Family Pictures

hey everyone..its been a long time. You should think with all the time off I would have more time to write and blog...but I don't think so.
I got an email yesterday from our Primary presidency telling us that they needed a family picture. You would think we had a few...but for some reason it is hard to gather everyone, and with me always behind the camera...who should take the pictures?
Well Peter gave me a tripod for christmas...so we tried it out today. I had to push the self timer button then run to the seat, grab Benjamin and make him look at the camera....Before it would take the picture....well not so easy or succesful...but we managed to get one that was semi-nice. At least it works for primary:) But it also gave me an opportunity to take some more pictures...
Siena took the pictures of Peter and I, and she did really good. And Peter took the one of Makenna and I!

Happy Birthday to Onkel Jaran..the big 30!

My brother Jaran is turning 30 on Dec. 20. ..and so this post is for him...I wish I could be back in Norway wishing him a happy birthday in person...but this will have to do!

Jonah and Makenna sang a couple of songs for him on the videoclips....They are also reciting a Norwegian poem they just learned:)

Saa Gratulerer med dagen lillebror:)

Velkommen til tredveaara!!!

Vi er glad i deg.

Christmas party....

We had our annual christmas party, and we had so much fun. Peter had put up tons of lights outside and we had the firplace going...I really got in a christmas mood.
It was so fun hanging out with good friends...and no little kiddos:) Sometimes you just need to hang out as adults!!!!!
Jonah and Makenna was in our bed watching a movie, and I told them that it was only a parent party...they did really great, and only came out to say hi once! I can't believe they slept through all the noice and karaoke....The last people left around 12:30 am or so....SO much fun

The house all decked out for christmas...

The party really started when we took out the karaoke machine...it was so much fun! Peter manned the machine and everyone...well most....really got into it:)

Thanks everone for coming and celebrating this great season of sharing friendships and the love of Christ.

Gingerbread house...

Well, I managed to put the gingerbread house together. And I am glad it is suppose to be a rustic looking house...because I am a little rusty in putting it together. I used to make these with my mom every year and I have not made one for a few years....:) Whats really challenging is that I use melted sugar to put it together, and you only have about 2 seconds before it hardens....and it is really hot! I have a few burn marks...but not too many!

I posted some of these pictures for a couple of friends who wants to try and make it. Sabreena...make sure you double the recipie I gave you...I forgot to write that in the instructions! oh and also, Cover carboard with aluminum foil and make the house directly on it, then you don't have to try and transport it off later....

These are the pieces....

You have to glace the parts tha are used for rooftops....

Put the main parts together first...

Then add all the rest...

It turned out okay...at least the kids will enjoy it. I might have them decorate the roof with Mm's ....

If I could only....

This is exactly how I feel today.....too much going on..and soo little time....

Gingerbread cookies...

Growing up we always made christmas cookies and gingerbread cookies before christmas...and the smell just brings back lots of memories. I want my kids to also have the same memories and traditions, and so yesterday we embarked on gingerbread cookies. They had so much fun, and I just had to let them all get dirty and know that it could all be cleaned up afterwards....:) And after they all went to bed last night, I went back to the table and made a gingerbread house...I am going to try and put it together tonight....

Deep concentration...

Cute cookies..they also decorated them afterwards. i just forgot to take pictures before they were eaten...

Busy times...

I love this time of year, but man is it busy. I just cannot get it all together. We had a great Thanksgiving and then we decorated for christmas the next day. well, we are still working on the lights outside...hopefully they will be done by saturday when we are having our big Christmas party!
Peter also got a new calling as second couselor in the bishopric...so that means some very long sundays...and some great blessings!!! I have to get used to sitting by myself during sacrament meetings, and I must admit it is not my favorite thing! But it works.

I did manage to get the kids in their Christmas outfits, and have time to take pictures before church! Now usually we are runing out the house to make it on time, so I was pretty happy and proud of myself...since I was all by myself! They can be such good friends when they want to....

My little rascal is always up to something....

Makenna decorating the Christmas tree....

Why can't they be like this all the time?

ahh...

How can he get into so much trouble...and be so cute at the same time!

Benji...as Makenna calls him...walks around the furniture all the time, and I am sure he can't wait to walk around!