It’s just that time of year to feel a big nostalgic and reflective. I know it’s not just the combination of my recent birthday, Christmas and now the new year, but it’s also that feeling that I want to capture and remember what might be our last months in Sweden, so it just seems appropriate to look back on the wonderful moments that made 2010 the perfect start to a new decade.
First, I couldn’t possibly look back on this year without remembering the very first seconds of it—standing outside with our dear friends on the cliffs of Södermalm looking at the water, Stockholm city and the fireworks all over the sky, holding a glass of champagne, kissing Bryan and saying “Let’s just do this. Let’s stay one more year.” And making the decision in the magic that was that moment. And then announcing it to our friends a few moments later. I think everyone has a movie moment in their lifetimes. That was mine.
One of our many trips to Eindhoven in the Netherlands. We really love going here. The flight is less than two hours, and very inexpensive. But, this was great because it was January, and although definitely still chilly, it was at least sunny. Last winter was awful. The overcast and fog basically touching your head every time you stepped outside were a bit too much for me to handle.
Going to the “light bar” in Stockholm. It’s pretty much just that…a place you go and wear white robes and sit in extreme light. I told Bryan I felt like we were all angels sitting in heaven. The thing is, it went out of business. If it couldn’t make it after last winter, it was not meant to be.
One of many poker nights we hosted. And, one of many, many games where it came down to me and Nick, and wouldn’t you know, the pro takes it nearly every time. I say nearly. I do win sometimes!
Definitely, hands down, this one is in my top couple of memories, the Monday Bar spring break trance cruise. Awesome. I’ve said this before, but it always on the dance floor with a bunch of euphoric Swedes and a great DJ (Armin Van Burren was amazing) that I fall in love again and again with this country.
We did a couple of months of pilates, taught by my multi-talented friend Nick. Traditionally, we ended with wine. You might say this is counterproductive, but I would disagree. It was in fact an additional form of relaxation.
Spring break family trip to Malta in March. All I can say is sun is never so sweeter than after January and February in Sweden.
My sweet little Meagan turned 16. This is a highlight of 2010, but really hard to believe we’re really close to 17 actually!
We went to Eindhoven with two of our dear friends Michael and Gemi for the Queens Day weekend. I think we might do it again this year. It was a special weekend because now I will never forget how important the meaning of “lagom” became to me while we lived in Sweden.
It might be kinda silly, but there were two pigeons that came every evening to our balcony. We named them Anna och Anders. I did a little reading and found out that pigeons actually mate for life, so they just became so sweet to watch as the male was so affectionate with the female.
It turns out that Anders och Anna were also Sofie’s highlights of the year.
Just the general hopeful feeling that April brings. My first time to got sit out at my favorite spot in the grass of Katarina Kyrka. No, it wasn’t bikini and picnic weather yet, but the grass was starting to get a little greener and those days were coming!
Our trip to Hungary, Austria and Slovakia . Unfortunately, Meagan couldn’t come because she was too busy in school, but it was nice to have some special time with Emily. We’ll have to do this with Meagan too.
Bryan and I going to the Deadmau5 show at Berns in May. This was so great because the Swedes were really into it.
Girls night out at Mosebacke in May. Especially great because it’s the beginning of feeling the sun out a little longer each night.
A spontaneous walk home instead of riding the tunnelbana lead us to this club outside underneath an overpass. We decided to forgo any sense of responsibility for the next day and share a bottle of sangria.
Probably the best memory of our year. Our very special 15 year anniversary party.
Our two week vacation to Alicante Spain. Two weeks of relaxing, reading, iPod, sun, picnics and a different beach everyday. It will take a lot to beat that one!
In July at 3am, I looked outside and the sunrise was gorgeous. I somehow convinced Bryan this was something I needed to do, to go outside and take a walk and take pictures since it might be my last chance to do this. He reluctantly came along, and it was incredible out there.
Our last party in our Södermalm apartment, otherwise known as the Havenstein pimp pad. It was a sad night, since it was also the night I said goodbye to my dear friend Cecily moving back to the US and just a rehearsal (as far as we knew at that point) for saying so many goodbyes in the future.
Bryan and I riding around all over the city on his scooter. This was a chilly day, but on most weekends in the summer, we packed a picnic and went to a beach and laid out in the sun.
Most definitely a highlight. On the summer days that I wasn’t laying out at Katarina Kyrka, I very much enjoyed my hammock on the balcony. There’s a saying that you know you’ve lived too long in Sweden when the sun is out and you feel guilty you aren’t outside. I definitely know what this feels like.
I wouldn’t say that moving itself was a highlight of the year, but it was in fact a huge part of our year. But, I did love coming back from a stressful afternoon of moving more boxes from the old apartment to find that the girls had made some good use of their free time and made the fort to end all forts. Two entrances and a huge shared space, they took in their laptops and blankets, and Meagan even spent the night in their one night. I asked if I could join them, but they told them it was only a fort for two.
Our yearly trip to Gröna Lund, the little Stockholm amusement park. There is one ride that Meagan and I love, and we made poor Richard and Bryan sit and wait for us while we went on it together. It’s just now tradition.
Bryan and I at Gröna Lund, with Södermalm in the background.
Our annual trip to the fall festival at Skansen, an outdoor historical open air market.
Bryan and I at the Chris Daughtry concert in October. Such a great story. I saw a poster as we were driving down the street and pointed it out to Bryan and he said “What, would you like to go?” and then reached into his bag in the backseat and pulled out two tickets.
Our annual fall picture day picture.
Our Halloween party, the first big party we had at the new apartment. It was also our first time to dress up as adults. We had a fantastic night.
Having dinner at our friends’ Michael and Gemi’s apartment, a Chinese fest that was arguably the best meal we’ve had the whole year. Who says you can’t find authentic food in Stockholm? 
Our annual Christmas trip to Germany for the Christmas markets. 
Absolutely freezing, but we had to do it…Christmas markets in Stockholm.
Getting our family Wii for Christmas. We decided to just buy one gift we could all enjoy, and exchange stocking stuffers. Here are our miis we created. Me, Bryan, Emily and Meagan. Bryan’s is uncanny
And, last, but definitely, definitely not least, my birthday party. This night was one that I will never, ever forget. This is in my top memories of our whole time of living in Europe.
It’s really amazing all this happened in a year. It doesn’t feel like a year, not at all, since we had our new year’s party. It definitely doesn’t feel like so much time has really gone by. I can’t really believe we had so much trouble deciding to stay another year, when now, we’re thinking so much longer term. I am so, so, so glad we made the decision we did.
This was a year filled with a lot more than just fun memories. We found out we had to move from our apartment we loved in Södermalm. I lost my grandma, although I’m still very grateful I was able to go to the states and say goodbye. We found out the office we thought we were going back to in Colorado is closing. We recently found out our renters are breaking their lease and moving out after only 3 months of their year contract. I try to remember that this is what life is about, ups and downs. And these pictures help me remember that there have been waaaay more ups than downs, and that this time in Europe is such a gift and it will take a lot to top 2010.
And to that, happy 2011. And many great memories to all.
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