Welcome to the USA.

Dear Lerhol Family and Friends:

We have decided to do a blog chronicling Sondre's year with us in Minnesota.  That way you all will feel part of his American adventure.  We will include pictures and stories of his many experiences while he is with us and then make book out of the blog for a keepsake when he returns to Norway. 

I thought I would start with a little background about us and our relationship with Norway.  So here goes....

How it all began:

Ten years ago this summer, Tore Herberg Gloppen arrived from Fagernes Norway as our Norwegian exchange student.  That experience changed our lives in so many ways...we loved him like he was our own and to this day he is part of our family.  We became very close to his parents, sister and his extended family.  Through Tore, we met his wonderful friends, including Knut (Lerhol), who we instantly loved.   Last summer Torstein and Sondre came to the US and we were so happy to meet them. Torstein made the most amazing impression on us as did Sondre.  Sondre was such a nice,  polite and handsome young man...so we asked him if he wanted to join us as an exchange student and now we are less than a week away from that being a reality.  We hope to meet his Mom and Dad and Synne in-person someday soon.  .   

Above is a picture of Billy (27) Courtney (30) and Tore (27) in Florida 4/11

Above is a picture of when we first met Sondre at Deb's house in Plymouth

This is our house in Minnetonka, Minnesota.  We have kept a Norwegian flag on the front of the house for 10 years.  Scott is actually Norwegian...but I am Irish.

I expect that Sondre will become quite the "Pool Shark" when he is here. 

(After his homework is done of course)

This is our waterfall...nothing like the waterfall on the Lerhol family farm in Norway...but we enjoy it.

Lots of fun nights around the firepit...summer, winter, fall and spring!

Our youngest (Alex) is a Quarterback at Winona State University and is a senior in college.   We are looking forward to watching many of his games this Fall and for him to graduate next year.  He can give Sondre some lessons in Football.  He is thinking about doing a semester abroad in New Zealand next Spring.

This is Pamela (Billy's wife) and Courtney (our daughter).  We are very fortunate they like each other.  Not all sisters-in-law do!

This is my mom (Grandma Floss) with three of her great grandchildren.  She is really still very active and just retired from her job this summer at 77 years old. 

This is Alex, Ryan (my son-in-law) at Billy and Pam's wedding.  Courtney is actually standing.  The boys are very tall and she is very short. 

Billy is in the Navy and this is the day he left for his deployment.  He will be gone almost 9 months...so saying good-bye to Pam and Jackson was really hard. 

This is Courtney, Ryan and Amelia.  They have been married for six years and Amela is 2 and 1/2 years old.

This is Billy, Pam and Jackson..  They have been married for 3 years and Jackson is 2/12 years old too.  They live in Virginia Beach Virginia. 

Scott and Amelia on her very first camping trip.  Amelia and Jackson call Scott "Cookie"

Amelia and me on the same camping trip.  Amelia and Jackson call me "Glamma".

Scott and I love the outdoors and staying active.  We love to travel and entertain too.  Our very favorite activity is boating on Lake Minnetonka.  Sondre will be able to learn to waterski (if he does not know how to already) and enjoy swimming during our hot summers.



This is a recent family reunion (in Duluth Minnesota) on my side of the family.  I have the most amazing extended family ever!

Sondre will be joining a big family...both Scott and I are from big families so holiday's around the Colehour house are a little crazy, active and fun.  .  

We will blog next week after Sondre arrives!  When he gets here we will get a tour of the High School and meet the football coach.  Football practice starts on Monday and he will be able to meet many new friends. 

Safe travels Sondre...we will see you on Friday at 4:30pm.  Get ready to start your new adventure. 

Love, Alix and Scott Colehour