Pat and Maria Visit

     When Maria called and told me her and Pat had gotten tickets to come over here I could hardly believe it! It takes a chunk of money and time to get here......AND frankly that part of it is no fun. Hence, I had no grand expectations of hosting visitors. However, it was such a treat to have them visit! Maria.....thank you! I love you! It was hard saying goodbye. I miss my sisters.

Out to dinner.....

Warming right up to Uncle Pat.

Such an affectionate thing.

Showing off the parks and trails. Pat really took to the trails. He went running every day. I can see why.....they are the best!

My love bug.

Enjoying baby T!

Bruges

     Its so fun to adventure somewhere new and especially with family. We hit up Bruges. Its a quaint town with lots and lots of food to eat. Pretty much thats why a person should stay two nights....for the chocolate, waffles and beer. Actually, I didn't think the chocolate were that great. All truffles and creams.....I like the dark stuff! More chocolate, less sugar.

The Chocolate

Decisions.....decisions.....

The Waffles

Feeding that baby!

The Beer

Peter tried the infamous fries and mayo.....needless to say he had a rather upset stomach for the rest of the day!

The Bell Tower on the town square is a must. 366 stairs to a beautiful view of Bruges!

Canal Boat Tour

The Godfather.

Maria gets pooped on!

Loving little Theresa.

Good Bye Bruges!

Good bye Maria and Pat! Thank you so so much!

Poland

     Another adventure to add to the list: Poland. We made the long drive and it was well worth it. The first stop was Boleslaweic, which is the town where all the famous Polish pottery is made. Alex entertained the kids while I darted in and out of the shops to buy tea cups and creamers. The bargain shopper in me loved Poland! The first country we have visited where there actually were bargains!

     We continued on to Oswiecim for the night. Our accommodation was quite a surprise!

My first thought was, "We can't stay here.......but is there anywhere else? The entire town looks like this. Damn!"

But......it had been totally re-done inside and was awesome!

AUSCHWITZ

The following day we spent the morning at Auschwitz. It was much more sobering than Dachau, the other concentration camp I have been to. Frankly, I don't want to elaborate because what we saw burned itself in my memory. The day marked 2 years since Theresa's death....and spending it in Auschwitz reminded me that others have suffered much, much more than I probably ever will. 

Gas chamber.

Crematorium

Birkenau- where the train arrived. Immediately, the people were selected for either the gas chamber, experimentation or work. 

   




Pierce and Gretel were royal turds so we spent the afternoon letting them rule the apartment.

I did it!

World traveler.

New beds!

The adoring sis.......

KRAKOW

We hit up Krakow the next day. Alex and I scored some sweets deals in the cloth hall. Chess board, amber, wooden boxes and wooden toys! 

"I'll take one of each please."

ZAKOPANE

     Zakopane is located in the Tatra mountains on the Slovokian border. The ski town sports some crazy architecture. 

The famous wooden church.

Checking out down town.

First time I've seen this gig.

It's Gunther....oh...I mean...Alex.

Family grave.....buried Polska style.

And......not to forget the littlest gal....

SKIING

     Europe has gotten a scant amount of snow this year. There was one huge dump in Switzerland and Italy....but Austria and Poland never got hit. Regardless, Pierce took a little lesson and AJ made it above the clouds to see the Tatra mountains. 

Potty Training

     It is my goal to never have two kids in diapers. So far....I'm on track. My 'sweet thing' has caught on spectacularly! Pierce cheered her on like a champ.

Hot chocolate smudges and all!