The Swiss Adventure...

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Colorful Copenhagen - Part 2

Tivoli...Sweet Amusement Park

Though Copenhagen is a lively, and large metropolis; the city is host of beautiful parks, botanical gardens and plenty of green space.

We all enjoyed lazily walking through pristine gardens, all the while stopping to let sweet Noah play with the local children.

As a mother, you come to realize and appreciate the small wonders of “the local playground” and no

write – up of this magnificent city would be complete without mentioning what has to be the coolest playground we have yet to stumble across.

Though the Danes did move the Little Mermaid, they did make up for her relocation with a super cool park.

During a workday for Robert, Noah and I decided to explore the city ourselves and we stumbled across this little gem.

Imagine a playground that has it all – sheds full of childrens' toys (I know, we too thought we had landed at Santa’s workshop!) bikes, tricycles, wagons, dolls, strollers, tennis rackets, all the fixings for making the best sandcastles in town, bathrooms exclusively for the little people, changing rooms with awesome pictures on the wall, all while being clean, free and totally open to the public.

And as my little man was busy in playground heaven, I got to thinking….”why does this concept work so well here?” “Why doesn’t anyone steal the toys?” “How can more societies function in such a Utopian manner?” I was in total awe…in fact we were so impressed with this playground haven that we brought Robert back for a visit the next day.

Ahhh…Copenhagen certainly not a city on our radar, but a city we are thrilled we visited.

And with just four short days to explore her wonders, we felt we did a pretty good job of capturing her charm and taking away with us an appreciation for a new little gem of a city.

Noah watching a show at Tivoli

Smelling the flowers

Looking at the big rides

Noah's first ride...just kidding!

Noah rides Seabiscut

Noah loved the yellow car

So sweet to see him so happy!

Ok, now how do we get him off of the car?

Noah and Dad on the boat

Noah...sweet little Skipper!

Learning to steer...

What fun!

Looking at the big boats...

Melinda seeing how much energy it takes to start a light bulb...a lot!

Robert using his biking legs to power the lights

Tivoli at night

Noah at the awesome playground...WOW!

Another cool toy

Endless fun!

Shootin' some hoops in Denmark...

Mom making the pick - up!

Hold on little man...

Now this is fun!

Noah loved this doll and all her crazy hair...

Pulling the wagon

More tunnels

In the playhouse with the chicken...

Boat shots by Robert...

Ah...Denmark...such sweet memories!

Thursday, September 02, 2010

First Days

The school buzz is the in the air.

Whether it is the little pitter - patter of small feet dancing on the sidewalks eager to embrace a fresh start at a new school, or the freshly sharpened pencils, learning and a new year are upon us.

The fall breeze has blown in and the pumpkins are neatly placed in the stores just longing to be made into delicious soups and breads.

And while our little man is still too small to relish in the festivities of all things school (believe me…I am most grateful to have my sweet man home a few more years) we did have our first big day of Kindermusik today.

Noah has greatly missed “La,La” class and the wonderful teachings of Ms. Susan.

And while he tends to do his own thing during each 45 minute season, I sometimes just sit and watch and relish in the blessing of a gift so great that my heart melts with big smiles, dirty hands and small, sandy feet.

All set for his first day of school...

Wondering where we are going so early...

"It is that way Mom!"

Here we come Kindermusik!

And happy school year to all of our special cousins - Sean, Seneca, Max, Emmy and Katie!
We wish you a fabulous year!

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Simple Life

Noah now bikes...

Recently, the word simplicity has been the theme in our house.

Simple living inspires us to live big in other areas.

To us, simple living defines itself by: collecting memories instead of things, walking, biking or taking public transportation, and spending time doing those things we love.

We plan to explore simple living a bit further as the months evolve, but as they do we choose to relish in the simple pleasures that life affords each day.

Noah is a beautiful reminder of enjoying the simple things in life!

Ready to go, go, go!

Big smiles and ready for a big ride...

Still loving his bike.

In the box with Dad's hat.

Relishing in the simple pleasures in life!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Magnificent Eight - Mallorca, Spain

Magnificent Eight

And moments are much like the ebb and flow of the tides coming in and quickly receding, we watch and we participate in our own flow of what we call life.

We come to realize that this life is ever changing – like a sandcastle taking shape on a tranquil beach, much time and effort goes into making the perfect structure, only to discover that nothing is permanent.

And as the moon begins to rise, the tides march on.

Our lives become intertwined all the more.

Taking minutes and turning them into hours and forming those hours into days, which all too soon become memorable years.

Life is meant for living – for reaching out – touching the shores of unknown lands, swimming in new waters and loving so richly that even the deepest of oceans cannot penetrate your bonds.

So, here is to love (eight years of giving and receiving deep love) and here is to life.

A journey that began with a single step, an "I Do" to all of life's treasures and an adventure that bestows upon us all of life’s richest moments.