Saying Goodbye to the Year 2008

2008 was a year filled with joy and sadness.

After ending 2007 with a wonderful Christmas in Norway we returned to spend a quite New Years Eve at home.

It was a warm winter without any large snowfalls, which suited me fine, but left the kids without a big season of sledding and skiing. This also meant that there was less shoveling and backache for the adults (read me). Mormor bought the kids skates for Christmas and we had several trips to the local ice skating rink. Thankfully only bruises and no broken bones.

February was a great time for the mother of the house, a new 24” imac joined our family. This was after months of wanting to throw the 9 year old pc out the window, at several occasions. It took a little getting used to, but we have adjusted to the new software.

The spring was spent preparing for Britt’s First Communion. Trying to decide the day of the big date, depended on the aspargus season ( in Norway), my mothers health and the other families at the church. As any person preparing to have a party at their house would do, Brian decided that he did not want the weeds in the front yard. So he killed the entire lawn, 3 weeks before the big day. I was very happy to have my father here to help us turn the dirt and help us plant the new grass. The lawn looked great 2 weeks after the party.

My parents and brother and his family were able to make the trip and we were very excited about it. My nieces were able to join the girls at Coopertown Elementary and had fun seeing how school is “over there.” We took a few day trips with the family and spent 2 nights in Washington DC. We visited almost every possible tourist spot in the DC area. While Brian and the gang went back to the hotel after walking all day, my mother and I spent more time walking around where I took more photographs. I wanted to take a taxi home and my mother said “it is ONLY 20 blocks, we ended up walking.

Britt’s First Communion was very special. She had her hair done at the hair dresser and looked do grown up. She was not to happy about the little photo shoot I dragged her on, but it was well worth it. Brian’s brother Craig and his family as well as Cathy came in from San Diego for the event. She wanted to get a lab top computer and was very happy when somebody handed her an envelope.

Ever since my mother found out she had ovarian cancer, 7 years ago, I spoke on the phone with her every day. Knowing that she had cancer has been tucked bank in my mind, as May approached, I could hear in her voice that things were not as usual. My father took sick leave from the hospital and stayed home until his vacation started.

Brian and his college buddies planed a weekend in Providence, without their wives and kids. Brian had helped plan this for months and was excited for a weekend of golf and “reading.” Well, being the best wife ever, I put a stopper to his plans. I ended up in the ER the night before he was leaving with shoulder pain. After having received more painkillers that could kill a cow, he decided to stay home to take care of me and the kids. So obviously I still owe him big time (added by Brian)

As tradition is, the girls and I headed home to Norway as soon as school was out. My parents met us at the airport, and my mom looked a little skinny, but otherwise “healthy.” As I did the summer before, I worked at a local restaurant. My mother being herself, pushed me to work as much as possible. A few weeks into our stay my mother went for her weekly checkup at the hospital and they wanted to keep her to give her more fluids. She had a blood clot and the change in her, was dramatic. She had decided to spend her last days at home and we had a hospital bed and other equipment delivered to the house. She was welcomed home with a sign, fresh flowers from the garden and snacks at a table next to her bed, all made by the grandchildren.

My brother, Trond came home from Oslo, ad his family came the week after. They rented a vacation house with a pool, where my girls loved to spend time with their cousins. Even if it was a sad time, it was nice to have all the family around at this time. Unfortunately, Trond’s mother in law passed when they were in Mandal. She had been sick for several years and it was not a surprise. My mother died three days later, July 31, 2008 with all her family by her side.

A few night before she died, I sent the girls downstairs to say good night and good buy to MorMor and Kristin said she did not want her to go to heaven yet, she laughs and said she did not think it was going to be yet. They went back upstairs and then they came back downstairs with a little basket and a letter Britt wrote. This is what the note said

“MorMor,
Mormor you were a very great mormor. I want you to stay down here not up there in heaven. But if you do I will really really miss you SO much. Well Kristin will miss you to so much to. But anyway, me and Kristin made you something.
Love
Britt & Kristin”

They had made an envelope and put Norwegian and American coins in it so she could buy coffee for Brian’s grandmother and herself when she arrived in heaven. She loved coffee.

The funeral was very nice and very sad. I want to thank my aunt Astrid and my sister in laws for taking the girls, so I could spend time with my mother, in her last weeks.

