Grandma and Grandpa's visit!!!

Grandma and Grandpa left last Friday after a 2 week visit. We were so sad to say good-bye and hope to be able to see them again soon. We had a great time while they were here. The kids loved having them around and it was so good for me to have 4 extra hands to help around the house and with the kids.  My dad's been out once before right after Samuel was born and mom was here with Samuel was born as well as after Sofia was born. But both times have been in the dead of winter right after births. We didn't get out much, and they've been left with this dark, cold, gray image of Sweden ever since. But, this time was different! The weather was perfect for us...a lot of sunny days and beautiful fall colors everywhere. We got out quite a bit and they were able to see Sweden in it's true beauty. It was so nice being able to share a bit of our life with them and it meant a lot for us that they took the time and money to come visit us! Here are some highlights of their trip.  Enjoy! 

Farfar Turns 60!

Last Friday was Farfar's (grandpa, literally: "dad's dad") birthday. The kids had school and the husbands had work during the day, so we decided to gather at the ambitious hour of 5:50 am and surprise him with a birthday wake-up call and then breakfast together. Samuel thought it was so exciting to be woken up and go outside when it was still dark outside and all the kids loved creeping up the stairs and waking farfar up with a grand old birthday song! Per was great and so happy to be woken up by his 9 grandchildren (3 were missing and the other 6 live out of the country). So fun to be gathered with so many small cousins! 

Triathlon

A couple Saturdays ago, Chris went up to Oslo to do his first triathlon! He was really excited about it and a bit nervous because he has this inner-thigh problem thing. But, it went really well and he was quite pleased. He ended with a time of 2h31m. As you can see the swimming was a bit cold and a bit crowded. The first 500 meters, he felt like he was just kicking to stay above the water as a hundred other arms came pounding down around him. His next goal is the iron-man 2009!!! 

Aunt Heidi comes to town!!!

SISTERS!!!

Somehow it never gets easier...Heidi just left after a weeks visit. She flew in last Sunday afternoon and left yesterday morning. Although short, it was so nice to be with her again and have the kids get to know my favorite sister a bit better. It was fun to just relax and be together and spend some good quality time together. Samuel was so excited that she came and asked every night if Heidi was going to sleep on our couch for "lots and lots of nights". The last night, she was here, he was quite disappointed that it was her last night, and in the middle of the night, he got up and slept-walked over to the couch and crawled right into bed with her :) Sofia loved having her here as well. It was fun for Heidi because we think Sofia's probably a lot like how Heidi was when she was little...petit and determined! It was a great week for me and I'm so happy she could come out. (Now only 3 weeks until grandma and grandpa come!)

water painting outside 

Package from Grandma

Yesterday we got our monthly package from Grandma Alder. This is what we got this month. Samuel is in LOVE with those spider man socks and both kids insisted on sleeping with their bears and their new books! The kids really look forward to getting these packages. Thank you Grandma!!! (It's a little confusing for Samuel to realize the packages actually come from Grandma. When we go and pick them up he always thinks it's from the post man and always tells him thank you. He'll get it one day)

Ohhhhhh Baby!

A special tribute to Grandpa Alder. Sofia and Samuel's been giving these out like crazy! They love 'em! 

Pirate play

Playing pirates with friend Ida (notice their "arrrrr-faces")