Visit by Marina, Magne and the boys

Marina, Magne, Benjamin and Dennis popped in for a short visit....the boys are getting bigger each time we see them!

Trip out to Hustad

We took a trip out to Hustad to see Ronny, Katrine and Sanne....as you can see, Sanne is already pretty mobile!

Meanwhile in Philadelphia....

Little Anna Elizabeth seems to be enjoying her first Christmas!!!

Laila takes it easy....

Got this photo from Laila of her literally putting her feet up over the Xmas period, and showing off her new slippers.

Xmas day brunch

Eva came to join us for a traditional 1. Juledag brunch, including Smoked Salmon, Sild (mustard, tomato and sour), and different varieties of ham and salami (including Elk salami).

Meanwhile in England...

Grace and Milly get into the festive spirit

Christmas trip to Laila, Anders and Lisa

Lisa is the spirit of Christmas present!

Grid has her eyes on another present!

We took a trip out to see Laila, Anders and Lisa. Lisa opened a few of her presents, and made an outfit out of the wrapping paper. Also, Grid was a bit of a monkey. She kept stealing presents and decided to unwrap them herself!!

I wish it could be Christmas everyday....

Now it can! You can view the Norwegian tradional 23rd Dec show 'Dinner for One' all year round! I can't find a link to Askepott though....

Never mind the Sex Pistols, here's the Fedjes

"I see friends holding hands, saying, how do you do
They're really saying 'I love you' "

Marie's Nisse HQ

It was Odd's Birthday, and after opening his presents we headed out to Marie's for the annual Xmas get-together. A day earlier this year, as it fitted in better with some people's work schedules. But a good time had by all as usual, this time with an impromptu sing song. It was a bit tricky singing songs in Norwegian, especially when you don't know the tune to some of them!

The longest day.....

Siv and I travelled to Norway for Xmas....and managed to catch up briefly (we thought) with the family in Oslo. However due to freezing fog (minus 14c), all planes from Gardermoen were heavily delayed. We boarded our flight eventually at 1.30 am....but had no Captain! He arrived at 2.30am, so we eventually arrived in Molde at 3.10am, and got to the house around 4.00am!!

At least we had the family in Oslo to keep us company...though it turned out to be a late night for them!! As you can see Markus was in his usual high spirits.

Congratulations to Becky and Chris!!

Congratulations on the great news of your engagement on Saturday 15th December 2007!

Mr and Mrs Santa Claus

As its Sandra and Christopher's last Xmas at DnB, they played Mr and Mrs Santa Claus to bring round the gifts, this year a bottle of booze and a DnB NOR engraved iPod!

Season's greetings 2007

Here's wishing everyone we know a very merry Xmas and a happy new year!!

Ho Ho Ho!

Here's a photo of the Santa tealight holder I got in Stockholm for Siv from Mats Jonasson!

Santa Lucia in Mariehamn

While working in Åland I attended the annual Santa Lucia festival in the centre of Mariehamn, quite a crowd turned up, despite the cold!

Siw over for a few days

Siv's cousin Siw is staying with us for a few days. On the Saturday evening we decided to have an Xmas dinner with all the trimmings.

On Sunday, we headed up town to see the Christmas lights in Covent Garden, Carnaby Street and to see the Trafalgar Square tree, donated by the people of Norway.

Sunrise

An impressive sunrise this morning...

The Golden Age

I finally got round to scaning in a lot of my old TSB, Chase and IBIS drawings, and have now uploaded them to the online albums. I can't even remember what some of the jokes were about!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/siv2000picasa/TheGoldenAgeTSB

http://picasaweb.google.com/siv2000picasa/TheGoldenAgeChase

http://picasaweb.google.com/siv2000picasa/TheGoldenAgeIBIS
http://picasaweb.google.com/siv2000picasa/TheGoldenAgeDnB

Chase reunion drink up

Met some of the old Chase crowd at The Lamb and Flag. Sadly a few people couldn't make it due to work commitments. Here's Alan and Murray at the bar...."Alan Moore knows the score!"

Grace's golfing skills

Grace having a go at the Pro-Shot Golf

Girlie day out

Siv met a lot of the girlies up town for a general pre-Xmas get together, starting at The Crusting Pipe, and then onto The Marquess of Anglesey. Sadly Sarah couldn't make it as she was a bit poorly, but there was a 'virtual Katy' there! Trood and Woodsy had impressively made the journey down....everyone seemed to have a good time!

Go Eagles!

Ha Ha! After my recent post about Anna Elizabeth...It seems Jeanine and Erich have reached a compromise...Eagles Pink!!

Wedding Photo

A great photo of some of the Drexel Hill crew from Ron's son Matt's wedding over the weekend....with a special appearance by "Captain Awesome" on the far right!

May Britt and Synnøve's visit

May Britt and Synnøve came over to see us for a few days....

On Friday night we had a pizza in The Soho Pizzeria....

Before a walk along Carnaby Street....

And through Seven Dials...

Before stopping off for a pint in The Angel, before heading home.

On Saturday, we took a trip up onto Primrose Hill....

Before having a walk along the Regents Canal, past London Zoo, and stopping for an excellent late lunch in Cafe La Ville.

On Sunday, the girls headed into Ilford for some shopping, stopping for a photo opportunity outside Santa's grotto.

Here's us having a final meal together on the Sunday night before they travel home.