Nana and Bobo visit the Zoo!

It will come as a surprise to no one that the number one place Ruby wanted to visit with Nana and Bobo was the zoo. So, to the zoo we went. Despite the chilly weather, a good time was had all around as we visited all the usual suspects. Unfortunately, Nana and Bobo just missed getting to see the hippos (flodhest in Danish)--our newest arrival to the zoo. They actually made a fantastic habitat for them and set it up so that you can see them underwater. It is SO cool to see them moving around and to see just how enormous they are up close and personal. When we visited there were several school groups there at the same times. Two things stood out to me: (1) Every single one of those kids had camera phones. (2) Every single one of those kids wanted to take a picture of the hippos pooping underwater. Why does this fascinate kids so much?


You know those moments where you get a glimpse of your kiddos all grown up? Somehow this picture of Ruby does that for me. I'm sure she'll ditch the bangs... and after all the hours she's logged on her pacifier we know that braces are in her future... but the smile. And those happy eyes and smiling cheeks. I hope that this is what she'll be known by.

Here's Max and I in the butterfly house. It was cozy warm in there, which was wonderful. Max didn't seem to notice the butterflies flying all over the place, but he did enjoy people watching as usual. He's a bit of a flirt.

Don't mind the dazed expression on Ruby's face. I'm sure she was just trying to figure out why those chimps stink so bad! Let that be a lesson to you-- a few missed baths and you might just start stinkin' like a chimp too!

We'll end on another Max shot. He's just too cute... and the personality to match. You can tell that Nana and Bobo agree!

Spain in pictures... The apartment

Here's the last post (at long last) from our Spain trip. This next week I'll try to get all the pictures up from the second half of Bob and Kay's visit here in Copenhagen.
We ended up staying here at this "rural apartment" called Can Roura. It was actually a great little apartment--totally new, as it had previously been a barn. There were a few drawbacks though, primarily a pretty bad stink (at times) and the only bathroom was on the second floor, while Bob and Kay's bedroom was on the main floor.

It was nice that we had beds for everyone though and our own little kitchen to come home to in the evenings. We had been anticipating some really yummy cheap food... but, the things that we tried were neither all that yummy or cheap, so I guess you had to go to Barcelona or pay a bit more for the "good stuff".

Here's a last shot of Bobo giving Max some zerberts! Max was a real trooper on the trip and just went with the flow for the most part, which was wonderful. Big sister was enough of a pill all on her own!

Our trip home ended up being MUCH more smooth and easy than the trip there, as well as a lot less expensive because we were able to catch a shuttle bus from the Malmo Airport back to Copenhagen. All in all, it was a really fun trip and one that I wouldn't mind taking again when the kids are older... of course, there are SO many more places in the world I'd love to visit that it does make re-visiting a bit of a difficult choice.

Well, I better run! We'll move on to Copenhagen pics tomorrow!

Spain in pictures... Dali and Garrotxa

We spent a day inland seeing a few sights including one of the Salvador Dali museums-- Teatre-Museu Dalí. It was weird... and packed... and did I mention weird?


Here's the outside of the building with the famous eggs on top. We had the misfortune of arriving at the same time as a HUGE school group, so I can't say I really absorbed all that much. Also, they didn't allow strollers inside so Mr. Jumbo (Max) had to ride in the Baby Bjorn. Thankfully, my sweet hubby did the carrying!

Jared got a big kick out of the entrance, especially the guy in antique dive suit in the middle. I kind of like the ladies balancing French bread on their heads though. Really, it's a toss up. Click on the picture to get a better view.

It seems that none of our pictures inside the museum really turned out that well... probably due to that whole "no flash" rule. But, that might be for the best. The whole place was designed by Salvador and his wife including his work and some other artists that they admired. Also, the building itself is meant to be a piece of art. It was quite creepy in places and not necessarily "G" rated.

Jared, Bob, and I got free entrance into the special exhibit where there are all kinds of pieces made with jewels and precious metals. I can't say I saw too much of that either since we were really just there for the bathroom, but what I did see was neat... in a weird way. Did I mention the place was a bit weird?