We were home long enough to help my father clean out some of my mothers clothes and belongings, so he would not have to do it on his own. Driving to the airport was an unreal event knowing I would never see my mother again.

The kids are dealing with her death well and were happy to start school in the fall. Both Britt and Kristin played soccer in the fall. It was amazing to see Britt’s soccer team starting to play like a team and not 12 kids trying to kick the ball at the same time.

In the end of September about 40 photographers that I have met on a photography forum met in Beckley WV. It was a great weekend, where I got the opportunity to meet friends and do a lot of shooting. As usual as a great wife this trip put a stop to Brian playing golf with some of his buddies at an exclusive club that most golfers consider one of the best courses anywhere.(Metedekonk National C.C.)

Two weeks later I went to the PhotoPlus convention in New York City and was again meet a group of photographer from the same forum and enjoy a few hours on a private boat trip on the Hudson River. The trip was sponsored by Mpix, Popular Photographer magazine and American Photo Magazine. They asked us to submit our photographs from the rip and one of my photographs was chosen to appear in the January issue of the magazines.

As we have the past few years we had our family over for Thanksgiving. It was overall a success, except when they all came wearing their World Champs Phillies shirts. After Brian and his cousins had been texting back and fourth throughout the baseball season, Brian saw it coming and hung the Giants jersey in the dining room.

Early in December we spent the weekend in NJ, with the family. Craig and family were in town for the annual Christmas party and Cathy and Jason came in from California as well. It was the first time we met Jason and we hope we did not scare him away.

Christmas was spent in Morristown with the in-laws. Not thinking that Morristown is north of here, we let the kids were sneakers and crocks. When we came to NJ I remembered that they had snow the week earlier. So, the kids wanted to go out and play, but couldn’t.. Sorry kids. The big gift this year was a Wii. The kids (including Brian) has spent their fair time in front of the TV playing their new games. I just want them to remember to wear their wrist band, so they do not break the TV. So far, so good.

So, here we have reached the last day of the year and it is cold and windy. They just said it is the 7th coldest New Years Eve in 100 years. So, we will not be heading downtown for the fireworks tonight. As long as the TV is not broken by a Wii remote, we will be watching it in front of the fireplace.

We hope you all had a great 2008, and wish all a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous 2009!

Valentines Day Portraits

Can you believe it, I shot the kids Valentines Portraits this weekend. Sunday afternoon it was the perfect day for photography, 64F and cloudy.

Knowing my children I knew this was probably my only chance to get them outside without whining and complaining about how cold it was. We live close to Haverford College and their beautiful campus. I decided to to take the kids one by one, increasing the chance that they would listen and get the shoot over as fast as possible.


With some technical difficulties, here are some of my favorite photos of Britt:















And some of my favorites photos of Kristin:

Christmas Morning

A few snap shots from Christmas Day morning, in Morristown at the in-laws house.


My mother made the girls an Advent calender a few years ago. Kristin decided to save all her candy and give it to Santa. She left it by the fireplace for Santa to find it.



When she woke up, she ran to the fireplace to see if Santa had eaten the candy. She was happy that he did not eat himself (a chocolate Santa)



Santa left them MP3 players they requested. Today Kristin came and asked if Santa was real, when I asked why, she said "on the present from Santa was a ToysRus sticker, did somebody buy it for Santa or is Santa not real" I changed the subject as soon as I could!!



This years "BIG" present



The Wii
Brian just informed me that he is sore from playing it....



The best presents are the homemade ones!

A Christmas Miracle

This is a little story that Sara received in an email from her father and I wanted to share the story with you all.

Is it true, does it matter?

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa At
the Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin . The child climbed up on his lap,
holding a picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling.

"Your friend? Your sister?'" "Yes, Santa,' he replied..
"My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and
saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me

to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed.
"She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face,
asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.
When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the
child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.

"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ." the old
woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves
to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.

"The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ..
she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the
holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa
.any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked
for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."

Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave
information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would
see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of
that afternoon.

He knew what he had to do.

"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he
thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."

When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening,
he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah
was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to
Children's Hospital.

"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.

Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother
earlier that day. "C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly.
Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.
They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he
would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door
and saw little Sarah on the bed.

