Amsterdam, Prague and Zach's Birthday Trip to Legoland/Lalandia

Hej Hej
  I hope this installment finds you all enjoying the intense heat of the US!  It is currently 66 degrees here today and that is a scorcher compared to the last few days!  I must admit today is gorgeous...but!  I was determined to enjoy my Swedish summer beacause after all I survived the Swedish winter and why would I go home when the best time of the year is upon us! WHAT A JOKE!!!  I am not kidding!  It has done nothing but RAIN and today feels like a heat wave compared to our highs of 59degrees the past few days!  We have been home from our AMAZING cruise for all of 2 weeks and we have had 2 full days of sun.  The poor kids were about to go crazy so today was truly sent from God to protect my sanity!  We have spent the entire day outside and it was lovely!

  I know I have been really behind with the blog and I have absolutely no excuse!  So without further delay...

This edition will cover our trip to Amsterdam, Zach's birthday trip and Prague.  I will work on our Cruise/Barcelona later this week!  It is in itself an entire blog!   This blog is as usual picture intensive so here we go!
  We had a wonderful trip to Amsterdam and Keukenhof Gardens!  We actually met some friends of ours there and that made the day extra memorable. Keukenhoff was fabulous!  Amsterdam itself was nothing spectacular for us.  Don't get me wrong it was neat but if it weren't for Anne Frank's house I would have been disappointed.  Our first day we arrived we of course went Cosmic Bowling (isn't that what all families do their first night in The Netherlands)!

Brooklyn was more interested in the victory dances!

After a fun night we met up with the Merkel's for a day at the gardens! 

Pictured here are Austin, Brooklyn and Jordan!  We miss you guys!!

As you may have noticed one of my children is not in the picture!  That is because Zach decided to go for a swim rather than walk on top of the platforms!  He fell in and it was not only chilly but rather painful! He was fine and later did walk across without incident!

Brooklyn's feet swell when she flies! LOL

AHHH  so do Zach's!

The whole fam at the gardens!

Jordan and Brooklyn making the flowers gorgeous!

The next day we ventured into amsterdam!  We went on a canal cruise and toured Anne Frank's house!  They actually have parts of her diary on display!

Fun Shot

Did you know French Fries are claimed to be from The Netherlands!Mark & B enjoying a yummy helping!

Typical street in Amsterdam

Now from Amsterdam we had a Birthday!  Zach's to be exact! So for his trip he wanted to go to Legoland.  So off we went to the original Legoland in Denmark!

Cake for the 8yr old!

Zach on his favorite birthday gift...the SKATEBOARD!

While on our weekend away we stayed at Lalandia!  It is an indoor waterpark across the street from Legoland.  We had a lovely little cottage and it was so nice for the kids to be able to play outside in a "yard"!

Here are the kids!

I was amazed at the things these folks do with legos!  Here are just a couple pics!

It's about 7 feet high!

Brooklyn being held back!

This is for daddy!  Ever since we moved to Florida he loves Pelicans!

On this ride we went by Mt Rushmore made out of Legos!

The next week we found ourselves aboard another plane to Prague!  We really enjoyed this city!  It was so neat!  We found ourselves hiking all over town!  My boys were also in rare form one afternoon!

The Astronomical Clock! Installed 1410.

A princess looking out of a tower!

Who needs to take the elevator to the top of the clock tower?

Kids in front of the John Lennon wall

True contemplation of world issues going on!

OK maybe not!

Overall our trip to the Czech Republic was lovely!  I have a ton of pictures but for the sake of YOUR sanity that's all you get! 

In June the children's school celebrates Midsommar.  A time when Swedes and other coutries in Europe celebrate the longest day of the year!  Here is Brooklyn with her crown in front of the maypole at the celebration!

In true Sawyer Style we decided to go on a paddleboat ride in Malmo one Saturday!  When we noticed if we really paddled hard we could get the entire loop done in one hour, that's all it took!  My legs were sore for a few days but we did it!  Below you will find Zach...hmmm he looks as though he was not bothered a bit!

