Natalie and Kristofer

2010-08-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is Paris - Tonning Style - Day 4

We took a hike up A LOT of stairs to get to Sacre-Coeur.

The hike up gave us a few photo ops. :)

Interesting graffiti....

A LOT of stairs...

At the top... Sacre-Coeur!

It was SO Windy.

It was a lovely building... But we weren't allowed to take pictures inside. That was Bummer.

A special street sign we found for our aunt and uncle... The Barre's. :)

A gelato shop around the corner? Yes please! We don't care how cold it is outside!

Shortly after we took this picture some french guy came and asked us if we wanted him to draw a picture of us.... When we said "No, thank you." He started yelling at us and telling us that we shouldn't be in Paris if we don't even like Art. He sad a few choice bleep words as he walked away....
Excellent Salesman. :)

Then we were on our way to the military museum... It used to be a Veteran's hospital and there are still some French Veterans that still live there. There were SO MANY things to see!

As we walked a block or two from the Subway, a sudden rain/wind storm came on....

Ruined the umbrella we borrowed. :)

...And 5 Seconds later the sun was shining. :)
We're glad we came from Oregon. We did not melt. :)

Mideval armor at the military Museum.

It was nice to see familiar items in the WWI and WWII exhibits.
I think we were both ready to get back to the good 'ol USofA.

Plenty of Art to Go Around

2010-08-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is Paris - Tonning Style - Day 3

We started out (very tired) at Musée du Louvre.

There were SO MANY things to see, there is NO WAY we could post it all, but you should get the gist from these photographs.

That's just a ceiling.

Many, many hallways.

Mona Lisa, in the flesh, with plenty of fans surrounding her...

Including Ourselves. :)

There a TON of Egyptian artifacts in France, thanks to Napoleon and his Kleptomania.

SO tired and sore from walking by day 3!

But still, we press on!

New entrance for Musée du Louvre...

Next on our list, was Musée d'Ordsay.
This was the Museum that let Kristofer in for free, and charged Natalie full price, for being an American citizen. Discrimination is apparently okay in France. ...Just sayin'...

The ballroom looked like Beauty and the Beast. :)

This Museum used to be a train station.

Recognize this famous painting? I cant believe we saw it in real life!

On our way home to the apartment, we snapped some pictures of the area we stayed in.

This was the metro station about 4 blocks away from our apartment.

A Chapel nearby.

Fruit stand at the market.

Courtyard at our apartment.

It was a long, tiring, WONDERFUL day. :)

Disneyland Paris

2010-07-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is Paris - Tonning Style - Day 2

DISNEYLAND!

It was a part rainy - part sunny day. Fortunately we were able to purchase these stylish ponchos for the rainy parts.

There were many sights to see! Here are some highlights...

A Pirate Ship!

Indiana Jones!

A Mark Twain Boat Ride!

Does this look French, or what?

Gettin' CrAzY on the Autopia ride!

This picture was taken just before the Tower of Terror ride. Ask Kristofer how he liked it. :)

Kristofer kept us on track... even in the rain.

We wanted to close the park down, but we were VERY tired, cold and wet.

Au revoir, Disneyland, Paris!

Paris 2010 - Day 1

2010-07-25T17:24:00.000-07:00

After our trip to Norway, we took advantage of being in Europe and flew over to Paris for our One-Year Wedding Anniversary!

This is Paris - Tonning Style - Day 1

We started our day off right, the French way, with GOOD espresso, OJ and croissants.

We were informed that Cafes in Paris were one of the highlights.
So we took full advantage of our opportunities to enjoy them.

We weren't disappointed. :)

We took the Metro everywhere we didn't walk.
Turns out Kristofer Knows where he is going. :)

Day 1 - Sight 1
Notre Dame

There was no Hunchback... Natalie checked. ;)

We got there just in time for Mass...
Turns out Mass is really boring, especially in French, so we snapped a few tourist photos instead.

