Where I Come From - Norway

Remember that time I went to Norway and didn't talk about it on the blog?! Well, I'm going to start and there will be multiple posts because we were there for two weeks and that is way to much stuff to cram into one post. So I hope you enjoy the upcoming posts from our wonderful vacation!

Our vacation was underway. We had landed in Norway, all of us a little exhausted but at the same time ready to explore this beautiful country. No time was wasted on the exploring part - we hopped on a bus in Oslo, traveled to Hamar and had an hour to freshen up before distant relatives picked us up!

One of the main reasons for going to Norway was to visit the farm my {paternal} Great-Great Grandfather came from in Tangen. My dad had been in contact with the family that currently lives there and we were so excited to figure out where our roots started!

My Dad and Erik chatted over family history as best they could. No one in my family speaks Norwegian and Erik knew some English but the conversation was a struggle. Erik's daughter, Hege, was excellent at English so it was nice she could be our translator! This was one thing that made me feel like a spoiled American for sure - not knowing their language.

We aren't exactly sure our relation to Erik or his parents but our trip to visit the Storhovs was such a wonderful experience. To be able to say I walked on the same land my Great-Great Grandfather did is pretty special!! We know, somewhere down the line we are family and that is what matters. They were so kind to us and we were showered with gifts, food and memories to last a lifetime!!

I know this won't be the last time I say this but Norway is Breathtakingly Beautiful, pictures hardly do it justice and it is almost impossible to explain the grandeur of the countryside, the mountains and the glacial blue water - if you ever get a chance to go DO IT!!