Halloween 2009

It's finally here, we've made it to the end of October which can mean only one thing when you are young........HALLOWEEN! Friday the 30th the children had their parade at school, which is always fun to see how others used their imagination this year.

This year's costume menu seemed almost like a match at Wimbledon. Sabrina went back and forth between many, many, many different ideas. She finally decided on being an "Old Lady". I have already called and apologized to my mother today for all the times I thought "She doesn't know what she's talking about!"

Trying to convince Sabrina that "old ladies" do have curlers in their hair was a lost cause, she insisted on the bun! She was, however, overwhelmed with my knowledge that baby powder poured generously over one's head really does make it look grey, white, and elderly! I thought after finally getting her happy and sent off to school, WOW what a little determined mind.....then I had a flashback, of myself at that age, (which I quickly tried to block out, but to no avail). I could only think......"My poor Mother, all she put up with."

She carried a little dog around with her, she has a remote and hair pins in her pocket, and fun leopard spotted slippers!

Mia was convinced that being a "Butterfly" was a fantastic choice.

Espen wanted to be a vampire. However, we couldn't locate the remaining parts of that costume, so he settled (thank goodness) on being a "Jedi-Vampire" (with much persuasion from his mother).

Espen at the school parade

Espen ready for Trunk-or-Treat, he decided that face painting was too much-so he's just a jedi now!

Spencer was probably the easiest of them all to convince, a Florida Gator's Crazed Fan.

So tonight they are off to the Trunk-or-Treat Ward Party. Tomorrow may bring more Trick-or-Treating, then again, if I can convince them they have enough candy, we may rent a movie make treats and stay warm and cozy at home!

We still need to crave that beast of a pumpkin.....if I have the stamina, we may see it come together tomorrow.

A Monumental Day

Today was a long day in coming. No, we were so lucky as to go into labor and have our little baby....yet. We did, however, sell our very first mini-van. Well we more like gave it away, to the wrecking yard for a whopping $100. She was well worth more than that to me, all the memories etc, but when a car doesn't really start or hardly run when you get her started, you get what you can out of her and say "Sianara!"

It has been a trooper of a van, going to Canada several times, surviving hot Utah summers, with only front end vents, and cold Utah winters with a heater that never quite worked properly.

Outside Wymount one wintery day

She moved us twice, and Megan several times.

Mia inside the van

We will miss her terribly, she has been our old clunker that finally decided to throw in the towel. I will miss her, and miss having 2 vehicles.

Sabrina in 2007 in the front of the van

So we say farewell to our dear friend and comrade, she was our last link to our student days (except for our sofa) I think that is why it is kind of hard to let her go. Yet, the savings on our insurance will definitely soften the blow!

Happy Birthday Dad

Today is my father's 60th birthday. I am feeling somewhat sentimental over the fact that I can't run and give him a hug and kiss on this special day. My dad will play it down, no fuss necessary, but I can't help reflect on the some of the lasting memories and favorite things about my dad, from the time I was little to now. Here are some of them.

-"The only difference is my hair is long and his is short!"- I was always so tickled when I was young that people would always tell me how much I looked like my dad, and that was my answer.

-If ever my class was small enough at BYU, (this means the professor actually took role) when they came to my name, they looked up and said "Phil?" "Yes, he is my dad." Then a smile would cross their faces, "I remember watching him play." This happened all but one time, that was in a religion class when the teacher happened to be from Southern Alberta. He went on to inform the class how in High School, Dad's team crushed everyone, and how he never got the best of that team. Good thing then I had an ace up my sleeve for such a scenario, you see, I had known earlier that this particular professor had dated my mother once. So with a air of confidence, I quietly reminded the professor, "That maybe so, but do not forget who my mother is." Needless to say he smiled, looked at me and laughed, and then went beet red!

-Walking into my mission Christmas Conference in the Harborne Chapel in England and shaking Elder Condie's hand. He looked at my name tag and paused "Who is your father?" "Phil" I said with a smile. He smiled backed and said I remember him playing with Kresimer, what a team!

-Many trips to the UofL pool when we were young, always stopping at Dairy Queen on the way home.

All of the grandchildren at Allen's wedding

-Knowing if we had been out a little late on a Friday night, all we'd have to do is get up early on a Saturday and start cleaning. So by the time Dad got back from his Saturday ritual of driving over to Raymond to shoot the breeze, he'd walk into the house with us hard at work, and wouldn't saying anything. (not that this happened a lot, at least not with Becky and me, Megan I think could have used this knowledge a little better to her advantage while in High School)

-Letting me drive home one night from a basketball practice in Stirling on the back roads. I think I was in the 7th grade (at most). We were in the big green station wagon, I think anyone would have felt safe in that tank, anyway, he was calm when he pointed out that I might want to stop for that cow in the middle of the road. Luckily I saw that cow, slammed on the break and said breathlessly "Now what?" The cow just turned his head and looked at me, dad said "Honk the horn."

