Two More Sleeps!

Thirty years ago - the Howard Johnson and Merv Erickson families spent a week in California -  San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios,  the Pacific Ocean

Yes, the countdown is soon coming to an end!  I'm planning to go to Milestone on Monday afternoon.  By that time the roads should have been plowed out and driving conditions improved.  My suitcase and carry on are pretty well packed, just a few last minute things to do around home - like cleaning out the fridge, vacuuming the floors, etc.

I didn't venture out to Torquay this morning for the Palm Sunday service.  We've had fresh snow with enough of a breeze to drift so I didn't take a chance on the side roads to the highway.  The sun is trying to shine now so that's encouraging.

I had an email (three of them in fact!) the other day about a new food product that some of you Norwegians might be interested in trying.  Here it is!  You might have a problem finding it in the stores though.

This morning I got a new picture of Nora wearing her vest that came from Australia.  Here she is.  Doesn't it look cosy?  Facetime didn't work this morning but when it does it's fun to have this sweet little face greeting me on the computer screen.

Nora - pretty in pink (or any other colour!)

This week marks thirty years since our family went to California, along with my brother Merv, Jan, Joan and Heather.  Kirk celebrated his eleventh birthday with a family supper at Howard Johnson's. (and Howard Johnson's Visa card paid the bill!)  I found a few pictures so will share them with you.

The ten of us flew from Great Falls, MT to Los Angeles

The arcade at the airport was a popular spot!

View of the Pacific Ocean

One of the many fun rides

It was a wonderful family vacation, and one that we wouldn't have had without Merv getting it organized.  They were living in Saskatoon at the time so we met in Great Falls, flew to CA and rented a van to use for our travels.  No GPS then so Merv drove and I read the map.  As well as seeing many of the tourist attractions, we were also able to visit our great aunt Inga, our Grandma Haaland's sister in San Diego.  When we got back to Frontier on our way home, there was a phone call from Torquay.  Kirk's hockey team was playing on Sunday in Midale and they needed their goalie.  Marvin Fonstad picked up Kirk's equipment and we made it to the rink in time.  Torquay won gold medals, a very fitting ending to our trip!

This year Kirk got back from Mexico the day before his birthday!  He spent his 41st birthday at the rink in Lampman where Carter's team played in a provincial final against a peewee team from Warman, just north of Saskatoon.  Lampman/Arcola were down 0-2 after the first period but rallied, worked hard and just lost by one point, an empty net goal.  It was a tough loss for them but they did so well to get that far and can be very proud of their team.

Now Laurel and I are flying to Norway on Tuesday!  Ashley is excited about spending a few days with Auntie Danita and family in Lampman.  Greg will have the boys at home as they have four days of school this week.  I baked some cookies  and flatbread to leave with them as well as a batch of meatballs.  Laurel has stocked the freezer with handy meals so they will make out fine, and appreciate Mom even more when she gets back!

My next blog posting will be from Kristiansund so we will keep in touch from Norway and be back home on April 5.