Our trip to Europe

Nick and I got to go on a trip of a lifetime; we went to Europe with my parents. My dad had to do some business so we got to tag along. I went with my dad to Amsterdam with my dad years ago and was ecstatic to head back there!

We flew from Fargo-Minneapolis, Minneapolis-Atlanta, Atlanta-Barcelona. So needless to say we were exhausted when we got to Barcelona but it was 7 am their time. They are 7 hours ahead :) The second you get into a cab and look out the window you see the most amazing buildings. There is such architecture and design to every building in Europe. While we tear everything down, they rebuild everything and keep its original character. We stayed at a super nice hotel and had amazing views of downtown Barcelona. I took some pictures of the room. It was interesting because a "regular" room....otherwise known as a standard queen bed in America, in Spain is two twin beds pushed together. Nick found out real fast that they are on rollers and fell through the crack more than a couple nights :) The first day we walked around the city...amazed by the buildings, views, business and traffic. Everyone in Barcelona either rides a bike or a scooter. If you make one wrong turn without looking you will probably get hit by a scooter, biker, car or bus. I cannot imagine raising children in that kind of environment.

On Day 2 we went to the HUGE food show in Barcelona. This was the main reason for dads visit. Basically it was 5 metrodomes hooked together full of every single food product known to man. One was food products, candy, wine, beer and meats. Our feet ached after leaving but it was well worth it to see all of the products out there!

We had so many amazing meals in Barcelona. I am not sure how they are not overweight. They have the most delicious pastry's, breads, sandwiches, etc. Almost every morning we went to a cafe for a "Coca Cola Light" and some sort of amazing pastry. Lunch in Barcelona is usually a sandwich of some sort on some amazing crusty bread. Dinner is almost always tapas.....tapas are small pieces of bread with everything you can imagine on them. My favorite was the seafood one. It was crab salad with a shrimp and pickle on top. Nick loved all the meat ones! Such delicious food!!!

We flew to Amsterdam and was shocked at how incredibly different it is. Amsterdam is SO much more "Americanized." Almost everyone speaks English and everyone dresses more American than Spain. People were WAY more friendly and it was much more laid back.

The buildings were still AMAZING! It was much more modern in parts but still had that old building charm. There is a tram going way too fast in the middle of the streets, bikes everywhere and smart cars. We have a pictures of Nick next to a smart car and I almost peed my pants!!! There is NO way that Nick and I could ever ride in one of those cars! We took a horse drawn carriage through the city and had a blast! We went through all the major parts of Amsterdam. Nick was in shock when he saw the red light district.....to say the least. It is SO sad to see these young girls in those windows. One of them had to be 14-15 years old. After having kids it hits you even harder. I was in the Red Light district years ago but do not remember it being so disgusting and trashy as it was this time. Other than that the city was amazing. The buildings are all beautiful. The churches are unbelievable and the people are so nice!

It was an amazing trip to be on. I feel so lucky to have went on this trip with my parents and Nick. My parents are such amazing people and do such unbelievable things for us. Nick and I are very lucky :) I tell Nick that he is one lucky guy to have my parents for In Laws!! He his the In Law jackpot for sure!!!!

The trip was so much fun, but it was also fun to get home. We REALLY missed the kids! We talked to them everyday and emailed back and forth with Candace. Candace did so many fun things with them! They went to the circus, Yunker Farm, Scheels ferris wheel, parks, the mall, etc. Presley and Parker had a blast and Candace tells us that they were great!

I will post some pictures of our trip!