tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79025381395027213902024-03-05T09:51:58.215-06:00Livin the McLifeStefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.comBlogger492125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-51154589083302565582016-08-25T04:59:00.001-05:002016-08-25T05:04:21.011-05:00Random things I've learned in/about Denmark1. You have to put salt in your dishwasher. We don't have a water softener in our house, and the water here is pretty hard and full of calc, so it makes sense. But, we didn't discover this until we had lived here for almost 9 months. Instead, I had been running a cup of vinegar in every other load. My glasses and plates look much nicer now.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdyd8JvJhvyg4FCANY_VCYeByF35lGHtq0cYheI_9KghLkQT-KZqeT-rwIF5abz3X7g6eINh6xO5JQ5TqKj6dL5tnx0lWWnIdcLGgHBoOjqa89ajR6T9K1Hn5rgWJAMiWP3Pt_pFw2vs/s640/blogger-image--1592455120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdyd8JvJhvyg4FCANY_VCYeByF35lGHtq0cYheI_9KghLkQT-KZqeT-rwIF5abz3X7g6eINh6xO5JQ5TqKj6dL5tnx0lWWnIdcLGgHBoOjqa89ajR6T9K1Hn5rgWJAMiWP3Pt_pFw2vs/s640/blogger-image--1592455120.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>2. I haven't driven a car in Denmark since we moved here, so for over a year. </div><div><br></div><div>3. Spiders here are super productive. I don't know how my bicycle can be completely covered in a spider web after only one night of sitting, but it happens on more mornings than I care to think about. And yes, I look like a crazy person when I get caught in a web...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MfIk0TlQsKNIcCrurBINbMOscIakCOqKnmhyphenhyphenTFs60_bBcbO4tnofVV-7DBpgRyvW8JQUVdrb_xXSDxivuzjExg-j9AnTyksCgqS32_qMH7nLJjX9SuWYbmoRcwsK5flX6VTqyUy-5Bk/s640/blogger-image--143181311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MfIk0TlQsKNIcCrurBINbMOscIakCOqKnmhyphenhyphenTFs60_bBcbO4tnofVV-7DBpgRyvW8JQUVdrb_xXSDxivuzjExg-j9AnTyksCgqS32_qMH7nLJjX9SuWYbmoRcwsK5flX6VTqyUy-5Bk/s640/blogger-image--143181311.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>4. We have no screens on our windows.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> (Maybe this explains why there are so many spiders in our house). But for the most part, a ton of bugs don't get into our house. I like to joke about it, but I think Danish bugs are just more evolved...they fly in the house and most of them fly right back out.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">5. Toilets have a different button for flushing #1 or #2. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5KZkjmlsTf4pmR0sgiQ3UFTl58hjsUswOeJFFQQwC2ROvzVm2sZkEuYlp5ywy1j3Q9stV86A7_2YSbGCtLsYKAJXh5YYTOXwAxeNyAKNsoEtBT_QrWmJO84bay4LwTkM48fC1RmLBC0/s640/blogger-image--1684246581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5KZkjmlsTf4pmR0sgiQ3UFTl58hjsUswOeJFFQQwC2ROvzVm2sZkEuYlp5ywy1j3Q9stV86A7_2YSbGCtLsYKAJXh5YYTOXwAxeNyAKNsoEtBT_QrWmJO84bay4LwTkM48fC1RmLBC0/s640/blogger-image--1684246581.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">6. Fart translates to speed. I still laugh about this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoeUjkTvcs19ngGZ4reTzM5kQ1ErummCaN5XjMNkniSjegUrcVdeCYaMvskD_jR8PJrulydlVAxjo2ymArRWlhkHpP0po1uA_tsMr8SpkDH5m-5u5OBib9HGBIOOG3wCmccJAT_W0BIo/s640/blogger-image--1157501070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoeUjkTvcs19ngGZ4reTzM5kQ1ErummCaN5XjMNkniSjegUrcVdeCYaMvskD_jR8PJrulydlVAxjo2ymArRWlhkHpP0po1uA_tsMr8SpkDH5m-5u5OBib9HGBIOOG3wCmccJAT_W0BIo/s640/blogger-image--1157501070.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">7. Sam was talking to himself yesterday in Danish. I still get amazed when listening to my kids and their bilingual language skills. I don't ever second guess our school choice when I look at this aspect of it. It's amazing how fast they learn.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">8. While I like the aspect that all outlet plugs are controlled by a on/off switch, I still get annoyed that the bathroom light switch is located OUTSIDE the door. My kids don't share this sentiment, they think it's hilarious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX_1kjGADbqV_lh_NvyD06IFxpMWcTLrGWg6YpG0raNCptlhcyb_gazjj-bIBxkowrXF4PYqQ2jW1KriTHDaT8C4g_eNG7nGD5-OwkGnj8P1pVvUXWeHrRLTSFy9uhXV2v3_lE1IDVmI/s640/blogger-image-1365186680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAX_1kjGADbqV_lh_NvyD06IFxpMWcTLrGWg6YpG0raNCptlhcyb_gazjj-bIBxkowrXF4PYqQ2jW1KriTHDaT8C4g_eNG7nGD5-OwkGnj8P1pVvUXWeHrRLTSFy9uhXV2v3_lE1IDVmI/s640/blogger-image-1365186680.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">9. Danes love sweet pickles. It's really hard to find a good dill pickle without it being sweet. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">10. Danes use the Danish flag to celebrate holidays and birthdays. At school when it's your birthday you get to put the Danish flag on your desk. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7bE8jyJR-NC9FBo-OHRlHh1mnKtaKkYH5GMjJ6KAWKlGOmOM_7OjuoWJvNqSVqRK9tbttMgMQDC5Bpst5JTgjr6IlM7XJxUJJhorBG-TUZEOvj67p97rxwgMSzDoTWhHsT8BKusFazc/s640/blogger-image-2125147553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7bE8jyJR-NC9FBo-OHRlHh1mnKtaKkYH5GMjJ6KAWKlGOmOM_7OjuoWJvNqSVqRK9tbttMgMQDC5Bpst5JTgjr6IlM7XJxUJJhorBG-TUZEOvj67p97rxwgMSzDoTWhHsT8BKusFazc/s640/blogger-image-2125147553.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">For more fun facts on Denmark c</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">heck out this link:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><a href="http://facts.randomhistory.com/denmark-facts.html">http://facts.randomhistory.com/denmark-facts.html</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-900173954473818462016-08-09T05:14:00.004-05:002016-08-09T05:15:22.618-05:00ExPat Advice Topic 2: On making friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjzSFq0ffbRj9m-slQpDSvjpKc_l1YyS7dXpBh_3dSyWOOqCYfL5f22Tiwd-kN2larEGVDEILLSsQ0LuFUiZ7l8oJ007u3mHSGha-1CpQBZEo2HPdYXiFpFvNqQI-0kmN6CqXlbEwyTw/s1600/12166874-cartoon-like-drawings-of-flags-showing-friendship-between-Denmark-and-USA-Stock-Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjzSFq0ffbRj9m-slQpDSvjpKc_l1YyS7dXpBh_3dSyWOOqCYfL5f22Tiwd-kN2larEGVDEILLSsQ0LuFUiZ7l8oJ007u3mHSGha-1CpQBZEo2HPdYXiFpFvNqQI-0kmN6CqXlbEwyTw/s640/12166874-cartoon-like-drawings-of-flags-showing-friendship-between-Denmark-and-USA-Stock-Photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is the second post in a series of posts on ExPat Advice. Our family moved to Denmark in 2015 -- and after living here for a year, I decided to post some information about our experiences in hopes of helping others who are contemplating (or living with) a similar move. Enjoy! You can read Topic 1: Communication <a href="http://livinthemclife.blogspot.dk/2016/07/expat-advice-topic-1-international.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
Today's topic is: FRIENDS<br />
<br />
When we first made the decision to move to Denmark, I was super excited about almost every aspect of the move. The only part that made me sad or apprehensive was the fact that I'd be leaving my awesome friends in the States behind. Luckily, because communicating in today's day and age is so <a href="http://livinthemclife.blogspot.dk/2016/07/expat-advice-topic-1-international.html" target="_blank">easy,</a> I didn't end up feeling that separated from my friends, and I really didn't start to feel lonely for a while. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprWdIva7t2_unf3O-BFW1PNf4FJosOlOcJtVdxyxOY9Fqj3YOJ_atXzQF3smCRupJYKxOXkYEtcudPaIinUR0_LTJcdTLcpYOVir6MEDBi2kYWVfaoKpHxwNLMzLU-8r3YEZBAIaOnvw/s1600/1768594041-8b2cb1c7691062a59d5506c382ad8289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjprWdIva7t2_unf3O-BFW1PNf4FJosOlOcJtVdxyxOY9Fqj3YOJ_atXzQF3smCRupJYKxOXkYEtcudPaIinUR0_LTJcdTLcpYOVir6MEDBi2kYWVfaoKpHxwNLMzLU-8r3YEZBAIaOnvw/s400/1768594041-8b2cb1c7691062a59d5506c382ad8289.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
In truth, I am a self-described 'introverted extrovert' or is it 'extroverted introvert'? Basically, while I love to socialize and to meet new people, I can only do that in limited amounts before I start to feel exhausted or overwhelmed. I wouldn't necessarily say that I am 'shy', but, prior to moving to Denmark, I never went out of my way to meet new people or to start up conversations with a complete stranger. In fact, there was actually a time in my life where I refused to do anything alone -- go to a public bathroom, go to a coffee shop, etc. I'd love to go to a movie by myself but I'm still not sure I'm brave enough to do that even now...as lovely as it sounds... Anyways, I digress. All this to say that having a personality trait like mine can make it difficult to meet new friends -- especially in an environment that is completely new to you (an people who speak a language that you can't speak); which is right where I found myself a year ago when we arrived in Denmark.<br />
<br />
I realized early on that while I could continue to communicate with my girlfriends back home, if I wanted to go out with girlfriends or have that one-on-one time (wine is always welcome to make it a one-on-one-on-one time) with a girl friend, that I was going to have to step outside my comfortability zone and make friends the good old fashioned way. Wait....how do you do that again? It's almost like jumping back into the dating game!!! Talk about scary and awkward!! And, to top it off, our Danish 'cultural class' was filled with warnings that <a href="http://studyindenmark.dk/why-denmark/quality-of-life-1/what-are-the-danes-like" target="_blank">Danes</a> were 'not prone to socialize with strangers' and that it was '<a href="http://www.thelocal.dk/20160304/an-expats-guide-to-making-friends-with-danes" target="_blank">hard to make friends</a>' with Danes, at least deep lasting friendships. <br />
<br />
But still, I decided to give it a go. And do you know what I found? Danes are not unfriendly; they are not cold or stand-offish as some would have you believe. Its a silly generalization that pre-disposes Danes to not making new friends, because I think that if you stereotype people like this in the first place, you're not going to approach them or even try to be their friends, am I right?? Well, I guess I threw caution to the wind -- or just completely ignored that part of the class -- and at the end of our first year here I feel like we have been pretty fortunate in the friend department. We have been lucky enough to meet a number of people during our first year here in Denmark that we can call our friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m2Ku23J4T5_107Q1d8prSsDAOY0p2FXFT6ztef6YCFbVVutv9E9PJSiwGiyboy53tTBWB_a9Kw2J4LPBf8WkuCLg5kEGuEdE__k42usaoheZGSVF_KF9RfCtaQgZnpiWrfdUCQWjyS4/s1600/Photo+Sep+20%252C+16+53+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m2Ku23J4T5_107Q1d8prSsDAOY0p2FXFT6ztef6YCFbVVutv9E9PJSiwGiyboy53tTBWB_a9Kw2J4LPBf8WkuCLg5kEGuEdE__k42usaoheZGSVF_KF9RfCtaQgZnpiWrfdUCQWjyS4/s400/Photo+Sep+20%252C+16+53+20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So, since I would say that our attempts were mostly successful, I thought I'd share some of the things/ways that helped us make some new friends:<br />
<br />
1) <b>School </b>-- having school-aged children made it a little easier to meet people because you already have something in common with them -- KIDS! As I've mentioned in the past, we chose to put the boys in the Danish public school system because WE WANTED TO MAKE DANISH FRIENDS. The kids also wanted to have friends that lived in their neighborhood. We wanted to make friends with Danish parents -- not necessarily parents of an international community (though if you have kids and you choose the international school route, which many do, you will have multiple things in common with those parents as well -- probably your language, your kids, moving to another country, etc.) Sure, I had to get over my 'shyness' to approach some of the other parents, but I also had plenty approach me! Playdates are also a big thing with the kids here, and the school even organizes play groups within each grade, so that made it even easier for us (and our kids) to meet new people. Now, I should point out that living in Denmark, we are VERY fortunate that Danes speak really REALLY good English. So, we didn't have as much of a language barrier to work through. But school is definitely a great place to 'pick up' some new friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe9-XISIso8jBiCjIoP9MQ_gCt6O_5eNTy_TFMf_uBSpzIVJ-3Oeem05X-if1uPsyakKuSlkUlo-DbBfnPkJc9L4N6jAuYk6p7JE9LxuPf2SAu94Gkf8FzkCCYIYthkIoC15WLiyErac/s1600/Photo+Jul+13%252C+13+58+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTe9-XISIso8jBiCjIoP9MQ_gCt6O_5eNTy_TFMf_uBSpzIVJ-3Oeem05X-if1uPsyakKuSlkUlo-DbBfnPkJc9L4N6jAuYk6p7JE9LxuPf2SAu94Gkf8FzkCCYIYthkIoC15WLiyErac/s320/Photo+Jul+13%252C+13+58+41.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2) <b>babies/other kids</b> -- Being a stay-at-home mom is not common in Denmark. Most women who are not working are home with a child under the age of one while on maternity leave. So, while I didn't have a lot in common with these women (since Ben was almost 2 when we moved here), this group of women was one of the ones that I found I could socialize with during the daytime (when the kids were at school). Before Ben started at the børnehave, he and I would walk around, go to the library, etc. And, since babies generally love babies, it was a great ice breaker to let the kids 'introduce' us. I met another one of my friends on the train to Copenhagen; her son was making noises and Ben wanted to go check it out, so we walked up the train to find them and the rest is history!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU9F_dPZJnsa_2flf8XRje9qv363ETKpAYMjsY9lvLPJDoUC9JzW8ywtbRskM9tads_au6dy5wJypph-jXTvzxr-EmIsq6d1cyGLN2LiOkkXbWNQjrFOBPs9HuzrCUSM6qMYrKVXw-8c/s1600/Photo+Jul+06%252C+10+35+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheU9F_dPZJnsa_2flf8XRje9qv363ETKpAYMjsY9lvLPJDoUC9JzW8ywtbRskM9tads_au6dy5wJypph-jXTvzxr-EmIsq6d1cyGLN2LiOkkXbWNQjrFOBPs9HuzrCUSM6qMYrKVXw-8c/s400/Photo+Jul+06%252C+10+35+42.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
3) <b>walking around the neighborhood - </b>while we do have a car here, Max uses it for work and I choose not to drive it. When we first got here, we walked EVERYWHERE. (I was afraid to use my bike too, LOL). And, once Ben started at the børnehave, I found myself with oodles of time and nothing to do. So, I figured since I was already out and about, I would take a walk around the neighborhood. If you keep the same schedule most days, you find you run into the same people repeatedly! (Another perk of Denmark I suppose is that people are very active -- out on their bicycles or walking as well -- so this made it easier to meet people out and about). Sure, some couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak Danish so our 'conversations' consisted of a few "god morns". I met a lot of older people this way -- pensionists (retired people) -- out walking their dogs. Sometimes I even recognized their dog before I recognized them! Conversely, a lot of people recognized me because I always wore the same purple NorthFace backpack around when I walked (good place to store stuff or carry stuff home from the store). Turns out that several other parents had similar routines as I did -- so I met many of them between dropping the older boys off at their school and taking Ben to his -- or during pick up time as well.<br />
<br />
4) <b>Turn on your 'American Radar' </b>-- in addition to the Danish friends I've met, I've also met a good handful of ex-pats or 'American converts' :). Perhaps my most favorite meet-up story involves my good friend Jen. Jen and I crossed paths one morning as I brought Ben to his school, and she was bringing her daughter to hers. I happened to overhear her speaking to her daughter in English -- and not just any English, but AMERICAN ENGLISH. So, being the bright conversationalist that I am, I stopped her in the middle of the path and blurted out "are you speaking AMERICAN?" We started chatting, exchanged numbers and the rest is history HAHAHA. Since that first experience with Jen, I have chatted up other Americans at the mall, in the Netto, etc. It's funny how easy it is to pick up an American accent here once you've turned on the radar!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6YHJs0uEaq3U70WAGP6UBAKS7Yyr72Pe-qOij4wF2u2qrWx3XUdFQ7AqFKvEMSaFcgbk3pU65vQCL-4T0Qh_Vraw6rY4vZjsiIo8DUc8kZa9y58xSUcqO9IxkrZbQOvR1UpiEmLE_eg/s1600/Photo+May+28%252C+21+10+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6YHJs0uEaq3U70WAGP6UBAKS7Yyr72Pe-qOij4wF2u2qrWx3XUdFQ7AqFKvEMSaFcgbk3pU65vQCL-4T0Qh_Vraw6rY4vZjsiIo8DUc8kZa9y58xSUcqO9IxkrZbQOvR1UpiEmLE_eg/s400/Photo+May+28%252C+21+10+20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
4) <b>Join a class/club: </b>When walking got to be a bit boring, I started visiting the local swimming pool -- I met some women while swimming laps. (I joked with Max that the swimming pool is one of the few places that you can meet a friend and see them naked at the same time LOL). Then, Jenn convinced me to try taking some Reformer Pilates classes with her at a local fitness place called <a href="http://www.energii.dk/" target="_blank">Energii </a>. After one class, I was hooked! And it has been a great place to meet friends! The instructors are all super friendly and helpful and the people I've met there have been friendly and warm as well! Plus, as an added bonus, I get to listen/learn/practice my Danish! (and learn some fun new words like "skulder puder"). Yes, it was intimidating at first -- especially not always understanding what was going on, but there is nothing more 'bonding' than being in pain together, LOL. It's almost like an initiation ceremony of friendship or something! I definitely recommend finding something you can join -- like the gym, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPAL0hrzJcZeruHw3iJHiwSyfPJgg0SgH3nlYxq-PX8XL7jtoceTPqCzmKuQAiKJY0N02tLXwNDhh4bLZGQk4Om8zojSV0ZPRO4rJoWnsIPSC8TTfUQXRP5h27Fu_iLHGZcezP9NAUus/s1600/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+40+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPAL0hrzJcZeruHw3iJHiwSyfPJgg0SgH3nlYxq-PX8XL7jtoceTPqCzmKuQAiKJY0N02tLXwNDhh4bLZGQk4Om8zojSV0ZPRO4rJoWnsIPSC8TTfUQXRP5h27Fu_iLHGZcezP9NAUus/s400/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+40+28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
5) <b>Meet your neighbors - </b>it seems like everywhere we have lived we have had fabulous neighbors, and Denmark is no exception! In fact, our next door neighbors are the REASON we live in this area in the first place (YAH for coworkers living next door!). Meet your neighbors by being outside, taking family walks, saying hi to people as they pass by. It's so nice and convenient to have friends that live nearby -- not just in case you need to borrow some butter, but also to join them with a glass of wine or cup of coffee to relax! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE14B0C0IQ_eq0i-EoOhK-xE5HIkzncR-37s6mIym8NW4ufv1PkBA_OF5IjKcgu3CVfBY8hkfZVhIChnNmH3oW8-h0PUmeMyC3019A2myi-f8G21JvYtCmxIpuyAbNZwGhFmcDe2aINuM/s1600/Photo+Jul+30%252C+20+27+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE14B0C0IQ_eq0i-EoOhK-xE5HIkzncR-37s6mIym8NW4ufv1PkBA_OF5IjKcgu3CVfBY8hkfZVhIChnNmH3oW8-h0PUmeMyC3019A2myi-f8G21JvYtCmxIpuyAbNZwGhFmcDe2aINuM/s400/Photo+Jul+30%252C+20+27+54.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tSu7yNjeZq4rDejrIOYflRdjrat5zXxmu8wF1R54unliAbY6KJ8T81zVjjWfrCGzbK5daSPmPL_hmmfaQywkdx7Fxi3XhpI9WFAB_WbtiErK5t9F4G8oMO3Z8Fn3KFyjqfOOZPtu9f0/s1600/Photo+Aug+07%252C+11+33+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tSu7yNjeZq4rDejrIOYflRdjrat5zXxmu8wF1R54unliAbY6KJ8T81zVjjWfrCGzbK5daSPmPL_hmmfaQywkdx7Fxi3XhpI9WFAB_WbtiErK5t9F4G8oMO3Z8Fn3KFyjqfOOZPtu9f0/s400/Photo+Aug+07%252C+11+33+40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
6)<b> SMILE -</b> I put this recommendation last, but it is probably the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT RULE in making friends. No one wants to be friends with someone who is scowling. This lesson is as simple as it comes -- and something your parents probably told you before you went to school (I know we've had this discussion with the boys here). Smiles are also contagious -- if you smile at someone they are bound to smile back at you. When I'm out and about walking around -- I smile at everyone I pass and say 'god morn'. I smile at the people on bicycles even if they aren't smiling at me. I smile even when I don't feel like smiling because if one person smiles back at me, it makes me feel like smiling again. Happy people are much easier to approach, and much easier to remember. There were a few women at my pilates classes that I was very intimidated by -- they never seemed to smile (in retrospect they were probably gritting their teeth to get through the workout). But sometimes you just have to laugh or smile -- and that tension is lost. Also -- being able to laugh at yourself helps a lot. Like, when I lose my grip on my pilates ball and it rolls across the room....laughing at that usually helps break the ice. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMU1eX8Yk4Xmb_aoxcUC5fRVNnpkakqIavglLoTjd05zGTAQgJ9DDAd4JPm6CbWnpYXKfY0bDf11dot4PQE3SQDm_OUimpt-iTQXIH2vtcFaC33u-8rZFIdgLgYVK2IGpx6yqxGTLqA8/s1600/Photo+Jul+27%252C+17+12+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMU1eX8Yk4Xmb_aoxcUC5fRVNnpkakqIavglLoTjd05zGTAQgJ9DDAd4JPm6CbWnpYXKfY0bDf11dot4PQE3SQDm_OUimpt-iTQXIH2vtcFaC33u-8rZFIdgLgYVK2IGpx6yqxGTLqA8/s400/Photo+Jul+27%252C+17+12+52.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Making new friends is NOT easy. And besides, it's not about the quantity of your friends, its about the quality. I'm not posting this to convince you that you need to go out and make a ton of new friends. But, if you are lonely and on the lookout for a new friend, maybe one or two of these pointers can help you. Making just one new friend -- and having someone to socialize with -- makes a huge difference in combatting loneliness and depression. And once you make one new friend, that friend can introduce you to other friends and before you know it your social calendar will be overflowing (if that's what you want, that is).<br />
<br />
As I mentioned before, I feel so grateful to have met and made the friends that I have this first year in Denmark -- I truly believe that their friendship has helped minimize my homesickness and has made my time here in Denmark SO much more enjoyable. Three cheers to good friends -- near AND far!<br />
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-85780216210142694902016-07-29T04:21:00.000-05:002016-08-09T05:09:12.900-05:00ExPat Advice Topic 1: International Communication<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-kMZHH_bt86aCgUHx34SoKP0Pc7wn4YEARaxn2cOmt7tXksrmSxC3R3h_cqld7vuOFeaG5_M3qbWrz0lNWpdNbkD4mfvTD3GXI4tgC601eDoNfkK9v1TGK1f9EJdH7Lzmp0YhsR4p_U/s1600/communication.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-kMZHH_bt86aCgUHx34SoKP0Pc7wn4YEARaxn2cOmt7tXksrmSxC3R3h_cqld7vuOFeaG5_M3qbWrz0lNWpdNbkD4mfvTD3GXI4tgC601eDoNfkK9v1TGK1f9EJdH7Lzmp0YhsR4p_U/s640/communication.png" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<br />We are quickly approaching our one year anniversary in Denmark -- a part of me cannot believe that a year has passed by so quickly and the other part is in awe at how much we have accomplished, seen, experienced and conquered...<br /><br />I want to take some time to talk about some things we've encountered as a result of our international move -- for perspective -- or perhaps to help someone else who is considering an international move for themselves. This will be the first post in this series of topics -- today's topic is International Communication.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKsbb0hi4ue1Oec7J3RbgF29K_EWVkBnYGrpNZeVAJgANjQuZQouhU-xa97I1bLfaJ2yx2l1LPl0XWxBVSF0LtB-9RqUo4ApNlTnTJy-vc3sWKuz_1AN1zblwnMs0ShRQ2Paq8Pup7A/s1600/International.jpg"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMKsbb0hi4ue1Oec7J3RbgF29K_EWVkBnYGrpNZeVAJgANjQuZQouhU-xa97I1bLfaJ2yx2l1LPl0XWxBVSF0LtB-9RqUo4ApNlTnTJy-vc3sWKuz_1AN1zblwnMs0ShRQ2Paq8Pup7A/s640/International.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
<br />Communication is one of those things you take for granted until you really have to think about it. In my previous job, I had to help troubleshoot long-distance and international communication a great deal -- from Wisconsin to the interior of the Democratic Republic of Congo -- a place where communication just didn't exist until fairly recently. So, I was a bit prepared, to say the least. I knew that there were plenty of options for communication -- many of which worked really well -- and many of which were FREE!<br /><br />As a result, when we first moved to Denmark, it didn't feel like we were thousands of miles away from our friends and family back home. Today's technology really makes it SO EASY to stay in touch. SMS messaging, FB messenger, Skype, Facebook, Email, Snail Mail, our MagicJack phone (that still has a US number), FaceTime, etc. The list goes on and on. And, most of these options are FREE. The biggest hardship has been the time difference -- not being able to chat with friends and family until the afternoon hours really limits the amount of time you have to communicate.<br /><br />I know it seems like we've transitioned well in this transfer -- and truthfully it has been mostly smooth -- but I also don't want to make it seem like it was a walk in the park (see my earlier post on <a href="http://livinthemclife.blogspot.dk/2016/05/doing-hard-things.html">doing hard things</a>). Our communication with friends and family has suffered to some degree, in fact, most of the online literature you'll read if you google 'staying connected with international family' will tell you that you should "Realize and accept that many of your friends (and even your family) back home will not be proactive about staying in touch with you when you move overseas. Just accept that if you want to stay in contact with key family and friends you will have to initiate most of the contact and make the lion’s share of the effort to keep these relationships going." Thankfully, with today's technology and a proactive approach with some of the suggestions below -- you can keep help to keep lines of communication open to the degree that the distance won't feel so great. And since communication is obviously a two way street, please know this -- if you are a friend or family member to someone living overseas -- or living far from home -- a little bit of communication goes a LONG way. Hopefully one or more of the suggestions below will resonate with you: <br /><br /><b><u>1) CHECK INs: </u></b> There are so many ways to check-in with a friend that don't cost money and don't take a lot of time or effort. If you're on FB -- <u>write on their timeline</u> or send them a message. [Comments and likes are so impersonal and often times overlooked -- people have started liking their own posts for crying out loud (talk about narcissistic LOL)]. Send a <u>short text message</u> letting your friend know you are thinking about them. <u>Write a personal email</u>. Set up a <u>Skype or FaceTime 'date'</u>. Message them over <u>FB Messenger</u> -- you can even phone/video chat through FB messenger. Against technology? <u>Write a lette</u>r (e.g. mail to Denmark from the US is fairly inexpensive -- the cost of a US International Forever Stamp). <u>Pick up the phone</u> and call. <br /><br /><b><u>2) MAKE THE CONVERSATIONS SHORT AND REAL-TIME:</u></b> People often think that catching up over long distances needs to happen in one long sitting; this isn’t true. Short, regular bursts of interaction are often more effective and are easier to fit in your day-to-day life. I have personally found text messaging or SnapChat to be particularly useful in this respect (see also messaging apps below).<br /><br /><b><u>3) SELFIES:</u></b> One of the best ways to lift your spirits on a bad day is to see the face of someone close to you. Distance doesn’t have to change this. Send pictures of yourself to each other. Perhaps you overslept this morning and you’re looking groggy and tired – take a picture of yourself just like that. It will add a level of honesty to your relationships. If you have children, get them to make funny faces and send to loved ones. One of my favorite past-times has been to make silly videos of myself singing popular songs in a chipmunk voice. HAHA, yes I just admitted that. And if someone makes fun of you for your selfies -- just ignore them (yes there are actually people rude enough to do this to your face).<br /><br /><b><u>4) INDIRECT TIME TOGETHER:</u></b> Just because you aren't close in proximity doesn't mean you can't keep doing the things you like together! When I first moved here, I missed my running partner something fierce! It was so hard to stay motivated to run, and I really missed having her with me! We thought up a unique situation to keep ourselves accountable -- we ran a half marathon 'together' at the same time but across the ocean from each other! You could also schedule a time every month to watch the same movie, at the same time, in each of your individual homes. You don’t necessarily have to be in contact while watching the movie, but it will create the feeling of doing something together. Just like at home, you’re not always in the mood to keep a conversation going. Sometimes just doing something together silently is comforting too.