Christmas in Photos!

So it has been like forever since I updated this blog. In my defence, life here at the Steffensen household has been set at "full speed ahead!" Kenneth was incharge of the annual Christmas Concert at church, while I did a Relief Society Christmas dinner. So these are some of the highlights over the last few weeks!

We did find the time to make some sugar cookies. If you look closely you can see William has a mouth full of something tasty!

Ready for the oven!

My 2 helpers!

Finished product!

Caramels!

Cooling off!

Sabrina at Kenneth's parents house Christmas Eve!

Mia Cuddling in with Elder Hill. Elder Hill is a family favorite, he comes from Medicine Hat in Southern Alberta! He was pretty tired here, it is right after an AMAZING Breakfast! All the Missionaries came for breakfast and then later on some left to go to another home for dinner and such. Elder Smith and Elder Hill stayed with us!

As you can see Mia LOVES Elder Hill (by hey he is Canadian)!

A long day for Mia!

A Few Good Friends

Sometimes all you need is a few good friends to help you sleep!

Mia has taken to sleeping on the couch at night. She sets up her ever faithful friends as well. They are indeed entitled to a good night sleep as well. She has one more "puppy" that sleep with her and not at the foot of her "couch bed".
That's our Mia!

A Weekend Away!

Last Friday we had the chance to go to a "Hytta". Which is a cabin in Norwegian. We went with a family from the branch, an American family, whose father works for Conco Phillips. Their company rents out a ton of cabins all over Norway. They have been going 3-4 times a year, usually visiting the cabin during the "off season". So going to the mountains in the summer and the water front cabins in the winter. This was right on the water, and was super big (by Norway standards), it was easy to see why it was booked all summer long! We had a great time playing board games, card games, watching a few movies in the evening and just being out of the house.
It was a 3 hour drive south from Stavanger, so it was really nice to get out a bit as we haven't had the chance since we arrived here.

Our children along with the Sheley's children up on the top floor of the "Hutta". Don't start dreaming too grand, there are only 2 levels. It was however, a great cabin and room for us all and more. It was beautiful and right on the water.

The "men" had a great game of Risk! This was fueled by the fact that in the morning they were off to see some German bunkers from the war!

Sabrina on the deck, it was a beautiful out look to the water, I can see why this cabin is booked all summer long.

Mia and Mary Alice, out on the deck .

The boys down at the German Bunkers!

Leading down into a ton of tunnels. I guess that some were really short, but there was one that went on and on and on. It ended at a large room with a huge table, and all sorts of things.

Spencer in the ruins. There was a lot of questions by this little guy about WWII. He will really enjoy studying this when given the chance at school. I don't think Kenneth had a chance to answer one question before the next one was asked! That is our Spence!

The Canon! As you can see from all the bundling up by the men, it was one COLD day. What you don't see is a lot of layers underneath their clothing as well. They have it all over here! Great long johns, wool long johns with feet (Espen's favorite), wool undershirts, and they are surprisingly very soft and thin and keep you super warm. Due to this cold we women stayed at the cabin (mostly for William's sake--he is suffering from a nose that doesn't know when to stop running) and we played tons of games!

Espen's List

Espen's Thankful List:
Animals, Sabrina, Spencer, Mia, William, Mom and Dad, warm coat, long johns, water, milk, peanut butter from America, all of my cousins, Christmas, cereal, food, Arthur, oceans, math, the world, space, planes, Provo, scriptures, church and the temple (of course is what he said after I helped him a little), pets (of which we have none), cleaning, houses, Grandma and pa, guitars, piano, computers, drawing.

Oh Christmas Tree

So we set up the tree about.....2 weeks ago! I just love Christmas and I love my tree. It was the biggest item we shipped over when we moved. I just couldn't leave it behind!

As you see we just made it, I think there is about 1/2 inch clearance if that!

