Turne med Mormor: So I learned how to be a firefighter

The next stop on the family tour was with my cousin Lars and his family. He and his partner Pernilla have two cute kids who know how to please. After receiving their hospitality and countless meals, Lars decided to take me to the fire station where he works.

At the station I got the full tour, plus a uniform and a fire suit to use if there were any calls throughout the night. I don't know if any American fire stations are allowed to take visitors on calls, so I thought spending the night at the station was a special treat. Unfortunately/luckily there were no calls, but I can confidently say that I am 0.5% of a firefighter!

From left to right: myself, Ida, Mamma Pernilla, and Noel. This was Ida's first time on the lawn.

Noel, making use of yard tools as weapons.

Noel, looking for his soccer ball.

Little Ida, trying to look right through me.

Watching TV with the little one. I was actually sleeping, and judging by the pillow I received to the face, Noel was not too happy with my lack of attention.

Big Brother and Little Sister.

Musical talent.

Wilma and Hjalmar. These two are the children of Anna-Carin and Jorgen. Anna-Carin is Lar's sister and my other second cousin. Anders, Anna-Carin, and Lars are the children of Birgitta and Soren.

Wilma, happy as can be.

The serious and careful Hjalmar getting ready to be chased at the park.

Ida and her mamma Pernilla. Jorgen is in the background.

This is the gymnasium at the fire house. The men here play indoor hockey until they bleed and practice their golf swing.

This is the heart of the Sandviken Firestation: the Bastu (Sauna). According to Hans, the Bastu is the heart of every Swedish fire-station.

I even got a space for my stuff.

Fire Truck 2: water and retardent.

The cockpit of number two.

No explanation needed.

Watch out. I may not know what I am doing.

"The best part about being a firefighter is the large amount of time I get to spend with my family." Lars Olmedal

Lars and Pernilla with daughter.

Turne med Mormor: So I learned how to use a crane

After uncle John's house, Mormor and I visited my second cousin Anders and his wife Carina in a city called Gävle. It was a quick visit, but we had a good time.

The visit started with a quick hello, and then Anders jumped into his lumber truck and began playing with his crane. He blocked off the whole street and then stepped out of the truck with a plastic cup. He placed it on a stone and then climbed up into the crane and began reaching for the cup. He gently picked the cup up and then place it on his mailbox.

After his stunt, he instructed me to climb up into the crane and do the same thing. After a thirty second tutorial I was ready to begin the challenging act. While shaky at first, I managed to pull myself together and pick the cup up and place it down.

So I learned how to use a crane.

The controls.

The task of picking up a plastic cup requires extreme mental control and concentration.

I got it!

Me in the booth.

Me, attempting to place a stone into a plastic cup.

The end result: Placing a cup on the narrow stone, and then placing a stone in the cup.

I was impressed by the whole process.

My teacher Anders.

This is the truck we used. It was actually stolen the week before.

We actually had a real job to do. We were going to put this gate post into the ground, but got a little carried away.

The end result of the project: So it's a little crooked, it's not that bad.

Turne med Mormor: So I leanred how to ride a horse.

The next family member Mormor and I visited was my uncle John and aunt Eivor. They are dentists in a city called Söderhamn which lies on the coast due East of my great uncle Soren.

John and Eivor moved to a farm two years ago, and began riding horses. They now have two horses, Dino and Design, and enjoy their new lifestyle. While we were there, Mormor and I set to work raking the yard and helping with their wood for next season. The weather was 'halv dasit,' which translates to 'half outhouse,' which means that the weather was pretty bad.

During our visit, I got the chance to learn a little bit about horses. Uncle John and I went out on a ride one morning which resulted in a battering of my testicles and sore muscles for two days. I learned that horses are not like cars, they do not always make sense, and you have to take good care of them. The experience was great, and I would like to try riding again, but I have to figure out how to preserve my chances at giving Mormor great grandchildren.

Myself, Uncle John, Aunt Eivor, and Adorable Doris.

Eivor and Design.

The two Johns and Dino. Uncle John and I have fun nicknames since we have the same name. He is called Många John (Many John) and I am called Enkelt John (Single John or Simple John depending on how you look at it).

Uncle John harnessing the beast.

Sharing a sad farewell with Doris the Dog.

Eivor and the precious Doris.

Turne med Mormor: Soren och Birgitta

Mormor and I have been traveling through central Sweden visiting our family over the last two weeks. Most of the family we met were my second and third cousins, who we are remarkably close to. It was an amazing trip, and we had a blast. Mormor and I compliment each other quite well: we are forgetful and clumsy, we eat the same food, we like the same things, and we always have a lot to talk about. The next couple of posts will highlight the fun stuff we did on the trip and what I learned.

For the first part of the trip we hanged with my great uncle Soren and my great aunt Birgitta. These two are a riot. We ate every meal together, and Mormor and I worked in the yard like hobos for our room and board.

It was sad leaving these two, as always, because they really are some of the most special people in the whole country.

The normal mid-morning fika pause (tea time).

Typical Soren in full form.

Soren and Birgitta live over the river Ljusnan, which is the same river my grandmother raised her family on, except her and her brother are about 70 miles apart.

Doing some spring yard work. In Sweden they rake the leaves and the yard in the Spring so that the lawn can absorb the nutrients of foliage over the winter.

Soren used to be a barber and a hairdresser. He set up this basement salon/shop so that he could cut hair for friends and townspeople.

These are pictures of my great great grandparents on my great grandmothers side.

These are my great great grandparents on my great grandfathers side.

This is a painting of my great grandfather Ole Olmedal.

Moster Birgitta and I.

Myself, Moster Birgitta, and Morbro Soren.