Norway-Porsgrunn/Skien

I'm catching up. I haven't written about our time, over Christmas, with Erik's cousin and family. We drove to Hilde and Ove Larson's home. They live out of town, overlooking the fjord, between Porsgrunn and Skien. Erik was born in Porsgrunn and I've visited his grandparents there 3 times before, so we were very happy to finally return. Hilde is Erik's first cousin and she and Ove have an amazing home. It was large enough for all 9 of us to sleep there. Kari, Bryn, Ryan and Jared were all in the family room on mattresses around this huge pool table, which we learned was a snooker table, which belonged to their son, Thomas.

Over the 3 days we were there we got to see Tante Gerd and Onkle Ragnar every day. Gerd is Pappa Tore's sister. She is such a wonderful loving and funny woman. Her English is still quite good, she attended Graceland back in the day! Ragnar is a tease and so supportive and hospitable and funny, too! The kids loved getting to know them both! One afternoon we went to their apartment in Porsgrunn for many yummy desserts. They call it "cake", but it was cake and cookies and ice cream, so yummy. Gerd also gave several of us hand me downs from both of them. Jared got a Norwegian sweater that fit him perfectly, Erik and Bryn got sweatshirts and I got several sweaters and scarves. One of the scarves she gave me has kept me nice and warm many cold days here in London! Thanks Tante!

We also got to see Hilde and Ove's 3 children. Benedikte, who is Kari's age, lives with her parents, so we got to see her in between her shifts. She is a nurse and had to work the Christmas holiday. Jeanette and her man, Thomas and son, Tobias, spent Christmas in Sweden, but we got to see them before we left. Tobias is a toddler and is so very cute!!! Jeanette is expecting a girl this spring, how wonderful. Their son, Thomas, also joined us for a meal one of the days. We didn't get to meet his new wife as she was ill. Again, so awesome for our kids to get to know their family.

We went in to Porsgrunn for a few hours on Christmas eve, but didn't get to do much shopping because the stores aren't open much at all during the holidays. I guess it saved me some money!! We did buy a case of our favorite Norwegian sweet mustard. It's only made in Porsgrunn so we bought 15 of them! I did get a few Christmas decorations and we purchased 3 sleds.

They'd received at least 8 inches of snow when we arrived and the hill by their house made a great place for sledding. We went out twice for great sledding! The snow was amazing and so gorgeous.

One day Pappa took us on a little tour, we saw the home that Erik lived in when he was living in Norway the year he was in 4th grade. And we went to Bestefar Thorlief and Bestemor Karen's grave site too. We gathered around and sang "May the Longtime Sun shine on you."

Mostly we ate amazing meals. Smør brød every morning, so yummy. It's open faced sandwiches with banana, nutella, meats, cheeses, tomatoes, cucumber, fish, and so much more. Whatever you like, you make your own.

They catered the meal for Christmas eve. The food came in boxes and there were so many! I can't even remember all the yummy food, there was so much. I loved the dessert, rice pudding with red berry sauce.
The Norwegians bake lots of cakes for Christmas, many of them using meringue and almonds. Yum!!

We visited and laughed and played lots of pinochle. Gerd and Ragnar told lots of jokes and we watched the new movie called "Kontiki". Such wonderful memories.

Emily created stockings for the 9 of us, out of gift wrap and yarn. We gave the kids little gifts and candy and we each wrote nice notes to each other. Great Christmas celebration. We also sang many Norsk carols and Pappa read the Bible story in Norsk. Awesome.