Happy Graduation!

I am so proud and thrilled to announce that Bjorn is a graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School as a Navy Test Pilot!!  This is an incredible feat that took a insurmountable dedication, intelligence, drive, sweat, and teamwork (our meal deliveries to the schoolhouse) to get through the rigorous 11-month course.  The Dashes and I stand in awe of Bjorn's amazing accomplishment and are giddy excited to have a daddy and husband back in our lives.  The rigorous coursework, which included intensive coursework, flying of different and unfamiliar aircrafts and report writing, took Bjorn away from family time and even Thanksgiving! If you are curious about the coursework and all the hard work that is entailed with USNTPS, click here.

Graduation was a black-tie affair and we were so blessed to have both Bjorn's parents and my parents in attendance at the dinner and ceremony.  It was so much fun to get dressed up...with the anticipation, I fondly referred to it as getting ready for our second wedding. In fact, the last time both our dads and moms were this dressed was at our own wedding!

The whirlwind of graduation ended with a trip back home for Christmas.  We have not been home as a family for Christmas in at least 5 years, if not more.  We were able to travel back home with the extra hands and help of Grandma and Grandpa Anderson.  And once we got back home, the grandbabies were just tickled to be shuffled back and forth for sleepover parties and to visit with Layla, the cat and Sasha, the puppy.  There were happy sets of grandparents and a brood of excited grandkids!  Here are some pictures from graduation and our visit.  Enjoy!

Audriana's birthday celebration at the Nutcracker performance with her friends

Haakon's first cavity filling...he did amazingly well.  The dentist and hygienist were very impressed at his tolerance and patience.

My first Army / Navy football game with Bjorn.  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Te for taking the kids for the weekend so that we could enjoy the weekend without have to be on the kids' schedule.  It was so much fun...GO NAVY!

Audriana turned 4 this month!  Can you believe that 4 years have just flown by.  She made a special request for ballerina cupcakes and luckily I was able to pull it off with the help of Grandma Anderson.

Graduation day!  We got to tour the hangar and check out some of the airplanes that Daddy got to fly.  

There were so many cool planes to check, but this was the most fascinating thing for our kids. Weird.

Baby Espen wanting to check out the T-38.

Graduation dinner

Bjorn on the left...this was the photo they used to show just prior to presenting him with his diploma as a test pilot.

My parents and I.

Winding down the night at the lounge.

These kids are so darn special and incredibly adorable!

Waiting to board the plane.

The kiddos with their Great-Grandma Evelyn.

Christmas Eve with my beautiful sister.

Christmas morning at my parents' house.

Mai Yei with her granddaughter!

Don't those chubby cheeks just beg to be kissed . . . or pinched :)