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGocJ2Ed8fdXMVOMyLShKt68fYnEte2GTRcJyYo0AOOIyV2a4uoruqurp_LA3YIJoZBr8FZ9jfzSMemFGDXo6Pjox8H_O4pa7eflXXtY3YKTdnVR2ysAI6dZ0bjThDdT4iKY0o89TeNCQ/s1600/Apps-008.jpg"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGocJ2Ed8fdXMVOMyLShKt68fYnEte2GTRcJyYo0AOOIyV2a4uoruqurp_LA3YIJoZBr8FZ9jfzSMemFGDXo6Pjox8H_O4pa7eflXXtY3YKTdnVR2ysAI6dZ0bjThDdT4iKY0o89TeNCQ/s640/Apps-008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<b><u>5) MESSAGING APPS:</u></b> SnapChat, instant messengers like Whatsapp, iMessage, FaceTime, Skype, etc are paramount to your relationship. They enable you to send messages across borders for free and you can add pictures and voice notes when you don’t have the time or the patience to write. It’s easy to send a quick message asking how their day was or what they’re cooking for dinner. Skype is your second best friend, but your Skype conversations don’t always have to be boring. Pour yourselves a glass of wine on each end and play a game on a Friday night instead of going out.<br /><br /><b><u>6) KEEP YOUR DATES:</u></b> If you have a date to phone each other, try your hardest not to cancel. Time differences and schedules will make it difficult for you to find a different time to catch up. Make this date just as important as a meeting with your boss would be.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BETKvN8sfz2XHYIn1B45DP9gXCkCwoqXiapVAMUAxLyzMEmgYEnfrkm3fnw7yVn91Pfr5PYSqM2M8QVjLQJtuZ_7ylRbt5BVHHulPaVShUIRC0K_lFp8MbV9K4LUm3oFAa9AzctmgM4/s1600/birthday-08.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BETKvN8sfz2XHYIn1B45DP9gXCkCwoqXiapVAMUAxLyzMEmgYEnfrkm3fnw7yVn91Pfr5PYSqM2M8QVjLQJtuZ_7ylRbt5BVHHulPaVShUIRC0K_lFp8MbV9K4LUm3oFAa9AzctmgM4/s640/birthday-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><b><u>7) BIRTHDAYS:</u></b> I have friends who celebrate their birthday for an entire week or an entire month -- so it's no secret that birthdays are special and important days - ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. Most young kids don't have a FB account but mom or dad likely does. Birthday wishes on FB have got to be one of the EASIEST ways to let someone know you are thinking about them. If it's too difficult to manage a phone call with the time difference or to mail a birthday card (FYI: International Forever stamps are not that expensive and are an easy way to send mail overseas from the US), send a message via FB, Skype, email or even text message! It might be hard to imagine, but birthdays can feel very lonely without your close friends and family around to celebrate with you -- this past year everyone in our family has experienced their 'first' birthday overseas. A big thank you to everyone who made a little extra effort towards our family during our first year here -- it was not overlooked, in fact it was cherished and greatly appreciated.<br /><b><u><br />8) GET INTO HABITS: </u></b>Small, regular habits can make all the difference, especially when life gets so busy that you can’t find time to fit in a decent conversation. Send a text the moment you wake up in the morning, or just before you go to bed at night. It only takes 10 seconds and it will keep the channel of communication open between you constantly. <br /><b><u><br />9) EVERY LITTLE BIT COUNTS: </u></b> Above all, remember that for a friend living overseas far from friends and family any little bit of effort counts -- and it IS recognized. There is never a 'too little' amount. <br /><br />I hope these suggestions were helpful for perspective or for advice if you are making an international move soon. I can say without any hesitation that moving abroad has been a dream come true, but the one thing that has been really hard to deal with is not having friends and family close by. Obviously you can't really change that proximity thing, but with the right amount of effort from both parties, you can certainly make the distance gap feel A LOT smaller. <br /><br />If this post was helpful for you and you would like to see any other topics/subjects on international living discussed, please feel free to leave that in the comments! </span><br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCub-YCEYoG5P6NHnH-M1Lv_2kpFQIUBBvRApeI1sg5ySVMyGFZzWGcl1omZXafjfGKJmIuH4v3wi4H0ttFNLA1By85nV6p8T_NZmDUs-4zIcqouhFQsk-37I-i7-mDw7dQ1pTZg47-qg/s1600/denmark_grunge_flag_by_syndikata_np-d5n3d7e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCub-YCEYoG5P6NHnH-M1Lv_2kpFQIUBBvRApeI1sg5ySVMyGFZzWGcl1omZXafjfGKJmIuH4v3wi4H0ttFNLA1By85nV6p8T_NZmDUs-4zIcqouhFQsk-37I-i7-mDw7dQ1pTZg47-qg/s640/denmark_grunge_flag_by_syndikata_np-d5n3d7e.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com02970 Hørsholm, Denmark55.883514 12.5049239999999655.812255 12.34356249999996 55.954772999999996 12.66628549999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-56148541056813287912016-07-06T14:16:00.001-05:002016-07-06T14:19:48.406-05:00Combatting Loneliness with Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqBgOaR7crbyGbUwruqr2_JoeC04ZosRAGh_9UdikpxFlLeT0LP3fD4C3ss-g9JyZvSAvjsJH7hzgzwBa0hC1x26Kqe4j4vCd5DvapXqcc0i_9Xf5c0gxkZYa2hKJSsR7cqZyc31JmyQ/s1600/fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqBgOaR7crbyGbUwruqr2_JoeC04ZosRAGh_9UdikpxFlLeT0LP3fD4C3ss-g9JyZvSAvjsJH7hzgzwBa0hC1x26Kqe4j4vCd5DvapXqcc0i_9Xf5c0gxkZYa2hKJSsR7cqZyc31JmyQ/s400/fireworks.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Fourth of July 2016 fell on our 11 month anniversary of moving to Denmark. Back home, we would've been celebrating the holiday with family and friends, enjoying the warm weather swimming in a lake or pool, most likely enjoying a few drinks. Instead, I found myself living vicariously through my US friends from the pictures and posts they put on Facebook. There were no fireworks here to punctuate the quiet of the night; there were no loud parties or buffets of delicious smelling foods. The day was pretty much like any other Danish summer day: a bit chilly, a bit rainy, and a bit windy. With one exception...today felt a bit lonely too.<br /><br />Over the past year, my emotions have run the full gamut. Excitement, elation, nervousness, gratitude, fear, frustration, amazement, pride; but it wasn't until very recently that loneliness started to creep in and overstay its welcome ...<br /><br />It's funny because whether you live 15 miles or 4000 miles away from someone you can still feel lonely. It's all about being proactive with keeping lines of communication open. In today's day and age, technology makes it much easier to stay in touch, but that same technology can also make you feel lonely, left-out and sad. Hence the Facebook posts that usually made me feel happy and glad to see faces of my friends and family -- instead, today, made me feel sad and lonely.<br /><br />So, to combat the loneliness I'm feeling right now, I decided to come up with a gratitude list. Instead of focusing on the negatives -- the things I'm missing out on -- I'm choosing to focus on the things that make me feel happy today, July 6, 2016 in Hørsholm, Denmark.<br /><br />1) my bicycle and my walking shoes: it has been 11 months of not driving a car for me here in DK. Grocery shopping has definitely gotten much more creative :)</span><br />
<div>
<div>
<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">2) living on an island - technically Sjæland is an island which means we are surrounded by ocean!! It's 3 miles to the water from our house</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0ahOByZIKtPSIOh76hfvI-DpLk8xX5cC4Ewk15nmdL-IcQQ_GwTmRdbgpEHWZOUz74VwCsfqQ7go9CX-H5jKyCwhKanTFYQods2csZyYZoSh3_vapX1zHRJi89yb-NIS2J3Gn0ThIk/s640/blogger-image-1822188816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHG0ahOByZIKtPSIOh76hfvI-DpLk8xX5cC4Ewk15nmdL-IcQQ_GwTmRdbgpEHWZOUz74VwCsfqQ7go9CX-H5jKyCwhKanTFYQods2csZyYZoSh3_vapX1zHRJi89yb-NIS2J3Gn0ThIk/s640/blogger-image-1822188816.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3) caprese salads - seriously obsessed right now. I think the fresh basil from my garden helps :)</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQBe_Mk7x3Saj7Cq9oRKTP8HAcCvxAx6BN39HE7LND-M5ntCeC57vViKIk1YZG-gZlLuCT_OZF8cMOTasfDQGRckZvDbg65ffpW4QX2KprrGBih0DmZn7seWJDZx3dpIWscKnLA4az80/s640/blogger-image--730231516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSQBe_Mk7x3Saj7Cq9oRKTP8HAcCvxAx6BN39HE7LND-M5ntCeC57vViKIk1YZG-gZlLuCT_OZF8cMOTasfDQGRckZvDbg65ffpW4QX2KprrGBih0DmZn7seWJDZx3dpIWscKnLA4az80/s640/blogger-image--730231516.jpg" /></a></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4) the sound of Ben's laugh. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5) Pinterest and Instagram - feeding my crochet obsession with an endless supply of new ideas</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6) wonderful neighbors and new friends - everyone we've met has been so wonderful and has really made us feel at home</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aNJey9pp0Ep9gQOWy2zHx3YeBTr1HY-v-esxfrWdAkEnfYWf7KLagk4b42wtylixhw8Qza1ggdV8jcLK58JC6jw75CtXojbJZqzGpLXMxpaWHdt6Z7fjuKe7E0ZpSFXt7kb9LYU2vbI/s640/blogger-image-947261709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aNJey9pp0Ep9gQOWy2zHx3YeBTr1HY-v-esxfrWdAkEnfYWf7KLagk4b42wtylixhw8Qza1ggdV8jcLK58JC6jw75CtXojbJZqzGpLXMxpaWHdt6Z7fjuKe7E0ZpSFXt7kb9LYU2vbI/s640/blogger-image-947261709.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">7) Pilates - I've never felt stronger in my life. I still enjoy my other fitness activities but I've met lots of new friends and learned to do things with my body I never thought possible.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn0N29HsG1Eg0_gQirrHvBv_J-_56wmpZHvf7HG408vFlPwm9vSr0d_BIwwPlmvm8V4RaawLXx5fNzdkAItdRU27me3VOsEEsiJpmRQG1gsDFv_A-FJ_J4lRRKabg6ubR9_GmZrTpN3M/s640/blogger-image-1968189837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbn0N29HsG1Eg0_gQirrHvBv_J-_56wmpZHvf7HG408vFlPwm9vSr0d_BIwwPlmvm8V4RaawLXx5fNzdkAItdRU27me3VOsEEsiJpmRQG1gsDFv_A-FJ_J4lRRKabg6ubR9_GmZrTpN3M/s640/blogger-image-1968189837.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8) unlimited adventures - it sure feels like we've got so much to do around us and that we've barely scratched the surface of all the cool things here -- and that's just in Denmark! Europe is a whole new adventure!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">9) coffee - nuff said</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LOcP3rLq8lLWN-34mLLwRJS8tfOIGuR9bwOmLsqvwrKZN0veO6kyEJ9Du8HteQq2yz8rzdYF8QKrCg4-JhDlcz3CZce9cEGbMu_qnJ7NxmYokvwXGyCFWCYdHKjJfSm5mYa1WMQzFJ0/s640/blogger-image-860498418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LOcP3rLq8lLWN-34mLLwRJS8tfOIGuR9bwOmLsqvwrKZN0veO6kyEJ9Du8HteQq2yz8rzdYF8QKrCg4-JhDlcz3CZce9cEGbMu_qnJ7NxmYokvwXGyCFWCYdHKjJfSm5mYa1WMQzFJ0/s640/blogger-image-860498418.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">10) my garden. I was so excited to get my hands dirty and grow my own food here. It reminds me of being at home with my garden. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NS7WefKn35NcwP8L9bbEeCqmtKFsSlQ1ct5xehGJIiE_ofJ-HMoxByO92rIUYdbQZOzzmTMZ67GwdzF5QoijmC9JY1-oWvHUpamrfxOkk6NjrumDLNTjNPIHRm00cuLNT_D71Jt1h08/s640/blogger-image-2141525559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NS7WefKn35NcwP8L9bbEeCqmtKFsSlQ1ct5xehGJIiE_ofJ-HMoxByO92rIUYdbQZOzzmTMZ67GwdzF5QoijmC9JY1-oWvHUpamrfxOkk6NjrumDLNTjNPIHRm00cuLNT_D71Jt1h08/s640/blogger-image-2141525559.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">11) Is (also known as ice cream). Thank goodness Danes love it as much as I do! Vi spiser kun is på dagen, der ender på 'dag'</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr-qxrwEZJOnJQPpmIwblAk_IWe67g5ohi-1bfZW8TkJvQgxNKrA0z5tRcuDNxQoJQYHS_KLZAtcp_0cdQCW76iO7aOlzyeFtB_4OfZf17xxeAjCOUxffshwBEt8lw_GwzLEdcKlRO6Q/s640/blogger-image-398535433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr-qxrwEZJOnJQPpmIwblAk_IWe67g5ohi-1bfZW8TkJvQgxNKrA0z5tRcuDNxQoJQYHS_KLZAtcp_0cdQCW76iO7aOlzyeFtB_4OfZf17xxeAjCOUxffshwBEt8lw_GwzLEdcKlRO6Q/s640/blogger-image-398535433.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">12) a wonderful husband who is on the same page as me (most of the time) and loves and supports me</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLy8SRSyAiay8XdfFeGUDkcuPAUfqp9aXt4Onvxp8tSzp78wNFS94Kt2r9m3tS0yK4HbLgQw6MftJ94MLjHC3GIgbmrTg5M31LNXCVbhAzKI-YdzI1h8sM9tlFUFgvcStp8fC0WgTecw/s640/blogger-image-1684655073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLy8SRSyAiay8XdfFeGUDkcuPAUfqp9aXt4Onvxp8tSzp78wNFS94Kt2r9m3tS0yK4HbLgQw6MftJ94MLjHC3GIgbmrTg5M31LNXCVbhAzKI-YdzI1h8sM9tlFUFgvcStp8fC0WgTecw/s640/blogger-image-1684655073.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">13) loving and supporting parents who choose to have an active and present role in our life not only by checking in with us regularly but also by making time to visit us. They really are a treasure and I'm so thankful for them. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlmxqAc7LudUSMO444jsTwVlSLvaXDsew_MzyoyHf1Pzcy9MclC5mycfz1KJD45TH90pdWm6ykLOP0qDnQbHvDTzyMOmcpReMXdPTCnfiOSKUbb8SbvKyAuLND4zG3JF7AaaAqnN5E5k/s640/blogger-image--1384002134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlmxqAc7LudUSMO444jsTwVlSLvaXDsew_MzyoyHf1Pzcy9MclC5mycfz1KJD45TH90pdWm6ykLOP0qDnQbHvDTzyMOmcpReMXdPTCnfiOSKUbb8SbvKyAuLND4zG3JF7AaaAqnN5E5k/s640/blogger-image--1384002134.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeS7XAjyIe5SZgNYseQl_QjGLknVL06yFnOdtAYSZoIwdLFpK4eIoYL4bZTU5mExtMBnm4eouh9VuHHyT8Z5XJFRJG8Epapl4g2Dj4y6N_iTyjHZRyRDqnWgIh2XoYMomIomU-b_6fj0/s640/blogger-image-440331547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEeS7XAjyIe5SZgNYseQl_QjGLknVL06yFnOdtAYSZoIwdLFpK4eIoYL4bZTU5mExtMBnm4eouh9VuHHyT8Z5XJFRJG8Epapl4g2Dj4y6N_iTyjHZRyRDqnWgIh2XoYMomIomU-b_6fj0/s640/blogger-image-440331547.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">14) my friends back home: I have truly been blessed with a wonderful group of friends that I've known for over 20 years. We've seen each other through many firsts in our lives -- both happy and sad. While being far apart from them makes my loneliness even more apparent, I am so grateful that I have them constantly reaching out to me. It's almost as if they know or can read my mind at times. I don't know what I would do without these friends -- you know who you are! XOXO</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well look at that! Without even having to think too hard I have found so many things in my life to be grateful for. This was definitely a worthwhile exercise for me to help combat my sadness today. How about you? Could you use some gratitude in your life right now? Try making your own list! You don't have to make it public like mine, but if you want to share some of your thankfulness here in the comments I'd love to read it! ❤️❤️</span></div>
</div>
</div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com12970 Hørsholm, Denmark55.881088484060307 12.5024414062555.8454494840603 12.42176040625 55.91672748406031 12.58312240625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-5314297343791185992016-05-26T09:36:00.001-05:002016-07-06T04:43:01.426-05:00Doing hard things<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiYtAZbB2ZzH1Q0S0uGhhrPaYZlpojF2HIDndaQcsTuuh1hwI0M-9Jq8KQN2ceMpL_hgvLrlx9FicaS2ZDFeniV_d4EhZWuRVL4dpJBegKMOBMHaX1_VIXiA9LNNSfe4T6DHeSTj6fQs/s640/blogger-image--2049345198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiYtAZbB2ZzH1Q0S0uGhhrPaYZlpojF2HIDndaQcsTuuh1hwI0M-9Jq8KQN2ceMpL_hgvLrlx9FicaS2ZDFeniV_d4EhZWuRVL4dpJBegKMOBMHaX1_VIXiA9LNNSfe4T6DHeSTj6fQs/s640/blogger-image--2049345198.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
I spent most of the last 8+ years trying to make my kids' lives safe and easy: cutting their food, holding their hands, kissing owies...you get the picture. I felt that I was doing the right thing; being a good mom. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But life isn't full of safe and easy. And often times, we don't get the choice or the chance to make things safe and easy...and what happens then? I started to think that maybe I was doing a disservice to my kids instead. Not that I would ever intentionally put them in harms way, but I started thinking about the life lessons I was teaching (or NOT teaching) them. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You see, I have boys. 3 of them to be exact. 3 white, upper middle class, English speaking, male offspring. I started to think, didn't they have enough advantage in life? I began to wonder how could I make them appreciate and not abuse or take for granted this privilege that they had not earned...but rather been born into...</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">When we moved to Denmark, we knew it would be hard on the boys. But because of my earlier revelation about privilege, I welcomed the difficulty. I realized that, for the first time, my boys would get to experience (albeit on a much smaller level) what it would feel like to be an outsider...a minority. I hoped beyond all hope that they could take this opportunity as a life lesson and learn about empathy, understanding, privilege and inclusivity.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When we arrived in Denmark and picked schools for the boys we chose the public school route. Whenever someone asked me where they went to school, I got curious looks and then I'd get asked why we didn't send them to the international school just 2 miles away when we were only here for two years. While we didn't just pick the public school to make their lives 'hard', it was a definitely part of our consideration. We wanted to integrate into Danish life...we wanted to make Danish friends and be motivated to learn the language. International school just didn't mesh with our ultimate goals and wishes for our short time here. <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">I won't sugar coat the first few months of school here. They were ROUGH. Daily complaints of: 'I miss my friends at home', 'I wish dad never took the job', even 'I hate it here'. Refusals to try to learn Danish, refusals to try to speak it. I started to lose hope and wondered if we had made the wrong decision...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But my boys, oh my sweet boys, they amazed me beyond my greatest expectations. They complained but they didn't give up. Max started to insist he needed to learn Danish so he could make friends in the neighborhood and play with them. I can't even tell you how much it made my heart swell with pride to watch these boys walk so bravely into a classroom where they didn't know a single soul...or in the beginning, speak any of their language (nor they ours...except the teachers...English starts in 1st grade). And yet day after day, week after week, they bravely went to school and tried their best. Thinking about it now just makes me so incredibly proud of them and their strength, their tenacity, their bravado. These boys took that mountain right in front of them and looked it straight in the eyes and then climbed it...and made it to the very summit!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today we are nearly 10 months into our adventure here and Max is reading, writing, speaking and understanding Danish! He's not quite up to grade level but he's doing a phenomenal job and even tested higher than expected on a Danish competence test and well above average on a national math test (part of which required reading instructions and a few problems in Danish). Sam isn't far behind but he's been reluctant to speak Danish. However in the last few weeks he's been trying to 'teach' me Danish (this is how Max started) and I've heard him speaking Danish at school and occasionally at home. Ben speaks a mixture of Danish and English (sometimes in the same sentence). He only is spoken to in Danish at his kindergarten and he responds in Danish there too. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Today Max had his best friend over after school and my house was filled with excited talking in a language that I couldn't even understand. Sam even joined in a bit! It amazes me that in such a short time how far these boys have come and how much they've accomplished. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Life is still going to have hard things in it. It will never be simple or easy. But I can always look back on this time and remember how this hard time went. How, as much as I stressed about it, worried about it, cried about it, it turned out ok in the end. My kids are champions. They are resilient and brave and courageous and they didn't give up when the going got tough. If ever there was a proud mom moment in my life...I think this one takes the cake.</span></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-14924185423037278952015-11-02T14:49:00.000-06:002015-11-02T14:49:13.339-06:00A Day in the Life - Horsholm Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Many have asked what a typical day is like for us in Denmark. So, I thought I'd snap some photos of our days here and patch them together to make a 'Day in the Life' post for you.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On school days we wake up around 6am. Max's first alarm goes off before 6 so he can get in the shower. My first alarm goes off at 6, but I usually snooze it. Around this time we generally hear the older boys get up (their door makes a loud cracking sound when opened) or Ben wakes up and starts talking to himself in Bengilese (his native language). Both the older boys get themselves ready completely on their own and then make their way down the SUPER creaky steps to the main floor. I eventually roll out of bed before my second alarm goes off at 6:30 and go get Ben up and out of bed and dressed (if big Max hasn't taken care of it already). Ben is very much a momma's boy and often times won't let anyone else help him in the mornings except for me. We prefer to not have a temper tantrum every morning so generally I just take care of it :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wakeup!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC07AGHVvSktqL3x07IpW07T3KQd-C_uih36pgSuGqGXWNeO1h8CCfzPWkzV0KncdxB4fm2xsPGPgAfMztM2fMWnLbhimPyKds-LbGKW4CYXc3yaR8dfxsUwVYOVlghZGlNDuHSGO_H4/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+25+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvC07AGHVvSktqL3x07IpW07T3KQd-C_uih36pgSuGqGXWNeO1h8CCfzPWkzV0KncdxB4fm2xsPGPgAfMztM2fMWnLbhimPyKds-LbGKW4CYXc3yaR8dfxsUwVYOVlghZGlNDuHSGO_H4/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+25+14.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Cd7yySNz2Gp-U5F6lH-aMMGgEapEQb8oatH5S-g4Yem-gR_tK1YirouT9dK8FUoBEO8Et08OflTxYyggBO2tsQC2-wWF05TrL9g65iMLRNZfcHWtVXy0id-ueG0roEiyRsz3MRShUA/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+29+14+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9Cd7yySNz2Gp-U5F6lH-aMMGgEapEQb8oatH5S-g4Yem-gR_tK1YirouT9dK8FUoBEO8Et08OflTxYyggBO2tsQC2-wWF05TrL9g65iMLRNZfcHWtVXy0id-ueG0roEiyRsz3MRShUA/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+29+14+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FvDu9k6K6rGSX3KTduHRKT9-72k8NfbYlp2I3BFw8Ir4C2rGp7U40rLNA5LcSoJ8pSXrA63wnpLfR0u9TWQTrvIcTp_CCGszQGY0xYSX-941z5Vvh7qb2RnSwAzPA0AvrPrAB4g9Ixw/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+34+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FvDu9k6K6rGSX3KTduHRKT9-72k8NfbYlp2I3BFw8Ir4C2rGp7U40rLNA5LcSoJ8pSXrA63wnpLfR0u9TWQTrvIcTp_CCGszQGY0xYSX-941z5Vvh7qb2RnSwAzPA0AvrPrAB4g9Ixw/s400/Photo+Oct+30%252C+06+34+45.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Breakfast time: Big Max usually leaves around 6:30 (carpooling with our neighbor to the office). The big boys usually make their own breakfasts and if they need help with pouring milk or getting things out of the microwave he will help them before he leaves. Ben and I get downstairs and I make him some sort of breakfast, usually an egg and fruit, or bread and butter or a breakfast muffin. I make myself a cup of coffee with our wonderful Jura coffee maker and make sure that Ben's breakfast gets in his mouth rather than all over the floor (I am only about 60% successful most mornings).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxdTiYDbsx3cm1Jyn-1HR_8zB0t2iKHPCzu9WIBuPTjfuYf1Y-wCpH0PwWUA61L3KyCq996s3JQ2OL18WTCwNgISS84KVr7YKJK57B8wUP-EanTjbkuanOceZTlHM2KJVm1vUW1_PHh4/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+52+57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxdTiYDbsx3cm1Jyn-1HR_8zB0t2iKHPCzu9WIBuPTjfuYf1Y-wCpH0PwWUA61L3KyCq996s3JQ2OL18WTCwNgISS84KVr7YKJK57B8wUP-EanTjbkuanOceZTlHM2KJVm1vUW1_PHh4/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+52+57.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTidRFfOROlpN0fkZojRM0VbUWobBHIBlOn1HXHh-wpokKLVK2QWWTWotEP1JWYkafJD7yrxdwRxrl7EqGgJjQbmolhAm0AzCU4T9vmAMpwZ7U9pxFHJWoUKVwTfDWYWvSiCHCb3BW7o/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+52+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTidRFfOROlpN0fkZojRM0VbUWobBHIBlOn1HXHh-wpokKLVK2QWWTWotEP1JWYkafJD7yrxdwRxrl7EqGgJjQbmolhAm0AzCU4T9vmAMpwZ7U9pxFHJWoUKVwTfDWYWvSiCHCb3BW7o/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+52+23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The big boys put their lunches and water bottles in their backpacks after finishing their breakfasts, so at 6:57 I start rounding up the troops to put on coats and shoes and making sure library books or other materials have made it into backpacks. We have to get out the door by 7:01 to walk to the bus stop -- the bus comes at 7:09 to take us to our first destination, Max's school.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDawEaCwJ7WyzYpqWyST1dKQ8Y4XN8DQrmfRvg_LcoZoHFQ_4EWMAbcGFZCq9IoFoGVOcQEUP9BC89w4_xyGvIQmel7b_aRygmtsGu06H4xoB7EDyZFL_BJkT9EixjyIogxwF7Xh1vgo/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+58+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJDawEaCwJ7WyzYpqWyST1dKQ8Y4XN8DQrmfRvg_LcoZoHFQ_4EWMAbcGFZCq9IoFoGVOcQEUP9BC89w4_xyGvIQmel7b_aRygmtsGu06H4xoB7EDyZFL_BJkT9EixjyIogxwF7Xh1vgo/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+06+58+15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bus passes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60IsMtnnuAwHTCp15itTAhxxUaw-ocTtNkzB8X8eipKFVEIqNbiXYNBSSeGA9kxAytxLO4DIj0uye0D0BeQY8idtPybUr7NnTPFM7dyQyFCkwTjx2M6aUXjPnaCsZQdC0xNUJ3MEoMfg/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60IsMtnnuAwHTCp15itTAhxxUaw-ocTtNkzB8X8eipKFVEIqNbiXYNBSSeGA9kxAytxLO4DIj0uye0D0BeQY8idtPybUr7NnTPFM7dyQyFCkwTjx2M6aUXjPnaCsZQdC0xNUJ3MEoMfg/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+19.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max helped me take a few pictures this morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqWvo7OSQh4JGSrKwzSlTC3_GKh9-s1nbEAiX5vtauIkRFh9VYQetAyxv1CUfXuVms_7wwjSlrR_kVAMuHa0x48zFhtf2xIm0RznqCD9AF5MoG_v_-e_PmuawKW8KhuhFHzbycfXEKMU/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqWvo7OSQh4JGSrKwzSlTC3_GKh9-s1nbEAiX5vtauIkRFh9VYQetAyxv1CUfXuVms_7wwjSlrR_kVAMuHa0x48zFhtf2xIm0RznqCD9AF5MoG_v_-e_PmuawKW8KhuhFHzbycfXEKMU/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+28.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMx9EB6Dg4fF-g8Q_BSAJMPZpjQjI1BGn7cUJKKbDFok-E0vzrIzBfA77kbM_O2ltlkpwGKzFWz8RiarspxUJEmUfduBCPgcuv18NfjGaHZa0Ea7I6cAm7MH-5TXfiVwOV8e2ZTSH3w4/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMx9EB6Dg4fF-g8Q_BSAJMPZpjQjI1BGn7cUJKKbDFok-E0vzrIzBfA77kbM_O2ltlkpwGKzFWz8RiarspxUJEmUfduBCPgcuv18NfjGaHZa0Ea7I6cAm7MH-5TXfiVwOV8e2ZTSH3w4/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+00+48.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every morning, I drop each of the boys off at a different school. Sam and Ben's schools are close to our house and only about .5 miles apart. Max's school is about 3 miles away, so we ride the bus there first. For awhile I had been alternating between taking the stroller and not taking the stroller on the bus. Ben has been pretty lazy about walking (and when he does walk he ends up falling on his face half the time). Lately, I've just been taking the stroller because it is easier getting him to school -- it is about .5 miles from Sam's school and my arms just don't want to be lugging his heavy body around anymore. Most mornings Ben is content to ride in the stroller, but some mornings he asks to walk so I of course let him because we are working on encouraging this behavior. The older boys are generally a few steps ahead of us making sure that someone is at the bus stop just in case the bus is early; to make sure it will stop for us. If we miss this bus we have to walk a little further up to the main road to catch a different bus -- but that one won't come for another 10-15 mins which means that we will be late getting Sam to school on time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_z_DxI9uRxG51nkdG6gU6MBwjEXmQkA5pdDfynuIyyMDAMmdqrSVwnUraDq-4JJrOOp8vbWBstzPbmgWBHS49ErD9z9oJkaZoXZGPxy_taIARn26hLneOKue4N9IU-bH9c53rlviIRw/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+07+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_z_DxI9uRxG51nkdG6gU6MBwjEXmQkA5pdDfynuIyyMDAMmdqrSVwnUraDq-4JJrOOp8vbWBstzPbmgWBHS49ErD9z9oJkaZoXZGPxy_taIARn26hLneOKue4N9IU-bH9c53rlviIRw/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+07+10.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY-gL724NXM8C30cGTLWAN554hyphenhypheneBcrZiD-apr2hTByEh70GgNusyK4DlDjbEMhpDYBgv_P3i7lM2SrXYzkQ9eCuRvxPDRezMfeXyP05r__17mIU2OxyqBQol6iecApc24oDKsJQRJ2w/s1600/Photo+Oct+29%252C+07+03+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY-gL724NXM8C30cGTLWAN554hyphenhypheneBcrZiD-apr2hTByEh70GgNusyK4DlDjbEMhpDYBgv_P3i7lM2SrXYzkQ9eCuRvxPDRezMfeXyP05r__17mIU2OxyqBQol6iecApc24oDKsJQRJ2w/s320/Photo+Oct+29%252C+07+03+42.