Visiting Aker Brygge

We pretty much stayed at home the whole time Grandma Susie was visiting, but I thought she might enjoy one day of slightly tourist-like activity. And there’s been something I’ve been meaning to do here for a long time: visit Den Norske Husfliden, a store for local craft and crafters. They have many beautiful projects, and best of all they sell the raw materials and not just products. I bought a bunch of norwegian yarn and buttons for mom’s Christmas cardigan and we oggled the fancy sweaters and traditional costumes. Then we walked through the harbor area and had lunch at good old Peppe’s.

We’ve been getting lots of on-the-bus pictures lately. I guess it’s one place the kids are holding still, and it’s so cold you don’t want to take your gloves off.

“by the docks” isn’t really the best description, I guess, since that sounds like there’s commercial container ships and dock workers and stuff. It’s more like a touristy place where the local transport ships and smaller tour boats dock.

Grandma Susie thought it was funny that the statue there had a bird right on her head. I think this is a nice picture for other reasons, though. The tall-masted tour boats are pretty, too.

It was very cold for most of Grandma Susie’s visit, -10 C! Ok, not as cold as it gets in Fairbanks, I know, but darn cold enough to discourage random city adventures.

I think the insane smile is because they found a TV at Peppe’s.

As with Ruby’s picture, this crazy smile is because they just found the BarnaTV.

This is a cropped version of the Tilted Duster. It was knit to be a pregnancy sweater, but it barely fit by the time I finished it (only 5 ½ months pregnant), so I haven’t been wearing it. But I managed to squeeze it on just this once (8 ½ months pregnant), with an alternative fastening method.

This is why we don’t have a TV. Easiest shot in the world to take, though, as he wasn’t moving a muscle. Not even to blink.

Ice cream? That’s good for babies, right?

VERY good for babies. Even better for mamas.

C was so excited… lunch dessert! Wow!

mom looks so thoughtful and stoic here. Just like she is.

We are really blessed to have had so wonderful a mother, and I thank her every opportunity I get.

I think mom didn’t like this picture because she thought she looked old. I think it’s awesome; she definitely looks thoughtful, those gears are always turning. Though I don’t think I’d ever call mom stoic. She’s one of the most emotionally driven people I know. We had a great visit, anyway, we were really sad to see her leave. Hope you guys have fun when she visits (soon, right?)

I’m not sure if it’s obvious, but the juletre in the background between then was intentional. (I only mention it because some who have seen this picture didn’t notice it.)

(In retrospect, I should have cropped to the right.)

It’s that good old granite ball that we used to visit.

This was just a snapshot, but I ended up really liking it! Something… maybe the way she sort of jumps out of the photo?

He was waving his fingers as he did this. I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean, and I don’t think knew, either.