Lillian's Christening (Barnedåp)

We have just returned home from a wonderful weekend celebrating Lillian's Christening in Feda. So beware...this blog entry has loads of pics :)

As some of you may remember, the Norwegian State Church / religion is Lutheran. It is very traditional to have your child Christened (barnedåp). So, as we did with Lexi, we followed suit with Lillian. It is treated as a pretty formal affair here in Norway as you will (hopefully) see in the ba-zillion pictures that follow. We will also have her Baby Dedication at my church (North Sea Baptist) in May or June (same as we did with Lexi).

Here we are at the front of the church - this was taken right before the priest pours water over her head.
Here is a pic taken after the church services. In addition to us and the priest, three of the four Godparents are with us. Lillian's cousin Luna and our good friends Ole and Martha-Karin Ramberg. The fourth Godparent is my cousin Jennifer. She wasn't able to join us for the barnedåp, but will be visiting us this summer.

Lillian was enjoying some "chew time" on Saturday
Luna and Lillian on Saturday

Beautiful Karine and Mette - the daughters of Tim's cousin Frode.

Gorgeous Luna with her new smile (braces were removed this last week)

Lexi received a bunad (national dress/costume for Norway) from Lajla for Christmas 2009. With a little altering, it finally fits and what better occasion to wear it for the first time! It is very common in Norway for those that have bunads (optional) to wear them to Christenings, weddings, confirmations and 17th of May. Bunads are different depending on what part of Norway you come from. Lexi's is just a beginners bunad for children. It isn't necessarily representative of the Stavanger region.

Lexi and Lillian before we head to the church

I love this picture of Lexi...this was taken on the first floor of the boathouse. The rustic look and the bunad really go well together. :)

Had to get a picture with the tulips (Lillian is presently taking a nap....)

Lexi and Mamma

Proud Pappa Tim and Lillian

Lillian and her Mamma (Lillian's Christening gown has been used in Tim's family for many years. I'm not sure how far back it really goes, but I know for sure that Linn was Christened in it in 1974, Luna in 1996, Lexi in 2007 and now Lillian in 2011.)

One happy family

Finally! A good pic of Tim and I!

Lexi with Martha-Karin (Martha-Karin comes from Stavanager originally and is wearing a Stavanger bunad)

After the church services, we gathered at the boathouse for some food ("kaldt bord" - open face sandwiches and all sorts of toppings for them) and cakes and coffee.

Here is Lillian with Tim's Aunt Grethe (wife of Lajla's brother Jan) and Lajla

Lexi helped me to open Lillian's presents while Lillian was napping (Yes, she changed clothes. Although she was so excited to wear her bunad, she was dying to change when we got home from church. Mind you...I couldn't get her to put on another cute dress, she insisted on some random t-shirt with leggings - the outfit didn't really match, but she has a mind of her own and a stubborn streak that is often un-beatable...)

Here we are with Tim's Uncle Jan (brother to Lajla) and Aunt Grethe

Here we are with Lajla and Tom

Us again with Tim's cousin Frode and his lovely wife Anne (you saw pictures of their beautiful girls earlier - at this point in time, the big girls were entertaining Lexi up in the loft playroom)

Here we are with Tim's sister Linn and her daughter Luna

Us again with our good friends Ole and Martha-Karin. Their awesome kids were unable to join us as they had a prior committment with their school marching band. (Ole's bunad is from an area of Norway called Telemark.)

And, the day after... today. Lexi suddenly exclaimed this morning "my swans are back!". And yes indeed...her Mamma and Pappa swan were back for a visit with their 6 children in tow! (Tim said he paddled by 14 swans when he was out in the kayak earlier today.)

Lillian enjoyed a much more relaxed day today

Thanks to all of our friends and family that were able to make the trip to Feda this weekend!