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Waiting for the bus</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmc8gUpkIEvFDZF7uGIyVqSl8e4vvjzBJIf2AjkB2u8FL9Vi30L1MlbAx9gi47x6kA23SoaBFHRIegJZ4iyeyR3Zqf-nFLvDk4EfbBDtQOXcR-FjtSsc4JVe1DJPTEVLX7aIK1fDAmxs/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+09+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmc8gUpkIEvFDZF7uGIyVqSl8e4vvjzBJIf2AjkB2u8FL9Vi30L1MlbAx9gi47x6kA23SoaBFHRIegJZ4iyeyR3Zqf-nFLvDk4EfbBDtQOXcR-FjtSsc4JVe1DJPTEVLX7aIK1fDAmxs/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+09+07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Riding the bus</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VmAtuamFm5T3spIw9IzooECqENDfwmkmRIkn6EmxDMA0bDGFdEhc71ZwCrl2k9G160JtrcfU-VACvqMB7liM_dajnBqJEMRCSn6DFjBJ39aYb7au5__qyQ-xgm_J-Kuy-EQ1uXlEAwM/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+14+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VmAtuamFm5T3spIw9IzooECqENDfwmkmRIkn6EmxDMA0bDGFdEhc71ZwCrl2k9G160JtrcfU-VACvqMB7liM_dajnBqJEMRCSn6DFjBJ39aYb7au5__qyQ-xgm_J-Kuy-EQ1uXlEAwM/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+14+58.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once we get to Max's stop (the end of the line for the bus), he gives us all a hug and kiss and he crosses the street and goes into his school by himself. Sam, Ben and I stay on the bus and wait the 8-10 mins (depending on if the bus was on time or late) until the bus starts the route up again in reverse. We ride the bus back towards home, except we get off 3 stops before the one we got on at. We walk .25 miles to Sam's school, drop him off at his classroom and then Ben and I walk/stroller on to his school which is about 0.5 miles from Sam's school. The walk between Sam and Ben's school is a peaceful one -- just the two of us and we get to walk along the Usserod A -- a conservancy area right in our backyard which consists of a rivershed and the surrounding naturalized area. Ben and I like to practice our animal sounds or our counting in Danish or English as we walk along. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2 miles ~4500 steps later the kids are at their 3 different schools and I get to go home and finally eat my own breakfast. I enjoy the quiet walk home and usually check my emails/texts from the night before on the way.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUPFB5MAsmJfK_O0qAZPcEzJo8ZnShrHo2Xi2EYwjQDRxn9Lli77uOXtXtdtZ6ku5JLGiNs24XN3CVYRlhgzAl9YLeQMnTbCCQyhPTW_oHzqvQ0Vm1iAPXQyXSoSlHXbc75IGV6swvT8/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+24+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUPFB5MAsmJfK_O0qAZPcEzJo8ZnShrHo2Xi2EYwjQDRxn9Lli77uOXtXtdtZ6ku5JLGiNs24XN3CVYRlhgzAl9YLeQMnTbCCQyhPTW_oHzqvQ0Vm1iAPXQyXSoSlHXbc75IGV6swvT8/s400/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+24+37.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbIV6kgnEHssRu1gH7ri0NFnGmLSZC4y_tj3LCLs9yNB5MSakF6W2gxhvlNVsl8aU5bjkCqCd285i7wqjWp3UTIfNkHINif_R4xcfc46fjpt1DNwcJOBwLGFWhU2Wdm2auZ_s_Ojn9NY/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+27+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPbIV6kgnEHssRu1gH7ri0NFnGmLSZC4y_tj3LCLs9yNB5MSakF6W2gxhvlNVsl8aU5bjkCqCd285i7wqjWp3UTIfNkHINif_R4xcfc46fjpt1DNwcJOBwLGFWhU2Wdm2auZ_s_Ojn9NY/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+27+02.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEC0Om6Q-la7VcCuOk-ibxCP5wJC1I6wFgf95u5X3y_UvwHtexlgfGRmNKmcwdPoyR_q4Zg7td2I1E7fNN7NSEx0ApHhGuLsIAvFmipatJWpiTcvdfyQiDjFvFUcN39GeKW7VBNcXbA/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+28+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEC0Om6Q-la7VcCuOk-ibxCP5wJC1I6wFgf95u5X3y_UvwHtexlgfGRmNKmcwdPoyR_q4Zg7td2I1E7fNN7NSEx0ApHhGuLsIAvFmipatJWpiTcvdfyQiDjFvFUcN39GeKW7VBNcXbA/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+08+28+18.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My day at home usually consists of either riding my bike to the grocery store/cleaning the house (today's project was tackling the disgusting oven we inherited)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMdLgtYgjwvouOqHQYJ72QcESF-f3mz1Hr3Gt6Sze1X1isXwhdp2ppMSMmy8X-0tnqFtYWG17DhyphenhyphengtEfMuGzKkeJrj951CNSYNwe_CeXQGtrh3P2yRJlLN4csPglmulg2XpA4_fOychY/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+03+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMdLgtYgjwvouOqHQYJ72QcESF-f3mz1Hr3Gt6Sze1X1isXwhdp2ppMSMmy8X-0tnqFtYWG17DhyphenhyphengtEfMuGzKkeJrj951CNSYNwe_CeXQGtrh3P2yRJlLN4csPglmulg2XpA4_fOychY/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+03+37.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Going for a run or getting in a workout -- today I had to play catch-up on boot camp and iron yoga so I did a back to back session... Other days I try to explore areas close to home that I can take the family back to at a later time. I try to keep myself busy now that the kids are all at school because it is very easy to get bored. Contrary to Max's belief, I don't just exercise and then eat bon bons and watch Netflix all day -- well, not EVERY day :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lDiCT3LhTKXwdOeClYFZc25KkQrDooS-jUXJ4SETpCsUL83ugoLUQLgOEhMfnADWJUzyEJxTCm4MK4eWdnyIQyVheniytd3GPFw7wUDNAdbRhJhLAFcXifofr_AIsJqR3_uP7x41ljE/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+38+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6lDiCT3LhTKXwdOeClYFZc25KkQrDooS-jUXJ4SETpCsUL83ugoLUQLgOEhMfnADWJUzyEJxTCm4MK4eWdnyIQyVheniytd3GPFw7wUDNAdbRhJhLAFcXifofr_AIsJqR3_uP7x41ljE/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+38+35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV1yNZePuTJhZ9s06Wze-InHd5E2Tmy7kF5Sc4hyphenhyphen6Z7QdHC_NS2ghoPjP2Dz539E-5I_t6gh2uspW1N7dMAwtlctMDrQRxDv-qAn39dmE1Ko5TZoPZavD_PUpJSlGcFA2nw1Y8qUSsRU/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+42+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZV1yNZePuTJhZ9s06Wze-InHd5E2Tmy7kF5Sc4hyphenhyphen6Z7QdHC_NS2ghoPjP2Dz539E-5I_t6gh2uspW1N7dMAwtlctMDrQRxDv-qAn39dmE1Ko5TZoPZavD_PUpJSlGcFA2nw1Y8qUSsRU/s320/Photo+Oct+27%252C+11+42+41.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Then I get 'cleaned up' to go pick up the kids. Today Max and I have to meet with little Max's teacher to discuss his progress so I look a little more cleaned up than usual (i.e. I don't normally look this put together LOL)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7c12On2bk55KrJTHaUxF1NV9Gf7nM_C1taiqJU4oH3NUYOWg0RIy1TkNhOMIh33HGd-Mp3w9PaFInm5mfGUztXVe4yI-b92gRM8pXK8cedVVol6QIoKIczEq4ZcJEtgqGP5QYU2Wkak/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+21+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7c12On2bk55KrJTHaUxF1NV9Gf7nM_C1taiqJU4oH3NUYOWg0RIy1TkNhOMIh33HGd-Mp3w9PaFInm5mfGUztXVe4yI-b92gRM8pXK8cedVVol6QIoKIczEq4ZcJEtgqGP5QYU2Wkak/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+21+10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm a little nervous to meet with his teacher because we've been having some issues with his behavior at school....I'm hoping for a good report, or at least one that indicates improvement...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsnk2AFATk2g6n4_h13fgih_EthqbWMxdrkSnVX9iaAcc9hNUZ-lCFwBqzjt1jA3YPAAZMkpf0tm8VijEmU27hm8N50zztF1MRX_220gKNpMeyi5Up55us58_nbTDy-rSsYspGUi_9PM/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+21+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghsnk2AFATk2g6n4_h13fgih_EthqbWMxdrkSnVX9iaAcc9hNUZ-lCFwBqzjt1jA3YPAAZMkpf0tm8VijEmU27hm8N50zztF1MRX_220gKNpMeyi5Up55us58_nbTDy-rSsYspGUi_9PM/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+21+32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I usually get on the bus by our house that arrives at 2:09 -- school lets out around 1:45-2 (it is different every day). Max participates in his SFO, but it's just easier to get him first -- and since I have 3 kids to pick up at 3 different places, it takes some time. I start out around 2pm, but often we aren't home until 3:30 - 4pm. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lately, James Bond at the bus stop seems to be a favorite topic of discussion for the older generation of Danes. They like to try to involve me in a discussion about him while we wait for the bus -- in Danish. Jeg snakker ikke Danske! This does not deter them and often they have a full conversation with me to which my only responses are appreciative head nods and lots of Ja..Ja...Ja...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwzF-q9wZjLJbk0EqnCPB2GsZgMvuUaeom03BgjJIMvXWCwCygw-3fhkFV_LihKR6IXbAkgQRyreD2dPqcCX_rpbB-XurwOSCbIp1sTIcMWYpPj34RYEwJFlHns1YPKR7miYkmUyDTo/s1600/Photo+Oct+28%252C+14+08+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtwzF-q9wZjLJbk0EqnCPB2GsZgMvuUaeom03BgjJIMvXWCwCygw-3fhkFV_LihKR6IXbAkgQRyreD2dPqcCX_rpbB-XurwOSCbIp1sTIcMWYpPj34RYEwJFlHns1YPKR7miYkmUyDTo/s320/Photo+Oct+28%252C+14+08+03.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhpfMVDgLw96ZuqUoCDNYgodu5jeEIyCUZWbhCQhDp92ahQXvGFTjtD3WsbInvWQOZSyj-mkf3pXK1h1KqnBVkWsWPLTA7NnMbEBh3N0HUQJaGFZqRP-Mdm6L_r_a2nChXV1J6Q85eAc/s1600/Photo+Oct+28%252C+14+11+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhpfMVDgLw96ZuqUoCDNYgodu5jeEIyCUZWbhCQhDp92ahQXvGFTjtD3WsbInvWQOZSyj-mkf3pXK1h1KqnBVkWsWPLTA7NnMbEBh3N0HUQJaGFZqRP-Mdm6L_r_a2nChXV1J6Q85eAc/s320/Photo+Oct+28%252C+14+11+11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fall has exploded here and reminds me so much of home. Except Fall seems to be lasting longer and isn't as chilly as it usually is back home. Instead of the trees all dropping their leaves after a hard frost, they are still on the branches illuminating the forests and streets. Hmmm...I like this!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwBCAdx48MpLGysaz_wsS6a7p491FjPXQskovMD5THHeG0FcAdXT3PSsAhcW8aIN6qO_pIuGr-7bHeuys36KmM5ePgMHmTmQ-JukxuARYcg8i0F9MWQlkjM0jkOpTQU7usuDfDogBrm4/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+26+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwBCAdx48MpLGysaz_wsS6a7p491FjPXQskovMD5THHeG0FcAdXT3PSsAhcW8aIN6qO_pIuGr-7bHeuys36KmM5ePgMHmTmQ-JukxuARYcg8i0F9MWQlkjM0jkOpTQU7usuDfDogBrm4/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+13+26+21.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I arrive at Max's school to pick him up and I find him in the back play yard involved in mastering the ropes course one of the teachers has put together for the children. Each school has a very involved "SFO" or after school program. Most kids participate in the SFO, not only because their parents work but also because SFO is considered as a good thing for the children to have adequate play time with their peers. The SFOs have lots of different activities (and a huge area of the school is at their disposal) -- such as Role Playing, a little farm, a petting zoo (bunnies and guinea pigs), playground equipment, board games, computers, gym, etc.). No wonder the kids want to stay!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCJs3ot32FPG07fVltIax7-CoKBdnxtGvC_uXcBXUjyM3jffdoQw0nDWjeNgFUtdn6-vDu2beAgcK25t_wrhpi10vyIogeW4rzFfdKCuAoGm-0yGyzhBfhK4fbyLGE2p0aXNsoNSkAok/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+30+48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCJs3ot32FPG07fVltIax7-CoKBdnxtGvC_uXcBXUjyM3jffdoQw0nDWjeNgFUtdn6-vDu2beAgcK25t_wrhpi10vyIogeW4rzFfdKCuAoGm-0yGyzhBfhK4fbyLGE2p0aXNsoNSkAok/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+30+48.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIh_EWydRKBVXvdUps4adnnXWAv5fgJcSjhk82dwZd7i1ZjzSPkg_2rnLkmJolyJqRLvk1nNd_0jSXx0tMIxkYU28FAGAcwEb92vkOKZrxTyUBesLOc81K7b1ycBysiTzOO5JAjayBZ4/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIh_EWydRKBVXvdUps4adnnXWAv5fgJcSjhk82dwZd7i1ZjzSPkg_2rnLkmJolyJqRLvk1nNd_0jSXx0tMIxkYU28FAGAcwEb92vkOKZrxTyUBesLOc81K7b1ycBysiTzOO5JAjayBZ4/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+17.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5929Ia5ZOE_T_tRLButckDgGbU5bFcHV8z92E2REtpec9bKs700OZxEfwH9xnC_M-MCOKpoFenijQKqBYhHzJjPCsKGYdaxSCGcBqN3ZQUXv-6vmRe_bhZP5l2l7tcyxJZFe1SMIe2c/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5929Ia5ZOE_T_tRLButckDgGbU5bFcHV8z92E2REtpec9bKs700OZxEfwH9xnC_M-MCOKpoFenijQKqBYhHzJjPCsKGYdaxSCGcBqN3ZQUXv-6vmRe_bhZP5l2l7tcyxJZFe1SMIe2c/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+29.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWeOmBpwZa75ql2FQwGRpdD4u02QKgnXShbdtKjnqqXLHHa1P-fpIztkS5rpiYLeYIBw6JMcysiomXzwlGbH1wRvFRDRo9aGiDHNRWHxBzsNA7wV46LRLsK_eMLyTvwMridzWb7byaPE/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWeOmBpwZa75ql2FQwGRpdD4u02QKgnXShbdtKjnqqXLHHa1P-fpIztkS5rpiYLeYIBw6JMcysiomXzwlGbH1wRvFRDRo9aGiDHNRWHxBzsNA7wV46LRLsK_eMLyTvwMridzWb7byaPE/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+33+34.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Outside the school Max finds a piece of paper on the ground and has the spontaneous urge to fold a paper airplane. He's been obsessed with them ever since they saw the movie with school earlier this year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTkMl9oPp7QdjdtHYj1WEGSdKyXJgcElOFpq64BGnXxc5nLUOSURkVnnl3CMNr98y20236Qog_J8AYfCYCPV7FWWurcS5FXQCsyIi9YeGmtOWbUsS_hX_mh_I0d06Rw0R-l37HRj3UmI/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTkMl9oPp7QdjdtHYj1WEGSdKyXJgcElOFpq64BGnXxc5nLUOSURkVnnl3CMNr98y20236Qog_J8AYfCYCPV7FWWurcS5FXQCsyIi9YeGmtOWbUsS_hX_mh_I0d06Rw0R-l37HRj3UmI/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+48.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLPQMtVoUl5QqIEhPbbJ7ATy0Uwq_FhGzzULM_sAQqC2Ypc8i6YBI_rvcXVD8EVH_PWVHdx_uKKO8Or7OemNF78TauCFQ-Y5wUGvZ92x0KgKC79_qfQ31IKP1bGhAY6PcYEjU6xRnVug/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdLPQMtVoUl5QqIEhPbbJ7ATy0Uwq_FhGzzULM_sAQqC2Ypc8i6YBI_rvcXVD8EVH_PWVHdx_uKKO8Or7OemNF78TauCFQ-Y5wUGvZ92x0KgKC79_qfQ31IKP1bGhAY6PcYEjU6xRnVug/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+59.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We cross the street to the bus area (that's the train station in the background). We have two option for buses to take home -- one stops on the main street about .25 miles from our home and the other follows the same route but turns and drops off right by our house. Our first stop today is to pick up Ben, so it doesn't matter which one we take since we need to get off on the main street so we just hop on the bus that is there already (which means it will leave first). Max has memorized the bus schedule as far as which bus leaves first and in what order they leave, so he confirms that we have picked the correct bus (I have an app that can tell me this too for when little Max isn't around).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dj9XeD0y-FUMRJRXdUuxHR5RivCywtkEAPLi1V2hm0gayJzOECEyxhL27QoKUACWjJ-bl7Zq6HN0XLoL43BSkTGVeGqXHMxiFcAOVyy8gJxrheB_BFdOdmAdjJllqN8O909p2QSXc4o/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dj9XeD0y-FUMRJRXdUuxHR5RivCywtkEAPLi1V2hm0gayJzOECEyxhL27QoKUACWjJ-bl7Zq6HN0XLoL43BSkTGVeGqXHMxiFcAOVyy8gJxrheB_BFdOdmAdjJllqN8O909p2QSXc4o/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+44+55.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeBEceHjuRKSF_WnRmmm1A6LfuWB17EycnXul_2rhihs0I4bW2rPw-cxUcGn4qIMPd2twIhcfU60ScqfVNym_G54m2tdEkKICQwQa26kGHXm9JpbcEljngXfb-t9gXlcnRqakhpc5ZQ8/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+46+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeBEceHjuRKSF_WnRmmm1A6LfuWB17EycnXul_2rhihs0I4bW2rPw-cxUcGn4qIMPd2twIhcfU60ScqfVNym_G54m2tdEkKICQwQa26kGHXm9JpbcEljngXfb-t9gXlcnRqakhpc5ZQ8/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+14+46+35.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We get off the bus and walk about .25 miles to Ben's school. Sometimes (if I haven't gone during the day) we stop at the grocery story (the bus drops us off right by it) on the way and grab a few staples that we need for later). Otherwise we walk directly to Ben's school playing 20 questions, or talking about how Max's day was, or practicing our Danish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwK_wEDkGqPTBe2IF8sLRQvspfauna9klrsBUdISO5Dmy91Zr9cMLU0l7F5NDXCqdzWjVVAhWgQ2UcWAMu81rMw4isIHNRqLntzzY0QwEn2UTVQBulZ1Ef-IRVWxvLXN2egV6AJlaZxk/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+42+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVwK_wEDkGqPTBe2IF8sLRQvspfauna9klrsBUdISO5Dmy91Zr9cMLU0l7F5NDXCqdzWjVVAhWgQ2UcWAMu81rMw4isIHNRqLntzzY0QwEn2UTVQBulZ1Ef-IRVWxvLXN2egV6AJlaZxk/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+42+58.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGNP7ZzK6bLCbF45mHyHQ_czk2qXK5yslElAcBX_HVFrazPKZLTuojtyGzVkPBnkfGbo_pCHavW96-iYVWYLGy23dOpTjGC9Zt9owdEDL0dPPSua2Bj2XT_A9bKzE6bjAgpXXH86vAtU/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+43+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGNP7ZzK6bLCbF45mHyHQ_czk2qXK5yslElAcBX_HVFrazPKZLTuojtyGzVkPBnkfGbo_pCHavW96-iYVWYLGy23dOpTjGC9Zt9owdEDL0dPPSua2Bj2XT_A9bKzE6bjAgpXXH86vAtU/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+43+03.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpFG3JWH1woI4w7zwSC-ZzfNDFo3SeBg_pQh34WnA3ejiuvKW3DnqkdRijQb8EPBtkAF43eVO8VvxXYet7r-bmScUQ4Y18mHshMZtrZsu8Nr9Omr6mP8g9CN62yPtqB7Wzn_KjvQcEAk/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+44+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpFG3JWH1woI4w7zwSC-ZzfNDFo3SeBg_pQh34WnA3ejiuvKW3DnqkdRijQb8EPBtkAF43eVO8VvxXYet7r-bmScUQ4Y18mHshMZtrZsu8Nr9Omr6mP8g9CN62yPtqB7Wzn_KjvQcEAk/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+44+02.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben's classroom (part of it)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUJqD3EBdks5NfljaBVzZwdfHgao-pO7ZEg3d3GFk3wzFEBG4afsW1NoVFnJQFKAS4uiTWus_v0svyh7VKqkG2UarAPgmBE7fm1SL7IIEZFxQXKkb0QICx4ZN_j0_Ryq7z6MM5Aawm7I/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+44+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUJqD3EBdks5NfljaBVzZwdfHgao-pO7ZEg3d3GFk3wzFEBG4afsW1NoVFnJQFKAS4uiTWus_v0svyh7VKqkG2UarAPgmBE7fm1SL7IIEZFxQXKkb0QICx4ZN_j0_Ryq7z6MM5Aawm7I/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+44+20.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pictures from their field trip to the zoo -- notice the lions eating a calf?? Ben was very excited about that part of the trip. That's not something you'd see in an American zoo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5h8jvXINcUsvd6pYLNyo1fgCHCft2IY2eLEp3JaR2SAJi5LnuBTub_0zvPCk6cnpXtIak54oR9fI7W0XPTwzLKLScxf1ivdKLIicbgpm2T4JEOUI3LkhLmw0HXDfV2JH4VlEqx-pc28/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5h8jvXINcUsvd6pYLNyo1fgCHCft2IY2eLEp3JaR2SAJi5LnuBTub_0zvPCk6cnpXtIak54oR9fI7W0XPTwzLKLScxf1ivdKLIicbgpm2T4JEOUI3LkhLmw0HXDfV2JH4VlEqx-pc28/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+20.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and Ben are usually pretty excited to see each other and exchange a few hugs. I always bring along a sippy of milk for the walk home -- Ben always asks for it and guzzles it down. Notice his 'baba'? He is like Linus always carrying that thing around! We are working on just having it around during naptime, and he is getting better about not needing it during the day.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mF96nuKic_gFMvGHsAiQWRC6FiolhM2y8uEa8t7uCVBwkVmuEtk-s09-DVsH2bQEZjYhEUrochuEzg0xp22-jZ4fEM58GfTYKEd0sxOUpIrz7opo74dj5suT4qxBM-12QJ6iex9HZaM/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mF96nuKic_gFMvGHsAiQWRC6FiolhM2y8uEa8t7uCVBwkVmuEtk-s09-DVsH2bQEZjYhEUrochuEzg0xp22-jZ4fEM58GfTYKEd0sxOUpIrz7opo74dj5suT4qxBM-12QJ6iex9HZaM/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+32.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZkfo67MHZojWZf4URhcS_szjGx5IcuQXQRuyzWJhwGL4E6IThGPa3vhvAFU1OJCP-GtMhrNPZqZrSiUcAX6r4IVw8en_MgOg9CY7CRGtFFPTwmmBVuFywR_KnSbK_iExNzoY7rxdqHo/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZkfo67MHZojWZf4URhcS_szjGx5IcuQXQRuyzWJhwGL4E6IThGPa3vhvAFU1OJCP-GtMhrNPZqZrSiUcAX6r4IVw8en_MgOg9CY7CRGtFFPTwmmBVuFywR_KnSbK_iExNzoY7rxdqHo/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+15+51+43.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We stop and say hej to the ducks on our way home. Earlier this fall there was a mandarin duck mixed in with the mallards under the bridge. It made quite the topic of conversation for the locals, and we got to talk with quite a few people about it (I brought my bird book along to help ID). They even did an article about the bird in the local newspaper! He must have moved on because now we just have this hungry group of mallards that love it when we bring along our stale bread to give them a snack. Sometimes the swans come up river and hang out here too, but more often we see them at the pond further up the river. It is so great having this conservation area right in our backyard!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7q7Bs4auJKshjtdZnNV__ENae2cM4GTMIcz29u59u8YsRxx2C78_Pe9_900yT5JPLF-3AG91xQ7hy6OlWahY6NLDTe6QotGq0HP-M7D-ekqQwI591oYkZYNbPYEgbTLskS-cZHK2KjU/s1600/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI7q7Bs4auJKshjtdZnNV__ENae2cM4GTMIcz29u59u8YsRxx2C78_Pe9_900yT5JPLF-3AG91xQ7hy6OlWahY6NLDTe6QotGq0HP-M7D-ekqQwI591oYkZYNbPYEgbTLskS-cZHK2KjU/s320/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+14.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WkZ_dO2Mvne0unGAvwEyIBRZ7q7Z2FAyQMsIURs2k8nAi_5l0wxYSlJiQo4HF8G_ZvQNeXsPRY65ZpH7oXy9qZwIrlRLk1Lp_l9J88OgvlXeT1mLXa-GsHB1UkninYFJZCoo_beEOA0/s1600/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WkZ_dO2Mvne0unGAvwEyIBRZ7q7Z2FAyQMsIURs2k8nAi_5l0wxYSlJiQo4HF8G_ZvQNeXsPRY65ZpH7oXy9qZwIrlRLk1Lp_l9J88OgvlXeT1mLXa-GsHB1UkninYFJZCoo_beEOA0/s320/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+25.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAESMLEbm2NSxEzbQC7PSL97wLb5VrOXbv-AJQ9oNF-4vaiPm_aetZMW4lIB1nRTxYOUkeftGcroLQkYHOtwgY7r2hdlNXwkw9Y4tVF4jjsukaHoQ-_CH8toC9NAjaK1jC3OwOnAmTpM/s1600/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAESMLEbm2NSxEzbQC7PSL97wLb5VrOXbv-AJQ9oNF-4vaiPm_aetZMW4lIB1nRTxYOUkeftGcroLQkYHOtwgY7r2hdlNXwkw9Y4tVF4jjsukaHoQ-_CH8toC9NAjaK1jC3OwOnAmTpM/s640/Photo+Oct+28%252C+08+25+41.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Max and Ben and I travel to Sam's school next to pick him up. It's a Friday, so he's been doing role playing -- he had also worn his Halloween costume to school so now he's become a skeleton hockey player. Sam loves role playing during SFO, so Mondays and Fridays are his favorite days -- I love seeing what outfit he's dressed in for the day when we pick him up. The SFO had special Halloween cake and Sam went in and got a piece for him and his brothers before leaving. What a sweet boy!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NS71-N8wQ4olBsXTDGYdRU4CwfwFs7tbMz_CPeD_i5cFs9N85VqzBi0ood1RNeUMYfK5H4aSXGDqWpBXx4kJ91l-Um1qVznDtWRW7vZdvSAOUhnjfiv5XHp9QV-XQmA18IyK0dRFgiI/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+05+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NS71-N8wQ4olBsXTDGYdRU4CwfwFs7tbMz_CPeD_i5cFs9N85VqzBi0ood1RNeUMYfK5H4aSXGDqWpBXx4kJ91l-Um1qVznDtWRW7vZdvSAOUhnjfiv5XHp9QV-XQmA18IyK0dRFgiI/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+05+41.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHffFGuCbZfN-XyaDASbV3ZLgDSoHISW30HHgF2p7Zv2dg7U3FQPLmKnJuFkKQlekGH1gK9k5TR-8mz8-KH09GCsepTRY-D65VK6dCudgSovKGmJ8sqPDH78X1ttJ2jx-Dg2VU1WPGsCc/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+11+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHffFGuCbZfN-XyaDASbV3ZLgDSoHISW30HHgF2p7Zv2dg7U3FQPLmKnJuFkKQlekGH1gK9k5TR-8mz8-KH09GCsepTRY-D65VK6dCudgSovKGmJ8sqPDH78X1ttJ2jx-Dg2VU1WPGsCc/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+11+54.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here's the outdoor part of Sam's SFO -- this playground equipment is ONLY for the SFO, so they don't get bored with it playing during the school day -- it is special only for after school. The two 'drums' in the foreground are fire cans -- on Wednesdays they light fires and the kids get to roast bread on sticks over the fire. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ydqPBErGOA_FvwbkdasFzUzQxp17rPDQdaJB1VPvnbK7WJT6q0CV3N3noNAtuFMnFcImgsQ4hV3QmTlLr3dCn2OOUyzC6_v3WXyavE62TLSIgbqdlHui4JIlPvKlqRAHEu9TVPfQTUM/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+13+55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ydqPBErGOA_FvwbkdasFzUzQxp17rPDQdaJB1VPvnbK7WJT6q0CV3N3noNAtuFMnFcImgsQ4hV3QmTlLr3dCn2OOUyzC6_v3WXyavE62TLSIgbqdlHui4JIlPvKlqRAHEu9TVPfQTUM/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+13+55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We cross the street and the river to get home -- less than .25 miles. When I say the school is across the street from our house, I am not kidding. It really is -- well, across the street and over the river.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7kL-VRk3R9BehXlmvWjGStxOkxdSAdDHonhUTaBMS-ES4dUHr0A3vfXHzf77CsQZb8xf3Zma5jL9QjTifq9RdZeUFu2oUzlYQGO4XAq8eabwG0ruorJQ0sDNz-0sL9a348Mf8lKh2is/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+14+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq7kL-VRk3R9BehXlmvWjGStxOkxdSAdDHonhUTaBMS-ES4dUHr0A3vfXHzf77CsQZb8xf3Zma5jL9QjTifq9RdZeUFu2oUzlYQGO4XAq8eabwG0ruorJQ0sDNz-0sL9a348Mf8lKh2is/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+14+46.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sVCMU2aQahxd4x5iyodMGKOTQXbVHIQbEG8OyBIrPHyYk0x_IKNOsFAk36G83WSCANsjpqLgWQ8QBf5FbkGV0dkx3DaqOYasX-ffbDZmoLKbbUNwdyjnzQ7K-SQPi58CLVQbuHXcYpg/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+14+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8sVCMU2aQahxd4x5iyodMGKOTQXbVHIQbEG8OyBIrPHyYk0x_IKNOsFAk36G83WSCANsjpqLgWQ8QBf5FbkGV0dkx3DaqOYasX-ffbDZmoLKbbUNwdyjnzQ7K-SQPi58CLVQbuHXcYpg/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+14+56.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLN9naouPHGtx6JXalkOAqvh256o25pGh83B-pdscXIAI2HyjCpaGLDA3aNgORm8kgGztOGniZzT5Psp5Ij0IBifIbqUjkAW_2EaTAgb7v-hwaMDjj13Ss2PEbxgaEcn1ZdLttWWkDMg/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLN9naouPHGtx6JXalkOAqvh256o25pGh83B-pdscXIAI2HyjCpaGLDA3aNgORm8kgGztOGniZzT5Psp5Ij0IBifIbqUjkAW_2EaTAgb7v-hwaMDjj13Ss2PEbxgaEcn1ZdLttWWkDMg/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+17.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R1hC3rz1xf41ERodgyQ_MzGlpeij0yu4Q5T4I1snlK_uVwtC03B_Beo7CYBUWUyt3wNkeBwt01q54F_qS6202yE7i6fa40-OcvwtVzPCzOrsxsDDiqvW9JGPhdzK8VPyeVlQbQXhiOs/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0R1hC3rz1xf41ERodgyQ_MzGlpeij0yu4Q5T4I1snlK_uVwtC03B_Beo7CYBUWUyt3wNkeBwt01q54F_qS6202yE7i6fa40-OcvwtVzPCzOrsxsDDiqvW9JGPhdzK8VPyeVlQbQXhiOs/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+23.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWaXUIrzVCL12jIzBFgj0ZtvaBkVWNlIO8iDaOiMPEouCIqEX6DU6sjNVhxGf8M6Xm-uYekbLx79HHQx_fOxcRCeADVJPfUiE3MEBXCotYhmSipMdasjhW8IzUVlWStLNEntQ1BobcaE/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWaXUIrzVCL12jIzBFgj0ZtvaBkVWNlIO8iDaOiMPEouCIqEX6DU6sjNVhxGf8M6Xm-uYekbLx79HHQx_fOxcRCeADVJPfUiE3MEBXCotYhmSipMdasjhW8IzUVlWStLNEntQ1BobcaE/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+27.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQkvOrrGm2O5tyOpWVI8QylA6oKZd9NcnjwkyEZSGEHBVDNDyUHVLmcxnjlnBDOfYQmNOFxtwzhnfEkY0np9eMqbCLhnFNoScB4FZy63DJB7sSD7XZtgiSVTEpqTSIicBoAoKwY57DrQ/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQkvOrrGm2O5tyOpWVI8QylA6oKZd9NcnjwkyEZSGEHBVDNDyUHVLmcxnjlnBDOfYQmNOFxtwzhnfEkY0np9eMqbCLhnFNoScB4FZy63DJB7sSD7XZtgiSVTEpqTSIicBoAoKwY57DrQ/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+29.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqV6eI19Qmwfy5jX9NaUzV493POJ8DSSPzGIvmzowvmWAH5idzve_UPbedGsmLGhNxXdED8g1GEvfN9K1gKvaAiaCsaqrn8bEJrjjEE8Oyz56mL5xsNqqhFhfEP2oCcMcakwfJKhGrBs/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqV6eI19Qmwfy5jX9NaUzV493POJ8DSSPzGIvmzowvmWAH5idzve_UPbedGsmLGhNxXdED8g1GEvfN9K1gKvaAiaCsaqrn8bEJrjjEE8Oyz56mL5xsNqqhFhfEP2oCcMcakwfJKhGrBs/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+15+39.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnjbGRumJmKBI0yZizHcCrA7T5kuWr9MVG1VV2aI7DtH0xT-m_w4wXayK7d3miQLJbUjALM_iwncQzv9h-Xf0kllz00MTV4xJ2zDzQkyWE_ByweNuLyYLbgwV11DaSdg5U09caEZ6LRE/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+17+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnjbGRumJmKBI0yZizHcCrA7T5kuWr9MVG1VV2aI7DtH0xT-m_w4wXayK7d3miQLJbUjALM_iwncQzv9h-Xf0kllz00MTV4xJ2zDzQkyWE_ByweNuLyYLbgwV11DaSdg5U09caEZ6LRE/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+17+02.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