 I hope you all are enjoying your summer!  We love you and miss you all!  The countdown is on...Sawyer's return to the good 'ol USofA in 11 months!

 

Our Amazing time in Ireland and Scotland! Oh & Swedish Walpurgis!

Hey gang,
  Wow I am very homesick today!  We have come upon another time of year when families get together for weddings, graduations and summer fun!  In the last/next month we have/will miss three weddings in our families!  So to Travis, Caleb, and Jake  we send our love to you and your new wives( to be)!  I was telling Mark I seem to crave family time more now than ever and I do not take for granted all the love we are blessed with among our families!  There is a great peace in knowing that no matter what happens your family is always there to love and support you!  So this is a tearful I love you to all the family!  From Brothers, Sisters, Aunts, Uncles, Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Cousins, Second Cousins and so on we love you! To the Cayman Islands, New Mexico, Kentucky, Louisiana, England, Wales, North Carolina and South Carolina, Florida, Maryland and of course TEXAS!!  I send my love and well wishes for this fabulous Summer  Season!  Give and extra hug and kiss at the weddings and get togethers for me and know I long to be with you!!!

OK so now all the men can start reading again because I know you totally zoned out at all my sappy sentiments!  ON with the SHOW! 

We just recently returned from Ireland and Scotland and what a time we had!  I do believe it was one of our best!  Scotland & Ireland are just breathtaking countries that warrant a slower pace and appreciation!  We were granted with beautiful weather and even SUN!  We will start with a trip down the royal mile in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Brooklyn on the Royal Mile

Onward to the castle I say!

If you are unaware Edinburgh Castle sits on top of this stunning "mountain" in the middle of the city!  Here Mark and the kids take a quick break to appease Mom with a picture!

The newest recruits to the Royal Dragoon Guard

A very picturesque alleyway off the Royal Mile!

Now before the next set of photos I must remind you that we typically hit the ground running when we arrive at a new place!  Edinburgh was no exception!  After a full day of "Sawyer" style sight seeing we come upon what appears to be a hiking path up these lovely mountains outside the city.  Well...Mark & I thought we should probably hold off to hike the mountain until the following day seeing as how the "children"  might fare better on fresh legs.  Much to our dismay Brooklyn decides to remind us that "we are Sawyer's and we don't quit"!  HMMM  this is where you hear your own words coming from your children!!  So we could not back down we took on the mountain outside Edinburgh with full force and loved every minute of it!

On the summit with Edinburgh in the background!

Yes the boys were victorious!

 The next day we went on a cruise of the "bridges".  It was a bit chily but we did enjoy the seals and other wildlife!

Here are some other photos from Edinburgh.

Playground at the base of the Castle!

The flowers had not bloomed in Sweden yet!

We attended our first Pro Rugby game!  Zach was hooked! He is now playing here in Malmo! 

From Scotland we went to Ireland and more specifically Dublin!  Did I mention how great it was to hear English all week!  Wow what a treat!

On Palm Sunday we found ourselves at St Patricks Cathedral!  We were able to attend services there and it was quite an experience!

A picturesque cottage in one of the town parks!

Now of course Mark is always a great sport when it comes to photos!  Very rarely does he ever complain! However, he never seems to overly enthusiastic either!  Well 'tis not the case in the next photo opportunity!  As you can see my hubby has found "Sweet Molly Malone"  and he seems to be rather pleased with himself I dare say! 

Mark and Molly Malone!

This is where we all sing...In Dublin's Fair City where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone!...

Now this next picture is for the Sawyer's! Mark's father has called me D2 since we first met I believe!  That stands for Daughter #2! Well low and behold we came upon my coffee shop!  Funny thing is we had to cross the "Butt Bridge" to get to it! LOL  Wonders never cease!

These next photos are of the Irish countryside!  We took a trip out to Wicklow Mountains and it was everything you can imagine!

Brooklyn in the country!

A lovely view!

On a little walk to the lake!

Mark & the children enjoying the water!

Now we were able to go to a lovely spot on this trip!  There is an Irish poet by the name of Thomas Moore who wrote a poem about the "Meeting of the Waters".  Here is a picture of us at that spot!