Someone couldn't resist once the camera came out!
Most people are shocked that we have the tree up so early, but I love decorating the tree, having it turned on a night. My mom always has the prettiest trees ever year. She has an amazing eye for detail, where to place what decoration etc. I think last year she decorated all us girls' trees! She came to Utah because William was born, so she did Megan's and mine. Then back home to do Becky's before she even did her own! Her trees are lovely, Dad will huff and puff about all the trinkets and "things" Mother puts out for Christmas, but I do believe he is the first one to plug in the tree in the morning! It always reminds me of the time when Mom and Dad got a new electric blanket for their bed. Having a King Size bed they had the "duel" controls for their blanket. Which of course was the whole point. Patience cease to be the "key word" when it was time for set up, no time for directions, just slap that blanket on and plug it in. (Dad was doing the setup) Anyway come to find out many days later, they had the wires crossed. Dad controlled Mom's side of the bed while Mom controlled Dad's, and you are asking yourself how long did it take before they undid the wires and sort it out.....they never did! They would just reach over each other to either turn up or down the controls! I know there is a reason for this story.....Oh yeah, Dad would moan and groan about the blanket, telling anyone who would listen that is was just not necessary. However when we would climb up the stairs at night to go to bed, it was like a lighthouse on a hill this little red light coming from Mom and Dad's bedroom. Who would be all tucked up in bed with the blanket on you ask? Dad (I am pretty sure Mom was still downstairs folding laundry).
So Dad may moan and groan, huff and puff a bit and His favorite saying is that the border control has Tai Pan on speed dial and as soon as Mom crosses over the call is place! We all know though that he loves the house looking like it came out of a magazine for Christmas. When you walk into the house with a frost bitten nose and the house is smelling like Christmas cookies, music playing and that beautiful tree sparkling is there a better place to be? I dare someone to try to find it!

Numbero Uno

I've finally uploaded some of the photos off the camera. Simple things seem to take eons for me to do now a days. So here are William's first birthday photos!

He loved playing with his piece of cake!

Will got a new winter hat, and he is just so dang cute in it we had to snap a few photos!

Bonnie's List

I just love this photo, Kenneth thinks I haven't changed that much! Still on the chubby side! :) I have about 2 minutes to write my little thankful list before I need to check on bread and try to put a baby down for a nap, change the laundry and vaccum!
Trying to put into a list all that I am thankful for will take forever, so I'm just going to put all the things that pop into my head in the next 2 mins: Kenneth, the children, my parents, my sisters, my brothers, Vonage phone system, internet, emails, online shopping, my scriptures, recipes books, old disney movies, amazing ancestory, missionaries, prayer, answers to prayer, warm home (even though it is tiny, tiny, tiny), a washing machine, a dryer, a dishwasher, a fridge, books to read, cameras, cross stitching (when I have the time which right now is NEVER), my calling (I don't know how thankful Kenneth will be for that when enrichments get rolling!), warm coats for all my children, food to feed my children each day, my little Tristan and Bella (Aunt Bonnie misses you so much), Avery, Brady, Cody, Emma, Oakley, Olivia, Esther and Mister Briggs! Sisterly phone calls (I think today I'm going to finally figure out how to conference call), laughter, good oldy goldy movies, my ipod, the Ensign, New Era, Friend, cousin for the kids in Norway, for my time in Provo can't wait to see you again, Airplanes, cheap airfare, kleenex, toothpaste, and CHOCOLATE. (Dr. Pepper would of course be on this list as well, but unfortunately the one they make here isn't the same). I love Thanksgiving even if you read Spencer's Thanksgiving from the 4th grade where he informs his class and teacher that we didn't have turkey we went to I-hop instead for breakfast (I was working tons and didn't want to do a full blown turkey dinner as I knew 3 weeks later I would be doing it for Christmas so we just played games and relax on Thanksgiving day--however that story is now published in his book "All about me" so the story will live forever!). How vitally important it is to reflect on the things we have and not worry so much about what we don't have. I need to have that plasted on my fridge right now. Life here is good, just hard. I think the children have all found their little "place" right now it is just Mom who is struggling. Chin up, Shoulders back, socks pulled up and off we go. Time for our adventure here with smiles and A LOT of chocolate along the way!

