Tuesday, April 3, 2012
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!
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!
Monday, April 2, 2012
The BEST Nanny in the world
I have to dedicate at least one post to our AMAZING nanny Candace Claus. She is the best thing that Craigslist has ever sent our way :) I remember the day we met "Candy." She walked through our door and I immediately knew she was going to be our sitter for a long time. She has a very calming affect with our kids and we feel SO very blessed to have her in our lives. Its so easy to enjoy time away when I know Candy is watching our kids. Her boyfriend Drew is also a big part of the kids lives. Presley sometimes thinks that Drew is HER boyfriend :) Thank you Candace for being with us for almost 3 years now. We CANNOT imagine our life without you and you are never able to move from the Fargo-Moorhead area :) Love you Candyland!!!!!!
Butterfly Ball 2012
Here are some pictures from the Butterfly Ball. Presley took her date....AKA Daddy to the ball. She literally thought she was a real princess and had to pick out the perfect "ball gown." We had to go to four stores before this light pink number was picked. She is taking after her mama with her shopping that day :) We curled her hair and put on a little bit of makeup. She looked SO grown up and so beautiful!! Nick, Presley, Scott and Taylor along with a few other guys and their dates went to the ball in a hummer limo and had a blast dancing the night away. Presley was so tired and SO hungry when it was over that she told Nick she just HAD to eat. Nick asked her what she wanted and she said "Perkins for rainbow pancakes." So, there Nick sat in his suit and Presley in her beautiful dress at 9pm at Perkins. Love that girl! Presley cannot wait for the Butterfly Ball 2013 :) Nick is such a good daddy and loves his little girl so much. Im so happy they had such a fun time together!!
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Struggles
I saw this quote today on a fellow blogger and microcephaly moms page:
"Motherhood is about raising - and celebrating - the child you have, not the child you thought you'd have. It's about understanding that he is exactly the person he is supposed to be. And that, if you're lucky, he just might be the teacher who turns you into the person you are supposed to be."
~The Water Giver
This AMAZING family has not one but two boys with the same condition as Parker. Microcephaly is a horrible word, horrible condition and it is inevitable that one day it will take your life. Their 3 year old boy, Aidan is on hospice right now. He has fought one hard battle but his body is shutting down. There are no words that can describe how a parent feels watching their child suffer. This family has watched not only watched Aidan suffer, they have also watched their son Ty suffer as well. I think that God picks people....strong people to deal with situations like this. My heart breaks for this family. Its so sad when a condition like this takes over your child's body and there is nothing else you can do but keep them comfortable. Please pray for the Tellinghuisen famliy.
family
This AMAZING family has not one but two boys with the same condition as Parker. Microcephaly is a horrible word, horrible condition and it is inevitable that one day it will take your life. Their 3 year old boy, Aidan is on hospice right now. He has fought one hard battle but his body is shutting down. There are no words that can describe how a parent feels watching their child suffer. This family has watched not only watched Aidan suffer, they have also watched their son Ty suffer as well. I think that God picks people....strong people to deal with situations like this. My heart breaks for this family. Its so sad when a condition like this takes over your child's body and there is nothing else you can do but keep them comfortable. Please pray for the Tellinghuisen famliy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)