You can see our house in the above picture -- its the one on the far right.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qGq-EOtqZsXXdLk3I8TxNm5fEcx3F9eNkSLG7QSMOjmOuw8wEiJqR9aLfyTli5Z79U8Sbf5hlSsdvXC7DVsbXeEYEXSIf2IYW1GYG1ONOyTBsx24Jq1DgWSy04GfklGtW-ouMRov_N4/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+18+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qGq-EOtqZsXXdLk3I8TxNm5fEcx3F9eNkSLG7QSMOjmOuw8wEiJqR9aLfyTli5Z79U8Sbf5hlSsdvXC7DVsbXeEYEXSIf2IYW1GYG1ONOyTBsx24Jq1DgWSy04GfklGtW-ouMRov_N4/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+18+11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Home sweet home!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When we get home, the boys have to do 1/2 - 1 hr of homework (picked out by me; either grammar, spelling or math depending on what I feel they need to work on) before we get to play. The older boys can play on their minis for up to 1 hr (depending on behavior). Sam usually picks Plants vs Zombies. Max usually picks Minecraft. Once that hour is up they go play -- usually with legos or Max will grab a book and curl up on the couch while I cook dinner. Ben loves getting into everything and one of his favorite things to play with is Connect Four. We have to work on taking turns :)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4sUiZOVYy92MWH9J8JOUqZtTQFGy7bHSEwSY4Q8yFpqH_jic6vlEDdNAj9v3UDVdMceOpTFNZlsg937QgdyDug6yCwTbak2ps_fd3O8Oh-6Sw9IXe5k7XtU-3A9vsKeX9c-JbyRd0MM/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+43+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4sUiZOVYy92MWH9J8JOUqZtTQFGy7bHSEwSY4Q8yFpqH_jic6vlEDdNAj9v3UDVdMceOpTFNZlsg937QgdyDug6yCwTbak2ps_fd3O8Oh-6Sw9IXe5k7XtU-3A9vsKeX9c-JbyRd0MM/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+43+07.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-mnwiVohFmVD_G3uEWhdyNaxHTBjkfJ7VVmublKoZeWOMC8jm_1xN84O1IasF7OucOwbdYmLUi-PxPq_-INi9BresNq3xpb8ToME1zjVuoJKeb9J8vjEjctbyoj0Dq5_t97afQvNkdo/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+43+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf-mnwiVohFmVD_G3uEWhdyNaxHTBjkfJ7VVmublKoZeWOMC8jm_1xN84O1IasF7OucOwbdYmLUi-PxPq_-INi9BresNq3xpb8ToME1zjVuoJKeb9J8vjEjctbyoj0Dq5_t97afQvNkdo/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+43+18.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Big Max usually gets home around 4pm (if he has carpooled with our neighbor -- later if he's driving or taking the train). We always wait for him to get home so we can have our family dinner time and talk about how our days went.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGjOBOlPG2DEL_S-rRHVeX-FCNFBD7-qWc-X_wgo4aHRHA9ijN1xHiNYTkjYBfF8Zz9v_pWZvDao9PZ80QDcRgI5NB7_YOx3fPFhy7QeMDHHqpUxvTUXCD5zqLcuiZ4IauN0V-mbVGRY/s1600/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+01+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGjOBOlPG2DEL_S-rRHVeX-FCNFBD7-qWc-X_wgo4aHRHA9ijN1xHiNYTkjYBfF8Zz9v_pWZvDao9PZ80QDcRgI5NB7_YOx3fPFhy7QeMDHHqpUxvTUXCD5zqLcuiZ4IauN0V-mbVGRY/s640/Photo+Oct+27%252C+07+01+24.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tonight, Max is staying after work to go out with some coworkers, so dinner time and the bedtime routine is all me. I can't complain when I get these sweet smiles at the end of the day (not always sweet smiles at the end of the day though).</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg5Bvn5v3SauAkGoaGEysPT-tCftc2513zFw5caN940Q2LOuxpZ6tvkhR4MaBtFiwsW5wk0Kw-9CDuoTuuaOtxCSt41pLizJaWdc1vAlq9f-1PmOvHWCsK6L-jRRF4RSVYniaFE1y160/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+16+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeg5Bvn5v3SauAkGoaGEysPT-tCftc2513zFw5caN940Q2LOuxpZ6tvkhR4MaBtFiwsW5wk0Kw-9CDuoTuuaOtxCSt41pLizJaWdc1vAlq9f-1PmOvHWCsK6L-jRRF4RSVYniaFE1y160/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+16+08.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIpEikwPzAtYKHiQoI0HvI3JX-1ax-2Q1rmIaKQrJR9KMOul3RAFPdBUDUh_-6-oe8i7YHKoLqY29sIRm-gI5-KAGqfHHL_RVpVxVJdwe4OctQN6SiC6kKKKUvspPLB3GU_gwg4GgdEU/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+16+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipIpEikwPzAtYKHiQoI0HvI3JX-1ax-2Q1rmIaKQrJR9KMOul3RAFPdBUDUh_-6-oe8i7YHKoLqY29sIRm-gI5-KAGqfHHL_RVpVxVJdwe4OctQN6SiC6kKKKUvspPLB3GU_gwg4GgdEU/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+16+59.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SXWeKXUq2Yj7Hjb1QPyIPWzkQGpm9pNlglHCp452N2FLv4lN6b96ze3eQCvaTsobLorRB1bzjuspvkp2k_m3Jrmrt45JNbenYDzFPnKer4GHed8cbgL3i58Lmtshy0Dy7Snj62whziM/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+17+40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SXWeKXUq2Yj7Hjb1QPyIPWzkQGpm9pNlglHCp452N2FLv4lN6b96ze3eQCvaTsobLorRB1bzjuspvkp2k_m3Jrmrt45JNbenYDzFPnKer4GHed8cbgL3i58Lmtshy0Dy7Snj62whziM/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+17+40.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benny's friends include panda, elephant, lemur and ape. We have to give them each a kiss before bed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDVKPW9k3WEOTuSriqq-6AgHpltPifz7bX9oCe9naveejoSelRZdR-KHx13u8mPoq3xl_5NypZucioMe0BlfjLW_0ukk6CqxpfwB1Z4IAVnEiwAm-JuR2c7yyL_2hpcc8wa9ThQ3gbyc/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+18+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDVKPW9k3WEOTuSriqq-6AgHpltPifz7bX9oCe9naveejoSelRZdR-KHx13u8mPoq3xl_5NypZucioMe0BlfjLW_0ukk6CqxpfwB1Z4IAVnEiwAm-JuR2c7yyL_2hpcc8wa9ThQ3gbyc/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+18+36.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Turn on the music from Scout, our twilight turtle and the fan and say goodnight!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Over in the big boys' room they are getting silly waiting for me to read them their goodnight stories. Crazy boys! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fmIE4b8AmKtBcVX-xGUhEAoDwcqVKTn0bS240TLVCyTAN_N0UrnMc1a3SogPnjxCEZ6RL2pb4EqaeHS2hEAlAMEI5UrKzx1b7eyaU6yAjcvCjn8n5YAkf-GMULIEwXtp0kp9wx_f_fs/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fmIE4b8AmKtBcVX-xGUhEAoDwcqVKTn0bS240TLVCyTAN_N0UrnMc1a3SogPnjxCEZ6RL2pb4EqaeHS2hEAlAMEI5UrKzx1b7eyaU6yAjcvCjn8n5YAkf-GMULIEwXtp0kp9wx_f_fs/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghExetv7SAiz1UpK0pwGlCPANKzL4fci7EXtlAO-LQV8dR46v4OkIxdRi46rW9HFLSSqhEc4CePbw3RJ1bIqnRsbt7WmboiRwz-YQBWzCBjwipUlWRPRrdftZohk_AUsYLeWKwcFDvtYA/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghExetv7SAiz1UpK0pwGlCPANKzL4fci7EXtlAO-LQV8dR46v4OkIxdRi46rW9HFLSSqhEc4CePbw3RJ1bIqnRsbt7WmboiRwz-YQBWzCBjwipUlWRPRrdftZohk_AUsYLeWKwcFDvtYA/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb3eLSQO2_RM6btMQARKy48tFWp_aFcvtA0UEh-PGIYoR3rnKBbgjK8Cax4JHP2jXD8wv7_cswvR0di-DH25esh8hSa5V6xQrvArLC0rvF5Ixu8OG6Bz_8Yg-z9GGeViD2LM-aS1xrm4/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb3eLSQO2_RM6btMQARKy48tFWp_aFcvtA0UEh-PGIYoR3rnKBbgjK8Cax4JHP2jXD8wv7_cswvR0di-DH25esh8hSa5V6xQrvArLC0rvF5Ixu8OG6Bz_8Yg-z9GGeViD2LM-aS1xrm4/s640/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTDUhBYTefuxDgpSezC3XJz0j5eESCUGaa0sRGcFkp5QHiHV7LrqIyI6-4fNkTrLe6M8AQU-5XOEDFPtTqILrDgFJCEi-J4Kkk7gx_zoizczVhIASP69EWMIw0gh9K6QuRQPkyFEUAxE/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTDUhBYTefuxDgpSezC3XJz0j5eESCUGaa0sRGcFkp5QHiHV7LrqIyI6-4fNkTrLe6M8AQU-5XOEDFPtTqILrDgFJCEi-J4Kkk7gx_zoizczVhIASP69EWMIw0gh9K6QuRQPkyFEUAxE/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+19+19+54.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I read them a chapter (or two or three depending on my mood) and we say goodnight. I'm so excited that they are both into the Laura Ingalls Wilder series. We are onto the second book already, and its been so fun reliving books that were some of my favorites during childhood.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Once the kids are in bed it's me time! Some nights I'll do yoga or bootcamp (if I didn't do it during the day or if I only did a short run in the am). Otherwise I pour myself a glass of wine and catch up on my reading or work on my latest crochet project. Max usually ends up playing a game on the xbox -- but if he doesn't do that I'll turn on some Netflix (we don't have the TV hooked up to anything other than our streaming for now).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_5GFUjMlCH4PFRsIX5rPZJUjK9GJOL3ENZ3VU_k64mSyT2bu0jwf7VLt0mN-61XwXhcVpXw0J90u9pDuqPw-XF1dobJPsUO02_2PesG8G2DD40FwmX-bws8Ps5gvZNvxyjGthMA_WIw/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+58+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK_5GFUjMlCH4PFRsIX5rPZJUjK9GJOL3ENZ3VU_k64mSyT2bu0jwf7VLt0mN-61XwXhcVpXw0J90u9pDuqPw-XF1dobJPsUO02_2PesG8G2DD40FwmX-bws8Ps5gvZNvxyjGthMA_WIw/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+16+58+28.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_O2wj2C_sgaSUMb8LWaElE-cIpphlFISBXAGLmTgCQJH7hzwSisrwsNDl_CM0hADVXYCu38dK99nRLT_ejMd4T_ugqmAxrjGZqe6Yj0mkTQWt69gZKqnJMefE4oVrUQaLUBgaLhc48E/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+05+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_O2wj2C_sgaSUMb8LWaElE-cIpphlFISBXAGLmTgCQJH7hzwSisrwsNDl_CM0hADVXYCu38dK99nRLT_ejMd4T_ugqmAxrjGZqe6Yj0mkTQWt69gZKqnJMefE4oVrUQaLUBgaLhc48E/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+17+05+35.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So there you have it! Not the most exciting life for sure, but we've settled nicely into our routines and we are starting to get the hang of things here! Everyone we've met so far has been incredibly nice and helpful. We really are enjoying our time here -- hard to believe it has been 3 months already!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-70955941351741534912015-08-29T15:02:00.002-05:002015-08-29T15:03:35.894-05:00Things I've learned after 3 weeks in Denmark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9OaS8iBctGGMA-KauBihZb5H6foUzKwodDdc4UkeGHC9OsXYvz32sqFqZG3LUd7NPUadXOskxFGstp2QC6UV05kb4BtkEpT3qYahm46lI8YB4bxTwsqBx4QAlu17Z1T3GLwEvkz1BeU/s1600/IMG_4619.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW9OaS8iBctGGMA-KauBihZb5H6foUzKwodDdc4UkeGHC9OsXYvz32sqFqZG3LUd7NPUadXOskxFGstp2QC6UV05kb4BtkEpT3qYahm46lI8YB4bxTwsqBx4QAlu17Z1T3GLwEvkz1BeU/s640/IMG_4619.PNG" width="359" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After two weeks of nearly perfect weather -- cloudless skies and tons of sun, the real Danish weather appears to be back. Rain, rain, rain. Sometimes, even though it looks like it should be raining, it doesn't...and then when it looks like it won't rain, it does! Best advice, just carry an umbrella or rain coat with you at all times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLULsu1c8WGHEVdkQ4X-Az7kodFomy2jX5J-jW-_pYaBBWtsSailA_0Ts3mNvXOSsgZK5ZGpXNEmPpV8LantYFX2x1q2CJl_aIS6ZlVeyzBkAJ0lMio-enzwJdHDuVn9D4Y_he-HdGhM/s1600/IMG_4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLULsu1c8WGHEVdkQ4X-Az7kodFomy2jX5J-jW-_pYaBBWtsSailA_0Ts3mNvXOSsgZK5ZGpXNEmPpV8LantYFX2x1q2CJl_aIS6ZlVeyzBkAJ0lMio-enzwJdHDuVn9D4Y_he-HdGhM/s640/IMG_4251.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of pretty butterflies (sommerfugl) are all over the place. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRarRFBNx9QnXgGPfHW6VqMpKR2QENUqEL0bpIyuurt9Q5Uu9ZGPuhx8w9lhsh1sVUc6SdR1jWagwGk4rdkx0XRGTppp9mSRcctJVK_Z96d69YGj57lJLIWFNtNo8DLmFc0bO7TzFlIPE/s1600/IMG_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRarRFBNx9QnXgGPfHW6VqMpKR2QENUqEL0bpIyuurt9Q5Uu9ZGPuhx8w9lhsh1sVUc6SdR1jWagwGk4rdkx0XRGTppp9mSRcctJVK_Z96d69YGj57lJLIWFNtNo8DLmFc0bO7TzFlIPE/s320/IMG_4315.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google translate's camera function on the app is only partly helpful -- this is my clothes washer -- maybe I should use the central government cycle? Haha</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXG63n7i2KcS_LsLuvxnHLLeDxjgs8joSJQTpdOyIgFbQVSLt0ZU4jUtDgtIZDkcudmWsALjAygaEBbk5yZa4ckINqeKE0mWa60g5SysPdjMwsBQ9SzJng5yj8WGTh5DTmuIlOXZmyUc/s1600/IMG_4317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXG63n7i2KcS_LsLuvxnHLLeDxjgs8joSJQTpdOyIgFbQVSLt0ZU4jUtDgtIZDkcudmWsALjAygaEBbk5yZa4ckINqeKE0mWa60g5SysPdjMwsBQ9SzJng5yj8WGTh5DTmuIlOXZmyUc/s640/IMG_4317.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rhIoDdidVT20JKtXCyu_2akS5474HGnv0U7TuOULWsLUc3I-J6-s_5jmVErMObWiZFz3aIPbr3XJnNumSX6UdgpbV8cKrLYUjwh0F_Z5DJqtUe9CdXyHID8vjWrrgaQpflmEjemXiDk/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rhIoDdidVT20JKtXCyu_2akS5474HGnv0U7TuOULWsLUc3I-J6-s_5jmVErMObWiZFz3aIPbr3XJnNumSX6UdgpbV8cKrLYUjwh0F_Z5DJqtUe9CdXyHID8vjWrrgaQpflmEjemXiDk/s640/IMG_4318.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are two buttons for flushing -- the flush on the right is for 'heavier business' and the one on the left is for 'lighter business'. Our toliets at home are reversed. The boys love the 'poop and pee' buttons as they affectionately call them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ18VxiJFzrHZ-MeceWcpU5lsYlijV3IhFJACh9zeYJGBdsyBKTmrX1JaA2OlUb7ujofFkEN0Jlsa6RXVouP99j-f0zNfHRg48r47SrEfeAFlZwQuSHwwAlF7gFwWNm6hn6TiM8ibD5yE/s1600/IMG_4338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ18VxiJFzrHZ-MeceWcpU5lsYlijV3IhFJACh9zeYJGBdsyBKTmrX1JaA2OlUb7ujofFkEN0Jlsa6RXVouP99j-f0zNfHRg48r47SrEfeAFlZwQuSHwwAlF7gFwWNm6hn6TiM8ibD5yE/s640/IMG_4338.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This coffee machine is AMAZING. Seriously amazing. It makes the best cup of coffee I have ever had in my life. And, while I never was a fan of the one cup coffee makers this one has me sold. It doesn't use any of those stupid plastic cups, and it grinds the beans fresh before every single cup it brews. And it brews the cup in 30 seconds. Plus, it can heat water or froth milk if I want it to. This thing makes a Keurig look like child's toy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72Y4ga1tSHVkhs9prdVz5Q6TI7xkW8kZdXz3Cr7meGlVE13iWdEI_hTYTSBeZvVlNQXfJg0RalulileaedT9lJOjx68ri_KlQWywINtSV62jI3q3ReODsGxGz6s-4z7V82Do4giyNWvU/s1600/IMG_4342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg72Y4ga1tSHVkhs9prdVz5Q6TI7xkW8kZdXz3Cr7meGlVE13iWdEI_hTYTSBeZvVlNQXfJg0RalulileaedT9lJOjx68ri_KlQWywINtSV62jI3q3ReODsGxGz6s-4z7V82Do4giyNWvU/s640/IMG_4342.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Learning the trash system here has been interesting. We have two small trashcans outside our house. Inside are two paper sacks. Each week the trashmen come and will remove the paper sacks from inside the metal trash can and then will stick in two fresh paper sacks for the next week. We have learned by default that they will not take anything that does not fit in that paper sack. Don't even try it, they will pick it up and the throw it on the ground right in front of your trash can as if to say 'ha, take your trash back!' </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am used to separating all my glass, paper, plastic, etc. We have found certain stations throughout the town where you can recycle paper and glass, and any plastic or aluminum cans that are marked with an "A" or a "B" can be taken to a special station (usually inside a store) and you get money returned for those (similar to certain areas in the US where you get your deposit back).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are still trying to figure out the system, but in the meantime I have learned to not leave any empty beer cans where Benny can access them...he seems to have a certain affinity for beer, LOL.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBSOP1NVgsXLQrNUbUJctrWuygVem8NubF5BOCH0B-bubyoLZzrXiiDmZI2rBzU1H33Cv0VfmdQwSppmu1p0sAuraBbyR7o40G3wcci73v_i43OrDbL-F7YPTQo1ROsXrANyF39n4xRY/s1600/IMG_4358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBSOP1NVgsXLQrNUbUJctrWuygVem8NubF5BOCH0B-bubyoLZzrXiiDmZI2rBzU1H33Cv0VfmdQwSppmu1p0sAuraBbyR7o40G3wcci73v_i43OrDbL-F7YPTQo1ROsXrANyF39n4xRY/s640/IMG_4358.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are snails EVERYWHERE. Tiny snails and even these huge ones! The boys are in heaven finding them and watching them and trying to build snail cages and traps in the yard....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNPV6CzWQY3xgiZ1wCfElk2pSFx5S4Qc8rfWoFqWgJgYSOLP7JjZCG1ditfjFnzN8CIIHg-tnGFu-m_eOOoxXE5E4H7tCEFbPuRrSIDJ_CDPYybpWkDFbYEXRDRoKepl5D8rJdBpe7j0/s1600/IMG_4448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNPV6CzWQY3xgiZ1wCfElk2pSFx5S4Qc8rfWoFqWgJgYSOLP7JjZCG1ditfjFnzN8CIIHg-tnGFu-m_eOOoxXE5E4H7tCEFbPuRrSIDJ_CDPYybpWkDFbYEXRDRoKepl5D8rJdBpe7j0/s640/IMG_4448.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then there are these slugs, or <span style="color: #141823; line-height: 16.0799999237061px;">dræbersnegl. They are disgusting, gross and all over the place. Ben likes to run up to them and scream EWWWW! We pay the older boys 1 kroner for every 5 slugs they pick up in the yard. Then we pour salt over the slugs. Gross gross gross.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lySg8a7HUSJbyaQX2Mjk6hGm9ox_0PUNv3OBrmE9YNiZPet8G6Nx00vkuNnqgYOPMP9Qv735fMh3EkT1QRbQQVi8OsM3DdTMJJTfNRpVXq6ZJshVXuAhDgGsW67hofIpQZJAskWXAGs/s1600/IMG_4377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5lySg8a7HUSJbyaQX2Mjk6hGm9ox_0PUNv3OBrmE9YNiZPet8G6Nx00vkuNnqgYOPMP9Qv735fMh3EkT1QRbQQVi8OsM3DdTMJJTfNRpVXq6ZJshVXuAhDgGsW67hofIpQZJAskWXAGs/s640/IMG_4377.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Despite moving across an entire ocean, Sam still cannot eat without getting his food all over his face. It's like a hidden talent he has. When he eats a sucker, it ends up on his forehead. When he drinks a cup of milk, it ends up on his nose, his cheeks and his chin. This is what happens when you eat a piece of toast with some Nutella spread on it....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX86hE0Lw9HO233Zl5yXYLokX3ThJhUl0VpPx4AaJG_ek16DGHsuf4nWFBN-JYnI6dmq33blyZUQXAr65jR62lZTK06gMku031PswiGPtjHk68IsPbVZF_m9IE21QdWKGcMqRtm7jnZ1Q/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX86hE0Lw9HO233Zl5yXYLokX3ThJhUl0VpPx4AaJG_ek16DGHsuf4nWFBN-JYnI6dmq33blyZUQXAr65jR62lZTK06gMku031PswiGPtjHk68IsPbVZF_m9IE21QdWKGcMqRtm7jnZ1Q/s640/IMG_4381.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This house is right up the street from Sam's school. I love seeing it every day. I love the traditional roof and how it is round around the second story windows. We would never see something like this back home. I love that it is just up the street from me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-GWniB3AeE4msisfOMPKTVs_teBhHiFYGYZZw3DgtkyISU-Bx9BBeJk4P3Q9cgLu6hfMILQYwOVj1V2f_bo695AoijtaqRECqpfioPiobHlMyx2nycZPi9jW8XDQgxxuuHLG8KwIHiY/s1600/IMG_4385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-GWniB3AeE4msisfOMPKTVs_teBhHiFYGYZZw3DgtkyISU-Bx9BBeJk4P3Q9cgLu6hfMILQYwOVj1V2f_bo695AoijtaqRECqpfioPiobHlMyx2nycZPi9jW8XDQgxxuuHLG8KwIHiY/s640/IMG_4385.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is so much history around every corner here. This is the kirke (church). Behind it is where the Hirscholm castle used to stand. It was left to deteriorate on its own and now all that is remaining are the castle gardens and a few pillars from the castle walls. It is a pretty path around the castle and the boys and I walked it once, and it is on my regular running route because I love that you can feel the history as you run through the grounds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_8uKdgxQTW0P2W_sJy_AXz4O3SprbnmkxAsDOHidcG1RTvOqXsfA4LkGVe59Y7iJ0LiWleKPM-CPbhupGp-MbhzSvP6-8Pd6S9VIUsZPxgCM4T_DNQ3e5oI9NWsyRjRoaII4qDhlCHU/s1600/IMG_4408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_8uKdgxQTW0P2W_sJy_AXz4O3SprbnmkxAsDOHidcG1RTvOqXsfA4LkGVe59Y7iJ0LiWleKPM-CPbhupGp-MbhzSvP6-8Pd6S9VIUsZPxgCM4T_DNQ3e5oI9NWsyRjRoaII4qDhlCHU/s640/IMG_4408.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are hidden treasures around every corner -- like this fun fountain in the middle of the Horsholm Midpunkt (basically the mall). We discovered it on a hot day, so it was a welcome surprise. Max and Ben stuck with getting their feet wet...Sam eventually just stuck his whole body in and was soaking wet. He was having so much fun that a gathering formed around the fountain to watch him...his excitement and joy were bountiful and spread to everyone watching him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtNDC9dD9zZgSpc9eSliiMHY7cEvZD_vToAVtcWZkkSLxwbAQBtkZMYwDq2atB4ROUkBpUGMCAil_0Wd5RYpOnbkXJGJHuwUJ8c2yZtSYGjZhGWjR5N0LBve81UhQF9rK5a0ym3AvciA/s1600/IMG_4453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtNDC9dD9zZgSpc9eSliiMHY7cEvZD_vToAVtcWZkkSLxwbAQBtkZMYwDq2atB4ROUkBpUGMCAil_0Wd5RYpOnbkXJGJHuwUJ8c2yZtSYGjZhGWjR5N0LBve81UhQF9rK5a0ym3AvciA/s640/IMG_4453.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are also tons of walking/biking paths and open areas for people to enjoy...hidden within the city streets and housing areas. We discovered this little forest nook on one of our after dinner walks. The boys loved it. I'm sure older 'kids' are using it for other purposes when the sun goes down, but it was a fun little hideout for them that afternoon...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7sALjWgSVk-XmynPFJwfcSmbd_1-QrqwL2mOfPe0U3EtnnXsb_AjdT4Q5Oo98bEGSibbDKMevohA7s4vZ5fm5DArD7vSOcC6269bofa2JuSomLP1UCjXIAQgCejNgSk4SxVQlg-ZtRM/s1600/IMG_4461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7sALjWgSVk-XmynPFJwfcSmbd_1-QrqwL2mOfPe0U3EtnnXsb_AjdT4Q5Oo98bEGSibbDKMevohA7s4vZ5fm5DArD7vSOcC6269bofa2JuSomLP1UCjXIAQgCejNgSk4SxVQlg-ZtRM/s640/IMG_4461.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband can still climb trees (yes that's kinda sexy)....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F3n_Z5O1y_5yfJsdJYBMDdqD3dEHXuTOFEc3jLQyDhA8gCYD9Gwqavqas2aCp4E9jd09_i_MRvceTFYBG-z5UsjH9H4_VRMnlZ38amDop7NYze6GR5Yt7JEtGCYWk4fDYc9yjyPhlk8/s1600/IMG_4477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F3n_Z5O1y_5yfJsdJYBMDdqD3dEHXuTOFEc3jLQyDhA8gCYD9Gwqavqas2aCp4E9jd09_i_MRvceTFYBG-z5UsjH9H4_VRMnlZ38amDop7NYze6GR5Yt7JEtGCYWk4fDYc9yjyPhlk8/s640/IMG_4477.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Babies will get all thrown off their schedules with time changes and different time zones. So we just sleep when we can. This was one of those times...we were just snuggling in the bed and then I looked over and he was passed out. Such a cutie...too bad it ended with him rolling off the air mattress an hour and a half later....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwCWhtDvHvjXCuoFxnbvIaRUi-gVX4BEtomVrFRmloNTmRY6c2q3nFh9NBE4aBOSYmgPq_kSZGnuREky1PnBCV76-MOrZaYr2JApetDsb7j9gg1yp-cCA6-p6yu93AeCIEQuuiR7qkFk/s1600/IMG_4480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwCWhtDvHvjXCuoFxnbvIaRUi-gVX4BEtomVrFRmloNTmRY6c2q3nFh9NBE4aBOSYmgPq_kSZGnuREky1PnBCV76-MOrZaYr2JApetDsb7j9gg1yp-cCA6-p6yu93AeCIEQuuiR7qkFk/s640/IMG_4480.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading through grocery ads has become a challenge for me. What is this stuff? How much will it cost? What will it taste like? Did I buy the right thing?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjte7ntMcC5otjQWsw1d1O5-JgX1wCzee-ARFCqZCnaX6AQjODb8baeIf-CKzgudNnDk-rI8O-7ARE2ENG77Y6gYRfEjkJsbzEtcp-U-sG0pmjzyllPIfLnhp-aiVyRpDhgk9NTtIE4eg/s1600/IMG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjte7ntMcC5otjQWsw1d1O5-JgX1wCzee-ARFCqZCnaX6AQjODb8baeIf-CKzgudNnDk-rI8O-7ARE2ENG77Y6gYRfEjkJsbzEtcp-U-sG0pmjzyllPIfLnhp-aiVyRpDhgk9NTtIE4eg/s320/IMG_4539.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take this for example...Bagepulver is how google translate translates both baking powder AND baking soda....so which is it? Well, I did a little test and the Bagepulver fizzed in water whereas the Natron did not. So we have Natron - baking soda, and Bagepulver - baking powder. Mystery solved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMivzoF3V0qt1yg2ZC12DUkproMd7nRuPtdMKkkf8xNL3g0ncmP1bdEfjI8KLqSEPbfsudPJq4DFNjEr0GCxjs1t3T4vgkQ4dibxtyUAdukxYe6AT36rMnUMLsdV1HxIdf5mWREFa3Gc/s1600/IMG_4548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMivzoF3V0qt1yg2ZC12DUkproMd7nRuPtdMKkkf8xNL3g0ncmP1bdEfjI8KLqSEPbfsudPJq4DFNjEr0GCxjs1t3T4vgkQ4dibxtyUAdukxYe6AT36rMnUMLsdV1HxIdf5mWREFa3Gc/s640/IMG_4548.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apparently here you can rent a cow. Ha!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDia8C6vZKq99xiWylPkdpZzjplAuEO2jniKCgUc4ts4yORm-7MTPllTu19CpzD44giKLnqzMk2JNUFJBi-VAsTMfp4lWCr_z3RLy9Ihe9x8DBJW_iomUrQ2W4JYlrZ8Vsg3-QfG_r2qo/s1600/IMG_4608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDia8C6vZKq99xiWylPkdpZzjplAuEO2jniKCgUc4ts4yORm-7MTPllTu19CpzD44giKLnqzMk2JNUFJBi-VAsTMfp4lWCr_z3RLy9Ihe9x8DBJW_iomUrQ2W4JYlrZ8Vsg3-QfG_r2qo/s640/IMG_4608.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almost 4 weeks in, and we are loving our time here in Denmark. We have seen so much already and everything has been wonderful. The people have been friendly and nice. The public transportation has been easy to figure out and use. School has been going well for the boys. We honestly couldn't be happier right now.</span></div>
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-68207713246467157902015-08-26T05:23:00.002-05:002015-08-26T05:23:50.343-05:00Settling in, the new house - the downstairs!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So it's been quiet on here, but only because we decided to start staying full time at the house and we didn't have any internet there (until RIGHT NOW), so I've been limping along with my slow international data plan on my phone and no real way to post efficiently...</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I haven't forgotten to update, it's just been really hard to do it. Hopefully now that we have internet again this will just be a faded memory soon...</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So here are pictures of the downstairs of the house -- all of these photos were taken BEFORE our storage container arrived. I'll take all new pictures with our stuff in them soon :)</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2iQsqHV_Nik1YmQfsyqMpoMv-THnCFKV_8z6DTo480eLxLgCt97bGRe_8vn6Id89XC0qEFSpRg__RPxkC-b8nzn0KPWPqGyvwWkVeHnFofipsMy3FWye64HkuLgsU118O3S1lf8Xx5A/s640/blogger-image--793507796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2iQsqHV_Nik1YmQfsyqMpoMv-THnCFKV_8z6DTo480eLxLgCt97bGRe_8vn6Id89XC0qEFSpRg__RPxkC-b8nzn0KPWPqGyvwWkVeHnFofipsMy3FWye64HkuLgsU118O3S1lf8Xx5A/s640/blogger-image--793507796.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kitchen! Much smaller but a good use of storage space with all the drawers. We asked if we could put shelves on the upper walls, but our landlord didn't want us to do that because there are water and electrical utilities behind some of the walls. So, I'll figure out some type of shelving that sits atop the counters if we need extra space when the time comes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6etrc4z66xz3t2sfcLypUZEf0xw0h_umWk_hslS81WETWTVoS80zIZy3Ag49zvoRP5jTcVD-6seJiW7yf4t06k3Mj5V30ux73h25ARpoQYq8YLut6kOzkyhKGwIJC4Kp29F6gaoz5H0/s640/blogger-image-1438326151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6etrc4z66xz3t2sfcLypUZEf0xw0h_umWk_hslS81WETWTVoS80zIZy3Ag49zvoRP5jTcVD-6seJiW7yf4t06k3Mj5V30ux73h25ARpoQYq8YLut6kOzkyhKGwIJC4Kp29F6gaoz5H0/s640/blogger-image-1438326151.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The dining room. We now have a patio table here (thank you for awesome neighbors) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnKc9ZHSP1To62Zb0GBuRut__IBtbqvVHsNG-kFx6XZuajxF9GaIvma1Un3-QmlUQSbvtWYcIp7mXOQGwMxsdM0rhvJkCNiVhc1HE9Q8K_fxky7HQUjSo0hD0rVZVciI7UwFpwQKMASs/s1600/IMG_4325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnKc9ZHSP1To62Zb0GBuRut__IBtbqvVHsNG-kFx6XZuajxF9GaIvma1Un3-QmlUQSbvtWYcIp7mXOQGwMxsdM0rhvJkCNiVhc1HE9Q8K_fxky7HQUjSo0hD0rVZVciI7UwFpwQKMASs/s640/IMG_4325.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is a view looking into the living room from the kitchen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHzYYeJmhwUNiR891Ag1TvqMLrk6uQxanXLOMQv3hA6vMb1_J8wq8R9hpLVRnsxLLaJIBYwHvga8IR9cu6-Pk7GqbOSRs4mWNo9v7mAuiWqypD4fdGLlzUBYqDlTIYpUAdebXwkkIK8w/s1600/IMG_4326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHzYYeJmhwUNiR891Ag1TvqMLrk6uQxanXLOMQv3hA6vMb1_J8wq8R9hpLVRnsxLLaJIBYwHvga8IR9cu6-Pk7GqbOSRs4mWNo9v7mAuiWqypD4fdGLlzUBYqDlTIYpUAdebXwkkIK8w/s640/IMG_4326.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And the same view from the dining room. That is a wood burning stove that works. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlFFBdgvRHloW7pMYiD-rALJ6XiSC2EqAZOTWljP0F3n4O1wInW75JUwP9ZzTuF09BwWIOB0h3rkcib4bK47xQl-5mLVMIzuqPsL7NUqKntDxELQjQk2eGf-zwaayqWcyaysCEIJcmoE/s1600/IMG_4327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlFFBdgvRHloW7pMYiD-rALJ6XiSC2EqAZOTWljP0F3n4O1wInW75JUwP9ZzTuF09BwWIOB0h3rkcib4bK47xQl-5mLVMIzuqPsL7NUqKntDxELQjQk2eGf-zwaayqWcyaysCEIJcmoE/s640/IMG_4327.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The wall of windows has two operating windows and the door also swings open.</span></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVGgiTHFSqyjfbPKwmTNt-aeHYFpFWTfauR0deCSSUmXJ5BbE0Y0zxLiGWdSBmQCFfHpt-llOjPxgzvXa4Jatx8wxFQJe3FL0ugL4ILwENYT6RvYMrIzUH-WrMHaUmeiMuoTS1MFmQqc/s1600/IMG_4328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVGgiTHFSqyjfbPKwmTNt-aeHYFpFWTfauR0deCSSUmXJ5BbE0Y0zxLiGWdSBmQCFfHpt-llOjPxgzvXa4Jatx8wxFQJe3FL0ugL4ILwENYT6RvYMrIzUH-WrMHaUmeiMuoTS1MFmQqc/s640/IMG_4328.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And looking back towards the dining area.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtF90Wk70gzQaJ9FafsP5HhVcFG3H0OWUWn1wifx20UtVz-mv84WkQZa4NXmyyJnKLnC_Ba67ntQ6HQ1MKe_MT4fYYP-_Z6GNimq9MyVEmu2eoFC_cg7zX5Wt9ai3386GF0zbtMPqKN0/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtF90Wk70gzQaJ9FafsP5HhVcFG3H0OWUWn1wifx20UtVz-mv84WkQZa4NXmyyJnKLnC_Ba67ntQ6HQ1MKe_MT4fYYP-_Z6GNimq9MyVEmu2eoFC_cg7zX5Wt9ai3386GF0zbtMPqKN0/s640/IMG_4329.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The doorway leading off the living room opens into this area and then to the front door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulG832lzMYYqmw60IbFTRyTKKif13Ehc6lhydoyukdDaQDE9-AEhuPCTTD56vnaQ5DyQ3feNfMPN8GczCYwNKyfJKgp_9Vp9N-s2xCqdHV6LL8Lroq3P8_Q7QzlYMXza4-Rso7K5VKxQ/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiulG832lzMYYqmw60IbFTRyTKKif13Ehc6lhydoyukdDaQDE9-AEhuPCTTD56vnaQ5DyQ3feNfMPN8GczCYwNKyfJKgp_9Vp9N-s2xCqdHV6LL8Lroq3P8_Q7QzlYMXza4-Rso7K5VKxQ/s640/IMG_4330.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a small half bath just off the mudroom area.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEV-J-etsuLTuS559xDRknPA5xAnTgEaatevB7JSLWdpYS5vSJycyB6Ae09C7pL49jeJ1Td-LcvGdD_IpXEk4WcwKjzLrJ4BLETy0buo1Dumb7e4dr6udQoOEXAwmMmAc20Q9dZPvlc4/s1600/IMG_4331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEV-J-etsuLTuS559xDRknPA5xAnTgEaatevB7JSLWdpYS5vSJycyB6Ae09C7pL49jeJ1Td-LcvGdD_IpXEk4WcwKjzLrJ4BLETy0buo1Dumb7e4dr6udQoOEXAwmMmAc20Q9dZPvlc4/s640/IMG_4331.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The stairs are CREAKY. We are trying to utilize our ninja skills to find the steps that squeak the least amount so we don't wake up the kids when we go up or down the stairs. Thankfully, Ben has listened to our pleas for him to stay downstairs. They are kind of slippery and steep.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzqhpetHawQgJ2mhicvUHiAO6J0GgPaAxRogBzYfKOFYSFqihCpU79h_hfMk4r7IkUULkuquI1YwzUf5EhQCqXF1eCT6-bUh9szzkV9KGrcSt1owbV25NPsM69POG2V6yJmC9SV7YIbo/s1600/IMG_4332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzqhpetHawQgJ2mhicvUHiAO6J0GgPaAxRogBzYfKOFYSFqihCpU79h_hfMk4r7IkUULkuquI1YwzUf5EhQCqXF1eCT6-bUh9szzkV9KGrcSt1owbV25NPsM69POG2V6yJmC9SV7YIbo/s640/IMG_4332.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the area right when you walk in the front door.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KptA3Vh-bDe6NYAvHlmNH2NoWQAKBC3hw9q1XNuYZISdS7ZMRMSECRjV4fEWKJ-X7yKBEsY-6iqqAiysZ38JL23xfCibjja2M_3EafxrdulvkKD2GvwWIDJMytR-KhURXhAVmQrhNUs/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KptA3Vh-bDe6NYAvHlmNH2NoWQAKBC3hw9q1XNuYZISdS7ZMRMSECRjV4fEWKJ-X7yKBEsY-6iqqAiysZ38JL23xfCibjja2M_3EafxrdulvkKD2GvwWIDJMytR-KhURXhAVmQrhNUs/s640/IMG_4333.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A view up the stairs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-04C1iS6rZ7oQ8AQ3LJEHoQuQCJKyEDvowFCzKwJm0WeaIh0ZlGLPMzJDzqmApn7nR5Rj7BoNNQrW8Hxv-PjghbddCNFVDSnY7rMcNTGEr9kcNT3K5FJFA2Go7wEWf_lPVQ6TjC1hO0/s1600/IMG_4334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-04C1iS6rZ7oQ8AQ3LJEHoQuQCJKyEDvowFCzKwJm0WeaIh0ZlGLPMzJDzqmApn7nR5Rj7BoNNQrW8Hxv-PjghbddCNFVDSnY7rMcNTGEr9kcNT3K5FJFA2Go7wEWf_lPVQ6TjC1hO0/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another entry way -- this one from the carport/garage to the house. To the left is the laundry room. I guess I didn't take a photo of that...oh well.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVty7i1vCgG3R0FOZAY8bamDo8D28VIBB9qa85a1cno6P2gufTL10lCWmVe8GbOH9vgaAmWT1oer8HakJ8uR3gIfJsLI3e-u7NoSxQNRIDHAXfP2qHboXmc2imlBf7OgJqIKy7gRJnBE/s1600/IMG_4335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVty7i1vCgG3R0FOZAY8bamDo8D28VIBB9qa85a1cno6P2gufTL10lCWmVe8GbOH9vgaAmWT1oer8HakJ8uR3gIfJsLI3e-u7NoSxQNRIDHAXfP2qHboXmc2imlBf7OgJqIKy7gRJnBE/s640/IMG_4335.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The fourth bedroom or playroom as we are calling it. All the toys went into this room, and this is where you will get to sleep if you come visit us! :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vktWbXCAt7BNVR2o-dA1O08pAg-oOFA9zo741Vqo1BynOV1BOgRhgf3GYeoP2FC3wQ_mIrBqyVag_uRz08tJ6VUI2jkAvY0OOsh_cUnWTBJYp2kcEaRUYZZ5SgVgf__sVuL95VahvUg/s1600/IMG_4336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vktWbXCAt7BNVR2o-dA1O08pAg-oOFA9zo741Vqo1BynOV1BOgRhgf3GYeoP2FC3wQ_mIrBqyVag_uRz08tJ6VUI2jkAvY0OOsh_cUnWTBJYp2kcEaRUYZZ5SgVgf__sVuL95VahvUg/s640/IMG_4336.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The boys have been great about making do with what we have. Here they've turned their car seats into chairs. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So there you have it, our 'new' house. It is perfect for what we need it to do for the next two years. And while I was a bit afraid that none of our stuff would fit in here, everything magically did! I'll take some after photos soon and post those as well. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until then...farvel!</span></div>
