Last June we packed up our house in North Vancouver, BC in anticipation for our move to Europe. We arrived in Hojbjerg, Aarhus, Denmark in July to begin Ian's 18month expat contract to an empty house and very welcoming neighbours!
The support of our family and friends and the graciousness of our new Danish friends has made the transition to life in Denmark easier for not only us but the kids as well.
Our first year has taken us to some wonderful places that we would never have been able to visit while still living in Canada. Our family holiday in Crete was amazing and the kids still say it was the best so far! We also had the chance to go to Edinburgh and Hamburg, Barcelona, Berlin and to the Cotes du Rhone in the South of France. We also spent two weeks in London for a family Christmas. It was wonderful for Ian to be able to share that time with his Aunts and Uncles and cousins and for the kids to meet them as well. I have also had the opportunity to travel as well, meeting up with a girlfriend from Canada in Amsterdam for a great week away. Ian has been travelling the world for his job as well. Visiting such places as St.Petersburg, Siberia, Canada and the US.
We are hoping to extend to our stay just a bit, but cannot wait to come home to Canada!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Tillykke med Fodselsdagen Annika and Hayden




Since I pretty much took the summer off from writing, I thought today would be a perfect day to begin again. August 18th is an important day in our house. BOTH our kids were born this day. Annika in 2003 and Hayden in 2005. Crazy as it seems...when you do the math and count back 40 weeks, funnily, it is Ian's birthday and there are many running jokes amongst our friends about how we celebrate!
Today was a fun day. Birthdays are a big deal here!!!! A nice tradition in Denmark is displaying the Danish Flag. Last year we did not know about this tradition but proudly displayed a Danish Flag in our yard. We plan on bringing this nice tradition home to Canada with us. Since moving, and since school begins in August, the kids actually get to celebrate their birthdays in school. I spent the better part of yesterday making cake pops and lego marshmallow pops for the kids to bring to school and share...it was harder than I thought especially since I had limited supplies (a big shout out to my Friend Carey and fellow baking lover) for all the goodies she sent. The kids were wished Happy Birthday and Tillykke med Fodselsdagen by their classmates and teachers and SFO friends. We were even surprised by some neighbours!
Annika and Hayden decided that this is the year when they celebrate separately. Tonight was Hayden's turn and we went to his favourite Pasta place called Grappa. We had fun time. Tomorrow it is Annika's turn at Jensens Bofhus...she likes to go for the salmon and the is (ice cream).
This year, they got a little spoiled gift wise. We decided to buy them Danish bicycles which we gave to them a couple of weeks ago. We told them that was their only present, but decided that we could not not give them something on their actual day. Lego Ningango and a Wii game for Hayden and a bicycle basket and Pandora bracelet for Annika (yes...I did say Pandora bracelet).
They are having separate parties this year, Hayden at Legelandet and Annika a "spa" party at home...should be more fun times!!!!
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2 comments:

  1. LauraAugust 20, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Awesome! We must get back to celebrating birthdays like this as adults :-)

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  2. Catherine WhiteAugust 24, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    Aw, so cute! I want cake pops for my birthday next year! Great job, Carri!

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