Greetings from Norway!
So, I was sitting here this evening and realized it was already time to write the next edition of the Beard Family Christmas Letter…my how time flies!!!
I hope this greeting finds you well! We send a heartfelt ‘God Jul’ (Merry Christmas) to you all!
We have had a great year here in Norway and are continuing to love our expat experience. I guess if I had to whittle it down to the highlights…
Spencer has been reassigned twice since we arrived – last December and then again in August. Apparently he is in high demand – lol! The good part is each position has been here so we get to stay a bit longer and that is a good thing! His current role is Systems Engineering Lead. It will be interesting to see where things go from here!
The kids (Brendan age 10 and Kyla age 8) started 5th and 3rd grades this year – WOW! They both have great teachers and are enjoying school. Although we all were sad to see some friends move on to their next adventures, we have been blessed with new friends that have moved to the area. It is the way of the expat life, I suppose.
The kids are keeping us busy with their activities as well! Both kids are continuing to play tennis and fall soccer and Kyla has added horse-riding to her schedule. She LOVES it! Brendan is also now learning to play the trombone for 5th grade band. He is NOT a big fan of practicing which our neighbors likely appreciate…!
We were blessed once again with the opportunity to take several trips this past year! Shauna enjoyed a COP Spouses trip to Budapest, Hungary in February. Last spring we visited the south of France and enjoyed a stay at Club Med Opio en Provence for the Easter holiday. We all thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the kids were sad to leave! We spent some time in Katy over the summer visiting family and friends and of course, shopping! Then in late July Shauna and the kids took a short trip to Chester, UK to see friends and do a little sightseeing including Conwy Castle in Wales. In October, we took a much anticipated family trip to Rome, Italy! What an amazing city – so much to see! We took a day trip that included Naples and Pompeii – just magnificent! The kids had their fill of pizza and gelato! We are already busy thinking about which places to visit next year! Our list of places to go keeps growing, of course!
Another highlight of the year was Tall Ships 2011 that came to Stavanger Harbor in July! It only comes through here every so many years and I believe the last time it was in Stavanger was 7 years ago – truly a once in a lifetime experience! The ships were HUGE!!!
We had our first visitor this year as well! Shauna’s mom came for a visit in September. We loved having someone to show around and just laughed at her reactions to the sights knowing that it was exactly how we looked and sounded when we first arrived! Truly, there is so much to see and do here in our area – and as mom discovered, a week just isn’t long enough J
Shauna keeps a full calendar with volunteering at the school, welcoming new COP expats, and attending PWC activities and various other coffees and events. She has also started taking horse riding lessons with a group of ladies and LOVES it!
In addition to a very busy work life, Spencer is now the fearless leader of the music ministry at North Sea Baptist Church here in Stavanger and has done the occasional sermon to fill in when the pastors are away. He is also now a Deacon for the church which adds even more to his full calendar!
It is hard to believe we have now been in Norway for a year and a half – our family has thrived here and we are so blessed to have the experience of being an ‘international’ family!
We love to hear from family and friends – here are ways you can contact us:
Email: srbeard180@gmail.com
Facebook: Shauna Beard
Skype: shaunabeard
Blog: katybeardsadventures.blogspot.com
We wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season, a very Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year in 2012!!!
Much love to you all,
Spencer, Shauna, Brendan, and Kyla
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