Sabrina's List

Sabrina is thankful for: Jesus, make-up, clothes, bikes, roller-blades, birthdays (her's is coming up), family, church, scriptures, summer, tanning, airplanes, food, trees, Christmas, cousins, TV, books, cars, malls, shoes, arts and crafts, Mom and Dad, computers, clocks, FHE!

Spencer's List

Here is Spencer's list of all the things he can think of that he is grateful for:

Family, a body, friends, paino, internet, clothes, video games, A/C, fireplace, a home, books, car, airplanes to take us home, TV, school, NFL, NBA, Heavenly Father & Jesus, scriptures, food, drinks, toothpaste, sports, NCAA, BYU Football...... too much else to say!

Thankful list

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

This is such a great video that I thought I'd do some similar interviews among my children and Kenneth and myself and see what we're thankful for. Since my little Mia is the only home and not taking a nap here is her list:

Mom and Pappa, puppy (her stuffed puppy dog), William, Bella and Tristan, Blake, Megan, Grandma and Grandpa, Hot Chocolate, all the missionaries (they are our neighbors and come over often!), Espen, Dee Dee (Sabrina) and Spencer, the house we live in, her bear, her bed, Max & Ruby, the TV, poka dot (stuffed dog), popcorn, Uncle Al and Aunt Angie, Esther's Mom and Dad and family, Emma's family (this would be Mark and Deanna and crew), Norway cousins, that Pappa is her primary teacher, singing.......there is more I'm sure but William woke up and I have a Relief Society Meeting. Yeb I got a calling, 2nd counselor in the Relief Society, can't believe it either. Should be an interesting few years.

More interviews to follow in the upcoming days. So stay tuned!

William is 1 Today!

Can't believe our little guy is one today. Mind you, it feels like it has been about 3 years since he was born. So much as happened, so much stress, tears, excitement, and all out craziness has been our life since little Will came to us last November. Let's all hope that this next year will be slightly calmer and more naps for Mom and Dad.

Since it was his birthday we decided a late nap was OK!

Little did I realize who would follow in his footsteps!

This is a rare photo and needs to be documented, William asleep in a crib! He has slept with us since we came to Norway as there is no crib, or room for one in our little place right now. We have borrowed a "pack and play" from Kenneth's sister which we set up at night time in our little living room. However, Will feels it just isn't a good enough place to sleep. Except this once! Mia kindly donated her little bunny for the nap!

He was hiding under the table when I found him like this, so we pulled out the chair so we could have a better look.

Loving the toast with Nugatti!

Growing up so Fast!

The blog has been slightly neglected these past couple weeks as the days seem to speed along like the ICE trains in Germany. If you have never ridden one of those trains, write it down on your bucket list because it is an amazing experience. So I am here now, having 5 minutes to myself, updating the family on our little guy who seems to never stop changing. He has grown up so much since we left Canada, I can hardly believe some of the photos. So without further rambling on my part here he is:

We are thinking that little Will does have green eyes. They are a very unique color. I hope to have some great little photos taken of him soon for his first birthday, so check back for those soon. Hopefully he won't be 2 before I post them!

The Silent Soothing Hum

Have you ever had a chance to be in your kitchen working when the house is quiet and all you hear is the silent humming of your dishwasher? It is my favorite time, and it only comes once in a while. The other day I was washing up from some meal or snack, I don't remember which since they seem to all blurr together now a days. I am not looking forward to Spencer being a teenager, I can hardly keep a head of his stomach now a days, heaven helps us when he is older and going through a "growth spurt", then add another teenage boy just 3 short years behind him and my electric bill is doomed! (From the constant opening of the fridge to see if something had magically appeared since the last time they opened it 2 minutes earlier).


Back on topic now....(I was just interrupted by Spencer demanding to know where the Sprite is!)

There are certain sounds and smells that have a penetrating effect on my mind and cause me to stop if only for a brief moment. Sometimes I am swept back to times gone by, I think all my siblings will agree when they hear they sound of a westminster chime they all go back to childhood and the clock that hung on our living room wall. I think my mom won that clock with her "Club Z" points, if any of you can remember back that far.