The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the
Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day.
A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed,
gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.


And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a
chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her face.. They were
talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of
the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.

Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the
room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah
weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV tubes intact.
Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug..
A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him
with wonder and excitement.

Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches
from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at
her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to
force himself to choke back tears.

Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the
gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room.

As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the
bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand
gratefully, whispering "Thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with
shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him
excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd
been a very good girl that year.

As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray
for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded
in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding
hands.Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed
in angels. "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed."Well, I'm going to
ask that angels watch over you." he said. Laying one hand on the
child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed.. He asked that God
touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when
he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly,
"Silent Night, Holy Night.... all is calm, all is bright..."

"The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and
crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed
at them all.

When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held
Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said
authoritatively,

"you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well.
I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer,
and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time
next year!"

He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had
terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest
gift hecould -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and
kissed her on the forehead and left the room.

Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed
between them and they wept unashamed.

Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly
and rushed to Santa's side to thank him.

"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly.
"This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding
and hugged him.

One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee
for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several
weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa
proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all,
the secret to being a"good" Santa is to always make each child feel
as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.

"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.
Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little
miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He
scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her
cheeks were rosy-- much different from the little girl he had visited
just a year before.

He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the
sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.

He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing
about-- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed.
Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and
humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father.

'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"

Annual Luminary Night

Our neighborhood, Coopertown, had its annual luminary night with a horse-drawn carriage ride through the neighborhood.

After lighting our bags we headed up to Coopertown Elementary School's cafeteria to sign up for the horse-drawn carriage ride. The ride was as expected, cold and the kids complained about the smell.

After the ride we headed back to the cafeteria for some appetizers, meatballs, side dishes, desserts and fruit. The CCA provided hot cocoa!

The kids played with their friends, and I headed back out to shoot some photos of the neighborhood.

My Photograph

is published in January's issue of Popular Photography and American PHOTO.

In October I attended "Mpix Takes on New York City" and submitted a few of my photographs from the trip. I received a phone call from Lauren from Popular Photography that one of my photographs had been chosen to appear in the magazines.

So yesterday I got a call from a photographer friends that saw me in a group shot from the trip and called me to let me know. I could not make it to the book store yesterday, so today I was there as early as I could.

You can view some of the other photographs taken that day here:

New York City Boat Tour

Here is my photograph that was selected to be in Popular Photography and American PHOTO:

Shannon

Even if Emily did not want to have he Christmas portraits taken, does not mean he younger cousin did not.

Little Shannon came running telling me that she wanted her picture taken.. She was the best little model ever.

Here are a few of my youngest niece:

My Weekend

We went to NJ to my in laws this weekend, for a visit with my in laws.

It was a full house, Brian's brother and family was in from San Diego for business, and his sister and boyfriend came as well from San Diego for a short visit. With the oldest brother living just a few minutes away from my in laws the whole family was together for the weekend.

We went to our favorite restaurant for dinner on Friday night where we met Jason for the first time. He was a big hit with all the kids, so he got their approval as well as ours.

Saturday, my SIL and I took my California niece out to Delbarton for some Christmas portraits. It was about 31F and very cold. She had no interest in having her photos taken, so I shot lots of portraits with treas rolling down her face. We tried again later that day inside, but she rather play with her cousins that have her portraits taken.

Saturday night we went out to dinner with friends for our annual Christmas dinner, the food and company was great. We got the news that somebody is expecting another baby. We came home early (after a long night Friday).

Here are some of the photos of Emily form Saturday

Bryn Mawr Terrace

The 3rd grade Brownies spent an hour with the elderly at Bryn Mawr Terrace to spread some Christmas spirit.

The girls had put together a program filled with song, Irish dancing, poems and piano music.


Bryn Mawr Terrace


The residents were waiting for the girls in the Main Lounge


Just a fun play with filters


Party time


The bottles were not just for show....





A piano man was also scheduled at the same time as the girls, so he played and the girls sang.






They did a fantastic job and I am very proud of them.

Our Christmas Card 2008

So I found this template at a photography forum that I am using for this years Christmas Card. I think I have made my decision and this will be our card this year.


Front


Inside


Back