<br /></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-71042024331773950152015-08-08T14:06:00.000-05:002015-08-08T14:06:05.354-05:00Settling in, the new house - Denmark Adventures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On Wednesday, we took the opportunity to drive by our new house to scope it out from the outside. We were so happy to see a nice sized yard (fenced in) and looking in to the house through the windows, everything looked so sunny and bright!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The house was pretty cute from the outside also. We are on a corner lot, so that means we get a larger yard than most of the other houses.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDG63pVxdlQaZlErIo8krRmvb5SjKT5QrclLmXtUtmhp9k0PpGZ_txgE_tMFDs8jj0aWEyP_uSQeKT3eeAStHXBJ4iTIVRRMdyVdL_uWFQdBvjJxR9Qzc5uBzEskXcxXH3qkEXU_qCb4/s1600/IMG_4207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDG63pVxdlQaZlErIo8krRmvb5SjKT5QrclLmXtUtmhp9k0PpGZ_txgE_tMFDs8jj0aWEyP_uSQeKT3eeAStHXBJ4iTIVRRMdyVdL_uWFQdBvjJxR9Qzc5uBzEskXcxXH3qkEXU_qCb4/s640/IMG_4207.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">View from the middle of the back yard.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess I forgot to take any pictures of the downstairs rooms, so I'll have to remedy that when we are there tomorrow to clean. But in the meantime, here are some shots of the upstairs rooms. It will be a bit of a challenge fitting our stuff into the rooms, but we will figure something out. I'm not used to sloped ceilings and wardrobe type closets taking up valuable wall space so we might have to do some improvisation.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4c54S3NlbCnFmu0MsM_vpDlP47On4s1tXCmoFaRjcjqdf6t6XVecgadmIAaneMCyf249O0aAacRvwy3DRMsE6GOsUaaTR50ukH-szzRz_VxdQbkbgtyQVPdjpBx8Dy5IhzpAxbPYwKDg/s1600/IMG_4231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4c54S3NlbCnFmu0MsM_vpDlP47On4s1tXCmoFaRjcjqdf6t6XVecgadmIAaneMCyf249O0aAacRvwy3DRMsE6GOsUaaTR50ukH-szzRz_VxdQbkbgtyQVPdjpBx8Dy5IhzpAxbPYwKDg/s640/IMG_4231.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This will be Ben's room. As you can see, to the right is a large wardrobe. I think we will move that along the wall further to the right and put his crib where it is now.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyVIu9Vvao9HopkOuWrzz4zy2T-j6IvMdFMTX8pKGqcdAL68ZFIWkwoYyGr8d2Lgu4yQWJWAhLug4pIJcEXCggfXHM2r7LUuMSr5I24AJUI2bxFjJ1QHlM9d9Ulv5Vn1GOeviHde4euU/s1600/IMG_4239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyVIu9Vvao9HopkOuWrzz4zy2T-j6IvMdFMTX8pKGqcdAL68ZFIWkwoYyGr8d2Lgu4yQWJWAhLug4pIJcEXCggfXHM2r7LUuMSr5I24AJUI2bxFjJ1QHlM9d9Ulv5Vn1GOeviHde4euU/s640/IMG_4239.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The view looking the other way in his room. This wall length desk eats up this entire wall! I'm not sure if there is a way to remove it without damaging the wall, but that is what I would actually like to do if possible.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">When you go up the stairs, Ben's room is directly straight ahead. To the right is the bathroom (another reason we want his crib along the other wall, so it doesn't share a wall with the bathroom for noise reasons).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hfws8OZ1APAV1BZMzRH9NjC9ouVgKglj6S6Us5z69BHSU6MX0PU-u2asN1BXTMYp7XymFcBXFeoCvzDK2fuxVvwb_8xeXsdDbzhazdoc1pp_sDF1tKXlL2QyO1suui2PN69MX-Oi66E/s1600/IMG_4232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hfws8OZ1APAV1BZMzRH9NjC9ouVgKglj6S6Us5z69BHSU6MX0PU-u2asN1BXTMYp7XymFcBXFeoCvzDK2fuxVvwb_8xeXsdDbzhazdoc1pp_sDF1tKXlL2QyO1suui2PN69MX-Oi66E/s640/IMG_4232.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The bathroom is actually a really decent size! It even has a bathtub, which is not common in Denmark, apparently. The boys have already tested it out and it meets their approval.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5FFuPylCXVLuCBX7Hhps0Pr-w3bWmIR271jFC8nm11wBbKiMAXTZPumkhea5PbgBA5R7IL75C2ZClGKryKBHp8RjNAbb8lg1vz7zTywgqEbRxKjfTSZcRAIZiFhv9O8fRMXDeWUT7KY/s1600/IMG_4241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5FFuPylCXVLuCBX7Hhps0Pr-w3bWmIR271jFC8nm11wBbKiMAXTZPumkhea5PbgBA5R7IL75C2ZClGKryKBHp8RjNAbb8lg1vz7zTywgqEbRxKjfTSZcRAIZiFhv9O8fRMXDeWUT7KY/s640/IMG_4241.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is also a large shower.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xZq0AFbPT6-VOaapo58DP8a_w-ZTC1SGE-kWF-sY3TD_sUaNDJ_uB8cph-Xl1boE0QPtTiGXVyALitu7-5VvV_Zfrb8ENiMT6V6pU0cWEjb8icJ-ZLRe2riCQ99dZfXpBg55WuUNtBg/s1600/IMG_4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xZq0AFbPT6-VOaapo58DP8a_w-ZTC1SGE-kWF-sY3TD_sUaNDJ_uB8cph-Xl1boE0QPtTiGXVyALitu7-5VvV_Zfrb8ENiMT6V6pU0cWEjb8icJ-ZLRe2riCQ99dZfXpBg55WuUNtBg/s640/IMG_4242.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ben was very excited by the bathtub and couldn't wait to try it out!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first door to the left when you go up the stairs is the boys' room. I'm fairly confident that we will be able to fit both their beds in here (unbunked) but not so sure about their dressers yet. They are very excited about the built in desk in this room.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRkxqr02qR-ms7d_ZwatgMgCknAllSHiL9CBfgrTh6ZKMttiyasZAH2aEpNu5QgnJoCAFvoL2noSzK6W0cp3LK-aQcUkoX8gW1LiSKb3_yoJ_vo1xdDxjN2EzK-Ke-fPrZzEPpzsR3iQ/s1600/IMG_4233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRkxqr02qR-ms7d_ZwatgMgCknAllSHiL9CBfgrTh6ZKMttiyasZAH2aEpNu5QgnJoCAFvoL2noSzK6W0cp3LK-aQcUkoX8gW1LiSKb3_yoJ_vo1xdDxjN2EzK-Ke-fPrZzEPpzsR3iQ/s640/IMG_4233.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The two beds should fit along this wall.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFoSubSTUTXFzhS_gub1edJjiSVwN6BAVUqe1soQNe6eEHEMyuTLOFVs9P3spGwG5uV7ptHuBZETqW8fkakP9WNQZMlnXAnMgY-J05SssD2wVuScnkfgMiVWAg-ygfeu9XTrYTcFi5NU/s1600/IMG_4238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFoSubSTUTXFzhS_gub1edJjiSVwN6BAVUqe1soQNe6eEHEMyuTLOFVs9P3spGwG5uV7ptHuBZETqW8fkakP9WNQZMlnXAnMgY-J05SssD2wVuScnkfgMiVWAg-ygfeu9XTrYTcFi5NU/s640/IMG_4238.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't get a good shot of it, but the built in desk is to my left just next to the large wardrobe. Along the wall Max is standing on is a shelf that is attached to the wall -- I think if I can remove that somehow their dressers should fit there no problem.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last door upstairs is for the master bedroom. It should fit our queen sized bed fine. It has two large wardrobes and some wall shelves. We didn't bring our dressers, so if one of the boys' doesn't work in their room we could always steal it for the meantime...but we had planned to maybe buy a nice bedroom set while we were here.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2MbOceyMz_8QrliG_I8KmecCeIbPLFlt-etZc2UxYDoMnRNx3I1thn54AVTNjL5POMeSBfvOFCytPqxMC6oVvlB7l3FpPLAmQFNnqOg0DqeESceqePOjtUlrtSYYxc1it0Hk1nAL5mk/s1600/IMG_4234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2MbOceyMz_8QrliG_I8KmecCeIbPLFlt-etZc2UxYDoMnRNx3I1thn54AVTNjL5POMeSBfvOFCytPqxMC6oVvlB7l3FpPLAmQFNnqOg0DqeESceqePOjtUlrtSYYxc1it0Hk1nAL5mk/s640/IMG_4234.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bed should go along this wall. All the skylights can be opened, they swing inwards -- and all of them have built in shades that are super room darkening! SO excited about that since it stays light until 10pm in summer!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAJWrJFCOystlsjwBViSr4FbCwW7AduiKd5l99ePb3JMA5yCwYgydYjiKsbdQRLznAz8HDgZ2hSfgMJKfTt2DchSBKDI_ZJ9s-RjAWEiP6q9Vq6JMez2OiKoqchnhcqQMWD5NL6w2vyQ/s1600/IMG_4235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAJWrJFCOystlsjwBViSr4FbCwW7AduiKd5l99ePb3JMA5yCwYgydYjiKsbdQRLznAz8HDgZ2hSfgMJKfTt2DchSBKDI_ZJ9s-RjAWEiP6q9Vq6JMez2OiKoqchnhcqQMWD5NL6w2vyQ/s640/IMG_4235.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">View of the wardrobes and space where we could fit a dresser. This other window is SO HUGE and lets in such gorgeous light too!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWoDOCQbSaZshoDwN6zUs14SN9yqu-F62QuqxMLnZ5aelIis-kwJRe4ImKykfRYYjia7DBM_bTRguxd5Z2tavHB0QoL9W8gA0KcX7Lapm-94In9UcRQVP152aYB1N1PGq1lapeQaH-Os/s1600/IMG_4237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWoDOCQbSaZshoDwN6zUs14SN9yqu-F62QuqxMLnZ5aelIis-kwJRe4ImKykfRYYjia7DBM_bTRguxd5Z2tavHB0QoL9W8gA0KcX7Lapm-94In9UcRQVP152aYB1N1PGq1lapeQaH-Os/s640/IMG_4237.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">View looking back towards the door with the wall shelves.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Everyone is getting restless staying at the hotel, so we've tried to spend a bit of time over at the house. We did our first grocery store trip -- to Aldi (they had Trader Joe's stuff there) -- and bought this 'rug' to use as our picnic blanket. There are a few pans here to use with the oven, and a microwave, so we are limited to the foods that we can cook for now. But, I've started to get creative with my meal planning -- because we are all sick of eating out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA14uQ7q-yQzqyYera7zZRmdFPzuI4_dnSBNpVGH4H9EBxLhzJIK37KI8uPcnO4HtV5KTaoMv3dO8QBrZX5mlF-hWZH6IkaRPVzZOVT5pPfFhzd3La-FE8lIY7CAWvHzdTMO0qE3q-f4c/s1600/IMG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA14uQ7q-yQzqyYera7zZRmdFPzuI4_dnSBNpVGH4H9EBxLhzJIK37KI8uPcnO4HtV5KTaoMv3dO8QBrZX5mlF-hWZH6IkaRPVzZOVT5pPfFhzd3La-FE8lIY7CAWvHzdTMO0qE3q-f4c/s640/IMG_4262.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Picnic dinner time!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Thursday we decided to take a trip to Ikea so that we could get a few staples. Of course, poor planning got us there right around Ben's naptime, so he was a beast -- worse than normal. And lately, he's been insisted that I hold him (UPPIE!!) and ONLY me. So my left arm (because of course he doesn't like the other side) is going to be hulk-sized pretty soon and I am going to look weird. I'd put him down and make him walk, but then he just starts screaming really loud and I start getting weird looks because -- why would you not pick up your baby, he's not even two! So, whatever. I pick him up. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyways, Ikea. We got a few things there, but most importantly, we purchased a few items that will contribute to our outdoor furniture when we get home -- from an Ikea set I've been coveting for over a year -- it is wood (so there is maintenance, but it should last a lot longer with good care) and gorgeous. Because we both are hesitant spenders for larger items (and we could only fit so much in the trunk with three kids), we opted for only two chairs and one side table this trip -- enough for us to have a make shift dinner table.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqI2M8Cb7xev8v1s_jRvQtF8U57RbcNFmnW-qRVnvlft3blfz3xoc5xCk8G2hJKKF3SP4qX3dPwY2sxZIH00EnpfLsvwjsnvQkaradB-usqdR6mdp5SClT3wzuY-9lxnztg-rNE8yTsE/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqI2M8Cb7xev8v1s_jRvQtF8U57RbcNFmnW-qRVnvlft3blfz3xoc5xCk8G2hJKKF3SP4qX3dPwY2sxZIH00EnpfLsvwjsnvQkaradB-usqdR6mdp5SClT3wzuY-9lxnztg-rNE8yTsE/s640/IMG_4268.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And yes, this is what happens when you spend naptime at Ikea -- you pass out in the car on the ride home and your big brother sticks a basket on your head.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Meanwhile, back at the home front we are starting to pile up some stinky laundry! Max and I have both enjoyed ocean view runs while we are staying at the hotel. So, now that we have keys to the house (and a functioning washer and dryer) I figured it was time to tackle the washing machine. I have no idea what cycle I picked -- hope it was the right one! The clothes seem clean....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDV_dAF-uRn1nPnqhgNTazEW_ZxMLgev2Y6qWVo2CgU3B1PbbRV5sTmtsbCThrKtxTLdFRjivS9w0XlBup9wsMS-HkW_naNCN7qeWB2ao6BkKjzvY0jIzgWuDP_R-rORZKxsSRtZvHOk/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDV_dAF-uRn1nPnqhgNTazEW_ZxMLgev2Y6qWVo2CgU3B1PbbRV5sTmtsbCThrKtxTLdFRjivS9w0XlBup9wsMS-HkW_naNCN7qeWB2ao6BkKjzvY0jIzgWuDP_R-rORZKxsSRtZvHOk/s640/IMG_4280.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What would you pick?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTVPfIYk2-FW1sAa5xDTJRJQc6dJEOf9C3lgg2ZPNiNxDKCQR7I6bskHsr7JMGOdMN5YNG-7Fb3Hu9Cua8nBaslehFxjITjmfjgnFcG3e9pzVSc-BB8P1Gy2m6R29cs8xFaOOtE2glw8/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTVPfIYk2-FW1sAa5xDTJRJQc6dJEOf9C3lgg2ZPNiNxDKCQR7I6bskHsr7JMGOdMN5YNG-7Fb3Hu9Cua8nBaslehFxjITjmfjgnFcG3e9pzVSc-BB8P1Gy2m6R29cs8xFaOOtE2glw8/s640/IMG_4281.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Little by little it is starting to become more of a home. Can't wait for the rest of our stuff to get here -- hope it all fits!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCNNrSWDZVn8-MVEM7Tmd5_NItMX5WYtCnqTPoTpvYFXkOvTVf4rgjQreYRjydrZ_O2UGiH3Bn8LISbpuQEHmfa6q5gPGcle0YiAzpbo7MhqtwLuVyGItp-9lI6bpHhSQXbNq54yI7fA/s1600/IMG_4282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCNNrSWDZVn8-MVEM7Tmd5_NItMX5WYtCnqTPoTpvYFXkOvTVf4rgjQreYRjydrZ_O2UGiH3Bn8LISbpuQEHmfa6q5gPGcle0YiAzpbo7MhqtwLuVyGItp-9lI6bpHhSQXbNq54yI7fA/s640/IMG_4282.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More than anything else, this move has taught me about improvisation! No wine glass? No problem! LOL</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-26867525128719223652015-08-05T07:59:00.003-05:002015-08-05T07:59:57.297-05:00Last Day in the US = First Day in Denmark<div style="text-align: center;">
It still seemed so surreal as we packed up our suitcases and loaded them into the van for the final trip. We had finished up all the last minute details with selling the house, and saying our goodbyes. We landed at my parents house for the rest of the afternoon (my parents have been complete LIFE SAVERS these past few weeks during our transition...watching the boys without hestitation, even overnight; helping with things at the house; giving advice, etc.). There we loaded up on lunch and the boys packed their treat bags for the flight and we said our goodbyes to Granna and to Great Grandmother Madeleine and loaded up in the car with Grumps for the drive to O'Hare.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRinlhjjRovegoVyLow8DVLyKIO192dbg4C7ptcFAIxhO-FYsSE3i0KXzfzR4GjgSsffmhdr_pYR36JzdjVff1OyxrguXGwmEb63d04earS-fV8bUn9xFm-pWMQaCefUvU6ZEenMsDy0/s1600/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+46+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRinlhjjRovegoVyLow8DVLyKIO192dbg4C7ptcFAIxhO-FYsSE3i0KXzfzR4GjgSsffmhdr_pYR36JzdjVff1OyxrguXGwmEb63d04earS-fV8bUn9xFm-pWMQaCefUvU6ZEenMsDy0/s640/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+46+36+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo7eT4u8iGmeWKyio-H6H3hvEGUQ9Er0xPyAHCoNq3utJjRCKtqQashWHSk6Qu_-QH-lESJ1B7pgjCrefcEZWy05Sopsi9wOieeBGjhOHvhLVt00RIzEee70ysf-yDBtMxjbdvs8UWWg/s1600/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+48+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibo7eT4u8iGmeWKyio-H6H3hvEGUQ9Er0xPyAHCoNq3utJjRCKtqQashWHSk6Qu_-QH-lESJ1B7pgjCrefcEZWy05Sopsi9wOieeBGjhOHvhLVt00RIzEee70ysf-yDBtMxjbdvs8UWWg/s640/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+48+42+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lCaD3H9bT8I-_Mu5lWZnik5hdCrzozj15F9SXp2YX44wWP2CImSkLgBHWNzcSR4l2xMQ6cFe-XI9PuLAwzxEjagizTgHUG9kM-gYa7Ylex7l5orEX2lrkJDNl8eimJ0fjMiZ4FqyBWI/s1600/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+48+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4lCaD3H9bT8I-_Mu5lWZnik5hdCrzozj15F9SXp2YX44wWP2CImSkLgBHWNzcSR4l2xMQ6cFe-XI9PuLAwzxEjagizTgHUG9kM-gYa7Ylex7l5orEX2lrkJDNl8eimJ0fjMiZ4FqyBWI/s640/Photo+Aug+03%252C+10+48+45+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The drive there was fairly uneventful -- on false alarm puke stop for little Max -- dramamine hit the spot and calmed his nerves down. Before we knew it, we were there! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeaT9I55QjbRH7HQyw0Z6PsDFVv_uRa464ZHClB9QBHWfMHxnkknENw-bzJBqr62koaLXL5IEOy3A5BRdkplEm3Uf4tebo0xHcgHXItU_aVjkZWNJpQ0C8rXg4-SbZU-iFaAdeqr9-kc/s1600/Photo+Aug+03%252C+11+44+18+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeaT9I55QjbRH7HQyw0Z6PsDFVv_uRa464ZHClB9QBHWfMHxnkknENw-bzJBqr62koaLXL5IEOy3A5BRdkplEm3Uf4tebo0xHcgHXItU_aVjkZWNJpQ0C8rXg4-SbZU-iFaAdeqr9-kc/s640/Photo+Aug+03%252C+11+44+18+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We attempted loading all 9 suitcases (plus 4 backpacks, 1 car seat bag filled with 2 booster seats, a stroller and Ben's car seat) onto one smart carte and somehow we managed to make it across the International Terminal with only minimal moaning from the boys and no broken arms/shoulders/fingers/legs. Small miracles DO happen! We checked our bags and started to head towards the bathroom when Max realized he had left his phone in the van! A quick call to Grumps, who turned around and we got to say a second goodbye and grab the phone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Security seemed to be a bigger nightmare than normal at O'Hare -- we waited over 20 mins in line just to get up to the screeners. The boys were getting sick of waiting in lines by this point already - to which we just chuckled because we knew what was still to come... Getting 5 people, bags, a car seat and a stroller through a TSA checkpoint is no small feat. And, of course, the stroller needed special screening. It then failed the swab test for combustibles (or something like that...Max was giving me minimal information because I was starting to get fiesty from having to wait so long...plus Ben had leaked through his diaper and his shorts were now wet. Another 15 minutes later and finally the stroller (and Max) had cleared for their suspicion of sneaking in combustibles.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We grabbed a bit to eat and headed to our gate. The boys had fun with the moving escalators. Sam, true to his nature had to mark his territory at almost every bathroom we passed by... The kids proceeded to get more excited and hyper as the night wore on -- seeing the big plane we would be riding on was exciting. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7daw94RNctUTlLLP13lD71e-V0VrfUSjVCtX3qpUxLrUQVcrkJ_claPdmM1c1p9MxChFKl3Npr5WP_NvXtkWumaYU7T4HY_DdIWvmMujfbfiLEOd2oOkVjjJvbvZO4haerIsje4dRSY/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+3+33+02+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7daw94RNctUTlLLP13lD71e-V0VrfUSjVCtX3qpUxLrUQVcrkJ_claPdmM1c1p9MxChFKl3Npr5WP_NvXtkWumaYU7T4HY_DdIWvmMujfbfiLEOd2oOkVjjJvbvZO4haerIsje4dRSY/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+3+33+02+AM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In the process of gate checking our stroller, we got bumped up to Economy Plus! More leg room, more drinks! Wahoo!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We boarded the plane early -- which is one of the (*ahem only) perks of travelling with small children and got Ben's car seat strapped in and everyone settled in. Spirits were high!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
About an hour into the flight the boys were still occupied with their iPads and Ben was starting to get grumpy -- they hadn't turned off the overhead lights yet and he was pretty sleepy, so we just put his blanket over his head and that seemed to do the trick...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4My3YBgkbTvc1qB4-BK4dx9HxztELSaVtiagBKgHT63PVEkJ3G35ZNdt_tGrnhy6FrMwNIdAfDSF4b0NBkF8VGkpmz_HsvtDpNV8hPjEMgkIjiVF4hmPc91yFIGL6bhOfKkbnJBzHNg/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+4+38+53+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4My3YBgkbTvc1qB4-BK4dx9HxztELSaVtiagBKgHT63PVEkJ3G35ZNdt_tGrnhy6FrMwNIdAfDSF4b0NBkF8VGkpmz_HsvtDpNV8hPjEMgkIjiVF4hmPc91yFIGL6bhOfKkbnJBzHNg/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+4+38+53+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4585RlPZWzy_1G_B7v8tQeTzYqAimA2N48-p8dhYF4lMX_Lny4cWaDUjKMY-UdOvwj8LbKgJTYWfaZq3XICf6MxVmzZ0kQJFkOAEbzSE6tE8zocCfRJf9Tnt_k9d21-fsVU-WzQNP9dY/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+4+39+08+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4585RlPZWzy_1G_B7v8tQeTzYqAimA2N48-p8dhYF4lMX_Lny4cWaDUjKMY-UdOvwj8LbKgJTYWfaZq3XICf6MxVmzZ0kQJFkOAEbzSE6tE8zocCfRJf9Tnt_k9d21-fsVU-WzQNP9dY/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+4+39+08+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz5GhrT-cGRCogGlznt-bNKk-0mWymtApr9dnL22BN5zxOghy7sS1BhL6Lq5dchnBJ_QpYZnbN9jqwRmfPbFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqLLOLSlNhZBly4GH_95z1h6hmPo3arr1aL1suge5Tm6WE-WhiLNHsSV-u54NPqCUa-mSv8cZ7BuEK7BhfQOdQipC9vLG30ijUp_abe5c47piJRKSWzv6hlPIVYuDnhs3cSZG6wxeUP8/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+11+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqLLOLSlNhZBly4GH_95z1h6hmPo3arr1aL1suge5Tm6WE-WhiLNHsSV-u54NPqCUa-mSv8cZ7BuEK7BhfQOdQipC9vLG30ijUp_abe5c47piJRKSWzv6hlPIVYuDnhs3cSZG6wxeUP8/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+11+58+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwEk_JRfKp51nDTGUBYrRcvn82oPbYqOgzmc-yQ1lBqOLBAIzVm2MX2m9C3AEBv0TKuXvtDtM57UvvuDxqychC51vtDPabwOlvLZax_MsxfesyeZCHctrsEbSGGyKursH4xirqqcltlA/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+12+20+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwEk_JRfKp51nDTGUBYrRcvn82oPbYqOgzmc-yQ1lBqOLBAIzVm2MX2m9C3AEBv0TKuXvtDtM57UvvuDxqychC51vtDPabwOlvLZax_MsxfesyeZCHctrsEbSGGyKursH4xirqqcltlA/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+12+20+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The boys found their earplugs and eye masks in their special Economy Plus bags and settled in for the night as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHYBZdUmH9zgDjzqlUO72Fx1FODwlF5sXAki0QAZFY2CCITqiTDjXcd88wKOM4UWmSgfapA3uv21K95DI3-8hbh5_CBdW_Ha7puvRiVT3u3AZb4984p69Yk5O4IuXCH7Re-ZfdnbnTHI/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+5+42+49+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHYBZdUmH9zgDjzqlUO72Fx1FODwlF5sXAki0QAZFY2CCITqiTDjXcd88wKOM4UWmSgfapA3uv21K95DI3-8hbh5_CBdW_Ha7puvRiVT3u3AZb4984p69Yk5O4IuXCH7Re-ZfdnbnTHI/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+5+42+49+AM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The flight was pretty uneventful...even if the minutes seemed to be creeping by. Ben was unable to get in a comfortable sleeping position in the car seat, so after about 1.5 hrs of restless sleeping, we took him out and tried holding him. He'd get into a comforatable position for a few minutes and then try to stretch out (unsuccesfully). We tried a number of different positions until the stewardess suggested taking his seat out and letting him try to curl up on his seat. He was able to find a few comfortable positions that allowed us to get maybe another 2 hrs of sleep. I think we only got about 3-3.5 hrs total on our side.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Once in the Denmark airport, we tackled the hairy task of getting all our luggage out of the airport together. Somehow (barely), we managed. Max went to get the rental car and after a few re-directs, finally got us set up about 1.5-2 hrs later. To say the kids were getting restless was an understatement. Lucky me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kicker was when all our stuff wouldn't fit in the rental car (and I owe a huge middle finger to the 3 Danish gentlemen who just sat and stared at us in the garage and probably were making fun of us). So little Max and I took the stroller and one suitcase and went to find a taxi. We ended up arriving at the hotel around the same time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We unpacked, explored the beautiful hotel a little bit and then headed to the harbor to get some streetdogs and stretch our legs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HWXUGN5ReJP03LNkPemTVP8DwfDY3zkpi_eqAXpcnA1oLsSffd3mOLFNwn1DmF54CS2cqGYXTXfFt0To2TMQH_G2aqRWsPeHHhff3BzuQwdiGScR90uAQfARpoMgKJ1-gX9xg1cZYC0/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+5+46+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HWXUGN5ReJP03LNkPemTVP8DwfDY3zkpi_eqAXpcnA1oLsSffd3mOLFNwn1DmF54CS2cqGYXTXfFt0To2TMQH_G2aqRWsPeHHhff3BzuQwdiGScR90uAQfARpoMgKJ1-gX9xg1cZYC0/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+5+46+11+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8BZ-TmNLHVSZwkKME_KDqgDmXVSVU3ybhnSMMIMTZZIlg3_fD4SYd69puika3iIuPlR9SRVDoT0wpNzABYEi3rF0fqOShV0lwIODW_HyQdi3WghNiIGwhD12lABGo4WZutHIev_-Xek/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+03+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8BZ-TmNLHVSZwkKME_KDqgDmXVSVU3ybhnSMMIMTZZIlg3_fD4SYd69puika3iIuPlR9SRVDoT0wpNzABYEi3rF0fqOShV0lwIODW_HyQdi3WghNiIGwhD12lABGo4WZutHIev_-Xek/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+6+03+41+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3T4P32zxzqmZpNgLKkzqG9l2T9jDp-au1rEaJVC41BWa-A9fzpqso2JGoiGqJazGGSf4U87cKkZakZQ9P9swh_Lxjs0Y_ae9ZU43DJkIfOFbnOXinplbS0DvZgyNZrczDDQybrtf3FQ/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+7+01+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3T4P32zxzqmZpNgLKkzqG9l2T9jDp-au1rEaJVC41BWa-A9fzpqso2JGoiGqJazGGSf4U87cKkZakZQ9P9swh_Lxjs0Y_ae9ZU43DJkIfOFbnOXinplbS0DvZgyNZrczDDQybrtf3FQ/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+7+01+11+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBxgoUz9lV0IRxCvj4qF4CvqEcMj4vHAc01MiJYYnkTLsUKqcSc72B7s643nvAsVEH9EXtRgL9XHqDmS4tKDWrXb9yNj3qs5r0B7SSjfAHkvbEI6PgRIVRglF-QEs8OD4e9xWWmEuxkM/s1600/Photo+Aug+04%252C+7+01+48+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBxgoUz9lV0IRxCvj4qF4CvqEcMj4vHAc01MiJYYnkTLsUKqcSc72B7s643nvAsVEH9EXtRgL9XHqDmS4tKDWrXb9yNj3qs5r0B7SSjfAHkvbEI6PgRIVRglF-QEs8OD4e9xWWmEuxkM/s640/Photo+Aug+04%252C+7+01+48+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Overall, the trip over might not have gone smoothly, but we all arrived in one piece, with all our luggage, and all in mostly good spirits. Though little Max has gone through quite a few variations of sentiments on his new home:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Mom, I think we might not live the full two years here -- like we might die before we go home because I can't breathe here. (this was stated because of all the smokers around us and the lack of trees he could see at the airport).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- I don't like Denmark anymore, I want to live in Wisconsin for the rest of my life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- It smells gross like fish here (when we got near the ocean)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- the water tastes like fish here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Luckily, he has turned his attitude around on day 2....but I can only imagine the variety of emotions that we will be experiencing (together).</div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-55074313297863088702015-08-01T22:33:00.000-05:002015-08-01T22:35:49.043-05:00Relocation updates - Hørsholm we have a house!After all the drama of traveling to Denmark to look at houses, it turned out that none of the ones we were shown were the right one for us. To make a long story short, we were only shown three properties in the five days that we were in Denmark (don't get me started on that)...despite our relocation agents knowing that we would be coming for over two weeks. I just can't comprehend that there were only 3 properties in the ENTIRE COUNTRY of Denmark available during the time of our visit...but I digress. (It turns out that perhaps <a href="http://cphpost.dk/general/brick-by-brick-beware-the-danish-rental-market.html" target="_blank">this WAS true</a>...but still hard to believe).<br />
