Another day in the Life of Us!!

It is Monday, and the girls are NOT in school. Today in the Wenatchee School District is a day they call Records Day. Something about a day for teachers to do their grade posting for the end of quarter/semester. Anyhow, so the girls have a second short week in a row. No they are not complaining. :-)

Jeff is at school today, and hopefully having a good one. I have only talked briefly to him a couple times today.
I am loving the sunshine we are having here in Wenatchee today. After weeks of gray, and fog, and yucky, it is a blessing to see blue skies & sunshine.



We haven't done to much so far today, except some simple chores, and a quick trip to Target, Lani wanted some Easy Bake stuff so she could cook some cakes. She is in the process of that right now, and on a funny note.........


She was making her frosting and added flour to it, to make it thicker......?? I just laughed inside and said I am not sure how that will taste.......:-)
Life is full of learning, isn't it??



Another day in the life of the Stevens Family................

Jalani is 10!!!!! Happy Birthday my Lani!! Love you!!

Can you believe this little cute girl is turning 10 today?? I can't. Where has the time gone. Jalani CaiLeAnne Stevens is turning 10 years old today. (January 17th)
We met her when she was just 10 days old. What a great day!!
She was so tiny, and man could she cry.:-)
Happy Birthday Lani!! I love you!!



Jalani is having a sleepover tonight with 5 friends. We had pizza and pop for dinner. Opened her presents, they watched a movie or two, made their own sundaes, and had a very unique experience.........
Jeff let them shave off his beard and paint his nails and toes, and even put on some blush and eyeshadow....... Wow!! does he look good with pink toes......:-)
What a trooper Dad!! Gotta love him!! I was afraid for him while they were shaving his beard.....he considered for a brief moment of letting them cut his hair, but soon changed his mind..... can you blame him???
I wish I had a digital camera, so I could have taken pictures of the whole process,.....Unfortunately, we haven't come into that realm yet. Bummer for you!!
He looks good!! ;-) Sorry, Jeff. I love you!!

They are currently all in bed, but not sleeping and it is after midnight. I am ready for bed and have been since about 8pm. lol :-) Hopefully, I will get there soon.
Happy 10th Birthday, Lani!!

Norwegian Lullaby's

Here are the lyrics to the Norwegian Lullaby's my grandma used to sing to me and my children and all the rest of the grand & great-grand children. Jeff sat with her awhile back and she told him all the words and translations to these songs. It is a great memory we all have of her, and that we can pass on to our children & grand children for generations to come!! Thanks Grandma for the wonderful memories.
We love you!!




Norwegian Lullabys/Songs
(as sung by Bestemor Burt to all the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren)



Norwegian English Translation


KLAPA KLAPA KAGA

Klapa Klapa Kaga Patty Cake
Emoren Skal Ve Baka In the morning we will bake
En Daly Sostre Kaga A very good cake
Og sa Skal Barne Smaka So the baby can have a taste



ROWA ROWA TILATA

Rowa Rowa Tilata Row the Boat
Drog en Bot Ful Me Kvate Catch a boat full of fish
En for Far, En for Mor One for Father, One for Mother,
En for Sostre, En for Bror One for Sister, One for Brother,
En for Barne, Som Fisken Drog ! One for baby who caught the fish!
(^ Insert Baby’s name)



RIDA RIDA RANKA

Reda Reda Ranka Ride the Horse
Hasten Hait Til Blanka His name is Blanka
Hasten Vait Vor Vein Gor The Horse knows the way
Bestefar besok skal fal Grandfather, a visit will get
Reda Reda Ranka Ride the horse

Bestefar

I have had my grandpa (Bestefar) staying with me & my family for almost a week. It has been very enjoyable. Grandpa & I have played rummy, skipbo, and other games. He has done some crossword puzzles, read a book and reading another, helped me pack up my Christmas decorations(which was awesome, as it would have taken me forever to do it myself), and more.
We are enjoying our time with him, and are sad to see him leave so soon. He has been wanting to go visit his nephew Ray & his wife Shirley in Ilwaco, WA. He will leave tomorrow to fly to Seattle, where my Uncle Bill will catch up with him and fly with him to Portland, OR, Ray & Shirley will pick them up there and drive them to their home in Ilwaco. I hope he will enjoy his time there.

He has seemed fairly happy and upbeat here with us. All of us are sad to see him leave. :-( He is talking about going to Ray's, then Bill's and then back home to SLC.
I asked him what he will do when he gets back to SLC, and he said "See my grandchildren and great-grand children." So that will be good for him. :-)

I love him and have enjoyed our time together. Thanks for being here Grandpa!!

