Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!! The Nordic Ski season begins.

Dear Lerhol Family and Friends:

Hello from snowy Minnesota.  We got our first snow of the season yesterday...it looks so pretty and makes it feel like Christmas time.. 

The last few weeks have been about new beginnings for Sondre.  With the Minnetonka football season ending Sondre was not sure what to do with his time.  Well, that did not last long, since after just a few days off from football, Nordic skiing (cross-country) season began.  He has practice every day after school where they primarily focus on edurance and conditioning before they begin to actually train on skis.  After football season Sondre is very fit...and this will make him even more fit.  It is very hard work but will prepare him for Rugby next Spring. 

I think he is going to enjoy this program.  The kids seem to be really nice and it is more co-ed based with the girls and boys teams training together (I suspect there are a few cute girls he will be spending time with....) There are a few "out of town" competitions that will be a lot of fun and a great way to really get to know the other kids.  He and Scott went to a couple of sports stores yesterday to find skis and other equipment he will need.  I think it was a little more expensive than he expected so he will be calling back home to talk to his Mom and Dad (Jon and Sigrun) to get their advice on what to do. 

Our Road Trip to Nebraska...
Last week-end we made the trek to Wayne Nebraska to watch Alex's last game as a college football player.  We decided to get there in style, so we rented a motor home so we could be comfortable for the 12 hour drive (both ways). 

Scott's Mom (Sherry), his brother (Danny), my sister (Katie) and her husband Scott, along with the three of us (Scott, Sondre and me) all piled into the motor home and made the drive to Wayne.  It was so nice to be able to drive in comfort, have a bathroom, snacks and not have to stop all of the time.

 The "rig"...motor home before we left for our trip....

  Sondre traveling in style and comfort......

When we got there we met up with many of the other parents of the football players and had a tailgate.  Not sure if you all tailgate in Norway before soccer matches....but if not here is the definition:

In the United States, a tailgate party is a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle. Tailgating often involves grilling food.  Tailgate parties usually occur in the parking lots at stadiums and arenas, before and occasionally after games and concerts. People attending such a party are said to be tailgating. Tailgate parties have spread to the pre-game festivities at sporting events besides football (e.g. basketball, hockey, soccer, and baseball.)

We had a wonderful time and enjoyed a really good game.  WSU won but unfortunately the win was not enough for the team to advance to the play-offs.  We really have mixed emotions about Alex's football career coming to an end...since we enjoyed watching him but we are also excited to have him back.  As a football player he has sacrificed a lot personally and has missed family vacations and family events.  We are excited to support him as he moves into the next phase of his life. 

The GRANDKIDS!
What would  a blog be without me bragging about our adorable grandchildren?  So here goes.

Courtney and Ryan found out that the baby is a BOY.  We are very excited for his birth in March.  They have planned to name him Maxwell (which I love).  Amelia will be a great big sister. 

Jackson turned 3 and got this super cool motorcycle from his Mommy and Daddy...pretty cool huh?

Dancing Queen:  Amelia at her dance class.  She is the last one on the right w/ the black shirt & hot pink skirt

Dinner with my cousin Trish:
Last Wednesday we went out  for a birthday dinner with my cousin Trish and husband Russell.  Trish and I are only 12 hours apart and have celebrated our birthdays together since we were born.  They loved meeting Sondre....we had a great meal and wonderful time.  They are really special people; Trish is more like a sister than a cousin to be honest.

Next week is Thanksgiving in the US.  We are all going to my sister and brother-in-law's house (Anne and Paul) for Thanksgiving dinner.  There will be 30 of us...should be fun.  This will be Sondre's first...so we want to make sure he gets the full experience.  There is a race that morning called the Turkey Trot that we all participate in (you can run or walk) so we can make room for all of the calories we will consume later that day.  I love this holiday...it is just about family and being thankful.  Scott and I have so much to be thankful for....really we have been very blessed with a wonderful life.


I will blog again soon....have a good week and thank you for sharing Sondre with us.  It is hard to believe he has already been here 3 months.  Where does the time go?

Here is a link to a story about Colehour Family history that you might find interesting.  Enjoy.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/S2371657.shtml?cat=26


Lots of Love,

Alix and Scott