A small incentive - a grand gesture

1.23.10
So since most of us are not going to Twin Lakes this coming year - read down a few posts to see why or why not. Mom decided to offer us an alternative solution since we'd all like to go to Norway, but may not be able to afford both Twin Lakes and Norway. We appreciate all that mom and dad do for us and even though they are thousands of miles away, they are still looking out for us and helping us achieve goals that might otherwise be impossible without their help.

It sounds like there are several of you who are not going to be able to make it to TL this summer, so we thought we would offer an alternative--a trip to Norway. Mom said she would pay $1,000.00 (note there is a . before those last two 0's) of travel expenses for each family who come to visit.  We have room for you to stay here (as long as everyone does not come at the same time) and can take time to show you around the area, feed you good norsk food and translate (mom will) for you.

We know that Alison and Jeff will not be able to come, but hope some of the others of you will be able to make it.

Love,

mom and dad

Are you sure?! We might come if that's the offer. :)

We met up with Nadia and the Christiansens tonight. Fun to visit with them and thanks for the gifts. The kids love the animals and Lea loves the necklace. She's going to wear it every Sunday.

Nadia didn't get a chance to shop at Walmart so she gave us the $20 you gave her. Would you like us to send you something with it? We are sending a small package with Nadia to put in her suitcase. Enjoy!

Thanks again for all you do.

Love, Alison and fam 

We tried for this option: Steven/Rozann may go at this time instead of us. So we're planning to come May 12 - May 26th. I talked with Caryn and they are planning to go for the Independence Celebration for the 17th, but are only going to stay for a few days. They includes: Caryn, Jim, Marissa, Shayla and Trenton. Can you handle all of us for a few days!? I told her they would have to rent a car if all of them went as your car wouldn't hold all of them even if we weren't going at the same time.

Took Abbey to the doctor today. She has two very infected ears. She was up until midnight last night and finally fell asleep after I gave her some motrin. Now I know why. There is some wheezing so we get to do breathing treatments for her every 4-6 hours. For now, she's sleeping and happy to have that.

Love, Alison and fam

2.1.10 - side note to our traveling to Norway this summer: We are sorry, but not surprised, to hear this (alison/jeff are not going). We would rather return to a new grandchild and a healthy mother than risk losing both somewhere over the ocean.  Norway will be here for centuries to come. Maybe Lea or Lucas or Abbey or the new baby will get called to serve here in the future. We will just keep sending pictures so you can enjoy what we are enjoying. If you have to wait for the ultrasound at 18 weeks to know if travel would be advisable and then have to travel by week 20, that does not leave much time to make plans.  We hope to come back again sometime.

love, 

mom and dad

Your baby now has a name--Noah--I can't come to Norway or Noah for Norway Love, MOM

1.31.10

dad's advice to those traveling: Fly into Trondheim and not Oslo.

For those of you who think you might be coming to visit in Norway, the best way to handle your money will be to get a check to Kristin and have her put it in our bank account. Then when you get here I can draw money from Gesa in Norwegian kroner.  There is an ATM fee of 1% when doing this, but it is cheaper than the fee they charge at the banks to change your currency.  You can decide before hand how much you will need and then if you use less, can be reimbursed when you get home. If you use more, we may not let you leave the country.

love, 

mom and dad

 Don't forget to get your passports right away! Takes time and money too!