The VanTropp family!

 

Presents from Farmor and Farfar

August brought with him Norwegian outfits for the kids. Campbelle had outgrown her first 'bunad' - so Farmor to the rescue with a new and very beautiful one. She thinks she's quite fancy, and exclaimed "I'm gorgeous" when she first tried it on. Tussen tak Farmor and Farfar! 

Little Norwegian man.... traditional Norwegian shirt. Christian will wear it on his 1 year pictures. Campbelle also wore a traditional Norwegian dress for her 1 year pictures. 

Leavenworth - Bavarian Village in Washington

We spent Saturday strolling the streets of Leavenworth, a Bavarian village. It was an intersting little town with fun shopping and good German food.

A quick rest for some sweets. 

These boys love to shop, can't you tell?!? 

On the way to Leavenworth we got a bit stranded through the Pass. We didn't have traction tires or chains and were unable to make it up the mountain. Luckily, Julie and Ole were traveling with us in a separate vehicle and could drive to get us some tire chains. We ended up with 2 sets of chains, never used either, but yet made it over the mountains... long story. But a funny one. 

Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving for 14. It was really a nice afternoon. The dinner, which was my first time ever hosting, thank goodness Gina was here to help, turned out better than expected - except for the corn. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. 

Did I forget to mention that we had a 25lb turkey for the 14 of us!! We'll have leftovers for weeks! Lucky Leif.

Library Time

Campbelle loves the library. She sits all the stuffed animals around the table and gives them each a book and 'reads' it to them. 

Farfar visiting

Farfar is here for a visit. They've spent many afternoons playing in the park. 

 

Thank God for Babysitters

Last night, Leif and I enjoyed a night out - without kids! We got together with several of our friends and had a pre-holiday party at a Chinese resturant. Our 'host with the most' - Chris pre-ordered an amazing 5 course meal for all 15 of us. The menu included Peking Duck - which was a first for both Leif and myself - it was very good. After dinner we went to the Ballestrino home for dessert and drinks. Chris, being the amazing chef he is, treated us to a lemon and goat cheese cake with a mixed berry reduction sauce. It was incredible. A nice evening with good friends and good cheer. A great way to ring in the Holiday season.

The icing on the cake was our babysitter - whom we've had before, but not since Christian's begun his separation anxiety stage of life - she was amazing! We left the house and she had him giggling and having a great time. She said that he didn't make a peep all night long. And Campbelle, she's never a problem - usually cries when the babysitter leaves! Needless to say, we've already booked her for our next night out. Thank God for wonderful babysitters that let moms and dads just be regular adults now and again.

Bubbles

Campbelle loves to take a bath in our bathtub. She needs it really full with lots and lots of bubbles.

Ho Ho Ho

Looks like Santa Claus 

Adoption

We were having dinner at McDonalds this weekend and happen to sit near a man and his little girl and struck up a conversation with them. Him and his wife adopted their little girl from Thailand when she was 4 years old. We talked at great length about the international adoption process they went through and we asked a lot of questions. Campbelle didn't seem to be paying any attention to us or our discussion. But later, when we were driving in the car to go home, Campbelle said "Mom, thanks for adopting us."

An Afternoon at the Park

We headed outside to get some fresh air yesterday afternoon with a trip to the park. Both kids love to swing and if it wasn't for letting other little kids take a turn - we'd swing all afternoon long. 

Our little 'Nisse' - her Norwegian hat from Farmor. 

This was taken right before a near disaster... as Christian partially slipped through the center of the tire. Good thing mom has quick reflexes! 

 

Too Big!

Campbelle loves to put on anything of Christian's - sometimes she gets herself squeezed in, sometimes not. :-) 

Sticky Noodles

We had a Thai sticky noodle dish tonight and Christian really got into eating those noodles. By the end of the meal, he was covered from head to toe... so was the dining room! 

Dancing Queen

Leif, Campbelle and Christian have a new favorite pasttime... whenever I'm gone, they turn the music really loud and dance like crazy... but, not just any music - oh no, these are true Scandanvians - it must be the music of ABBA!!

Finding Nemo

Campbelle and Leif had a night out tonight. He took her to 'Finding Nemo on Ice'. Although a bit tired by the time they got home (10:15pm) she sounded like she had a great time. Leif said that she was fantastic and danced and clapped the night away. She was disapointed that she couldn't go in the ice with all the characters. Hopefully she will sleep well and long!! I'll be axious to hear more about it in the morning. 

After - First Haircut for Christian

Christian got his first real haircut tonight. He was fantastic - sat throw the whole thing without making a sound. Now he looks so big.... not my little baby anymore! :-( 

Before