Flashback Friday

My mom was born and raised in Norway. When I was 16, I got to go to Norway for a month. I stayed with some family friends for 2 weeks by myself. (yes, I flew out there by myself with 3 connecting flights in 3 different countries...when I was 16. Sometimes I think my parents were crazy.) Then my mom and sister flew out to join me for the remaining 2 weeks. It was really amazing, and it helped form who I am.



The family I stayed with just happened to have a strapping blond 16 year old son. Tobias. Ahhhh...what a fun trip. In this pic, we are on a walkway by the Olympic Long Jump Skiing Venue, just goofing off.




If you look across the water, you can see the most adorable house-looking buildings. This is called 'Bryggen'. Those building have the neatest little shops, and some are actual residences. I LOVED that place! That's my sister and me.



This is a home my mother lived in during her early childhood. She can remember it being raided by the Nazi's in WWII, and her family was actually forced out so Hitler's army could use it as quarters. There are still swastika's painted in the garage.



This is my sister and me with my Tante Lilian. (Aunt Lilian) She was my only remaining relative in Norway. The others had either died, or moved to the USA. She was 99 in this picture. I would really enjoy taking Jon back there someday. It really is just the neatest little country. :o)