-Watching Dad and his brothers play cowboys, on cattle drives. The stories for this are really an entry all on its own, especially if I can corner my brother Mark, he has the best stories of these days.

-His black box. Anything that was important or worth saving was in Dad's black box. So of course as a young girl, I put a photo of me as a baby in it!

-His words of wisdom through out the years "Patience is the KEY word!"

-Game Day Colonge

-Countless stories of growning up in Pink House, I still believe that there were aligators in the basement!

-Learning how to be "Street Smart" from Dad, course this is coming from the man that bought a car at night time, from a farmers field! Much to the joy of Megan and Allen.

-Watching Dad with his grandchildren, whether it is swinging with Mia, or hiking the football with Espen, counting the jumps in jump rope with Sabrina, or putting for birdies with Spencer, they all love their Grandpa.

I asked my children what they wanted to tell Grandpa on his 60th Birthday. Old practical Spencer said "Well, Grandpa has lived half his life!" then "Well, he was the first person to score a basket in the Marriott Center, that's pretty cool!" Mia said "Grandpa likes to swing with me!" Espen said "Grandpa is funny." Sabrina said "Grandpa is great!"

I could go on and on, needless to say growing up with Dad has been fun and an adventure. One I am glad I was a part of. I am sure my siblings would have lots to add, but if they want, they can start their own blog!

Love you Dad, and Happy Birthday!

~Bonnie~

Your favorite, right Al, let's be honest! :)

Quite the crew

Bowling for FHE

We decided to celebrate the first Monday night that Mom didn't have to go to work with a trip to the BYU Bowling Alley. It was so much fun, everyone enjoyed themselves. I did not bowl, I don't think this huge "bump" in my front would have agreed, so I watched and cheered. Strikes were made by Mia, Kenneth, and Spencer. I know Espen and Spencer also got spares, and Sabrina was very close several times. Mia and Kenneth came out the winners tied at 100pts, Espen in 2nd place with 82, and Spencer with 78 and Sabrina with 77.


Mia had this handy device that helped her center her ball (which of course HAD to be Pink)


Sabrina


Espen, I think needs to get a little bit closer to the line before throwing the ball


Spencer and the "lucky" orange ball.

My Babies

I just scanned some more photos to the children tonight at work. I thought I'd better get this done as tomorrow is my last day of work for a while. I found all my baby photos, and have been wondering which one will this new little bundle resemble the most.

Spencer at age 4 months

Sabrina at 5 months

Espen at 3 1/2 months

Mia at about 4 months

As I look over these photos, I just wonder WHERE has all the time gone, HOW can my children be so grown up now, and oh how I wish they were all still babies. (Then again, 3 in diapers wasn't always a picnic!)

We're all so excited to see which one our new little bundle will look like the most, or will he take after his mother of father....this question will be answered in about 2-3 weeks. We all can hardly wait!

Hollow Legs

You have all heard the numerous stories of raising "A Growing Boy!" I grew up watching my mother try to tame the appetite of my brothers, sisters and myself, and the only thing that worked was baking 5 loaves of bread about every other day. You see, dear reader, that one loaf was consumed by 3:45pm, we got home at 3:30pm from school.

Of course there remains the legend of my grandmother Tollestrup, who baked her bread in her roaster (I think I am remembering this correctly). Slices of these loaves were bigger than a side of beef, and this she did faithfully every day, just to keep ALL those Hollow Legs filled in her house!

So now I start my own journey to tackle what I like to call "Hollow Legs Aliment." Kenneth refers to this affectionately as "Those dang Tollestrup Genes."

There are many symptoms for this, but here are just the top 3: (in my book)

1. Grumpiness beyond all reason
2. Zero ability to reason with the bearer of this aliment.
3. Much stomping, storming and grumbling around the house by those inflicted by the disorder

One can avoid the inevitable crisis, if one plans ahead by doing the following:

1. Always have a treat on hand, ESPECIALLY when picking the person up from school and going directly to piano lessons.
2. Baking daily, from bread to cookies to squares, anything to temporarily fill them up before dinner.
3. Having their favorite cereal on hand. Remember this is just a "snack" not a meal.

Also don't forget you need drinking glasses the size of a small country. With these tips in hand may your home forever be calm and serene and smell like freshly baked bread!



