Lighting of the Christmas tree

Lisa (9), Victor (8), Vanessa (6) & Patrick in front of the tree


Lisa & Patrick by the tree

On the 1st Advent Sunday each little area lights the Christmas tree. They dance around the tree, call for Santa, who hands out goody bags to all the kids, & drink pepperkaker (Christmas spice cookies) & drink gløgg (a hot Christmas drink).

Christmas caroling preparations

Lisa, Victor & Vanessa have ben practicing some Christmas songs to sings at old folks homes & possibly a hospital too. This is the first time they'll be performing, so EXCITING!

More Christmas decorations

Livingroom window, balcony view


Kitchen window


Tree in the dark


Kids room, Christmas star

Christmas tree & decorations

The tree


Glass angel ornament

I took the Christmas tree we bought out of the box & put it up. So easy, but I think ours look too fake. The type of Christmas tree I like best is the long needle bluish/greenish evergreen. This type is usually more expensive here (& was also in Ukraine). The short needle is what they have most of, and most affordable.

Wreath assembled from odds & ends

Window view in the livingroom

Manger scene

Christmas preparations

I brought up all our decorations from the storage during last week & started putting it up around the house. The manger scene was first, and we've gotten a "fake" tree this year.. people here don't decorate til after December 1st.. but I wanted Christmas to last a little longer this time around.. We put up the lights in the window (no other neighbours have it yet, so ours stands out, but who cares) Correction: 2 other neighbours have lights.. but our window is in a central area for all to see.. so it stands out. Each year the adults in our family pick names out of the hat and get a gift for just that person, plus my mom, as she gets gifts for everyone: kids, grandkids & son's in law.. I think that's unfair, but she insists.

We had Christmas out our place last year, when we were renting a row house over 2 floors, so there was more space to set up play rooms for the kids, while the adults enjoyed some after dinner conversations. This year we have a much smaller place, so we're still thinking about it.. my mom's is bigger, but there's only 1 room for the kids to be in after dinner. Now that there are so many grandkids (10 in total) and 10 adults, it become harder to organize meals together, for lack of space.

Victor's 8th birthday party! 22 Nov.

Victor's 8th birthday: opening presants


Victor's 8th birthday: birthday cake, spider man, iron man, buildings & cars


Victor's 8th birthday: Victor & William (8, class mate) at the play house

Victor's 8th birthday: Lars Magnus (9, class mate), Tony (9, cousin), Victor, Angelo (8, class mate), Vanessa (6), William (8, class mate), & Lisa (9) at play house

Victor's 8th birthay: Victor, William (8, class mate), Vanessa (6), Tony (9, cousin), Angelo (8, class mate)

Victor's 8th birthday: Tristan (8, cousin), Patrick 3), Tony (9, cousin), Victor, William (8, class mate), Vanessa (6), Lars Magnus (9, friend), Lisa (9) at play house

Victor's 8th birthday!!

He invited the boys from his class, only 2 could make it, and his cousins close to his age, plus his brother & sisters. We had it at the play house, where they can run, hop, climb, etc.. lots of fun for rowdy boys. They have big castles you hop in or slide down, all kinds of climbing tunnels, ball room, cartoon room, & more. They organize birthday parties: you get a birthday room of your choice & have food (we had hot dogs, drinks, & I brought jello, cupcakes, cake, chips, candy bags).

They had fun! Andrey drove & picked kids up & dropped them off. It was a long day, but fun!
He got all that he wished for from us & grandma & birthday guests. Nower days it Indiana Jones lego sets, Iron Man action figure..

Pet- Rosie rabbit

Livingroom

Another afternoon at home..

Gorgeous sunset!

Here in Norway during winter they have the most magnificent sunsets. I guess it's somehow connected to the cold weather..