New Year 2009!!

Happy New Year!! I can't believe that 2008 is over, and we are beginning a new one!!
It is strange to think of all that has transpired over the last year. Some sad and some good. I have been blessed this year with many things. Mostly with the continued love of my husband and children, my parents, siblings, and friends!! :-)
I am amazed at the love my Heavenly Father has for me, and the continued strength I receive from him each day!!

I haven't decided yet what my resolutions/goals will be for this year.

The thing I am looking forward to the most at this point, for this year, is having my Grandpa ,(Bestefar), come and stay with me and my family for a time. (not sure how long that is yet)
I am excited that my children will have moments alone to bond and enjoy with him. He is doing very well, from what I have been told, with the loss of Grandma. (one month today)

There is much to be thankful for at the close of 2008. I pray that each of you will have what you need/desire in this coming year. Most of all for your health and strength.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!

Stevens Family Christmas Letter 2008

Stevens Family Newsletter Christmas 2008
How does the year go by so fast? I am pretty sure we just mailed last years letter the other day!!

Jeff is still working in social services, but has a new position at a new place. He is now working for an agency, Children’s Home Society, as a Mental Health Counselor, and his clients are now slightly younger than the 60+ crowd he use to associate with. He is still working on his Master’s Degree in Social Work. He is in his 2nd year now, and has just finished the 1st quarter of that. He is looking forward to being half done, so he can start counting down quarters. He is still the Ward Clerk and enjoys that calling. He tries to fit in singing in the ward choir, to get his love of singing into his busy schedule, when Lisa allows. His Aunt Dorothy passed away this year, and we were able to go to Oregon to be there for the memorial. It was great being together with so much of the family that we rarely see.

Lisa is still on the substitute list for school district this year, but not receiving as many calls as last year. She is currently one of two Achievement Day Leaders for the 8-11 year old girls. She is enjoying that pretty well. On 12/1/08 she lost her
Grandma Burt. We are all very sad that she is gone. Till we meet again Bestemor!!

We were able to go to Utah for the funeral, and see all of Lisa’s cousins and family.


Jolyn is 13 years old and in the 8th grade. Now at 5 feet 6 inches, she is growing so much this year. She is doing really well this year, last quarter she received 6 A’s & 1 B+. She is in band, playing the bass clarinet again. She has made a decision to play basketball for the 2nd year at school. She (Me and my LONG legs!) is also going to do track. She played her very first season of soccer this past fall, and seemed to enjoy that, and is going to do it again next season.


Jalani is in the 4th grade, age 9. She played soccer last fall, and is currently playing a quick season of indoor soccer for the 1st time, not sure she likes it as well, though. She has created numerous cute little projects. (For example, she made us a card for our anniversary, and she also created a bride & groom out of pop cans). She comes up with ideas out of the blue or sometimes from things she has made in class at school. She loves to read, and recently read the 4 books in the series of The Land of Elyon. She is in strings this year, and is playing the violin.

We had some exciting events that took place in our family this year: Lisa & the girls went to Utah this summer for about 3 weeks or so, and during that time they were able to go to St. George and see Les Miserables. Kory & Kaari came and spent 3 weeks with us this summer, we had a great time. Over Labor Day weekend we went camping as a family, and really enjoyed that.
This fall Lani’s soccer team had an undefeated season, under Coach Jeff. We had Thanksgiving at home this year, and Grandma Walle came to be with us. It was Lisa’s first time ever cooking a turkey and pumpkin pie. All the food turned out delicious. We had some friends and the missionaries over to help eat it all. (There was lots!! J)
Our family is extremely blessed by our Father in Heaven and for this we are grateful. We hope this letter finds each of you well and knowing that you are thought of and we pray that you will find peace & happiness this coming year 2009!!

The Stevens Family

In Loving Memory of my Grandma (Bestemor)!! :)

Esther Christiansen Burt born 10 January 1923, passed away 01 December 2008.

Last night my beautiful grandma, Esther C. Burt, passed away peacefully at home in her bed.
I will miss all the fun times we have had together, Grandma. You are the best!! Thanks for your great examples of love and service. You did so much, for so many!!
I love you and know I will see you again some day.

Kassaskuff vi møtes igjen!! Meg Bestemor!

(Thanks to Zach for the picture)
ICH LIEBE DICH, MEINE OMA!!