Mark & I do take the occassional picture together!

Our trip was wonderful and I hope to return someday! When we returned home we clebrated Walspurgis in Sweden!  This is when they celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of spring.  It is an evening of bonfires to chase away the remnants of winter.  We went with our lovely American friends and had a great time.  I'm afraid we have grown quite attached to our friends the Merkels.  They are leaving Sweden to return to the US  and although we will miss them terribly we are very happy for them and cannot wait to see them on the other side of the pond!

The Americans :)

The bonfire!  Sorry the quality is poor!

That is all for now!  We have just returned from Amsterdam, The Netherlands and will post those photos soon!  Love you all and until next time...No worries!

Malta, Venice and Milan

Hey Gang,

  The Sawyer's have been at it again...  A few weeks ago we went on a great trip!!  However,  as much fun as this trip was Mark had a really fabulous event at work!  He had a few VIP visitors from the USCoast Guard including Admiral Thad Allen in town.  So before I even begin the trip pictures here are a couple of pictures of Mark and his Coastie representation!   

This is a picture of my amazing husband with Admiral Thad Allen(center) and Jeff Lantz (left). Mr Lantz is the US Head of Delegation to the International Maritime Organization.

Here we have from left Jeff Lantz, Mark, Capt. Gautier, Admiral Allen, and Bob Pond (one of Mark's mentors).



Mark's job and the entire relocation here has truly been a challenge, however, God always has our best at hand and Mark has had some truly amazing opportunities here!  The week of this conference was crazy but truly rewarding! Now onto the trip...

We had a nice week long break in February so we took full advantage of it.  We went on a fabulous trip to the country of Malta then we flew to Italy where we visited Venice and Milan. 

Malta has never been on my radar but Mark had a trip for work and so the children and I met him there!  We loved it!  I don't know if it was because it was so different than anything we had seen to date, the fact that we actually saw the sun and didn't have to wear our coats, or the break from Sweden but it was lovely.  take a look!

Malta water front

Brooklyn and Zach enjoying the scenery! 

We were able to meet up with daddy a few times even though he was working!

Taking a break in Valetta, Malta

A cool tunnel in Malta! Look at those cute kids!

Typical narrow Malta street!

From Malta Mark was able to join us and we journeyed to Venice, Italy!  I have always dreamed of going to Venice and it was exactly what I had imagined!  Truly a unique city!  We loved it!  We had a very Venitian hotel and it was Carnival time so we were able to see all the preparations for the festivities!

Zach rocking out in our hotel room!

View from the hotel front door!

Now in Venice you have a couple of options as far as commuting!  You can take a water taxi or the water bus! It was such an experience.  Below we are on the water taxi on our way to tour a glass factory!

Here is Brooklyn on the back of

 a water bus.  It is exactly what you think,  a big people mover on water!

Me with Venice in the background! Unbelievable!

You cannot go to Venice and not visit the pigeons! LOL

parking...

We did not take a gondola ride!  It was  rather cold and I was just fine without it! They go the same places as the taxis and buses and they are outrageously expensive.  I did get a photo for you though from our water taxi.

Mimi & Poppy...where are the Pelicans? 

 

Of course we had to get Brooklyn in the carnival spirit!

One of the funniest things to me was watching a boat pull up with FexEx written on the side! The guy was in a Fed Ex coat and delivered his packages out of his boat!

We then left Venice and headed to Milan for a short overnight visit before our plane left.  We enjoyed Milan but it was not my favorite to date.  We happened to be there during fashion week and we were able to see a Milan fashion show!

The Duomo Cathedral in Milan!

I have never seen such beautiful stain glass windows in all my life!

Outside high end shopping center in Milan.

Inside the shopping center waiting for the fashion show!

Brooklyn asked why the models all looked angry and Mark said "they are just hungry"!

Just a little time out in Milan!

I hope you have njoyed our latest edition to the Sawyer escapades in Europe!  We will be heading to Dublin, Ireland and Edinburgh, Scotland in a couple weeks so stay tuned!

We love and miss you all so much!  Keep in touch we love hearing from the states!!

XOXO

Mollie