Cousin Karl's Visit

Pictured left to right: Nancy C, Laura B, Mary Ann B, Carolyn L, Megan M, Madeline M, Karl K, Annika and Arne L.

October 1, 2005
Saturday night we gathered at the Burnsville Holiday Inn's restuarant, Dakota Steakhouse, to meet our Norwegian cousin. Mom, Dad; Mary Ann, John, and Laura B.; Arne, Carolyn, Nissa, KJ L; and Karl Olav K (the cousin), and his companion Kristen. Karl's grandfather's brother was my Mom, Mary Ann, and Carolyn's grandfather George who emigrated from Norway. My Mom and her cousins are second generation Americans. Karl didn't speak much English and we didn't speak much Norwegian. Fortunately Laura was a wonderful translator. She lived in Norway for awhile.

The get together was really fun. Karl brought several photos of our ancestors. My Mom had many of the same photos. Karl gave Mary Ann a framed modern day photo of "Slumhaugen" (did I spell that right?), the homestead that George left in Norway. Mom had a few photos of George's parents at the homestead. It was really neat to see the homestead both years ago and today. Laura and I the same age. Karl and Kristen are with a tour group. Today they were supposed to travel to different parts of Wisconsin.

It made me a little sad because I didn't speak any Norwegian and it has only been three generations since my ancestors came to the America. Check out the "Photos" section and click "Cousin Karl's Visit" for more photos. Mary Ann, thanks for arranging this once in a life time event!