We Saw Notre Dame from every angle possible to a tourist. Inside...

...And out. :)

There was a lovely park in the back...

And Pont Neuf, next door (It's and old bridge with lots of history).

Then, it was time to move along...

We walked through the outside shop by the Metro...

Then back on the train.

Day 1 - Sight 2 - Eiffel Tower

Wow!

We opted to go to the top.

The first floor was already feeling high up!

View from the top!

...Which made Kristofer a bit nervous... :)

Breathtaking.

Kristofer loved the structural elements of the tower.

After our windy stay at the top, we decided to relax a while on the ground.
Kristofer took the opportunity to plan out some more of our sights-to-see.

As the sun went down, the city lights came up.

And there was another beautiful sight to see.

Day 1 - Check.

Norway 2010

2010-07-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we're only about 5 months behind on our blog... Let us catch you up!

In February we went to Norway.
While we were there:

Miss Ella Marie Tonning Was born.

Sweet as Pie.

Almost everyone (including us) got the stomach flu. Yay. :)

Kristofer got put to work. :)

Sølvi invited us to her cabin.

Natalie saw more snow than she has probably ever seen in her life!

And tried to ski...

Turns out when Natalie says she can't ski... she is not just being modest.

Kristofer may or may not have found himself a little out of practice as well... :)

We Had some great times with the kids...

Thanks for the memories!

We Love and Miss You All!

After The Wedding

2010-02-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

We Traveled back to Medford, had brunch with some Thompsons and got to see Stacy's little Carson Ace.

He was a little Shy at first...

...

But he warmed up eventually...

And showed us the proper way to pick your nose. :)
...His mom was not embarrassed ;)

We were glad we got to see them... The little guy is growing fast!

After that we went to see Natalie's High School friend, Tiffany who just had her baby.

Welcome to to world, baby Audrina.

Bry Gets Hitched

2010-02-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

There was a reason for our Cali road trip... Natalie's Brousin (that's her Brother-cousin) was getting Married. We Wish them the best!

Catey, Natalie, Ken, Jody, Rochelle and Nathaniel.
A Bouquet of Cousins. :)

Natalie and Catey posted at the gift table

We think he's happy... :)

Bryan and Anna Hinkle

Bryan and Natalie

The Tonnings and their Punch

Jody, CJ and Catey

Dan, Mom, Natalie, Rochelle and Kristofer
Our road-trip crew!

Dick and Becky, the proud parentals.

Sissy and her buddy, Jody.

Sylvia and CJ, deep in conversation. ;)
We had some really great shots of Sylvia, but Natalie promised not to post them on the internet... You're welcome, Auntie. ;)

Justin

Mindy and Troy

Us with the happy couple.
Congrats, you guys.

GOING going BACK back to CALI cali

2010-02-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

We Made a Road trip to California, with Mom Dan and Rochelle. Where Kristofer and Natalie saw the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time!

The Bomber Resturant

2010-02-28T08:23:00.000-08:00

It's worth Blogging about.

We had Burgers as big as our HEADS! The Bomber Burger... Ding Ding Ding, Kristofer ate the WHOLE THING!
All at a Very Reasonable Price.

Ask us about it... We'll take you there.

(The Leftovers)

We Love Jesus

2010-02-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Next up: If you want to read Natalie's personal testimony of salvation, you can find it here in the current issue of the Apostolic Faith Higher Way:

http://apostolicfaith.org.gravitatehosting.com/Portals/0/Website%20Assets/Library/Higher%20Way%20%28Current%29/hw_103_1/

Okay. We Know...

2010-02-28T07:55:00.000-08:00

We've been MIA for a couple of months.

But we will try to get you updated, one post at a time.

First up: Our Condo is for sale. If you want it, come buy it.

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year!

2010-01-01T17:29:00.000-08:00

...Except We've been so busy we couldn't even blog... Until NOW!