Just in case this doesn't show up, Spencer is posing for a "Got Milk" ad (check out the mustache). And yes he is the one in our household who has caught this infectious aliment.

NBA Here We Come

I signed Espen up this year for Jr. Jazz. It is 1st and 2nd grades, boys and girls together.

I just love the way Provo City has organized this age group for basketball. Each game is an hour long, but for the first 1/2 hour the kids just practice with their coaches. Then they play another team for the last half hour. All the children who are on the court have a colored wrist band and are only allowed to guard the child on the opposing team of the same colored wrist band. You can't steal the ball, or guard until half court (the play cross court).

It is fun to watch, Espen was very skeptical to start with, but he LOVES it! Loves that he has "His" games to go to, that he has "His" team etc. So just maybe, his Tollestrup genes are coming

through with a love for the game!

Last night he had his 3rd game. He is such a good sport, doesn't take it too seriously, but loves to get out there are run. He scored a basket during the game and ran down the court with his arms in the air and a great big smile! When we got home he placed a quick call to Grandpa & Grandma to share the news of his basket! Does life get any better than that!

The lighting in the gym was really poor, so the photos didn't turn out too great.

Hometowns

Pulpit Rock in Stavanger

"Norway may soon be my country, but Provo will always be my Hometown!"
-with a wink to Gertude Stein for the quote-

As life goes on here in Provo, the chance of moving back to Norway seems more sure and closer than I would like to admit most days. Kenneth has been diligently searching for a job here in our beloved Utah County, but keeps coming up short. We've discussed our options and what to do if and when we really can't find a job that can sustain a family here in dear Provo.

As things stand now, we'll stick it out until Christmas, but if nothing comes up, then he may be on his way back home to look for a job that actually pays a good honest wage.



Stavanger Harbor at Night

I am still crossing my fingers that we'll find our dream job here, and I'll be able to stay right where I am. More importantly, I'll be able to raise my children to be T-Birds @ Timpview, go to BYU games, 4th of July Parades, Stadium of Fire, hike the Y, hike in Provo Canyon and be raised in one of my favorite places on earth. My attachment to Provo began as far as as I can remember. I wasn't raised in Provo, but it has always felt like home. From a young girl sitting on her daddy's lap listening with rapture to all of his BYU stories to a 18 yr old freshman loving the
feeling of finally coming home.


Provo Temple

Last Saturday I finally made it up to the temple for a session. As I walked out of the temple, the view caught my eye, and I had to stop and drink it all in. It was about 3pm, so the sun wasn't quite directly over head, but the view of Provo, BYU, and Utah Lake stretched before me like a painter's canvas. The leaves in the valley are finally changing color now, and they were all waving to me with a little sigh in their voices like they knew what my thoughts were.

"How can I leave this place?"

"Why would I ever leave this place?"

"What if we never come back?"

The last question, of course, seems the scariest to me, and yet as these thoughts rumbled through my mind I thought back to a talk given by Sister Sheri Dew, where she talked about the beloved pioneers in Nauvoo and their journey down Parley Street.


Pioneers leaving Nauvoo

How they would look back before crossing the Mississippi at their beloved Nauvoo, their beautiful homes, temple and memories. They were entering the complete unknown, knowing that they would never return. They hitched up their wagons and entered the vast unfamiliar and unexplored west with determination, and faith in their Heavenly Father, and in their Prophet dear.

So with a slight sigh and a little wave back to the beautiful leaves I silently accepted the fact that my life may take a turn I did not design. I did, however, feel that as long as we keep Faith in Every Footstep, we'll be all right. Life always has a funny way of working out for the best, even if it isn't what we had planned on or wanted at the time. So I pray now for acceptance of the future. Whatever it may hold.

"Norway may soon be my country, but Provo will ALWAYS be my Hometown!"

New Friends

The children all found new friends this week with their Norwegian Cousins visiting. It was so fun to watch them communicate with each other. The boys spoke mostly English, the girls however, used a lot of hand motions and pointing at things to convey their thoughts. We had a great time showing them some of the sights, taking them shopping, and eating all the good chocolate they had brought with them! Just wished for more time to play and chat with them all!

Temple Sqaure in the Cold!

The day before was warm and lovely, and then autumn hit Utah with a bang. It just happened to be the day we needed to visit Temple Sqaure with our Norwegian Family that is here for a visit. We had rain, snow and sun, and the temperture never peak above "Freezing cold!" However, the kids did well talking in mixed English and Norwegian hopefully making lifetime friends with their 2nd cousins!