Christmas at the Air Station

Paul ended up with duty today. Instead of skimping on anything with Christmas, we decided to extend everything and push back the true festivities two days. Therefore, we can allow for an appropriate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day on the 26th and 27th.

Today, we went over to the air station to have a nice lunch that was provided for the crew and their families. It was good and the people were kind, but there is just something about spending a Christmas meal at work instead of home, listening to Steve Miller Band, instead of Christmas carols. We absolutely made the best of it and the kids had no idea because they can't read a calendar anyway. On a positive note, while everyone else's Christmas is over, ours will just be starting!

With family and friends in just about every state from Alaska to Hawaii to Florida and New York with many points in between, we now have our new extended family in Norway! We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and God Jul! We also would like for anyone reading this to think of our friend Joseph, who is spending his Christmas defending our country in Iraq and our friend Justin, who is spending his Christmas defending our country in Afghanistan. We all have so much to be thankful for and feel blessed in so many ways!

Happy Holidays!

We're still around...

Greetings and Happy Holidays!

We're still around and busy just like everyone else this time of year. We've had a pretty wild ride these last few weeks, which is the reason for the absence. But, we're slowly gaining momentum again, just in time for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year or "God Jul" as we are learning too!

First, on December 3, Karel's husband Howard passed after a long, courageous fight with Cancer. We headed down to Columbus for the services and had an opportunity to meet some of Howard's family and friends. It's always hard to loose someone, but before the holidays is especially tough. Please keep Karel and all of Howard's family in your thoughts and prayers. We are thankful for our time and memories with Howard, especially S'more's on the back deck and Blue Angels, Cherry Festival adventures!

As we were preparing to head back up North, our sweet Kailey became VERY ill. What started out as a stomach virus, rapidly turned into almost four days at Nationwide Children's hospital. She was one sick little girl, but is now thankfully as good as new. It was scary for Paul and for me because our little girl was so sick that she slept for almost 50 hours straight while her systems healed. When she woke up, I got some pretty cute pictures!

Soon after she woke up, she kept trying the bribe the nurses and doctors. She'd only let them look at her if they gave her My Little Pony stickers!

Her first meal in 4 days and the nurses let her have pizza!

So happy to see her favorite buddy!

The day after she was released from the hospital, we were able to make it back up to our winter wonderland, just in time for my finals. Finished those (with an A in the course!) and both Paul and I promptly got sick ourselves. It's been a rough few weeks, but we are feeling better and really looking forward to an amazing holiday and an even better 2009!

What else are you going to do on a snow day?

We had our first snow day of the year yesterday. Even better, it was Sofie's first snow day ever! Even though they get a lot more snow in Norway, I guess they deal with it better than we do. But, it's a great American tradition and Sofie's reaction was priceless!

At 6:00 a.m., I turned on the TV to find out that we and everyone else in the area had the day off of school. I walked down to Sofie's room and told her to turn off her alarm clock, because it was a snow day. She literally squealed! She was SO excited! Very cute.

After Paul plowed the driveway for about the eighth time in four days, (You see, you have to do it once just to get out of the drive way, then again once the city plow goes by because it throws so much more snow up into the driveway...pain, pain, pain!) he plowed a trail in the backyard for Eddie to run to the back when he has to go. It's affectionately known as the poop path. It's also a great sled trail. Lot's of giggles and laughs and an overall awesome snow day!

Sofie's Volleyball Banquet

Sofie and Coach Placek

Sofie and the other Seniors

Sofie had her volleyball celebration last Sunday. It was a lovely afternoon complete with Sofie earning a Varsity letter. Sofie also earned the third highest GPA on the entire team, with a 3.9! Way to go, Sofie! We're all so proud of you!