Syttende Mai (17th of May)

Norwegian Independence Day is observed on May 17 each year. Among Norwegians, the day is referred to simply as syttende mai (meaning May Seventeenth).  Each year, on the Saturday following May 17, Norwegians and friends of Norway gather at the International Peace Gardens in Salt Lake City to celebrate the Norwegian Constitution Day.  This year was special to me, because I got to wear my Grandma’s bunad (Norwegian traditional costume).   I have so many memories of her wearing her bunad.  It was really nice to have a little piece of her with me this day.

It was really fun to see the Norwegian folk dancers perform.  I keep trying to get Paul to take a class with me to learn, but he refuses.  I will keep working on him!

Here are my beautiful boys getting ready for the parade.  What handsome sweethearts I have.  They are so adorable with their Norwegian flags. 

During the parade it started to completely downpour.  We were all completely soaked at the end of the parade.  (this is why my hair is a mess in all of the pictures..haha).

Cute little cousins waving their flags in the parade.

Here is my brother Erik and his family.

Here are all of us girls!! I love these ladies so much

And of course we had to enjoy Norwegian pølser med lompe (Norwegian hotdogs wrapped in a potato tortilla.  They are so delicious!!!  Here are our little boys enjoying theirs.

And last, but not least, we enjoyed the most delicious chocolate in the world.  Nothing beats Norwegian chocolate and these 2 kinds are my favorite.  MmmmMmmM

We had such  wonderful afternoon.  I am so grateful for my Norwegian heritage.  It is crazy to think that just 8 years ago I celebrated Syttende Mai right in downtown Oslo, Norway.  I miss all of my family in Norway so much.  I really hope that we can celebrate Syttende Mai in Norway soon again.