We started the season off right with the traditional "Fudge at Sissy's"
Kristofer's first year for this tradition... We go to Aunt Sissy's and assist in making batches of fudge and monster cookies.

This was Kristofer's idea of "helping..."
Don't worry, Natalie set him straight soon enough! :)
Catey kindly demonstrated how to soften the butter, since it didn't get set out in time to soften on it's own. This girl is a MASTER MICRO-WAVER!

Then, she did something weird and Natalie took a picture of it...

You can tell by this photo exactly how much she loves that. :)

Nat and Sis... Look out! It's making CANDY!

High rolling boil, Cate... High rolling boil....

Then, Sissy gave Rowdy some monster cookie dough... and he got it in his beard, so she wanted us to take a picture of it...

We're beginning to think she likes him a little bit more than she puts on... ;)

Kristofer's First batch of Monster Cookie Dough...
Thanks for the memories, Sissy. :)

Then it was off to the YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Where the attire was very festive.
Chris, Jess and Baby Lily
Sweet Baby Girl

You can tell how festive Kristofer is feeling by the mistletoe hanging over his head. ;)

Our group won the "Four-person-present wrap, with-one-hand-tied-behind-your-back" contest
In this photo, we gloat with our prizes.

We had lots of laughs and made more good memories with good friends. It was a blessed time.

Jess and Chris

Josh and Katie

Us

Catey, Ali, Jess, Nat

Goofs. :)

Stevie, Migs, and Kris

Hey, at least they were in the Christmas spirit... right?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTOFER!
December 12th was the big day... 25 years of age is cause to celebrate...
So, we did.

The spread

7-layer bean dip!

Hot Coco

Treats to put in your Coco

More treats...

Cuyler, one of our first guests, came looking quite festive (and quite ADORABLE) in his Santa hat.

He came with his Papa.

Visiting with guests...

And blowing out Candles...

Our friend Olga came (along with many others...)

...Including little Kenzie (Jon and Maria's little pooch.) :)

Kristofer's birthday fell right in the middle of our church's "Christmas on the Campgrounds" Extravaganza.
The first night we helped small nativity characters with costumes. Night number two, which you will see pictures of below, we sang in the restaurant on the campgrounds, while guests enjoyed their cookies and coco. Then the third night we took folks on a hayride tour of the grounds.
We were so busy... We barely got any pictures...

Yeah, it was a little bit cold.

Karla and Natalie

Waiting to sing = Photo op. :)

And our buddy Cuyler again, (same day) with his Santa hat.

The next Saturday, Natalie spent the Day baking... And we had some sweet visitors show up at our door, with some Christmas gifts!

That's right, he lost his Santa-get-up... and now, he's a reindeer!
And, he brought a little baby reindeer with him too!

Jonathan.

And before we new it, the big day was here! Mom, Dan and Rochelle came up to our house, and Auntie Sis came over for Christmas eve.

We wanted for nothing...

Kris opens a gift...

Natalie's boots!

Mom's socks. :)

Rochelle's MP3 Player.

Kristofer's new T-shirt. ;)

Roachie's boots!

A sweet gift from Norway!
Thanks to ALL!!!!

Rochelle's new kicks..

A funny gift for mom.

Reptar T-shirt for Rochelle...

Then, as tradition would have it, we went to bed and waited for Santa to come.
On Christmas morning we were not disappointed.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! From the Tonning home, to yours!

A Day to Give Thanks

2009-12-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

This year was our VERY FIRST Thanksgiving together. In our years of dating, we were always an ocean apart for Thanksgiving. So Kristofer had his first Thanksgiving encounter with some of Natalie's family. : )
Natalie was feeling quite under the weather, the day before Thanksgiving. So, Kristofer Helped a lot with preparation.

Here, Kristofer makes Ham-roll-ups. Rowdy hopes he will get one.

While Kristofer and Rowdy made the roll-ups Natalie made deviled eggs. Our complete list of treats that we brought to Thanksgiving this year was: Ham-roll-ups, Deviled Eggs, Ramen Salad, Pumpkin Cake, and Eclair. Mmm mmm mmm.

