This is me when I know that my brother is almost to the airport!
Kjetil had to get in the there's-a-Forsyth-comin'-to-town spirit...
And then it was time for the arrival from Amsterdam!
I hopped, skipped and hobbled my way over for the first hug in 18 months from one of my family members. Talk about a good hug. I actually took two and patted him multiple times.
Love the brother! Love the family!
It is by in large impossible for me to tell you everything that happened and I am sure that there are only a select few that actually want day for day details but I thought that I could touch on the highlights. Ben was only here for a week and we had a lot of ground to cover. After a great dinner at Peppe's Pizza we headed over to a hotel for the night...mostly because we had to be back at the airport by 6:00am to catch a flight to Stavanger. BUT! We got a killer breakfast at the hotel to start our adventures off on the right foot.
Upon our arrival in Stavanger and after some badly needed bathroom/shower time, we headed out for a whirlwind site-seeing-filled day. First on the list, The Three Swords. 
This is where three differing kings battled for the rule of Norway. It is beautiful there and even though we didn't have time for a swim, Ben dipped his toe in the beautiful battle bay of the brave vikings!
Then we took a little trip up to the top of the communication tower over looking Stavanger. Ben took a video but it was too long to post. After that, we hurried down to an area that is from the Middle Ages. We snuck in...didn't pay..snapped some pictures and left. Kjetil and I can really give a great tour as long as you just act normal and avoid all eye contact!
Ben needed a short nap and since the beds looked ohhh-so-comfy, he took one.
I worked on my Personal Progress while he rested and when he got up...
we made some break and had a bite to eat. :)
After that we visited Kjetil's grandparents, Kirstine and Harald. On our way there, Ben spotted this beauty of a statue and since his trademark pose is thrusting his hand into the air, we just had to stop.
It was fun to see Farfar and Farmor (grandpa and grandma Olsen) again. We ate Norwegian waffles with brown cheese and jam and traded stories back and forth. Then it was back to Kjetil's parents house for dinner, dessert and lots of talking. And that was just the first day!
Day two: Since my knee is still giving me problems, I didn't get to take the hike up to Preikestolen with Kjetil and Ben. I did go along for the ride though and read a book in the car while they hiked.
Ben and Kjetil before the hike, looking happy and excited!
I am sure they had a good time. The report back was that is was windy and clear at the top but on their way down it started to pour down rain! Nice!
I think this is the best picture from Ben's time in Norway. He looks excited, scared, excited, nervous and a little worried. What's the big deal, it just a HUGE drop if you loose your footing!
They conquered Preikestolen and made it back alive. We spent the evening with Kjetil's parents and played some really funny games. And then, it was up early again for day three.
Ben and Kjetil before the hike, looking happy and excited!
I am sure they had a good time. The report back was that is was windy and clear at the top but on their way down it started to pour down rain! Nice!
I think this is the best picture from Ben's time in Norway. He looks excited, scared, excited, nervous and a little worried. What's the big deal, it just a HUGE drop if you loose your footing!
They conquered Preikestolen and made it back alive. We spent the evening with Kjetil's parents and played some really funny games. And then, it was up early again for day three. It was spent in Oslo. We decided to store our luggage and walk around (my knee is paying for all the walking!)
Our first stop was Vigelandsparken, or as we sometimes call it: The Naked Statue Park. Vigeland was the artist who created the park. He got so good at sculpting the human body that he didn't even need models.
Ben thoroughly enjoyed the park, more than he expected. Unfortunately, it was really warm and Ben didn't have a hat so we had to call it quits a little earlier than expected.
But not before we hit Karl Johans gate. Micky Mouse isn't usually there but this is just a good example of the things that you can see there. Totally random at best.
We took it easy for the evening, watched a James Bond movie and went to bed early. But we were at it again early the next morning. We drove out to a glass factory called Hadelands glassverk. It was really fun. We even got to blow our own glasses. (We used them for the rest of the week!)
Oh yeah, and I cut my hair during this busy week as well. How's that for impressive! I haven't cut it so short since I was 15 and I was/am worried it makes me face look a little chubby but it feels good to have healthy hair again!
Monday morning we woke up all too early to sit in traffic for way too long. We got Ben to the airport in time, said our goodbyes and parted ways.
Ben thoroughly enjoyed the park, more than he expected. Unfortunately, it was really warm and Ben didn't have a hat so we had to call it quits a little earlier than expected.
But not before we hit Karl Johans gate. Micky Mouse isn't usually there but this is just a good example of the things that you can see there. Totally random at best.
We took it easy for the evening, watched a James Bond movie and went to bed early. But we were at it again early the next morning. We drove out to a glass factory called Hadelands glassverk. It was really fun. We even got to blow our own glasses. (We used them for the rest of the week!)Saturday was spent trying to find gifts for Emily and Abby, watching movies and relaxing a little with Kjetil's dad Annstein. Then it was up again early for church, a quick but delicious dinner with Annstein before he left for Stavanger and then lots of games. Ben came, he saw and he conquered.
Oh yeah, and I cut my hair during this busy week as well. How's that for impressive! I haven't cut it so short since I was 15 and I was/am worried it makes me face look a little chubby but it feels good to have healthy hair again!Monday morning we woke up all too early to sit in traffic for way too long. We got Ben to the airport in time, said our goodbyes and parted ways. 
While Ben was checking-in, I watched an Asian family saying goodbye. It brought instant tears to my eyes because it is so hard to be so far away from family. It has been and still is harder than I ever imagined possible. So hard, in fact, that I rarely talk about it or mention it for fear of exposing too much. Sad, but strangely true. I love my family deeply and I am so grateful that Ben was able to come and stay for a week, it made me feel like part of the family again and I can't wait for December to get here so I can see everyone else.
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