Friday, May 29, 2009

Shout Outs and Islwyn the Photographer

First, a shout out to Amund's new friend Kasper.  He got him this super cute and snuggly outfit when he was born (actually Kasper's mama did...).  Today is a rainy, rainy day.  And we are all super tired so we are lounging around at home.  Amund is playing on the floor in this super cute and snuggly outfit.  Perfect for a rainy day.  Thanks Kasper!

The next set of picture Islwyn took with my camera.  He is still working on figuring out how to look through the viewfinder so he can have better control over the subject of his pictures.  I think he is showcasing our super messy living room...












And finally a shout out to Aunt Becky for these super cool fleece cloth diapers she made Amund when he was born.  They are so soft and snuggly.  And seriously, there is nothing cuter than a little baby bum in a cute cloth diaper!  Thanks Aunt Becky!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

More Pictures

We took Rob and Mical candlepin bowling.  In the first game I won with a score of 69.  But in the second game Rob won with a score in the 70's.  Here is baby sleeping.  He slept the whole time we were there.


Kisses for Mama.







Aunt Mical and Uncle Rob Come to Maine

We had so much fun with Uncle Rob and Aunt Mical who flew up from Florida to visit us.  One day we went to a lobster pound for lunch.  Here is Mical taking a bite out of her lobster roll.

Islwyn at the pound.  He was more into his root beer we were sharing than the lobster.
Lobster!


Jonathan and Amund waiting for the food to be ready.

We went on a hike at Acadia.  Here are some pictures from various parts of the hike.  Islwyn walked almost the whole 1.3 miles on his own.  He is getting to be such a big boy!







We stopped and saw this light house too.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Hanging Out

We haven't been up to too many really exciting things lately.  We tend to hang out at home a lot--especially in the afternoons after nap time.  Yesterday, after Islwyn got up, he did an art project of cutting out paper and stamping shapes out of paper.  Amund watched from his chair.  We got some cute pictures of the funny faces Amund makes.

Islwyn took this picture.

Islwyn playing with the bag that his art project stuff goes in.

More baby faces.



 

Monday, May 18, 2009

About Amund

I thought I would share a little bit about the person who Amund is named after.  My Great, Great-Grandfather (my mom's, dad's, mom's, dad) Amund Nilsen Nordrum.  My grandparents sent me a picture of a picture of Amund Nordrum and also a written account about him that was written by his daughter (my Great Grandma Olson).  Below is the account she wrote--I typed it up.

Mr. and Mrs. A.N. Nordrum

 Amund N. (Nilsen) Nordrum was born April 12, 1861, at Ringebu, Norway.

Anna Julia Takerud was born November 13, 1867 in Freeborn County Minnesota.  Later, with her parents, she moved to Ottistal (sp?) County, Minnesota where she resided until their marriage, February 23, 1886.

The fall of 1885 Dad came to Dakota Territory, where he settled on land, which is now Eldon Township.  The spring of 1886, together with three other families, they traveled cross-country by wagon, and drove their livestock on foot to their homestead.  Their first year was spent in a sod house, across the road from where they built a frame house, which was re-modeled from time to time, and later was a beautiful home, with barns, granary’s etc.  Their farm consisted of 400 acres, part of which still belongs to their descendents. 

 Money was scarce, but with faith, courage, determination, and hard work they succeeded.  There were many hardships.  Prairie fires were fierce.  So fire breaks were plowed.  There were the Indians, wild animals, especially wolves.  Mother told of being alone one night, with her children, while Dad was away making fire wood, and she heard much commotion out doors.  She covered the windows, fearing it was Indians.  The next morning she discovered it had been wolves.

 The blizzards were many and severe on the open prairies.  Dad told of tying twine to house and following that on other errands out-doors.  In one storm Pastor Blegen from Leeds, having had church service and dinner at their home, when a storm came up, so he spent the night.  The next morning Mother made wraps from gunny sacks and wrapped his feet and legs for his 14 mile walk to Leeds.  Dad walked with him half-ways to carry his satchel.  This was March 8, 189?.

 The corner stone of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, of which they were charter members was laid October 31, 1897.  Dad served as treasurer from the time the congregation was organized until his death, Math 13, 1922.  Then Melvin was appointed, serving until his death in 1936.  Another brother, Arthur, then held the office, until his sight failed.  Mother passed away November 9, 1934.

 We were a large family, namely Melvin, Nels, Mary, Emil, Alma, Inga, Clara, Arthur, Amanda, Norman and Pearl, plus 2 sons who died in infancy.

 The houses were small and not too warm at times.  Frost would be thick on windows, on which we made rings with thimbles.  Mother knit the families mittens and stockings, besides sewing our clothes.  Much of this was done by lamp light.

 School terms were held in one room buildings, one teacher for all grades. Many pupils did not exceed the 6th grade.  Our school was known as Rigga School, later changed to Westrum school.  Some of the fine neighbors were John Anderson, John Rysne, and the Huffmans.

 Getting business done, groceries, mail, and medical attention was 9 miles away, and transportation horses or oxen.

July 6, 1916 lightning struck barn, killing three horses, and injuring others.   July 16 of that year a Norwegian school program and picnic where held in grove.  And in August a ladies aid sale and picnic were held.

But as time passes on the beautiful home we all loved and enjoyed is now vacant.  But many happy memories, together, as a family, still linger, with the three remaining daughters.


Amund Gordon Williams next to a picture of his namesake Amund Nilsen Nordrum.
These next two pictures are of the quilt my Great-Grandma Olson (daughter of Amund Nordrum) made for me when I was born.  Amund sleeps with it.  I love the old fabric prints!  Many of the pieces of fabric are probably from old flour sacks I would guess.  But you can see when you look at it that it is made up of fabric from many different decades.

I think Amund is really fortunate to have someone like Amund Nordrum to know about as his namesake.  He seems to have had a pioneering spirit, been a hard worker, and a kind and faithful man of God.  All that I hope and pray for Amund.  Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Olson for sending us the picture and written account.

Below is a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Olson.  I love this picture of them--as they are laughing.  This is how I always think of them, always having a good time!  Amund Nordrum is Grandpa Olson's grandfather.


DSC_0203, originally uploaded by jonvw.