We arrived at CJ and Jodie's and Natalie took the opportunity to capture the deliciousness of the food... for the blog's sake (after she prepared the stuffing, of course).

Ramen Salad

Deviled Eggs

Catey's non-dairy pumpkin pie!

Catey's apple pie. Which looked like it should have been in a magazine.

Debbie's Pecan Pie.

Jodie carves the Turkey...

First Thanksgiving together photo op.

Always Thanksgiving together, sisters.

Mom, Rochelle, and Natalie

Almost time to eat!

Debbie, making the potatoes mashed. Rowdy, praying something will fall.

EAT UP!

Quite the spread!

Time to sit and relax our full bellies...

...Check out black Friday ads...

All of them...

AND THEN DESSERT! How many desserts do ya have there, Catey? :)

Happy Thanksgiving, Folks!

BEAUTIFUL KITCHEN!

2009-12-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

It was time. We had lived with the chipped white, porcelain sink, scratched up white counter tops, and public-bathroom tile for long enough!
This is the kitchen before...

This would be the hideous public-bathroom tile. Natalie had been saying it looked like public-bathroom tile for some time... Then, she walked into a local restaurant's bathroom, and there it was. Different color, same nasty tile.

Please note: Chipped sink. Not the only chip, we just did not want to bore you with sink pictures.

Yay! It finally begins!

Good-bye Tile. You will NOT be missed.

We had to make room to work in the kitchen, so we moved it to the guest room. So glad this was VERY temporary.

Doing a little patch work...

We are by no means experts on counter tops, so we called in the best professional we know... Who just so happens to be a friend of ours! THANKS SILVIU! He usually only does granite... But he made an exception for us. :)

Then, to install the new stainless sink! Kristofer became plumber for the weekend. He did awesome. We have no leaks!

All the plumbing made Rowdy VERY tired. So he laid down for a short nap. :)

Counters and sink? Check. Now, lets finish us some tiling!

Kristofer fashioned himself a cutting table for the tile. Something similar to what his father would do, I imagine. :)

Natalie wasn't allowed to do much at this point. So, she made a coffee break. It was a little bit like camping (also reminded her of Harry and the Hendersons). But, She got it done. :)

Looking better ALREADY!

Doing some clean-up. Which, after the grouting, will have to be done again!

Kristofer, posing with his hard work. :)

Rowdy wanted to pose too. He was feeling neglected... all weekend he was BEGGING us to pick him up.

Post Grout.

Finished Sink! We have a sprayer-thingy now!

Finished Back splash. SO AWESOME!

AND, THE PROJECT IS COMPLETE!

This took us a total of about two and a half days or so. We only replaced the counters, sink, faucet and back splash tile, but it feels like a BRAND NEW KITCHEN, and we love it!

Good friends are hard to find...

2009-11-24T13:39:00.000-08:00

...And ours are getting lost... :(

Our good friends, Kyle and Jody are off to new adventures in Port Angeles, Washington. We had them over for one last dinner... Then Natalie's lovely cousin Catey, planned a good-bye party with lots of people at Red Robin. It was much appreciated, because it's so hard to see them go...

Catey had a nice "We Will Miss You" Cake, along with cupcakes for all!

Kyle and Jody will be missed. But we know they are in God's hands... So they will be well taken care of. :)

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

2009-11-13T14:59:00.000-08:00

Its that time...! Natalie is busy wrapping Christmas presents today! With a home-made Carmel latte to keep her company... Ready or not, here it comes!!!

Happy Halloween

2009-11-02T14:17:00.001-08:00

Pumpkins

2009-10-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

This is Kristofer's very first pumpkin carving experience...

Being the perfectionist that he is... he decided to do some jack-o-lantern research on the web...
Then used sharpie to outline his carving.
Kris asks Natalie "Oh, you have to open the top first?"
Natalie thought this was adorable and proceeded to demonstrate the proper removal of a jack-o-lantern lid...