<br />
We left Denmark a bit disappointed, but with a plan in mind. Max's coworkers were on the lookout for us, along with some friends in DK...surely if we were all working together, something would come up!<br />
<br />
And it did! A coworker living in Hørsholm happened to notice his next-door neighbors moving out! So he helped us out by approaching the landlord and finding out more information. Max and he even FaceTimed a tour through the house so we could get a feel for what it was like (I was not able to be present for this tour, though I did catch the tail end). The landlord sent us some pictures, and we decided to jump on the property before it was too late. And so....we have a house!<br />
<br />
A house I have only seen in pictures...a house in an area of DK I have never even visited. But, I tell my Type A self - it is JUST A HOUSE. And really, how much time do I really expect to spend in said house? I plan to try to get out and about as much as possible and not spend time inside the house. After all, we are only in DK for two years, and its not like we have to worry about selling the house before we leave! And so, my mantra is...it is JUST A HOUSE.<br />
<br />
Here are the only photos I have of our 'JUST A HOUSE'. From what I've been told the pictures are also a few years old. It should be interesting to see what the house looks like in person -- we should get to visit it in just a few DAYS! EEK!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB_BMDGepVj9AASqdDlMkGGd9ZvypTcm9cg2lqkZ3mK1c9raTijdybgzNUJsZtMnEj7WIGBwSLUvGb8DuCOzi_BBey_rYULls2XYK95w-4nf4xn-k7ulr4qzuFmOGiiodB3k-QkX6Aho/s1600/IMG_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEB_BMDGepVj9AASqdDlMkGGd9ZvypTcm9cg2lqkZ3mK1c9raTijdybgzNUJsZtMnEj7WIGBwSLUvGb8DuCOzi_BBey_rYULls2XYK95w-4nf4xn-k7ulr4qzuFmOGiiodB3k-QkX6Aho/s640/IMG_3679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
2nd story floor-plan</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4xWi49f5U5xkseHxi3Ydtmg8qcIb5FN8XwzkQUZaXz75ce-AC7SqsTJ2VN3QazxBfjYlS_T5_pkZvnqpdzOy_HZ-Ut5HIlOeJL_Da_qvv650nIxsVTFZjxEepGDDJaDpkzAkdwVcY38/s1600/IMG_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4xWi49f5U5xkseHxi3Ydtmg8qcIb5FN8XwzkQUZaXz75ce-AC7SqsTJ2VN3QazxBfjYlS_T5_pkZvnqpdzOy_HZ-Ut5HIlOeJL_Da_qvv650nIxsVTFZjxEepGDDJaDpkzAkdwVcY38/s640/IMG_3680.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
1st story floor-plan</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VEhGwFBVoOm3OfUga3ZwJkNAJsZuUb3WL6k7li7rBFFF5QR-mT8J6ZwX12UIcdLyeBMb3qBa7pQzHkP4wvBOiRndalIFiFpfjRK1WaGRU9DMPoHN2jeuHYi4OPbEHAo0UruD7vz7WoY/s1600/IMG_3681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6VEhGwFBVoOm3OfUga3ZwJkNAJsZuUb3WL6k7li7rBFFF5QR-mT8J6ZwX12UIcdLyeBMb3qBa7pQzHkP4wvBOiRndalIFiFpfjRK1WaGRU9DMPoHN2jeuHYi4OPbEHAo0UruD7vz7WoY/s640/IMG_3681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
downstairs bedroom</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy_tXUprLAYSrgyx48kvkXx0qbcWlkCPhuDafnyiiOYhn5bZpXaekmizJRMIyeJlxFl1S5E7sabpVXg-9fmJX7uXsEGQd6Ld9uKWjFi701CEIGIZT0MONn6Rr8NX4UEHNegpUnm7KCMM/s1600/IMG_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy_tXUprLAYSrgyx48kvkXx0qbcWlkCPhuDafnyiiOYhn5bZpXaekmizJRMIyeJlxFl1S5E7sabpVXg-9fmJX7uXsEGQd6Ld9uKWjFi701CEIGIZT0MONn6Rr8NX4UEHNegpUnm7KCMM/s640/IMG_3682.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
family room</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOmzKPKm7qbh1MuRfBomUK4hlOLpr5eD6PHLm1-HZZljTezL5MfKNvnKHnLDEYdLkZCVB89kB6344VGk5GIZ0gO6A0Nx7YjsKwVhgwQXZnf37sznQ9A7hVElDsDxgCSQSR5fj8RxZpB8/s1600/IMG_3683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOmzKPKm7qbh1MuRfBomUK4hlOLpr5eD6PHLm1-HZZljTezL5MfKNvnKHnLDEYdLkZCVB89kB6344VGk5GIZ0gO6A0Nx7YjsKwVhgwQXZnf37sznQ9A7hVElDsDxgCSQSR5fj8RxZpB8/s640/IMG_3683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
master bedroom</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqPAvvvTHh77qbqQR454CIzZs0SmLS8o2hpDcnbVeNIGHcvats7439OgYQJPTHG9qO7FFLI5FRIpKErSJr2pxTNOud7JGeGI3uhoKgAeTIOcbp0ynoVU5DvFwbu5cxLPnu_2xgBT043w/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBqPAvvvTHh77qbqQR454CIzZs0SmLS8o2hpDcnbVeNIGHcvats7439OgYQJPTHG9qO7FFLI5FRIpKErSJr2pxTNOud7JGeGI3uhoKgAeTIOcbp0ynoVU5DvFwbu5cxLPnu_2xgBT043w/s640/IMG_3684.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
kids room 1</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54R-auKdrmR5VVd48xeboCXqm4MSijsrT59Yb0l-IQwbi0oL_G-CTTsBXQGyJXVvRs9oB4AOGdNyuA9JQKVtC7tw-qo6Gs2-Fa4WmKFNJ95lCMMXeN9pqL7zfiCwij_3xq7eRQwIM7vw/s1600/IMG_3686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54R-auKdrmR5VVd48xeboCXqm4MSijsrT59Yb0l-IQwbi0oL_G-CTTsBXQGyJXVvRs9oB4AOGdNyuA9JQKVtC7tw-qo6Gs2-Fa4WmKFNJ95lCMMXeN9pqL7zfiCwij_3xq7eRQwIM7vw/s640/IMG_3686.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
kids room 1 (other view)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC46lznmbwa1Ma3_-_RkRpjtxyTtWMqMtymEr44g7jySdM2hg-vOKMUaKtkrPPNEIP-urO8yecltAUuu8zEPqJLGreFPMOVv02tHmyWS3xYUTh4IYLPy2JFlWMWyYOjhjAFfoZgaMH5s/s1600/IMG_3685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqC46lznmbwa1Ma3_-_RkRpjtxyTtWMqMtymEr44g7jySdM2hg-vOKMUaKtkrPPNEIP-urO8yecltAUuu8zEPqJLGreFPMOVv02tHmyWS3xYUTh4IYLPy2JFlWMWyYOjhjAFfoZgaMH5s/s640/IMG_3685.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
kids room 2</div>
<br />
<br />
So, there you have it! Now you know as much as we do about the house we will be living in for the next 2 years! We should have access to it next week once we make it to DK, so we will see how it actually looks in person!<br />
<br />
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-88445763591437506812015-06-13T19:31:00.001-05:002015-06-13T21:19:37.073-05:00Thoughts on Denmark<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Thoughts from Copenhagen </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">1. Europeans don't know how to share space...sidewalks, lines, etc. Sometimes it feels like a game of chicken while walking down the sidewalk. I'm still not sure how two opposing Europeans sort out who gets the sidewalk because I've never had one step aside for me. Somehow someone must move though, because you never actually see a collision...it's just like the most perfectly timed chaos.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AMp1_S6J_evlrYNqpYf8uqsnXuK2ZpCrDBpK-R36d1I4akBUXtGhh6r8KkarSG58HNm0R2naZ6ss1juvtC3A_5abOpDDPz3-9nRIT8-grU0M9jcxdYDrTb_9mARdSotsOMdoROuUZcg/s640/blogger-image--1782431067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AMp1_S6J_evlrYNqpYf8uqsnXuK2ZpCrDBpK-R36d1I4akBUXtGhh6r8KkarSG58HNm0R2naZ6ss1juvtC3A_5abOpDDPz3-9nRIT8-grU0M9jcxdYDrTb_9mARdSotsOMdoROuUZcg/s640/blogger-image--1782431067.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2. Europeans smoke. a LOT. Moms are smoking while pushing their infants in a pram, or while holding their toddlers on their hip. People smoking while riding bicycles. Smoking in cars, at restaurants, outside every building on every street. The whole place reeks of second hand smoke! What's more surprising to me is that every pack of cigarettes has "SMOKING KILLS" in big bold letters on it too (maybe packs in the US do too, I haven't bought cigarettes in years).</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfNxODpjEDlJR2FTTZayv9-ZCl4bLbAehAezbpgaSpyTOaJIRt2ZEWVn2Q8qrgQZADkyHXgck8eXgys5nfolsNTmPUrPTmgbFDiJdmmbHHw6xtboaitZBwUBdomuMu0tVZqPC-CoEqcs/s640/blogger-image-2022918882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfNxODpjEDlJR2FTTZayv9-ZCl4bLbAehAezbpgaSpyTOaJIRt2ZEWVn2Q8qrgQZADkyHXgck8eXgys5nfolsNTmPUrPTmgbFDiJdmmbHHw6xtboaitZBwUBdomuMu0tVZqPC-CoEqcs/s640/blogger-image-2022918882.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3. Speaking of prams, EVERYONE has one! And kids are always in them! They look crazy big and I was surprised that the usually space conscious Europeans were using these monsters, but then it was explained to me that infants basically take all their naps in the pram. And the basket comes out and they use it in homes and daycares as a bed for the baby. Ok. Multi purpose. Makes more sense.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4. And speaking of kids, everyone has those too! In Denmark you are paid to have kids. No, really! Just like we get a child credit on our taxes, Danish folk get a stipend each quarter for their children! They also pay crazy taxes though, so it's probably a wash.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5. Fashion is what you make it. Seriously you couldn't be out of fashion here if you tried because literally, ANYTHING GOES. And that anything goes with ANY body type too (whether it looks good or not). People watching here is on a WHOLE new level.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6. Everyone bikes. The post man bikes, women in dresses bike, men in suits bike, pregnant women bike, young kids bike. There are bikes with big trailers in front to pedal your govt funded family home in. There are bikes with kid seats in the front and back. The bikes all look like what you'd pedal in the 60s and 70s and the seats look like they are way too high. There are bicycle parking lots even! And if you're walking (which is what you do if you're not biking), look out! Bikes seem to have right of way and will plow you over! Stay on the walking path! God forbid you accidentally wander into the bike path!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0ZtU8b-frv-G1AvZ5B_0k1nRzU-Hxfj7W0GDL1gj9O2uA38NnVo11SxPSYmarz5IwD-w6kkSwcXuKKPjgV9nzonEYwzaeArOpEAD6745G9SILa04SlHWzV2X0mGQ_3pjU2Eah_r6Z1A/s640/blogger-image-55284839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz0ZtU8b-frv-G1AvZ5B_0k1nRzU-Hxfj7W0GDL1gj9O2uA38NnVo11SxPSYmarz5IwD-w6kkSwcXuKKPjgV9nzonEYwzaeArOpEAD6745G9SILa04SlHWzV2X0mGQ_3pjU2Eah_r6Z1A/s640/blogger-image-55284839.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">7. Copenhagen is a melting pot. I've never heard more languages spoken in one place. It's almost a fun game to try to identify all the different languages you encounter while out and about. And thank goodness everyone speaks English!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8. If you want to use a credit card you better know the PIN. And despite the fact that your credit card company will likely insist that you WONT need it and that you can sign for things, they're wrong. Get the PIN and get it well before you leave. If you haven't set it up yet they will likely mail it to you and that can take 7-10 business days.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">9. You can't leave Copenhagen without having a street vendor hotdog. The best (in my opinion) is the Fransk dog. It's basically an extra long hot dog that slides into a bun with a hole in it for easy portability. Your condiments are squirted into your bread before the hotdog is inserted and it makes eating it less messy.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BwdJK1JC9_Ja0jKrDuJKMfWRMAXugJih79kuQQcPuIGSU-sxKqlLVFdD0lgBYq3HStDB_TEk9KOy0rAt0bXvnUgwAo0k-PNuDR3AasgIK_SMrImPqK2sGYOEdFPAqcIgKqVx7Xl2kyM/s640/blogger-image-338243726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BwdJK1JC9_Ja0jKrDuJKMfWRMAXugJih79kuQQcPuIGSU-sxKqlLVFdD0lgBYq3HStDB_TEk9KOy0rAt0bXvnUgwAo0k-PNuDR3AasgIK_SMrImPqK2sGYOEdFPAqcIgKqVx7Xl2kyM/s640/blogger-image-338243726.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">10. Danish customer service sucks. But then again you aren't expected to tip anyone, so perhaps that is why?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">11. Public transportation is readily available and easy to use. You can choose between the boss, the train, or the metro.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">12. Street entertainers are truly entertaining and plentiful! Always something fun to see when on the walking street </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpo9ca73WK-_jwLRTrRAsNT-Rl9iV8p-xep6l95Wd-ymGW4qYRiM6CRCn_DGoaKm2vAp1eiwdJWHgRhHIe2L8GToMq5ZEQ7wYGZaEJnA_x9E6DS_o343gN9uNkg3zWJ7YttJ_VfEsrZc/s640/blogger-image-6277098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpo9ca73WK-_jwLRTrRAsNT-Rl9iV8p-xep6l95Wd-ymGW4qYRiM6CRCn_DGoaKm2vAp1eiwdJWHgRhHIe2L8GToMq5ZEQ7wYGZaEJnA_x9E6DS_o343gN9uNkg3zWJ7YttJ_VfEsrZc/s640/blogger-image-6277098.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">13. Architecture is amazing and castles are plentiful. You could spend hours just walking around taking in sights without spending a dime!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7FhhHKpMgOzmBYj_o5uzRpsN_FRw7EyNNmHhSLW7lZWt2nOi4kEsiQqByVuZK_6hYf5GOGjSBkMXepgEAyQZ-tnJtOmEz8ROUKd_Ec-2qlIGpML_L6MYgSahwFQEAQ5Pku79y7KQE14/s640/blogger-image--58050213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7FhhHKpMgOzmBYj_o5uzRpsN_FRw7EyNNmHhSLW7lZWt2nOi4kEsiQqByVuZK_6hYf5GOGjSBkMXepgEAyQZ-tnJtOmEz8ROUKd_Ec-2qlIGpML_L6MYgSahwFQEAQ5Pku79y7KQE14/s640/blogger-image--58050213.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cemetery in Roskilde</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJZlU43vYSLUCfBFXmv4GJFqHcAyGjFgiOumqfcvcIL5Si6NYXV9EDSgpnl214l1341eRAk9a1GIzauh-NDcBk19Xg6062C9iQvP8p5ogvDfMPks_XMcqAnRoF5Qt4bWb_ZbshoqIitg/s640/blogger-image--478984637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJZlU43vYSLUCfBFXmv4GJFqHcAyGjFgiOumqfcvcIL5Si6NYXV9EDSgpnl214l1341eRAk9a1GIzauh-NDcBk19Xg6062C9iQvP8p5ogvDfMPks_XMcqAnRoF5Qt4bWb_ZbshoqIitg/s640/blogger-image--478984637.jpg"></a></div>Domkirk in Roskilde</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gwz4hgQEwZxQ_AUD5YvOZ3Ly3v2BvTzTqVmeuFFuwrLqR2qYcmTmvFkd3RHlr5JmQ-lVKqB95S1JtGaarY7hAv-4MKVBylGUc_bt_Wdvu3ADsiSK9JyQ6BGQsXcrgd76X4KVYICIVe0/s640/blogger-image-1821826480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gwz4hgQEwZxQ_AUD5YvOZ3Ly3v2BvTzTqVmeuFFuwrLqR2qYcmTmvFkd3RHlr5JmQ-lVKqB95S1JtGaarY7hAv-4MKVBylGUc_bt_Wdvu3ADsiSK9JyQ6BGQsXcrgd76X4KVYICIVe0/s640/blogger-image-1821826480.jpg"></a></div>Rosenborg castle </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP5BZ1J4zpzGwVL27p92v3i9dXYrpi4e7UKMZOAb9cnxyCHyroo6dKOad33TdgSUpLOHah5GsLyjRcwpFWqpHjvFWeWusBYE5jUq19jQQ_G56dqiyG48cl55AmisFDQ1TvAqQ6zJyyZE/s640/blogger-image-262091915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMP5BZ1J4zpzGwVL27p92v3i9dXYrpi4e7UKMZOAb9cnxyCHyroo6dKOad33TdgSUpLOHah5GsLyjRcwpFWqpHjvFWeWusBYE5jUq19jQQ_G56dqiyG48cl55AmisFDQ1TvAqQ6zJyyZE/s640/blogger-image-262091915.jpg"></a></div>Christiansborg castle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">14. Danish people are among the nicest, friendliest and happiest people in the world! I have never felt so welcome or at home in another country before. I was able to strike up conversations with random people all over the city. Most everyone speaks English (and speaks it well). This alone makes me less anxious about our transition.</div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-9800662279897256862015-06-11T03:54:00.001-05:002015-06-11T06:05:09.876-05:00House hunters into - Denmark. The final pick...Which to choose?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGgu7F1Fs5QqyNqU4byA3dto2csAqWCZ-WWVHcrPtjFt-0hl6epOVEZBvwuT4xwMxx-l6sp7OqRfnN0wlVufBzc-5UJ5fDqWZ0qCC-L8iPRy-eVHBfB1g5oyMxpVeN-wg2eq0aU8naAY/s640/blogger-image-790078798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGgu7F1Fs5QqyNqU4byA3dto2csAqWCZ-WWVHcrPtjFt-0hl6epOVEZBvwuT4xwMxx-l6sp7OqRfnN0wlVufBzc-5UJ5fDqWZ0qCC-L8iPRy-eVHBfB1g5oyMxpVeN-wg2eq0aU8naAY/s640/blogger-image-790078798.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, which do we choose?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGepINvzrSyQjeCGt5hFz-GWG39mLx0QHiwf6RbbKLIrkGcyf2AN12rwptlAEBQraIbGqIXDTmYOwSIF0wZ_bYudk5Ce3i3_ByY2q6sNPuG9DpJv9zUPhkzVLU5fDsJV3sOUfbVFq3sMk/s640/blogger-image-634961350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGepINvzrSyQjeCGt5hFz-GWG39mLx0QHiwf6RbbKLIrkGcyf2AN12rwptlAEBQraIbGqIXDTmYOwSIF0wZ_bYudk5Ce3i3_ByY2q6sNPuG9DpJv9zUPhkzVLU5fDsJV3sOUfbVFq3sMk/s640/blogger-image-634961350.jpg"></a></div><br></div>House #1 (<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://livinthemclife.blogspot.com/2015/06/day-2-house-hunting-house-1.html) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with the party yard and house but close proximity to trains that go by almost every other minute? Rent here is by far the least, well under our allotted stipend.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAjZPh6Bw-Vvwvr4HCrDiM60OO16NZmANi3u20_kf6YmOdFOZ3uV_m9CBhL-NiB0qC2PHABsMCSMnjWwg11blbzWJt7kk6gr4-PMXD2BZVNyY9dOfoDyH5n9MDntPHvz6WHmY8XJjcK8/s640/blogger-image-147901571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAjZPh6Bw-Vvwvr4HCrDiM60OO16NZmANi3u20_kf6YmOdFOZ3uV_m9CBhL-NiB0qC2PHABsMCSMnjWwg11blbzWJt7kk6gr4-PMXD2BZVNyY9dOfoDyH5n9MDntPHvz6WHmY8XJjcK8/s640/blogger-image-147901571.jpg"></a></div>House #2, ( <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://livinthemclife.blogspot.com/2015/06/day-2-house-hunting-house-2-beach-house.html) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the beach house that would be a constant vacation for us. Spacious house with lots of room, good sized yard, easy access to running path and beach. Schooling options unknown (as I write this, but relocation agent should be getting info). Rent is well above our stipend but could possibly be negotiated lower into a more stomach able range..</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Or</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva7wq2EwMfDpYO_dXlqF3I2L7Qlsk-s_7FsBZjICW6N7Rb1I3ceeNTOBf4HxCRR7RFf-Qcr1eb5aQsPCRn3HC_LwnXChdK9vGQx2NOFm72zChXSuCsFMof2rdx-0-bRxpP9NZdu6E6d0/s640/blogger-image--577739521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhva7wq2EwMfDpYO_dXlqF3I2L7Qlsk-s_7FsBZjICW6N7Rb1I3ceeNTOBf4HxCRR7RFf-Qcr1eb5aQsPCRn3HC_LwnXChdK9vGQx2NOFm72zChXSuCsFMof2rdx-0-bRxpP9NZdu6E6d0/s640/blogger-image--577739521.jpg"></a></div>House 3 (<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">http://livinthemclife.blogspot.com/2015/06/day-2-house-hunting-house-3-city-house.html) </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with its close proximity to work, trains, school and city. Neighborhood not as charming and would take some getting used to. Nearby a good school which offers language assistance. Rent is within our range and could possibly be lowered even more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Which would you pick and why??</div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-86316345553073086042015-06-11T03:31:00.001-05:002015-06-11T03:34:39.045-05:00Day 2 house hunting: house #3: the city house<div>I feel like I should be honest and let you all know that going into this house hunting trip, both Max and I had a strong bias towards house number three.</div><div><br></div>House number three is VERY attractive because of its location. It is pretty much the closest we could get in living arrangements to where Max will be working. It is 5K from his job and only a short bike ride, walk, or one train stop away. And, because I am approaching our family's<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> relocation to Denmark as the catalyst for a large lifestyle change for our family, this fact was very attractive to me! Max and I agreed that we would love to try to see how long we can survive without a car. With public transportation so readily available and so easy to use, there's no reason that we should even need a family vehicle except for taking European vacations....</span><div><div><br></div><div>But back to the house...from all the pictures we had seen online of the house, it looked open, very airy, light, and clean. On paper and on pictures, it looked to be the perfect house! It even boasted a 10 minute walk to a primary school with language assistance.</div><div><br></div><div>But, as anyone who has ever looked for a house knows, pictures don't always meet reality when you go to visit a property in person.</div><div><br></div><div>The house was very open and airy, and it was mostly clean as well. But it seemed a lot smaller in person than it had appeared in pictures. Part of that could've been because there was nothing in the house when we went to look at it though. The backyard was definitely a lot smaller than it had been represented in pictures. The neighborhood, while not unsafe, was definitely a little more rough around the edges than the last two houses we had looked at. </div><div><br></div><div>The house was definitely a 'city house' and you would be hearing a lot of city noise as a result. While not necessarily a bad thing, this would be a transition for all of us...There are definite pros and cons to a city house...You are close to everything, and a car most definitely not be necessary. But life would definitely not be quiet nor private!</div><div><br></div><div>But, on the flip side, I suppose if you are making a lifestyle change that involves moving your entire family across the ocean, you shouldn't really expect too much of your life to stay the same! And if you're going to go all out, you might as well go all out :-)</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNggaub99hJSW6Gw8QGWxL6W9Wqs2z8hWVT9hzer2HIPRgY1mv8BfY3JLuSbVQK_4i8h_9zCJCYESfjC4GFvMm82C9ieWdHbqTxd_BOc8BP1heEMARFH5vXgdxDXrgdPlxn8tTLJ1xKw/s640/blogger-image--2013391615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNggaub99hJSW6Gw8QGWxL6W9Wqs2z8hWVT9hzer2HIPRgY1mv8BfY3JLuSbVQK_4i8h_9zCJCYESfjC4GFvMm82C9ieWdHbqTxd_BOc8BP1heEMARFH5vXgdxDXrgdPlxn8tTLJ1xKw/s640/blogger-image--2013391615.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From the outside, the house appeared very similar to the listing we had seen online. It was a very decent sized house with a modest sized yard. The yard looked like it needed a little TLC, however. The agent showing us the house assured us that it would be taken care of prior to move in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXDIc6-WeGn-5ixE68LjHvcPJuj7rPbNWJ2QBoBvCSnejZKaEucyP1R4q75QkPWwkJgjs8i6RCXUgn6HRvbkiQKfgkQ9qmb7Fbqengi-BY00wAC-GDEAUerj49p6TEnnKMq8MA4AYL9g/s640/blogger-image-1104242688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXDIc6-WeGn-5ixE68LjHvcPJuj7rPbNWJ2QBoBvCSnejZKaEucyP1R4q75QkPWwkJgjs8i6RCXUgn6HRvbkiQKfgkQ9qmb7Fbqengi-BY00wAC-GDEAUerj49p6TEnnKMq8MA4AYL9g/s640/blogger-image-1104242688.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the first floor was a decent sized modern looking kitchen. It definitely had less storage then house number one and house number two, but it could be doable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U6ONSagjcsh90wBO-qxru0AWIsX_tHn7-pPtkMKm7PQXQV5jogX_QSJd1NjcLlEmr4jCqhvtRH-InctHdjrSMxpasmeyw6TEQf5XUxL_cROg6RtAWrqsehxXTK7FgQHCMt3pQCPOJc0/s640/blogger-image--1573093238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0U6ONSagjcsh90wBO-qxru0AWIsX_tHn7-pPtkMKm7PQXQV5jogX_QSJd1NjcLlEmr4jCqhvtRH-InctHdjrSMxpasmeyw6TEQf5XUxL_cROg6RtAWrqsehxXTK7FgQHCMt3pQCPOJc0/s640/blogger-image--1573093238.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While that looks like a lot of cabinet space flanking the built in oven, to the left of the oven the entire wall is a hidden refrigerator.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wSjvfVk-L3M2wgdzyM9-zN5U-Rxbmp2ih9WUMmVIkZmFkzlvyVe1zTCNTkZ7dyvdLqKTufLOd9IztbgTDY9kf4Y7cGnqR31CoOnK4jr-LxjqaAYL0MvBcFC6VfqaDHOn2swly0QW1xs/s640/blogger-image-1421772371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wSjvfVk-L3M2wgdzyM9-zN5U-Rxbmp2ih9WUMmVIkZmFkzlvyVe1zTCNTkZ7dyvdLqKTufLOd9IztbgTDY9kf4Y7cGnqR31CoOnK4jr-LxjqaAYL0MvBcFC6VfqaDHOn2swly0QW1xs/s640/blogger-image-1421772371.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The large dining and sitting area beyond the kitchen was an open space that received good natural lighting from the door leading to the backyard. The floors were a really cool whitewashed rustic looking pine. They definitely were well worn but it added to the charm a bit...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZsCNSSzIFRgGgkGJIPboMltbCD6K_2R-RTVd6iDzzSjYymH0L_BQt_VPar8Xj9K2od76omoZWYlbcZx_eXi0l7gGBk11wcIbjfoBc-XQDPqlhA7oJVqmB0-EO9VBVuB_5aChiWKCggY/s640/blogger-image--1953780091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZsCNSSzIFRgGgkGJIPboMltbCD6K_2R-RTVd6iDzzSjYymH0L_BQt_VPar8Xj9K2od76omoZWYlbcZx_eXi0l7gGBk11wcIbjfoBc-XQDPqlhA7oJVqmB0-EO9VBVuB_5aChiWKCggY/s640/blogger-image--1953780091.jpg"></a></div>Beyond the dining/sitting room was a room with two entrances, both which could be closed off. It had a built in desk in the corner. It could have easily been converted into either a bedroom or a guestroom or even a playroom!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWayoenQwBG8I4sSQl3YSV-hOzt91Se7dT2o54dpTgwA2A2lPbylJfv0OEPKIX4ymXlhD096uTxmldwPXqLIaqBkKf4dsjiIPdlFNB0ZNMk1KxTKSZY73c1zMDlr2y5FdIn-9bAAt0KA/s640/blogger-image--1593231666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWayoenQwBG8I4sSQl3YSV-hOzt91Se7dT2o54dpTgwA2A2lPbylJfv0OEPKIX4ymXlhD096uTxmldwPXqLIaqBkKf4dsjiIPdlFNB0ZNMk1KxTKSZY73c1zMDlr2y5FdIn-9bAAt0KA/s640/blogger-image--1593231666.jpg"></a></div></div>There was a small half bathroom downstairs, and upstairs was a full bathroom with a shower. There were also three bedrooms upstairs. The master area had a living area similar to house number two adjoining it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIyT8iR8mXsCYpqIVtmsI69eWVjoXRO_z9T9WZ0LkmpMmmpSEcbULUM4kbI-MNSI9yp51YueDbaLo9djnQv0ojm2y7ghAWfWGlpRMVFPU-kA1iw9ZWf37p-AMm9vK9uol8Ugp-M0RtoE/s640/blogger-image-1791318758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlIyT8iR8mXsCYpqIVtmsI69eWVjoXRO_z9T9WZ0LkmpMmmpSEcbULUM4kbI-MNSI9yp51YueDbaLo9djnQv0ojm2y7ghAWfWGlpRMVFPU-kA1iw9ZWf37p-AMm9vK9uol8Ugp-M0RtoE/s640/blogger-image-1791318758.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bedroom #1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6E7xqeHrEj1D4gFzy2eDsirTeklXCUf6oTrp8Ol3CesPS-E3uuQRXyGrib38fzOCMu3DQ4Z_rOYMO18Qw9Ind3QtWL2jH4ywPXRaZtcBmpAKquZ3d3leO-tle1rG1F0F-gVZbyY5KRg/s640/blogger-image-1446684511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6E7xqeHrEj1D4gFzy2eDsirTeklXCUf6oTrp8Ol3CesPS-E3uuQRXyGrib38fzOCMu3DQ4Z_rOYMO18Qw9Ind3QtWL2jH4ywPXRaZtcBmpAKquZ3d3leO-tle1rG1F0F-gVZbyY5KRg/s640/blogger-image-1446684511.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bedroom #2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl03i75kEUhuQv5c_UNYmtHIEvyDPGPPjUBSA15IiBbHoGPUcy5CC2s1jaBQbO6YMFk0QmyTueyXqe_kLT00ely3OKfX1MioFdiBzKTiFW1FSqTQzf4wDWgtmqyaV1y2tDbaOAJ6gN9Q/s640/blogger-image-506861077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrl03i75kEUhuQv5c_UNYmtHIEvyDPGPPjUBSA15IiBbHoGPUcy5CC2s1jaBQbO6YMFk0QmyTueyXqe_kLT00ely3OKfX1MioFdiBzKTiFW1FSqTQzf4wDWgtmqyaV1y2tDbaOAJ6gN9Q/s640/blogger-image-506861077.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Master bedroom </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxpsJ-fLUBnNtd6ikt9SHFK-ZptndcoR2PgsirAb48aBaGKW_Krtkpfj7sj7eRY6r5DDV07EN3YIJoviw8gR1ODMLS-APQtTdCtMhfRmAQgKoTDrkBHgTuS96vHS8eTHFLjuV02zfbE/s640/blogger-image--1808349882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIpxpsJ-fLUBnNtd6ikt9SHFK-ZptndcoR2PgsirAb48aBaGKW_Krtkpfj7sj7eRY6r5DDV07EN3YIJoviw8gR1ODMLS-APQtTdCtMhfRmAQgKoTDrkBHgTuS96vHS8eTHFLjuV02zfbE/s640/blogger-image--1808349882.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Room adjoining master bedroom. They had a large unit in the middle of the room making it difficult to photograph.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This house also had a full basement, in which the laundry was located. The basement was very short and kind of gave me the creeps, so I didn't take any pictures down there. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Overall, house number three, despite being a little different than we expected, turned out to be a decent choice! It is right at our price range, and our agent felt that we could negotiate it even lower. The neighbors appeared to have small children as evidenced by the toys we could see in their backyards from the second floor. It has a big open floor plan, and lots of space for us and the children. It would even have plenty of space for all the guests we expect to come visit :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The cons include that there were no closets in the upstairs bedroom and only one shower in the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But of course, the pros as mentioned in the beginning are that this one is closest in location to where Max will be working, it is right near the train line and right near a very good school!