Kay said it best I think when she pointed out that she could see that it was good work, but she didn't have to like it. Amen, to that sister.

Later, we tried to visit some prehistoric caves with caveman drawings (or something) in them, but we managed to arrive about 15 minutes before closing and they wouldn't let us in. We decided to hit the water instead and visited this volcanic lake.

The place was PACKED. Once they started an awards ceremony, we figured out they had just completed a day long swim meet when we arrived. We all took a little dip in the sulfur-rich waters and enjoyed cooling off a bit.

One of the funnier things about vacation is that you feel totally comfortable walking around half-dressed all day. I guess we figured we were never going to see these people again. I went as far as wearing a one piece swimsuit (top part hanging down) with a short cover up skirt and bra and t-shirt on top... INTO a shopping market. Yes, it was trashy.

Well, that's getting pretty close to the end of the excitement on the Spain trip. I'll post a few more pics tomorrow and then we'll move on to other things... like life since then!

Spain in pictures... Costa Brava

La Costa Brava is kind of like the French Riviera. I say that, of course, having never BEEN to the French Riviera, but you get my drift. It's a looong stretch of coves and sleepy fishing towns, interspersed with some resort towns. It was also hot and absolutely beautiful.

Jared lost no time digging a huge hole with Ruby's help. Then Ruby and I buried him. I was getting a bit nervous that the tide was coming in so fast we were going to have a Twilight Zone moment on our hands, but it all worked out okay. As you can see, Ruby was concerned that Jared might need to borrow her sunglasses.

Ruby wasn't all that keen on swimming (the water was quite cold), but she did enjoy fetching buckets full of water and sand. Nana found a great beach kit complete with water can. That water can continues to be a big hit at bath time!

Here's a view of the beach where we spent the day. After our hours at the beach we took a really beautiful drive down the coast and saw lots of beautiful views. Unfortunately, it was a very tiny, windy road, with no turn outs, so those pictures reside only in my foggy memory.

Max got pretty pooped and decided to sack out in the stroller with Nana under the umbrella. Before long we all joined them for some lunch.

Here's Max in his swim trunks. They didn't see much water since every time his toes hit the water he cried bloody murder. He's decided that he's strictly a heated pool baby.

Ruby and Bobo taking a long walk on the beach.

Don't give up on me! I promise to get more posted soon!

Spain in pictures... Girona

Things are getting extremely crazy around here as we get closer to moving day. I haven't been able to get myself to sit still in the computer chair long enough to make an interesting post about our trip to Spain, so I guess I'll just put some pictures up to tell the story...

We flew into Girona, Spain and after a loooong convoluted drive finally found our cute little apartment just outside town. Once we got settled we went back into town for a little exploring.

Ruby got her first chance to try a drinking fountain (believe it or not, they just DON'T exist in Denmark). She thought it was pretty fun and Bobo got a kick out of it too!

This photo was taken in the Museu del Cinema. It was really a very interesting museum of the history of movie making--starting with shadow plays. Definitely a must see for movie buffs or those technically minded. Ruby even enjoyed playing with the interactive exhibits.

Ruby didn't complain AS much about holding hands when she got to hold Bobo or Nana's hands instead of boring ol' Mommy and Daddy's hands.

If you look through the leaves, you'll see a form laying on the ground. Yes, that's Ruby. She decided to throw one (of many) tantrums here at the playground and refused to leave. We called her bluff and walked away. After a few minutes she skipped over to us like nothing had happened. That girl knows how to push my buttons.

I thought that this church was pretty. Notice the palm trees. It was actually warmer in September (high 80s, low 90s) than we have experienced in the last two years. It was GREAT!

This iron bridge is a famous landmark (of which I've forgotten the name...) in Girona and is smack dab in the middle of one of Europe's oldest Jewish Quarters. At the other end of the bridge is the Spanish version of Strøget, La Rambla, a pedestrian shopping street.

A final shot of the river running through town. It almost had a Venetian feel to it.

More to come!