Or first 3 days

​Our trip was easier than most, as our long flight was nearly empty. We each stretched out in our own row! We had 2 hours in Paris and got to enjoy it in our capital one lounge with ice cream, pastries and yummy soup.

We were greeted in Madrid by our entire Spanish family. The kids immediately started running around with their cousins. It didn’t surprise us that it was hot! We spent the time swimming in the pool at Tia’s house, going to the mall and walking around downtown Alcala. 

Of course we also had to get paperwork filed for my residency. Isra was so organized and prepared that it all went smoothly.

After 3 warm days in Spain, we headed off again, this time to the cool weather in Bergen, Norway. Back to where it all began, where I’m surrounded by my big Norwegian family and back with my sister and best friend who I miss so much!!

España!!!

​I’ve lived all over the world…Thailand, Bosnia, Norway, and if you can count Semester at Sea. All those times, I was excited for the unknown, ready to face the challenges and willing to step out of my comfort zone. We’re starting on this next adventure and it feels very different from when I was in my 20s and 30s. It’s still exciting and certainly outside of my comfort zone. But as a mom of 3, I find myself being less care free and much more prepared! 

Isra and I have discussed moving to Spain fora year or so as a possibility for years. I truly believe travel is one of the best things you can do for your kids! Well, the discussions quickly became a reality when Isra was offered a job transfer in his company from Denver to Madrid! Before we knew it, we had sold our cars, our home was listed for rent and we were packing a giant box to send over to Spain! 

Our kids are amazing travelers. They’ve been on international flights starting before they could walk. This trip was no different, other than the fact that we checked 11 bags and have just a one way ticket!! We went from Denver to Paris and each of us had our own row! Next from Paris to Madrid. We were exhausted of course but made it all in one piece, and only missing our stroller (they delivered it to us later).

The kids were excited to see their Spanish family and were all smiles and giggles our entire first 3 days!!

12 years later and multiplied by 5!!

​Here I go again! It’s been 12 years since I’ve posted anything. Life has been busy, exciting, exhausting and full of love!! Here are the highlights!

2013: Living the farm life in Bergen up at Baugtveit with Isra

2014: preparing to move back to Colorado with Isra and we made the move in December

2015: We were in Colorado, renting a unique house down the street from my parents. We were engaged in February and married March 12. Isra got his green card and a job translating at a company called SDL. I was trying to start a company called “CrayonCash”, trying to raise money for schools. We met our friends also from Spain, Jonny and Maria.

2016: We continued living the good life. Paying, traveling and working. I accepted a job at Jewish Family Services, working with refugee kids as a school based therapist. I worked there A’s an intern in grad school and it was very fun to be back. 

2017: A big year!! I got my license as a licensed Professional Counselor. We purchased our first house in Boulder, fixed it up a bit and moved in…just in time to find out we were pregnant with our first baby! 

2018: Ingrid was born in March! Suddenly, life became a whole different kind of busy. I realized I was crazy to think I’d keep working in Denver (an hour away), and I started my own private practice, working part time with clients. 

2019: We were enjoying our time as parents, loving sweet Ingrid and our beautiful house. We announced our second pregnancy, with a due date of February 16, 2020.

2020: Mathilde was born one week late in the end of February. Just before Covid came. We had a quiet and calm time together at home as a family of 4. We also welcomed our cousin, Benjamin!!

2021: We had SO much fun playing with Ben almost every day! I kept working and opened my office, seeing people in person and remotely.

2022: Isra got a new job at Amazon Web Services as a project manager. We were all very proud! We finally got to travel again and went to Spain and Norway. Kari had another baby, Anna!!!

2023: More fun playing in Boulder with the kids and cousins! We announced our 3rd pregnancy!!! This time a boy due in February! Kari and Cody moved to Norway! Ingrid started Kindergarten at a wonderful school!

2024: Teodor Erik (Teo) arrived!! Life with 3 babies felt like having 20! The house was filled with so much love, noise and mess!! 

2025: Mathilde started Kindergarten!!!! We started discussing moving to Spain! 

2026: Isra got a job transfer to Madrid! We planned and packed sums moved July 13! And that is where this blog begins again!!!