There is something calming about the dishwasher humming along though as you wipe the counter downs. I enjoy that time of day when I have a few precious seconds and can take a deep breath and slow down the world for a tiny little moment.

Life here is actually pretty calm nowadays. We have postponed any extra activities until next year with the exception of piano, although I am still on the hunt for a teacher at the time being. We've even chosen to skip Halloween this year (I must admit I'm not that disappointed), however, that means I'll be in the Christmas Spirit a little earlier this year. It is getting darker earlier already, cold to the bone somedays and this morning it snowed-if only for a blink of an eye.

My Sunday Talk

My mother asked if I would upload my talk for Sunday onto the blog. So here it is, luck for me I can give it in English and have a translator right there beside me.

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

Last year in October General Conference President Monson gave a talked entitled: "What Have I Done For Someone Today?"

He quoted the following Scripture in Luke Chapter 9 vs 24

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.

Service can provide us an opportunity to help "bear one another's burdens that they may be light. Comfort those that stand in need of comfort."

President Monson continued by stating:

How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that "oh, surely someone will take care of that need."

We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives. Were we to step back, however, and take a good look at what we're doing, we may find that we have immersed ourselves in the "thick of thin things." In other words, too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things, neglecting those more important causes.

The thought of being caught up in the "Thick of Thin Things" really struck me. How many times do we run through our days at full speed ahead trying desperately to get to the bottom of our "To Do List". During this past conference last weekend President Uchtdorf talked about this very thing. He said:

Let's be honest; it's rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. He goes on to say: It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.

As a mother I sometimes fall into the category, where I feel that my entire day is in the service of others. My To Do list is proof alone. Watching conference this weekend, however, I was able to see how much better I could serve my family, and those around me. President Uchtdorf if you remember talked about how in family relationships love is really spelt T-I-M-E, time.

Our lengthy daily "To-Do List" is often full of meaningful, needed things that do indeed need our attention. However, we must be able to choose those items that are "better or best" on the list.

Making and taking the time for service, adding it to our "To Do List" will enrich our lives, and strengthen our testimonies. Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. So we can assume that through our service each day, may it be big or small we are following the Savior admonition to "Come unto him". President Monson said a little poem in his talk, one he had heard many years earlier, but had stayed with him. I really loved it and wanted to end with it today.

I have wept in the night
For the shortness of sight
That to somebody's need made me blind;
But I never have yet       
Felt a tinge of regret
For being a little too kind.⁹

May we all find the joy that comes from serving our brothers and sisters that are around us each day. Remember the words of our Savior in Matthew 25:40

When you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Whether they be family, friends our strangers, as we lose our lives for the Savior, we will find joy and rest with him as well.

Spring Roll Magic!

One of the things I do like about living here is a little shop full of Oriental Foods. Not that I am, by any stretch of the mind, an expert on the ins and outs of Oriental cooking, but I do make a mean spring roll. After a few tutorial lessons from Kenneth's Aunt Gro, I set out to make the ultimate spring roll! After a quick shopping trip for the essentials I set off to recreate the spring roll all on my own.

The filling: brocolli, bean sprouts, carrots grated, chinese cabbage, onions, ginger, chicken, and spicies. You send everything through the food processor and combine!

As you begin to roll you need to make sure the filling lies on a tiny square of spring roll dough. This ensures that the filling will stay put inside the roll and not burst through when frying.

A finished spring roll, all glued down by the use of egg whites.

The finished batch, all rolled and ready for frying!

Frying to a golden crisp! We eat these with a Sweet Spicy Sauce that they sell at this quaint little shop, one day I'll sneak my camera in and take a photo for you all. I need to make friends with the cook there (as they do sell finished food there as well) their noodle dish is to die for!

The children all enjoying the spring rolls, we have 2 add ons, cousin Therese and an American friend Colton Lasswell. Unfortunately the Lasswell family will be moving in about a week, they had plan to stay out the school year but Exxon decided differently. They will be missed. I think we're going to try to start this as a conference weekend tradition. I planned to make enough for both Saturday and Sunday, but everything was gone by Saturday afternoon!