And... the stem came off.
That lid was never coming off now.
Rowdy was very curious about the pumpkins... (this was his first pumpkin carving too).
And, it apparently made him a little hungry. So, he ate it.... He really did.
Natalie probably should have told him you have to take the guts out of the pumpkin... But she kind of wanted it to be a surprise... Turns out, he made the opening too small and since she has the smallest hands... guess what?
She had to finish it.

Kristofer came to Natalie's rescue too, though. He super-glued the stem of her pumpkin back on, and when the candle would not stay lit...
He did a little tweaking...
and... voilà!
(See Mom, I used that plant stand.)
Rowdy could not get over those delicious pumpkins, though...

Then it was Family photo op. Christmas card style
...Don't worry... this will NOT be our Christmas card.

Time to make PUMPKIN SEEDS!
Don't let this last picture fool you... even though they look delicious... She burned them. This year is no different from ALL the years before.

But she did make some banana bread that day...
You can't come over asking for any, though. It's long gone now...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

How To Get Ready For Winter... Tonning Style

2009-10-18T17:44:00.000-07:00

#1 Seal up the window with the air conditioner to be sure no cold air seeps in throughout the cooler months.

#2 Try Not to get any of the double sided tape from sealing the window, anywhere it shouldn't be.
#3 Put warm blankets on the bed. Including (but not limited to) Cozy Brown Fleece and awesome Sunbeam duly electric blanket.
#4 Confuse your Dog in the process of running hairdryers and taking pictures.
#5 Spend some time trying to figure out how to re-light the gas fireplace, then youtube it...
...and have your wife do it instead.
#6 Bake some delicious peanut butter cup cookies.
And Finally, #7 Go see Snow Patrol LIVE at the Schnitz thanks to your awesome buddy Migs, as the result of an unfortunate event two years prior... Which we must never speak of.
Thanks, Migs. Winter is gonna be grand.

Thursday Night Date Night.

2009-10-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

Sushi and Fish Tacos for dinner tonight. What a delicious date!

Testing the Mobile Blog

2009-10-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

Now we can Blog on the go!

This is only a test...

Saturday Night Live Makes Fun of Norwegians.

2009-10-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

And we think it's hilarious...

Slap me five.

Road Trip to Medford

2009-10-07T22:15:00.000-07:00

We left last Wednesday after work for a long weekend in Southern Oregon. Our drive down was beautiful!

On Thursday, we went on a hike to upper table rock. It was perfect weather.
Then, we watched A LOT of movies, did some thrift shopping, and Natalie did some baking, cooking and organizing for Mom. All in all it was great LONG weekend!

Rowdy, excited to see his sister!

Clearly ready for some time off.

Sunset.

Upper Table Rock

On our way up...

At the top!

We made it! (it's really not a "difficult" hike, but an accomplishment for us, nonetheless.)

Does this look like the top of a mountain?

Pensive. : )

That's lower Table Rock in the background... Maybe someday we'll tackle that one. : )

That little guy in the upper left hand corner is Kristofer...

How's That, "Hope" And "Change" Working Out For Ya?

2009-09-30T13:46:00.001-07:00

We sure do.

Ikea Plants

2009-09-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

Last weekend we went to Ikea.
We bought some plants that make Natalie very happy.
We may or may not have gone to ikea twice, because the plants were uneven on the bench.
Kristofer is a serious trooper.

Also, it rained today. Fall is here! SO HAPPY!

The Beginning Of Our Blog

2009-09-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

We figure this will be a simple way for friends and family to check in and see what's new with the Tonnings. I don't think either of us have every had an 'official' blog before, but we're going to give it a whirl. I'm sure that I, Natalie, will be primary writer and editor of this Blog, but, I will be encouraging Kristofer to help as well. : )
Thank you for your interest. We love you all.