Norway

So apparently Olav's mom had been diagnosed with Alzheimers.  As time goes on she is increasingly becoming more disoriented.  When Olav called her recently he felt like he heard a sense of urgency in her voice, like he needed to go and visit and perhaps say "goodbye" now.  So after much weighing all the options, we decided that he and Lily would go for a visit.

So last week Olav and Lily went to visit.  While Olav was apprehensive about the visit, it appears as if their visit was like a little vitamin pick-up for everyone!

Lily had a fabulous time and was spoiled rotten, oblivious to the intended purpose of the trip.  But honestly, maybe that is the best.  If her grandma should die shortly, she will have only great memories of her time there!  But perhaps her grandma will surprise us all and persevere on!

My niece Eline captured this photograph of Lily and Bestmor.  A picture truly says a 1000 words!  Love and Joy!

Double Digits!

I can't believe Lily is double digits!  How did that happen!!!!  What an awesome young lady she is becoming.  We kicked off her birthday celebration with a spa party and her first-ever sleepover!  Both Olav and I couldn't have been more pleased with her party!  She invited four really sweet girls, Brooke, Maddie, Anna, and cousin Aly.  Everyone had a blast at her party!  Olav and I were both saying, "it was the best party ever'.  Even Ashton enjoyed the fun!  They built forts, had Nerf gun wars, sang karaoke, piñata, sparklers, played games, watched a movie, ate way too much junk food and candy, and of course stayed up way too late!  When I checked on them at 1 am they were still going strong!  I think they fell asleep sometime between 2 and 3 am!  Lily kept joking with me before her party that she was not having a sleepover, but a "wake over"!

Soaking their feet!

Bye bye puffy eyes:)
 

Double Digits!!!!

The gift she had been pining for!

Group shot!

Unfortunately before Lily's party, she had started coming down with a mild cough/cold....well all the partying takes a toll and after the girls left this morning she spiked a fever of 103.  Poor thing!  I guess there is such a thing as too much birthday!

March has been a fun month!  We enjoyed celebrating Easter at Gaver Tree Farm and with my sister's family!

I also wanted to expose the kids to some of my fond childhood memories, so I took them to a Purim carnival in Columbia.  It was fun and they enjoyed it, but it was much different than I remembered!

I also notice that Lily's body is beginning to change.  I think she might be getting little breast buds and I noticed the other day that she had hair growing on her legs!  Ready or not, a young woman she is becoming!

Love this beautiful girl!