them. They met up with my parents by the ski arena so here are some of their pictures from that day.

Brrrrr!

It has been extremely cold lately, which hasn't allowed us to play outside as much as we'd like. Our skiing trips have been canceled and our sledding trips have been cut very short. Mike and Elliot made it out to play hockey once last week, but for the most part, we've just ran in and out between the car. No fun!

Today, the sun was finally shining so it warmed up a tiny bit around noon. I hurried and got the kids dressed and we ran outside to enjoy the fresh air for a little while. We threw on our skis and headed out.
Aiden decided to throw his poles to the side and try without them. He did great! He wasn't too pleased when I tried to get him to smile for the camera because THAT he did NOT have time for. hehe ;)

Elliot found a big hill to practice on so he spent most of his time going up and down there. Let's just hope the weather gets a bit warmer so we can go skiing again soon!

Hunting week

Elliot's daycare is really good about having different themes and trying out new activities. This week they've decided to have a "Hunting Week." Since we don't hunt, I think it's great that Elliot gets to learn about it from someone with experience.

The staff put a lot of focus on hunting being a form of gathering food and that it doesn't have to include weapons. However, you know boys and weapons... They could've easily done without the blueberry picking and chit-chat about what a hunter is, etc. Their favorite parts were definitely when they got to hold the weapons and try out shooting with a bow and arrow (at balloons which were hanging from the trees).

They made a lot of good food this week, which Elliot really appreciated. Some of their lunches include salmon, veggie pitas, and moose meat in a stew.

Elliot was excited to wake up every morning to get to daycare and he came home every afternoon filled with great stories!

A productive Saturday

Mike and I were so motivated to get stuff done this weekend. Our to do list was long so it was impossible to get it all done, but we were excited to get going on some of the projects at least.

Coincidently, my mom and dad asked if the boys wanted to come play at their house today. My parents are so good with them and always find fun things to do that would've never even crossed my mind. They let the kids help them with projects, they spend a lot of time outside with them, and they do so many fun things together!

We dropped Aiden and Elliot off at my parents and rushed out on some errands. We got TONS done! I could list it all, but I'm not so sure that actually interests anyone. ;)

When we came back to my parents' house, the kids were having a blast outside and were not ready to go home. Elliot was helping my dad clean out the gutters. It may not sound that exciting, but climbing a long latter all the way up to their roof was quite fun!


My mom and Aiden were looking at the neighbor's pond and fish, which apparently was pretty interesting because Aiden did not have time to give us a hug.


Seriously, I am so thankful for my parents and I'm so happy that my kids are so lucky to be so close to them!