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Overall, I feel like our house hunting on day two went well. I'm not exactly happy that we only had three choices to review, especially when our list of potential homes was around 12 to begin with. We are dealing with the relocation agent to see if there are any other houses that we can look at before we leave Denmark to head back home. If not, we will enter negotiations with the agents of the houses or house that we select. Here in Denmark, apparently rental rates are negotiable. So it is possible we can negotiate rates even lower to our benefit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Stay tuned for more!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-26389127515007988492015-06-10T16:25:00.001-05:002015-06-10T16:25:12.265-05:00Day 2: house hunting, house #2 - beach houseHouse #2 was suggested by our relocation agent. It was a bit above our price range, but it looked to be really nice and we wanted to make sure we had plenty of options to choose from (before we knew that 2 were already rented!). <div><br></div><div>It was a bit further out then House #1, but still near a train station - about a 5-10min bike ride to the nearest station. It was a bit more difficult to locate, but when we caught the first glimpse of the ocean through the houses in the neighborhood we quickly forgave that!</div><div><br></div><div>House #2 was at the end of a street and had 2 parking spots along with a carport.</div><div><br></div><div>It had a good sized front yard and the backyard...well I will get to that...</div><div><br></div><div>Right upon entering the house we could tell it had a lot of charm. It had a nice sized kitchen with lots of seating and space.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLgv3CpNqlAXw63eQrlVdRSEIb5xx24MdOJrrOUMMI_QBcln55zeFUaWNePKIH8SZY3L0Ey7_CPhiNHpSusXan_tqBrXG1TJ4ubXBzw8q3ixxv1yBjuaV-JuuXogpid7IglPWP9FPFY0/s640/blogger-image--954598411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuLgv3CpNqlAXw63eQrlVdRSEIb5xx24MdOJrrOUMMI_QBcln55zeFUaWNePKIH8SZY3L0Ey7_CPhiNHpSusXan_tqBrXG1TJ4ubXBzw8q3ixxv1yBjuaV-JuuXogpid7IglPWP9FPFY0/s640/blogger-image--954598411.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EriM0_XmDoqWb1Z5kxfvhNaMmqWXSp-QJXIxwehn3ta_DOAWBi_Iaxhe_yMFay_9ipu7eUCwI730l5N8Um-Ig-hd0XRdlefjxJYKuLQFfLGliSvFNOBm5UxX5c7qiKpBfCOANkTUpLo/s640/blogger-image--659767212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EriM0_XmDoqWb1Z5kxfvhNaMmqWXSp-QJXIxwehn3ta_DOAWBi_Iaxhe_yMFay_9ipu7eUCwI730l5N8Um-Ig-hd0XRdlefjxJYKuLQFfLGliSvFNOBm5UxX5c7qiKpBfCOANkTUpLo/s640/blogger-image--659767212.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgqU29RvlD4b4dK9RHCpLNCc86ejIqVHUAzDbKgm6xiYLextE_jAgsLawADZTEbQ8UzVDA4u-9rUTyNI3pzRn0Uo018J7q5LEjZB9aznJBFcI_qWtzz4xVqu-_DXbodVkoVk4SNbWL8A/s640/blogger-image-216344129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgqU29RvlD4b4dK9RHCpLNCc86ejIqVHUAzDbKgm6xiYLextE_jAgsLawADZTEbQ8UzVDA4u-9rUTyNI3pzRn0Uo018J7q5LEjZB9aznJBFcI_qWtzz4xVqu-_DXbodVkoVk4SNbWL8A/s640/blogger-image-216344129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beyond the kitchen was a dining/sitting area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MpmnCcwX41-F30I-ZSe6EIPZjSUValh1hde8drLjYcKpmOaaDlQZsmbSOoAYJ0qbHfdbNv8Y79UbQ4Tur3KcyjCvXyoeR7Uysr1Ud6ETVxmOQuDGTOtsN-9kk3TtqTiFKDW099BGln0/s640/blogger-image-1117885891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MpmnCcwX41-F30I-ZSe6EIPZjSUValh1hde8drLjYcKpmOaaDlQZsmbSOoAYJ0qbHfdbNv8Y79UbQ4Tur3KcyjCvXyoeR7Uysr1Ud6ETVxmOQuDGTOtsN-9kk3TtqTiFKDW099BGln0/s640/blogger-image-1117885891.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beyond that was a small back room that was being used as an office but could also have been converted into a playroom or guest bedroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSmdcEidyoK4NW7h9M0nIDMyg6HxvKkrNK00H67JtnSADIll0IN8Z9AmUcxxYXnli76w4-DvEkCtjj4IUIyZyhgAsDY9k66fjTv9PpvFw8TpExMPX_omgegOFPmaCCoMSGh_wtVd8160/s640/blogger-image--252583792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSmdcEidyoK4NW7h9M0nIDMyg6HxvKkrNK00H67JtnSADIll0IN8Z9AmUcxxYXnli76w4-DvEkCtjj4IUIyZyhgAsDY9k66fjTv9PpvFw8TpExMPX_omgegOFPmaCCoMSGh_wtVd8160/s640/blogger-image--252583792.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you might notice from a lot of these pictures, it seems like people here don't feel the need to tidy up or prepare for showings. The owner of this house was still using the bathroom when we came in. But they were a charming couple and we got along very well with them so it was forgiven :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSq6G3SDEvU-kdsv6ZKayed89CnenM9M6-sqTFLukBA67MA_toPFedHGINvT7qddLB7zufGJ6BQ3F74FD-jBIAb4tz_MHYEWD41CIO16zT4cMwsB8rZ_b55KIoQKAFjwDw5CUjTFGRPk/s640/blogger-image-483367466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSq6G3SDEvU-kdsv6ZKayed89CnenM9M6-sqTFLukBA67MA_toPFedHGINvT7qddLB7zufGJ6BQ3F74FD-jBIAb4tz_MHYEWD41CIO16zT4cMwsB8rZ_b55KIoQKAFjwDw5CUjTFGRPk/s640/blogger-image-483367466.jpg"></a></div>Back towards the kitchen I forgot to mention this splendid door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And back behind the kitchen was the laundry room and a larger bedroom and full bathroom (bathroom not pictured).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_FZXqgOf6IL_puclZyJrbgyll1yl1COVf4AtARZxv4oyhGw4pdEH4NqUGwVW17wu1CyxgmZ0aEDZUE9Kuo5zw-d74o_d2lfbAOzYRm15MK1JcEPcsJeni96NIxK949Qhj-ZfvbWJE4s/s640/blogger-image--300771714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_FZXqgOf6IL_puclZyJrbgyll1yl1COVf4AtARZxv4oyhGw4pdEH4NqUGwVW17wu1CyxgmZ0aEDZUE9Kuo5zw-d74o_d2lfbAOzYRm15MK1JcEPcsJeni96NIxK949Qhj-ZfvbWJE4s/s640/blogger-image--300771714.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beyond the sitting area was another bedroom, a mudroom, another full bathroom and a walkin closet/office space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">M<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOPtQYKDZ-Ne2pdVP8VOzr3d0FJNlGhb7V6u6gEBREJZ6sEQ1Zj6z4T2K9kLZotzZ7zEcnBrJSZhuO99VkQhDjLC4wvs6J7D5neYu6UTG8EG0OJ6aQejTobgQ2mvwo0NKIm_NftITUiU/s640/blogger-image--1558739955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOPtQYKDZ-Ne2pdVP8VOzr3d0FJNlGhb7V6u6gEBREJZ6sEQ1Zj6z4T2K9kLZotzZ7zEcnBrJSZhuO99VkQhDjLC4wvs6J7D5neYu6UTG8EG0OJ6aQejTobgQ2mvwo0NKIm_NftITUiU/s640/blogger-image--1558739955.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuiDVin9drDixtyej3NdPcj3pRelpGNxddc3qmdIcVoQErn61eyqzmReNB7PBXLGHbikqwhnNId5sLeFtpXIf6z-KXYR7Ke3hD0A_xJ8LZyzB2boTSdierHUXjS-WbAnmdtTIl3mSx8k/s640/blogger-image--727062938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuiDVin9drDixtyej3NdPcj3pRelpGNxddc3qmdIcVoQErn61eyqzmReNB7PBXLGHbikqwhnNId5sLeFtpXIf6z-KXYR7Ke3hD0A_xJ8LZyzB2boTSdierHUXjS-WbAnmdtTIl3mSx8k/s640/blogger-image--727062938.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zwxoG4kUH9gYz1DAEFnBJcuVVZgrRy4WEBaUr6vE7XhliKzrvI86I_uFLu3WZyT9UitucvGByr-55Jz5BdJDHrz5G1bAqECOrmiP4ip0NY0q3ATjpkNZh2b-UW90H7n_Iza7ZYh2x9s/s640/blogger-image--1769127632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zwxoG4kUH9gYz1DAEFnBJcuVVZgrRy4WEBaUr6vE7XhliKzrvI86I_uFLu3WZyT9UitucvGByr-55Jz5BdJDHrz5G1bAqECOrmiP4ip0NY0q3ATjpkNZh2b-UW90H7n_Iza7ZYh2x9s/s640/blogger-image--1769127632.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9qaS8c9V6VF9ZACZBMuaSzqJm390a-FNTL2qu8N1xwHKENXz9T5vq6DdmsrG_8tqf4N2aOaHKUS_QqrNpK9vM6bUva3YMGjLGU8j3QEnQ1uN9n_3RedAKYMwokI991ZSPyspYMff5cQ/s640/blogger-image-455782530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9qaS8c9V6VF9ZACZBMuaSzqJm390a-FNTL2qu8N1xwHKENXz9T5vq6DdmsrG_8tqf4N2aOaHKUS_QqrNpK9vM6bUva3YMGjLGU8j3QEnQ1uN9n_3RedAKYMwokI991ZSPyspYMff5cQ/s640/blogger-image-455782530.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO9fQZ7VuaiDNDLbEyLkT4PpThQSfPME7F0a8BHcOkqGunbAUr4MJBic8SHUyJlroVd10F0T9MSqsE3uuilgXSynQn8KUaPKmniHE1tEC5J8ieOxbvUpaJWEjkMXYnZefJYwMlwfutqU/s640/blogger-image-317436517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO9fQZ7VuaiDNDLbEyLkT4PpThQSfPME7F0a8BHcOkqGunbAUr4MJBic8SHUyJlroVd10F0T9MSqsE3uuilgXSynQn8KUaPKmniHE1tEC5J8ieOxbvUpaJWEjkMXYnZefJYwMlwfutqU/s640/blogger-image-317436517.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Up the windy staircase we went and found this view:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHwXf4XmDjTc9o8jzR-tVumsAuUN3qetvhFLKl4vRON8BkbX1hc4oYvzG3OFKNWFKkZMid56kpMk3pvL1xucZkd0CL5_7-tzUPfgPXGruPrA2JSrsR2x3Hua4DARz0qtJl13CMyabfk/s640/blogger-image--1655288125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxHwXf4XmDjTc9o8jzR-tVumsAuUN3qetvhFLKl4vRON8BkbX1hc4oYvzG3OFKNWFKkZMid56kpMk3pvL1xucZkd0CL5_7-tzUPfgPXGruPrA2JSrsR2x3Hua4DARz0qtJl13CMyabfk/s640/blogger-image--1655288125.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The upstairs had a large living area and a master bedroom off that. The patio outside had a stunning view of the ocean and the owner showed us where we could see Sweden!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqkCLrwJ3K6wCIxfFmg0MeDNqo6PFzV9HSqtj-hqHNosaIeJWFke6gz5a3P69ONbmt3D_dyxZ3GqAXWy6xho4LGynhDkQFCMhWquozG87osh-PGKeQ-0YHsr0EFBzt4fPobgsRCLNjyo/s640/blogger-image--1551103753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqkCLrwJ3K6wCIxfFmg0MeDNqo6PFzV9HSqtj-hqHNosaIeJWFke6gz5a3P69ONbmt3D_dyxZ3GqAXWy6xho4LGynhDkQFCMhWquozG87osh-PGKeQ-0YHsr0EFBzt4fPobgsRCLNjyo/s640/blogger-image--1551103753.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb3MoFJwOfxQvYrZMTJhOF7W70V1pb7k7qzBWWmJ3HCAJoE_CV0gGC7PkCKXrMXI9P5TPoxFZHv18_TcqyuCilu5zwXAi06wx_5Wn3C0R58dbxNuqxA6_ge7hhcek08t6U4F27YI9NdY/s640/blogger-image-768949680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzb3MoFJwOfxQvYrZMTJhOF7W70V1pb7k7qzBWWmJ3HCAJoE_CV0gGC7PkCKXrMXI9P5TPoxFZHv18_TcqyuCilu5zwXAi06wx_5Wn3C0R58dbxNuqxA6_ge7hhcek08t6U4F27YI9NdY/s640/blogger-image-768949680.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Outside the house had a good sized yard and beyond the gate was a running trail which we could easily jog to a bird sanctuary even to the beach!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauxJr-ZFxpRIjuXiinv-dG8uOuRJpf6RGS5d2mUpKMQBvZkWPWquv9onw-wQFs9wRtxnsZzSgyoHSzBI5UgNmXxIvek0DKrYTBE6nEBDSvidYk4AqrqDhoZVUmlQAPa8L70viHQsiBEk/s640/blogger-image--906295335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauxJr-ZFxpRIjuXiinv-dG8uOuRJpf6RGS5d2mUpKMQBvZkWPWquv9onw-wQFs9wRtxnsZzSgyoHSzBI5UgNmXxIvek0DKrYTBE6nEBDSvidYk4AqrqDhoZVUmlQAPa8L70viHQsiBEk/s640/blogger-image--906295335.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweNBxnhpZR8T5ILUsBRNm13xPcKURMht1mZeZ8A3Uu8NxIJuuzTHdLF9GBUDESo4N0LM8P6mOfaGEmuf7N40MdOwH9q6fvzXE0w9oAtngrS7hwrYM2IuY0s13gPDypiqVlcLRX2LD37E/s640/blogger-image--1853257245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiweNBxnhpZR8T5ILUsBRNm13xPcKURMht1mZeZ8A3Uu8NxIJuuzTHdLF9GBUDESo4N0LM8P6mOfaGEmuf7N40MdOwH9q6fvzXE0w9oAtngrS7hwrYM2IuY0s13gPDypiqVlcLRX2LD37E/s640/blogger-image--1853257245.jpg"></a>We left the house feeling warm and fuzzy but a bit deflated. The house was beautiful but just out of our price range. We would have to go back to the hotel and do some number crunching...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...to be continued...</div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div> </div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-3308670022389488712015-06-10T08:01:00.001-05:002015-06-10T08:38:47.781-05:00Day 2: House Hunting, house 1<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Day 2 started with a leisurely wake up and a relaxed breakfast on the top floor of our hotel. We then met up with our relocation agent who was basically our house tour guide for the day.</span></div><div><br></div><div>We had originally planned to view 6 homes. Of those, 2 were off the market by the time we arrived and 1 the agent never returned the calls from our relocation agent, so our agenda only included 3 appointments. While that was a bit disappointing at first, we were still able to look at some quality Danish houses. All were quite nice, all with different pros and cons.</div><div><br></div><div>But this post focuses on House #1.</div><div><br></div><div>From the outside, House #1 appeared quite rundown and in need of repairs. The agent who arrived to show the house assured us that many repairs were on the works and that would be completed before we took over the house.</div><div><br></div><div>Then a train went by...then another...and another...and another. Well, you get the idea. Turns out House #1 was right by the main train line. And when I say right by, I mean RIGHT BY. There was a wall blocking the yard and house from the tracks. I could have touched the train with a ten foot pole if I wanted to! Now the train wasn't loud, but it was definitely there...and it goes by frequently. It was a definite con before even seeing the house.</div><div><br></div><div>The outside yard was large, definitely a good party patio and yard, spacious enough for the boys to play and have fun. There was both a front and back yard, both size able.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSv_9h24b9-DydfW0k9GOcDdRrJozwFDXnowdDIMwrd99iAJFA8uSp17RLfhHIvJxpxn-zeESuXuNfGec_V8b-eDR6bndB4cosVepTHpvaDB62Yv4i7Yfx7lbq5ydhu-ThwWdadVROOw/s640/blogger-image-1981254757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSv_9h24b9-DydfW0k9GOcDdRrJozwFDXnowdDIMwrd99iAJFA8uSp17RLfhHIvJxpxn-zeESuXuNfGec_V8b-eDR6bndB4cosVepTHpvaDB62Yv4i7Yfx7lbq5ydhu-ThwWdadVROOw/s640/blogger-image-1981254757.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View from driveway/carport</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvbg_2Ig1cu7jTwf0p2945RBXQD_ABMHTAujw1q6wydZYXy_dQTA69IioILIW-1c63h1aj9TGSAsF7Gjs0RU7De5LMVR9mt_LzI1HnfkB5yJEaZDIvm7O0NId9ieLe0cir0qLpt6N9b4/s640/blogger-image-522999226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQvbg_2Ig1cu7jTwf0p2945RBXQD_ABMHTAujw1q6wydZYXy_dQTA69IioILIW-1c63h1aj9TGSAsF7Gjs0RU7De5LMVR9mt_LzI1HnfkB5yJEaZDIvm7O0NId9ieLe0cir0qLpt6N9b4/s640/blogger-image-522999226.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The fence blocking the train. Those wires are for the train!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFxGpowZqul6gf2qpGS2eMX7iknQ5iIoE6Wg_skwXe0v7TPlWJbeIERGWV8eNxXqMuSVDaPOvBWhBZs1wr_XEuZ4PqMaHVm4Y3Krse6O-yG120BzYIrg0inszGxeuOl_YW3GhY8FMyNg/s640/blogger-image--1469738726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFxGpowZqul6gf2qpGS2eMX7iknQ5iIoE6Wg_skwXe0v7TPlWJbeIERGWV8eNxXqMuSVDaPOvBWhBZs1wr_XEuZ4PqMaHVm4Y3Krse6O-yG120BzYIrg0inszGxeuOl_YW3GhY8FMyNg/s640/blogger-image--1469738726.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nice large patio area</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscPbTyf_ar3Z7FfZVSbYuaPpNdyFAhpqfcZPmDfu38RwrnChEzeiaXUSdwGH6AAWsQIRFindb8wJ1AITby3QVk41UgR6bX0xB2sZcMs9tt2hyphenhyphenwaanxGmLF9-Cdo4a7qVtEgOP4WtUcNY/s640/blogger-image--299827516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscPbTyf_ar3Z7FfZVSbYuaPpNdyFAhpqfcZPmDfu38RwrnChEzeiaXUSdwGH6AAWsQIRFindb8wJ1AITby3QVk41UgR6bX0xB2sZcMs9tt2hyphenhyphenwaanxGmLF9-Cdo4a7qVtEgOP4WtUcNY/s640/blogger-image--299827516.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Front yard of house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Inside the house was very nice. Modern kitchen, 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The living spaces were HUGE and with lots of windows it received fabulous natural light. The house had lots of closet/storage space inside and the carport/garage offered additional room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmWBVOM1SHmL4H1QSfmRBeL9U3iDnP2L5ye4J1JWY2r-gNq31Mh4nBs3Fys1NXa6vQ4B3ijyywlOcSGD4POQIZPtD1j0NRAWLPVHD-H83OcKWHdEACE0jDfMHrFyrVagVwpnJ2qqL9vc/s640/blogger-image-1847772699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmWBVOM1SHmL4H1QSfmRBeL9U3iDnP2L5ye4J1JWY2r-gNq31Mh4nBs3Fys1NXa6vQ4B3ijyywlOcSGD4POQIZPtD1j0NRAWLPVHD-H83OcKWHdEACE0jDfMHrFyrVagVwpnJ2qqL9vc/s640/blogger-image-1847772699.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Laundry room/mud room off the kitchen and main entrance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM-Lu1JP5P68O8l1g9BAHDlK5tqxBHfpTeJ-OKHlh60QvZEfQuhyesDQ_U0IjF3QLE7hc4GyMYizpCgs1OeeMP6z4ckMChhW4Dk2H1osNYF_qHKLOdwp1GB5ol7nxPvg4VPiZLNzG0_8/s640/blogger-image-1286695390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM-Lu1JP5P68O8l1g9BAHDlK5tqxBHfpTeJ-OKHlh60QvZEfQuhyesDQ_U0IjF3QLE7hc4GyMYizpCgs1OeeMP6z4ckMChhW4Dk2H1osNYF_qHKLOdwp1GB5ol7nxPvg4VPiZLNzG0_8/s640/blogger-image-1286695390.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Spacious and modern kitchen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrUwHeSu-2HlaI92no7njAw_q459D1YFwZNEcEbKetYvOhihLQpGXnSYbXdg1TfghPao25_V2EB74yDdKVsfnTIsbYq443tCgcRGFk1SpoLV4qjeeq_Tg1MQsA0Pl87yO5qd6Ei5nXmE/s640/blogger-image--844100840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrUwHeSu-2HlaI92no7njAw_q459D1YFwZNEcEbKetYvOhihLQpGXnSYbXdg1TfghPao25_V2EB74yDdKVsfnTIsbYq443tCgcRGFk1SpoLV4qjeeq_Tg1MQsA0Pl87yO5qd6Ei5nXmE/s640/blogger-image--844100840.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lots of cupboards and stainless steel appliances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3cpqkaHv9Pw_eroBxlyVB6xMtyxaugPF4LXFzAm3Owx6VTpQ7-4ac3wCOMchMSUYNuN5-v-Gr7rnU_44mrrhfFeyv-up5-ixfWLQ-xKpxdzgzu4v3flisS8FIa5K-UiNcrzRtfN2o3A/s640/blogger-image-357924568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3cpqkaHv9Pw_eroBxlyVB6xMtyxaugPF4LXFzAm3Owx6VTpQ7-4ac3wCOMchMSUYNuN5-v-Gr7rnU_44mrrhfFeyv-up5-ixfWLQ-xKpxdzgzu4v3flisS8FIa5K-UiNcrzRtfN2o3A/s640/blogger-image-357924568.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">View from the kitchen. A nice breakfast bar, table book and to the left a sitting/tv area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W5dNJfRNYu9ZAeQ8vbcSyVcgW7SY0OjRbBYfR24YPSvLyNF_-8zhg6rUPheY6N7E7I9JMTnXj3L2fTWiIJS1biWqMa4X0hyphenhyphenNDB8kCkimi9sqQuwiYz1dUV75W0n0DKn_xDLYLwTRSQ/s640/blogger-image--319362030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4W5dNJfRNYu9ZAeQ8vbcSyVcgW7SY0OjRbBYfR24YPSvLyNF_-8zhg6rUPheY6N7E7I9JMTnXj3L2fTWiIJS1biWqMa4X0hyphenhyphenNDB8kCkimi9sqQuwiYz1dUV75W0n0DKn_xDLYLwTRSQ/s640/blogger-image--319362030.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This space was incredible! Look at how big this table was and there's still lots of room. And the angled windows added a lot of character as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExJNVwF5xLnNIkz0K7rymyKsQwpD1vAkSmCMkkicyHb4SFQOV2mIaBGSKVwfppxZAfXoBLbbnXs12ORUCj0OoEVk95dUe4gNj3rgrSAXcQ9DAUBIMcLmUSBXEPb_8KBzM7u9JtpsrvX8/s640/blogger-image--1682602492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExJNVwF5xLnNIkz0K7rymyKsQwpD1vAkSmCMkkicyHb4SFQOV2mIaBGSKVwfppxZAfXoBLbbnXs12ORUCj0OoEVk95dUe4gNj3rgrSAXcQ9DAUBIMcLmUSBXEPb_8KBzM7u9JtpsrvX8/s640/blogger-image--1682602492.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The one bathroom offered dual sinks and a stand up shower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFxGMdq2Rlacw76K_2CTKXU-FJXvm0PxLNzykakKbARLTP78SOla2YTr4BPH1CJZlX1j9znuIDw81KThYijF4d3d983tfscWziqMYeNZmUUwM-4fNiHnLpnzn505B9HgrYh55Mcd-Guo/s640/blogger-image--1750282348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFxGMdq2Rlacw76K_2CTKXU-FJXvm0PxLNzykakKbARLTP78SOla2YTr4BPH1CJZlX1j9znuIDw81KThYijF4d3d983tfscWziqMYeNZmUUwM-4fNiHnLpnzn505B9HgrYh55Mcd-Guo/s640/blogger-image--1750282348.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mudroom area off the second entrance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8ZxBF76E698ujRXuuZhDENBwt9cKlEBc2g3p5Zfp6c9TJpAJ-w9blQMHcBZdfaSn0C56TfULJfqvjk-a0u07qJqKKSHmD2E_H2CDl3zSaLL9_3tiSHO2ZyhCn33iFehjqOHFEQKOq9M/s640/blogger-image-969764144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8ZxBF76E698ujRXuuZhDENBwt9cKlEBc2g3p5Zfp6c9TJpAJ-w9blQMHcBZdfaSn0C56TfULJfqvjk-a0u07qJqKKSHmD2E_H2CDl3zSaLL9_3tiSHO2ZyhCn33iFehjqOHFEQKOq9M/s640/blogger-image-969764144.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One of the kids rooms - sporting some fancy One Direction posters</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A7jaBGSezry14Xm3GskebGd0V6WLyXwmNmHYM2dffA5TqZEc1YBl7G9DTzMRHEjLJ8w9Kg-5ZZb8Ip_mygctX8NvvOZAePgy3mKANOprkXInzBlmP9W37ndzUkpgPkw6knKRoZzTKJY/s640/blogger-image--1877895737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1A7jaBGSezry14Xm3GskebGd0V6WLyXwmNmHYM2dffA5TqZEc1YBl7G9DTzMRHEjLJ8w9Kg-5ZZb8Ip_mygctX8NvvOZAePgy3mKANOprkXInzBlmP9W37ndzUkpgPkw6knKRoZzTKJY/s640/blogger-image--1877895737.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Second kids room sporting some Skylanders bedding :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I guess I didn't get a shot of the master bedroom. It was decent sized with an entire wall of closet space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The inside of the house was definitely nicer than we were expecting after viewing the outside. And indoors the train was a bit more muffled. But we still weren't sold on having a continuous interruption by the trains day and night....so off to House #2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...to be continued.</div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-5328426983491589942015-06-09T11:29:00.001-05:002015-06-09T11:29:48.181-05:00Denmark day 1Hello Copenhagen!<div><br></div><div>An exciting trip to Denmark to take care of some relocation business...the most exciting being house hunting!</div><div><br></div><div>Tomorrow we will get to look at a number of properties that both we and our relocation agent found. We are narrowing our search the to west/southwest side of Copenhagen so as to stay closer to where Max is working. </div><div><br></div><div>So far our trip has been easy and unremarkable! The flight was uneventful and we even managed to get some sleep. Our hotel is comfy and nice and located right in the heart of the city...and short walk from everything!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG0sRP8dQhWISmQXKDczPQxhI73XurpGQD9G-8EuyDPRI71Ue1kNS1ueG3GIKybkgzilhfcM2jNViIWoq0JOXgd_kfNG3v5LcR4Uhjg0FfF00HHX9TZl-BieLkUR_JAp7v72DJn3ulLc/s640/blogger-image-562630952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnG0sRP8dQhWISmQXKDczPQxhI73XurpGQD9G-8EuyDPRI71Ue1kNS1ueG3GIKybkgzilhfcM2jNViIWoq0JOXgd_kfNG3v5LcR4Uhjg0FfF00HHX9TZl-BieLkUR_JAp7v72DJn3ulLc/s640/blogger-image-562630952.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">After unpacking and freshening up, max and I headed out for a walk around the city. That of course included grabbing a street hotdog followed by some Nyhavn ice cream. We walked along the walking street, which is always full of interesting sites and sounds...including this bubble artist!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDmpORH0rOW-BhC5xhLrKlXWCf6377KtJ7AhJglzR5uuf30BrqEGWxPbtjTssNvlBvaocLMMDdOutnTss2_fVHTXVVtqRKpMj5YFalVqoWl4R4u62jb-ujw8nP4NJa219qzmNHkBG4G0/s640/blogger-image--1554104270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDmpORH0rOW-BhC5xhLrKlXWCf6377KtJ7AhJglzR5uuf30BrqEGWxPbtjTssNvlBvaocLMMDdOutnTss2_fVHTXVVtqRKpMj5YFalVqoWl4R4u62jb-ujw8nP4NJa219qzmNHkBG4G0/s640/blogger-image--1554104270.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Enough adventuring for one day...we are both exhausted and ready to sleep! Tomorrow will be full of excitement as we will be reviewing (and hopefully selecting) our next house! </div><br></div><br></div>Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-20115468859953231722015-05-31T20:16:00.000-05:002015-05-31T20:23:00.026-05:00Moving to Denmark -- what to do with your house?One of the first questions I usually get from people when I tell them that we are moving to Denmark is 'What are you going to do with your house?" I guess that's a valid question -- people are curious and wondering what they would do in the situation...<br />
<br />
When we moved into this house in 2011, we moved in with the intentions that this was going to be our 'forever home', or at least our 'forever home for the next 10-15 years or so'. We had no intentions of moving again quickly. We had been in our last house 10 years when we sold it, and we wanted to be in this house until the boys had fledged from their nest. So, 'What are you going to do with your house?' was actually a very valid and very emotional question for us. We didn't KNOW what to do with our house!<br />
<br />
We threw around the idea of renting it... thinking maybe we could even make some extra money off this scenario. But, everyone we talked to about this advised us 'DO NOT RENT YOUR HOUSE YOU WILL REGRET IT.' Even so, with warnings from multiple people, we explored the possibility. We were pretty particular about who we would rent it to -- we were hoping to rent it to an employee who was coming over to the US from Denmark for a 3-year period. But, when that didn't pan out we quickly moved on to Plan B. SELL BABY, SELL!<br />
<br />
We found out we were going to be offered a contract in the beginning of May. In the last month we have managed to finish our outdoor landscaping, remodel the master bathroom, touch up paint and fix some walls that needed refinishing, clean and purge the house of a lot of stuff -- and have our very FIRST SHOWING (without even being technically on the market even)!<br />
<br />
Take a look at our progress/photos below. And, if you know anyone looking to buy a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, 2.75 car garage in Brookfield, Wisconsin -- feel free to comment below or email at Almesburyhouse at gmail dot com! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil7aMwVRpKn2AsQBF0MhPep7D-91FUFvjNcTTdV4rdE9KPp7mmyE0OELuanLiauhjRrp1kwBf93dRWB8u-XeH0nwTTvS8b_zYMHWmxDHdr_cD0Ngpwe7AljfQSYhrc6wwh4u28T8jeUY/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+32+33+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil7aMwVRpKn2AsQBF0MhPep7D-91FUFvjNcTTdV4rdE9KPp7mmyE0OELuanLiauhjRrp1kwBf93dRWB8u-XeH0nwTTvS8b_zYMHWmxDHdr_cD0Ngpwe7AljfQSYhrc6wwh4u28T8jeUY/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+32+33+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN9aIJf9jmKtdl9gGIIUav1dmU1TG4aq3KIQ3xOAjjN3r-_RhgGCKyAS68uXPsap4aijPPDq0YAHjKXW1mv8l7lD8TCZpjEnI_F4CNO36vXoHanQMwRdFa_RWD-SE8e0RpV0IQkAMuGo/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxN9aIJf9jmKtdl9gGIIUav1dmU1TG4aq3KIQ3xOAjjN3r-_RhgGCKyAS68uXPsap4aijPPDq0YAHjKXW1mv8l7lD8TCZpjEnI_F4CNO36vXoHanQMwRdFa_RWD-SE8e0RpV0IQkAMuGo/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+42+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXoiJuVashcLs34JnM76bA3-f1LK_iBLYE4Itn79ktU880kIhsmla8y6AexDn7K7isdhjOozZEsZvRaDJBgq8sPeD7zWBc4r1X4_FGYwpf2M6ICYISg_fHHNVvn4BnRErCjOO9Gi6dFg/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+58+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXoiJuVashcLs34JnM76bA3-f1LK_iBLYE4Itn79ktU880kIhsmla8y6AexDn7K7isdhjOozZEsZvRaDJBgq8sPeD7zWBc4r1X4_FGYwpf2M6ICYISg_fHHNVvn4BnRErCjOO9Gi6dFg/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+58+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFDafOY76r3M_Xxd9nWtKB4bcMvneB6RhuyGevaPSbK6Zns4GtFfVK_LmI7Q78QkRKyAkkqVqNqNwOcjKbEpgDGcvOfOiMdJtS70Gc1FMN7UgtqPT2vEn7IQwXgqJlAhgu_7IsTuuvcY/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+50+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFDafOY76r3M_Xxd9nWtKB4bcMvneB6RhuyGevaPSbK6Zns4GtFfVK_LmI7Q78QkRKyAkkqVqNqNwOcjKbEpgDGcvOfOiMdJtS70Gc1FMN7UgtqPT2vEn7IQwXgqJlAhgu_7IsTuuvcY/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+50+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-OkKGFxRYhf3csa3W7y8baiNkfjD6sSux54fekx4tgNVKlB8aFv-L4TCjV_MSt9FCsBrWpY0DkAFIxVlqTOY6KYWsqERGiB2YYMi8atBBa0ULjMxJQ35SKWVOBlj9WpACUSO31rdd9s/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+54+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP-OkKGFxRYhf3csa3W7y8baiNkfjD6sSux54fekx4tgNVKlB8aFv-L4TCjV_MSt9FCsBrWpY0DkAFIxVlqTOY6KYWsqERGiB2YYMi8atBBa0ULjMxJQ35SKWVOBlj9WpACUSO31rdd9s/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+54+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_q12QnrC_mP-8fzHmkMRxyJ7USJm56bz6qayDPnkxrfaKAXbH6rf3PZPHF54EcsGGlFa2xdawIYPLBKbAD_KZsnkRIUt1KcIXOy9tn8_inDGZZ4pK4q6R5CJwptmjO1T0rNAO6JCnhw/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_q12QnrC_mP-8fzHmkMRxyJ7USJm56bz6qayDPnkxrfaKAXbH6rf3PZPHF54EcsGGlFa2xdawIYPLBKbAD_KZsnkRIUt1KcIXOy9tn8_inDGZZ4pK4q6R5CJwptmjO1T0rNAO6JCnhw/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+35+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3JeQ1b7YnnBGL1baXBylL3GMMG6zHW-LnDTBmr6z0sXtK6jot40qC71VeOUM0wQGSTiqndaDpwSFvay46VWpWCm7oo_WhIX8akhbzt0B98AWtbHPyXYcTT8653P0rnK9k30QnFeHpB8/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+51+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3JeQ1b7YnnBGL1baXBylL3GMMG6zHW-LnDTBmr6z0sXtK6jot40qC71VeOUM0wQGSTiqndaDpwSFvay46VWpWCm7oo_WhIX8akhbzt0B98AWtbHPyXYcTT8653P0rnK9k30QnFeHpB8/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+51+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81RxkONeNn-2N8uOmfl0xlNGvUcJQf8dpykuZjnE2J8bMaKzdBE0jjGnVSe9LuoxDLzCKxPK2lJuNFSnBQKozYYf5aXllg9OsXW15CNilulbByq90cx7UCl84Vib4g8abRoxCWnLorCk/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+25+01+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81RxkONeNn-2N8uOmfl0xlNGvUcJQf8dpykuZjnE2J8bMaKzdBE0jjGnVSe9LuoxDLzCKxPK2lJuNFSnBQKozYYf5aXllg9OsXW15CNilulbByq90cx7UCl84Vib4g8abRoxCWnLorCk/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+25+01+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fjoLzqKouPQtZi-OYWkUxBd7HmR_S4mEV9pCxtmtJCHFpCqvWuL1xHLbfx2PEsGPf5GhR6KIhfpH5sQRQMUnL60U4NPdOYtRFv89a1PhwiPC0Zob6Uh602h161DRnL0vCRbbTXVXemQ/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fjoLzqKouPQtZi-OYWkUxBd7HmR_S4mEV9pCxtmtJCHFpCqvWuL1xHLbfx2PEsGPf5GhR6KIhfpH5sQRQMUnL60U4NPdOYtRFv89a1PhwiPC0Zob6Uh602h161DRnL0vCRbbTXVXemQ/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+24+15+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fix6ZVMnFmKtf79kR8EBlmZU1YVMU2wN6BrX1BfaLJHYjJpKoUKtNXQB2959fu9GHvtiew3GzXT_pbIESN-Sc7mmddtXe1VMMH2qTErttZHeVfMJLnJkzRwmBm3r0HgBmnXB-2fvZcU/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+25+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Fix6ZVMnFmKtf79kR8EBlmZU1YVMU2wN6BrX1BfaLJHYjJpKoUKtNXQB2959fu9GHvtiew3GzXT_pbIESN-Sc7mmddtXe1VMMH2qTErttZHeVfMJLnJkzRwmBm3r0HgBmnXB-2fvZcU/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+25+47+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOzYLSPPJGgUVago6SHuSC6AZ2D1Amzjkh3mQlb0Pfr1TWUCPpbMksJYYDuYFRxyNEEXgHtku9EyOEBIFSH4HAl0z_RSDhkqt1VslIXem5SGHjxw3hby656Pxvyp6QnhsuK5g4N0NVBI/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+16+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOzYLSPPJGgUVago6SHuSC6AZ2D1Amzjkh3mQlb0Pfr1TWUCPpbMksJYYDuYFRxyNEEXgHtku9EyOEBIFSH4HAl0z_RSDhkqt1VslIXem5SGHjxw3hby656Pxvyp6QnhsuK5g4N0NVBI/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+16+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlhjwg2QfNy65ku3wLxYtOQlz54d-iQ2dIWfxg5xtkvZiVLNMxkIjy3TeATmx0Bc0JZd2xvefjYOXaiwUz-KyMf_C9jbzdVk8YaR4OPDR6QE6gKFsmdP8aC1T55qPKlYn8f__mYjV9SU/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+37+39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlhjwg2QfNy65ku3wLxYtOQlz54d-iQ2dIWfxg5xtkvZiVLNMxkIjy3TeATmx0Bc0JZd2xvefjYOXaiwUz-KyMf_C9jbzdVk8YaR4OPDR6QE6gKFsmdP8aC1T55qPKlYn8f__mYjV9SU/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+37+39+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou0IFfMUcU7-AQeFVP4QPvd3BHbQa3eyStUSbo12qCq6_nlKkdrcN6yoeuNOPdpHdSu-OIhiw_uCl5lIjRx_DvpR19a4M0kqOHpjoPsvTyuwM-r76Nv93WWW_1yV1eclQN2VQfeGDqPE/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+27+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgou0IFfMUcU7-AQeFVP4QPvd3BHbQa3eyStUSbo12qCq6_nlKkdrcN6yoeuNOPdpHdSu-OIhiw_uCl5lIjRx_DvpR19a4M0kqOHpjoPsvTyuwM-r76Nv93WWW_1yV1eclQN2VQfeGDqPE/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+26+27+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYPpWRM_OIhOQ2UgUv_KG4pf7En6xlxYpsyGipDArZW_YvuZEJ-p7n4sPlx_zbHchH1vz8SuP4qetPKNk_qV3goR1R5yqp0cwbgzj7tzO4P1qobFhBvjWLUAq1aHKDbwLwHbxBAslZfQ/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+27+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYPpWRM_OIhOQ2UgUv_KG4pf7En6xlxYpsyGipDArZW_YvuZEJ-p7n4sPlx_zbHchH1vz8SuP4qetPKNk_qV3goR1R5yqp0cwbgzj7tzO4P1qobFhBvjWLUAq1aHKDbwLwHbxBAslZfQ/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+27+44+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdcgNtU0PXR2nyIEneOuCTaPHlvXsLKNbVHGGdM1OPRJYn0MKKiYYzc5yGfqRVGO930YVLvmQJt3Y_R1-9HLW9gmWDArPjDi609LD2JMW6SxOiUNx_NiY83clDiAc64kIXHTjsprC1Kg/s1600/Photo+May+30%252C+3+31+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdcgNtU0PXR2nyIEneOuCTaPHlvXsLKNbVHGGdM1OPRJYn0MKKiYYzc5yGfqRVGO930YVLvmQJt3Y_R1-9HLW9gmWDArPjDi609LD2JMW6SxOiUNx_NiY83clDiAc64kIXHTjsprC1Kg/s640/Photo+May+30%252C+3+31+07+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcvDSIi6RFPyO2gp2XjSBsYgcDbPAzP4iORszm-U-FrB2owm8m3nY3hbknGfu8ZXyqOzyDLOmZYfKFZL-ZkWZ3lGG2jHN4rNVJzaGZeNfU1Jus9KYYCiWRDXqnHZ0FtckgXXYQ7d9nT4/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+29+49+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcvDSIi6RFPyO2gp2XjSBsYgcDbPAzP4iORszm-U-FrB2owm8m3nY3hbknGfu8ZXyqOzyDLOmZYfKFZL-ZkWZ3lGG2jHN4rNVJzaGZeNfU1Jus9KYYCiWRDXqnHZ0FtckgXXYQ7d9nT4/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+29+49+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyywo9S9o1LAOaphMdO6leSqFYxo889b7h9TXiNbCmk7F0vQ_aaXN3OCqVaQT8iZrSAMHnnCYSrQuxxh52CpP0y3I4CTtatuN6G6XgK-QsOO-gU3cHqcp68Lbfpl89U46C1ec-prhv7I/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+30+01+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyywo9S9o1LAOaphMdO6leSqFYxo889b7h9TXiNbCmk7F0vQ_aaXN3OCqVaQT8iZrSAMHnnCYSrQuxxh52CpP0y3I4CTtatuN6G6XgK-QsOO-gU3cHqcp68Lbfpl89U46C1ec-prhv7I/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+30+01+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZuGDl9aCWHzTN1GXz2t36nlrAuNx2xqUsvNRzxRsU8Ko8lzeyqEzx1RjVCu6bvnbCc91LOxtWTC1qphFgePvxCQi_gqTGV-YfV2Gdggw9bemQUBnBRE_ohm0CFk8l-o99C5SwbihOGs/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+30+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZuGDl9aCWHzTN1GXz2t36nlrAuNx2xqUsvNRzxRsU8Ko8lzeyqEzx1RjVCu6bvnbCc91LOxtWTC1qphFgePvxCQi_gqTGV-YfV2Gdggw9bemQUBnBRE_ohm0CFk8l-o99C5SwbihOGs/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+30+35+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxaXWt11gYdrUfBeXS5ZJofBwCNiTEKAae06gMEt081-PVeNw_A2ZpJy89iVbNr8mJ5SoFkcMwQ88CNQg9jluatH_PIUXYh9aUWW_euuizMnvb5doO2DsyodftAMWkAEft1hOq0cesnE/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxaXWt11gYdrUfBeXS5ZJofBwCNiTEKAae06gMEt081-PVeNw_A2ZpJy89iVbNr8mJ5SoFkcMwQ88CNQg9jluatH_PIUXYh9aUWW_euuizMnvb5doO2DsyodftAMWkAEft1hOq0cesnE/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+31+23+PM.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlOaZQ9zAoglCJq-XDjWL0op6Gg4437My2d0H01v5hZM76rBXP2hYQmxJbxZgpnEtQnFB6XoetiYcoJKCimOmZ7oXDHAJjJdWg4t3mXLbwYwQvrLBYoLoua1m25aPP-DpBH72dDo8c5k/s1600/Photo+May+31%252C+1+50+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlOaZQ9zAoglCJq-XDjWL0op6Gg4437My2d0H01v5hZM76rBXP2hYQmxJbxZgpnEtQnFB6XoetiYcoJKCimOmZ7oXDHAJjJdWg4t3mXLbwYwQvrLBYoLoua1m25aPP-DpBH72dDo8c5k/s640/Photo+May+31%252C+1+50+14+PM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-83237203489034368202015-05-28T21:09:00.000-05:002015-05-28T21:09:21.339-05:00An International McMove - Denmark here we come!The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind. And, seeing as I haven't updated the blog in forever anyways, I figured I would jump back into it by journaling all the details of our latest McAdventure...a move to DENMARK!!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVfskSVlQNQHLso7LI-3hdsk1wsO-dN4EwVHmgv-LsG7dZtYjvH_aDGNtvaaPHaOFe6BiDFidhpb_2yD8zlwZjcBF1vestKEHAUwKbd2_M4rdL5wrPIe1hOC-fH6gcO0Kpk8c7Hm-f78/s640/blogger-image--1604580141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVfskSVlQNQHLso7LI-3hdsk1wsO-dN4EwVHmgv-LsG7dZtYjvH_aDGNtvaaPHaOFe6BiDFidhpb_2yD8zlwZjcBF1vestKEHAUwKbd2_M4rdL5wrPIe1hOC-fH6gcO0Kpk8c7Hm-f78/s640/blogger-image--1604580141.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
We've been presented with an awesome opportunity from Max's company (which is based in Copenhagen) for a two year transfer to Denmark. It's no secret that I LOVE to travel, and the boys are at the PERFECT age for this opportunity, so it was really a no-brainer when the possibility arose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
So, for the last few weeks we've been reviewing contracts, researching schooling options, checking out rental real estate and readying our house to go on the market. It will be sad to leave our friends and family, but two years will go by so quickly and I am so excited about the prospects of showing my kids so many wonderful things that Europe has to offer. And perhaps when we come home they will even be partially bilingual!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
There are so many wonderful things about this move. So many details that I'm going to chronical as we learn more about them and get to experience them. So keep posted for the full story and follow along!</div>
<br /></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-82786622163924786652015-04-06T13:36:00.002-05:002015-04-06T13:36:16.574-05:00More coming soon, I promise!Wow, it has been almost 6 months since I last posted...how did that happen?<br />
<br />
I have some updates I'd love to share here, so I promise I will be updating soon.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, if you liked reading posts about product reviews, I'm happy to introduce you to my new blog: <a href="http://www.mcmommareviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">McMomma Reviews</a>. I will share all of my product reviews and tests on this blog, so be sure to bookmark it and check it out! Plus, I include a few silly videos in a few of product reviews, so you might want to check it out, if for nothing more than a hearty laugh at my expense :)Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-26644564579722503382014-10-21T12:49:00.001-05:002014-10-21T12:49:45.816-05:00Vocal Point Fisher Price Laugh and Learn party<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last month, I was selected to host a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Toy Party!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was an amazing opportunity, and perfect timing with Ben's first birthday (more coming up on that later) coming up! So, when I found out I was selected, I was completely STOKED!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fisher Price sent me 2 toys to test out, plus a ton of goodies to hand out to my guests! It was AMAZING!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We were given the opportunity to test the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Smart-Stages/dp/B00J9309IC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413838894&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+laugh+and+learn+chair" target="_blank">Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Chair</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Puppys-Smart/dp/B00J9309F0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413838927&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+laugh+and+learn+train" target="_blank">Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Train</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was hard for me to keep the toys under wraps until the party, but the idea was to surprise your child with the toy and see their reaction (and their friends).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Since 2013-2014 was a huge baby boom year for my friends, there was no shortage of people to invite -- with kids ranging in ages from 2 months to 7 years of age, we had quite the variety of testers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Chair:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="https://www.vocalpoint.com/cms/sites/default/files/styles/review_teaser/public/product/teaser/fp_chair_280.jpg?itok=sqfJR2CD" /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The chair was a huge hit with the 3-5 year olds at our party, even though it is for 12m+. Ben (11 months at the time) didn't show too much interest in it at the time, but now he really likes to sit in it and play peek-a-boo with the seat, etc. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Both of the toys are equipped with the Smart Stages Technology, which means the learning content changes as your baby grows </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">Every baby develops at their own pace, and Smart Stages technology gives you the ability to select the stage that’s best for your child! There are a variety of developmentally appropriate songs, phrases and sounds within three levels of play – just slide the switch or enter baby’s age for automatic level changes."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(136, 136, 136) !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="a-spacing-base" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 14px !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoLjj79OYwKsESo8YOm586RPDZxVwoGQcGI92cCNVoePomC_UBe2YuP2IlGVQkQCvJi7ePu-lfNr4KiaZ3oDSpluqoXfWgcAmlUvbicXQXqbN60z-MaYD4my86XT6wzMokS_hEslw7CI/s1600/ben+chair2resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; font-size: small; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUoLjj79OYwKsESo8YOm586RPDZxVwoGQcGI92cCNVoePomC_UBe2YuP2IlGVQkQCvJi7ePu-lfNr4KiaZ3oDSpluqoXfWgcAmlUvbicXQXqbN60z-MaYD4my86XT6wzMokS_hEslw7CI/s1600/ben+chair2resize.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="a-spacing-base" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 14px !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda4zpsm1JxPSU1gk2dEpQhruUNAr7gQJJw8z4_xlIMOEGjBvQFnPIiUd9zE8XMi_aAI0Qd4Cjszamd90n5AQWYFJ9uR0LEtbb69lszNFL78TxX3Gw0YYJuhhl6CXHXWG2CKd_VEzbCmo/s1600/ben+chairresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda4zpsm1JxPSU1gk2dEpQhruUNAr7gQJJw8z4_xlIMOEGjBvQFnPIiUd9zE8XMi_aAI0Qd4Cjszamd90n5AQWYFJ9uR0LEtbb69lszNFL78TxX3Gw0YYJuhhl6CXHXWG2CKd_VEzbCmo/s1600/ben+chairresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="a-spacing-base" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 14px !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="a-spacing-base" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 14px !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyG67HvNjqsbYpofdhie_1y8OKn4AOiNFPoXoCT6nvCGk7sSaDQt36rEiedNIRWk_X_5hj_8n33qWwaWP-h3xfOKNJtPP5sljKZnF_g_lURd1RnjJtw4cV2OeFN42Zk8h5xAqw7zTyKc/s1600/connor+chairresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyG67HvNjqsbYpofdhie_1y8OKn4AOiNFPoXoCT6nvCGk7sSaDQt36rEiedNIRWk_X_5hj_8n33qWwaWP-h3xfOKNJtPP5sljKZnF_g_lURd1RnjJtw4cV2OeFN42Zk8h5xAqw7zTyKc/s1600/connor+chairresize.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div class="a-spacing-base" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 14px !important; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The chair (through all the stages) has over 50 songs, tunes and phrases! The three levels of play allow the toy to grow with your child so they don't get bored of it (and you don't get sick of hearing the same songs over and over again)!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/k6rPHjBFmNU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/nYb74t3AYx4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Smart Stages Train:</span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img src="https://www.vocalpoint.com/cms/sites/default/files/styles/review_teaser/public/product/teaser/fp_train_280.jpg?itok=vL4ow-AC" style="color: black; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;" /></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 1.5;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The train was (and still is) a highly played with toy -- from the 1 year old to the 7 year old! It is involved in highly detailed and complex plots and stories with my three boys -- usually surrounding some type of Star Wars theme, LOL.</span></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: normal;">"Songs, phrases and sounds introduce letters, numbers, colors, shapes and more. Busy activities like a slider ladybug, ABC spinner, number roller and clacker beads all foster eye-hand coordination and fine motor skills. Baby can press the smokestack for motorized action and lights, introducing cause and effect. And fun characters and questions prompt imagination as baby plays along. </span><span style="line-height: normal;">The train features: </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">3 levels of play offer fresh songs, phrases & sounds for your little one’s age & stage, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Busy activities include a slider ladybug, ABC spinner, number roller, clacker beads & more, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Press any of the five shape buttons to unlock more fun, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Teaches colors, shapes, letters, opposites & more, </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">Includes Puppy, Monkey & Froggy rattle figures – just the right size for baby’s hands"</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I mentioned before, the train was a huge hit. All the kids loved playing with it and my boys still enjoy playing with it. I have a feeling this will be one of the longer lasting toys in our repertoire. </span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt2EZlfe-lvjux1Rc0kqBARVVwP1YZmYrAbjLsVqg8RM4xhHV9O9UzIz7nzduUgP1mn3T1J2vYUA5iyS9i_H6-YFq1hMS78bdtN7dFWrWmz72ExhNX-UNFl_25rw5fN9YkOLzy6KrEak/s1600/sam+trainresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPt2EZlfe-lvjux1Rc0kqBARVVwP1YZmYrAbjLsVqg8RM4xhHV9O9UzIz7nzduUgP1mn3T1J2vYUA5iyS9i_H6-YFq1hMS78bdtN7dFWrWmz72ExhNX-UNFl_25rw5fN9YkOLzy6KrEak/s1600/sam+trainresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="a-size-small" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 12px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; margin-bottom: 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div id="list0" style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcMqiC7VK6ba3PKtGC-4JhxcdY0Ywj1gsWLb4hdiFs-kkVpn3FExVAou6XCRuT-5JBkcEpYf-FB_5tyXDNyBTFMarBTgfSLNti2_QyktyHoaEII7Mqyu2suE3uKEgMYb_6PiNDku6S0A/s1600/3+boys+playingresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcMqiC7VK6ba3PKtGC-4JhxcdY0Ywj1gsWLb4hdiFs-kkVpn3FExVAou6XCRuT-5JBkcEpYf-FB_5tyXDNyBTFMarBTgfSLNti2_QyktyHoaEII7Mqyu2suE3uKEgMYb_6PiNDku6S0A/s1600/3+boys+playingresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Guests also enjoyed playing with the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Clickn-Remote/dp/B00CQHZ0ZK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413847112&sr=8-1&keywords=Fisher+Price+Laugh+and+Learn+Remote" target="_blank">Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Click N' Learn Remote Control </a>. I was so excited to get to send every guest home with one of these to keep!!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejcVn7I_3emondn54i9RNE1Im6_5-ZXnYxbd4Hu_xuf8DP7pOi77n9KPZF3C88kbJTaQRik_n6hp_yycVnNexBRFW7B2qRzVq2rKAiK4xE-LPZH_eEYpdhziktZRO7FuGmxEqPB3gzbo/s1600/amanda+andrew+trainresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejcVn7I_3emondn54i9RNE1Im6_5-ZXnYxbd4Hu_xuf8DP7pOi77n9KPZF3C88kbJTaQRik_n6hp_yycVnNexBRFW7B2qRzVq2rKAiK4xE-LPZH_eEYpdhziktZRO7FuGmxEqPB3gzbo/s1600/amanda+andrew+trainresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhorkbGdu2yCKH6R5PrrBwTmSApRkEEV17OvlgHnxEhmo8nmiGhh_3YDYq7sx1RUPiAS7Lb7VqbmefFblzE_DWBQjxUlob7TZErfptsSSFPJKmlepQNqfV63cinCT6JqJGCEed1IfExY/s1600/andrew+remote3resie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAhorkbGdu2yCKH6R5PrrBwTmSApRkEEV17OvlgHnxEhmo8nmiGhh_3YDYq7sx1RUPiAS7Lb7VqbmefFblzE_DWBQjxUlob7TZErfptsSSFPJKmlepQNqfV63cinCT6JqJGCEed1IfExY/s1600/andrew+remote3resie.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mf-uvXTNlY4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeS7NwbeCe0kNUfl_HFlI_QOd9TYGg4T63onOrlsXfIhbGqxcbaBNv_MKf_rBFZHptmRhmrUIX6U0ysWG6wURzgIPfUXX5lTY74ao6GVJ1luSD_9wN7p0cLN0AMqujUqDHk07vd3k1ks/s1600/ben+remoteresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeS7NwbeCe0kNUfl_HFlI_QOd9TYGg4T63onOrlsXfIhbGqxcbaBNv_MKf_rBFZHptmRhmrUIX6U0ysWG6wURzgIPfUXX5lTY74ao6GVJ1luSD_9wN7p0cLN0AMqujUqDHk07vd3k1ks/s1600/ben+remoteresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Overall, it was a great excuse to get all the kiddos together and to score some free loot!</span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGKMsGt4iDaN1l5uz7f2NoP8GvK6QQDrS-_vMwVm9I-56MQDI0UC1JddUCUX3bJA-tqsRQTfE3sSmhuFsJ2ulEjqoijwDRoOMFZQ38riOpgoS8qYBgwN5Hpu2fWz-tHIzBQbS-8U27vw/s1600/children+at+partyresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGKMsGt4iDaN1l5uz7f2NoP8GvK6QQDrS-_vMwVm9I-56MQDI0UC1JddUCUX3bJA-tqsRQTfE3sSmhuFsJ2ulEjqoijwDRoOMFZQ38riOpgoS8qYBgwN5Hpu2fWz-tHIzBQbS-8U27vw/s1600/children+at+partyresize.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdonAMvOpFLHNEN6Ye1ANntnoYWJFlE0apO8xaDvfJZ5oBpQNloqeLxSPH1j1X1tfh7r52fsDK7VRBUtHsG9ErQ9QqmU_oVfUAimsBtIxSSZt4YQZwsvf4JDYkmp3uzK8FzPVxKInrV4/s1600/group+photoresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdonAMvOpFLHNEN6Ye1ANntnoYWJFlE0apO8xaDvfJZ5oBpQNloqeLxSPH1j1X1tfh7r52fsDK7VRBUtHsG9ErQ9QqmU_oVfUAimsBtIxSSZt4YQZwsvf4JDYkmp3uzK8FzPVxKInrV4/s1600/group+photoresize.jpg" height="462" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: small; text-align: center;">
My Fisher Price party was sponsored by Fisher Price and by VocalPoint. I received products for free to try, but all reviews and opinions are my own. Party participants signed waiver forms allowing their pictures to be used. A big THANK YOU to Fisher Price and to VocalPoint for this awesome opportunity!!</div>
</div>
</div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-44103698221110130622014-09-24T10:27:00.002-05:002014-09-24T10:27:30.307-05:00eSalon - Made for You Custom Hair Color (product review)<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" src="https://img.bzzagent.com/image/hero_eSalon.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=1733204218&Campaign=2539365606&Uid=1006173&token=8e36555ba8985a176620966a1ee35b1d" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was selected by BzzAgent to try out and review the Made for You Custom Hair color from eSalon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The process for figuring out what color is right for you is so simple and eSalon makes it super easy to make your hair color specific and customized JUST FOR YOU. So, you basically get salon quality color that you apply in the comfort of your own home! A total win-win!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/us-prod-campaign-images/2539365606/eSalon_Infograph_jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Basically, I just went to the website, picked the current color of my hair -- then the color I wanted it to be -- and finally uploaded a few pictures that showed my current hair color (so the team could be sure I was assessing it correctly). I wanted to lighten up my color a little bit, so I picked a little lighter color than I thought I currently had (but not too much). It proved to me that the system wasn't automated though, and that someone is actually reading what you select. Less than a day later, I received a personalized email from a team member letting me know why my color choice wouldn't work so well and what she suggested instead. I said 'go for it' and waited eagerly to get my product!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
BzzAgent gave me a $60 credit to use however I pleased in addition to the customizable hair color product, so I picked up some Color Lock Shampoo and Conditioner, a coloring bowl and brush, and a magic 'touch up' wand for root coverage in between colorings. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It has been 4 weeks since using my products (well everything except the magic touch up wand because the coverage of this product has been A.Mazing) and I have to say that I am very pleased. The shampoo and conditioner have a great fragrance to them and they work really well and leave my hair feeling great. The pump on the shampoo bottle could use some fixing (it is finicky), but that is really my only complaint.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At a price point of $20, I may or may not continue using this service. I color at home between my salon appts to minimize my cost, and what I had been using was much less expensive than eSalon. BUT, I like the results better, so I will have to see what kind of deals or discounts they continue to throw my way. Overall, I am very happy with this product and would definitely recommend it to anyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But, here...see for yourself!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpqtpT-yeTObxTsaRgBneZb5aSrWoLpAnRPCyvH6Vz_vKID0bYz6jkqBViVi4Ds-F0tS5hXY8kNgyZwce2z-oumUtWRcrVwl8gpvI3Hw9k0R9f94Oij3GvPxbZ_4nSWvB1nRM6EQLuGI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+52+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpqtpT-yeTObxTsaRgBneZb5aSrWoLpAnRPCyvH6Vz_vKID0bYz6jkqBViVi4Ds-F0tS5hXY8kNgyZwce2z-oumUtWRcrVwl8gpvI3Hw9k0R9f94Oij3GvPxbZ_4nSWvB1nRM6EQLuGI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+52+14+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My kit and products (wine not included LOL)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VDL_0oTwRYjhLZ0BVHJLq53Fl0ETFlca47Wdfns1hL3P6LNYizTu4cRAlLA9j5mYSQkYpMrxb7Dw7L_hsZIJAPwfgJLKez_s7HA8bKUoeGwa7MejgbDq2UA7lj8zevQ068lUQJMM-qg/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+54+48+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8VDL_0oTwRYjhLZ0BVHJLq53Fl0ETFlca47Wdfns1hL3P6LNYizTu4cRAlLA9j5mYSQkYpMrxb7Dw7L_hsZIJAPwfgJLKez_s7HA8bKUoeGwa7MejgbDq2UA7lj8zevQ068lUQJMM-qg/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+54+48+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihL6SZ9P4WZfoC_PenEu2d9tvHSDFRpVOIt16PR_XqPAxcgBufNwqfAzxn1uFzV4DmMwSBkJK6gQqrHb8PQkRjVcp0Bg4iHWTw6EcGpx7Sr59Y6wsoPRQyQEzPQOkwBQBLl29Q5Y5VFE4/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+56+58+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihL6SZ9P4WZfoC_PenEu2d9tvHSDFRpVOIt16PR_XqPAxcgBufNwqfAzxn1uFzV4DmMwSBkJK6gQqrHb8PQkRjVcp0Bg4iHWTw6EcGpx7Sr59Y6wsoPRQyQEzPQOkwBQBLl29Q5Y5VFE4/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+56+58+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mixing and getting ready to apply the color</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WmABu1gu0nC-3c4xq80OYT9sEO_ZSalqWbo-_nL69mOJ1jngEQ2CoioDs9MZ-P4zJ25g1Zw-Cono8cYC_TIUKF2DREY7Sde4GsJTdxvHlzk0ASIzilj2RzLhHDxY-atKdQlLER7l4bI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+52+51+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WmABu1gu0nC-3c4xq80OYT9sEO_ZSalqWbo-_nL69mOJ1jngEQ2CoioDs9MZ-P4zJ25g1Zw-Cono8cYC_TIUKF2DREY7Sde4GsJTdxvHlzk0ASIzilj2RzLhHDxY-atKdQlLER7l4bI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+7+52+51+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My wonderful 'before' roots (ignore my devilish eyeball)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE6180FK5tThg84hmyZt4j_N_nuNvLyh92hgjE8G5PlfvMINUVAIFcbQW54tVODjggfz66b3chOYFq7_c0DCowGB6I3I5An6SxWgGU72cGUZ2w7v8H0ypQ9l0_Cm1fQ5tNMd1LJ3mCCI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+8+10+24+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuE6180FK5tThg84hmyZt4j_N_nuNvLyh92hgjE8G5PlfvMINUVAIFcbQW54tVODjggfz66b3chOYFq7_c0DCowGB6I3I5An6SxWgGU72cGUZ2w7v8H0ypQ9l0_Cm1fQ5tNMd1LJ3mCCI/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+8+10+24+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Waiting for the coloring process to be finished.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSth3szN5jzP1MhMm4R-m3Ck_WbITb6c-dQP2emjEs7o2DW1NaZENjZ6SBnZpAYCGRx96xoVtg0d8Xfs59elGxexm3G3mvKzJymKIiWh7cU5p_tf_UYVMi-4owCfTspk2nQ7WISSsLI68/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+8+52+32+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSth3szN5jzP1MhMm4R-m3Ck_WbITb6c-dQP2emjEs7o2DW1NaZENjZ6SBnZpAYCGRx96xoVtg0d8Xfs59elGxexm3G3mvKzJymKIiWh7cU5p_tf_UYVMi-4owCfTspk2nQ7WISSsLI68/s1600/Photo+Sep+06,+8+52+32+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Loving the color coverage and the richness!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgG6GeNsQMOj9pKw_eALZ5EC_W5bGDC404lVRKUFtGA9wuejviclLjLMdMTvrO8Zj5fhb3IEuvSRDtgOYcto2owETqrG8sB1PD3vAxJpfAO9K3dJk03jWzwOJjDJ7oOdKdaFZxxD0fbA/s1600/Photo+Sep+24,+9+34+57+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgG6GeNsQMOj9pKw_eALZ5EC_W5bGDC404lVRKUFtGA9wuejviclLjLMdMTvrO8Zj5fhb3IEuvSRDtgOYcto2owETqrG8sB1PD3vAxJpfAO9K3dJk03jWzwOJjDJ7oOdKdaFZxxD0fbA/s1600/Photo+Sep+24,+9+34+57+AM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Four weeks later and no visible roots like in my before picture! Amazing!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CgepngdYI3xuCLsnf5R0hq2_ZXMzb4uQDskqHfPR01e5K_NxRo6ayZJqZFnFvuG-9qS4mqSQcMoVBcBRaJq90jvus-0QxqANByTatH0KnXLPYKfgp17gef1YueBQc-FowEQsNm6tsxs/s1600/Photo+Sep+24,+9+35+10+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CgepngdYI3xuCLsnf5R0hq2_ZXMzb4uQDskqHfPR01e5K_NxRo6ayZJqZFnFvuG-9qS4mqSQcMoVBcBRaJq90jvus-0QxqANByTatH0KnXLPYKfgp17gef1YueBQc-FowEQsNm6tsxs/s1600/Photo+Sep+24,+9+35+10+AM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
See? I'm so excited that I don't have to color my hair again after only 4 weeks! :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And if you want to get in on the action too, check out this link for 50% off for my friends!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; text-align: start;">50%-off discount with friends: </span><a href="http://u.bzz.com/sakzi" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; text-align: start;" target="_blank">http://u.bzz.com/sakzi</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333339691162px; text-align: start;">. </span></div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-11442314140798850152014-08-12T08:45:00.000-05:002014-08-12T08:45:29.767-05:00Grandpa 'Far Away's' Birthday PartyAt the end of May, we went to visit Grandma 'Chili' and Grandpa 'Far Away' for Grandpa's birthday up at their new home in WI.<br />
<br />
The drive itself was an adventure since we left on a Friday and we both had to work that day so we couldn't even leave until around 5pm. Travelling over dinner time and bed time can get interesting. Kids can get squirrely...and now we aren't just dealing with one or two squirrely kids...we are dealing with THREE. So, it definitely makes for interesting car trips. It was good practice though, and by the time we took our second car trip in July I think we had worked out most of the kinks.<br />
<br />
It was a great trip overall. The boys enjoyed seeing their grandparents...even though we aren't that far apart, life makes it difficult to schedule visits so when we do get together it is the biggest treat in the world for the boys. They really do love their grandparents and love spending one-on-one time with them. Grandma and Grandpa were also amazed at how much Ben had grown and how much personality he had gotten since December!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbEdqPImG9gJxrx-zxSl_L313vQtSjXoHHFeJe1GebHH_Xjwuexvyd0kAElgVL54udq4_EN0yzYordInplNPKQgvuaZIUn4wiD8RZsMwqVvmZ5yFQMP0t1z7OmNei4doTSXfuQqkmcRY/s1600/IMG_7991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbEdqPImG9gJxrx-zxSl_L313vQtSjXoHHFeJe1GebHH_Xjwuexvyd0kAElgVL54udq4_EN0yzYordInplNPKQgvuaZIUn4wiD8RZsMwqVvmZ5yFQMP0t1z7OmNei4doTSXfuQqkmcRY/s1600/IMG_7991.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JEFC2COvhPgc9Ik9-kGQXIlmHSP8ub_dPc4ppmun-hfFWxmavHpA1lE7iAQqHPIZs6uCNV7ePUTr4GyGDa5E1hzso-wzFMsirEIWJgL91SaI7xQPMSaKNbo8Fat7vFg1KGNy-TZ0KI/s1600/IMG_7992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-JEFC2COvhPgc9Ik9-kGQXIlmHSP8ub_dPc4ppmun-hfFWxmavHpA1lE7iAQqHPIZs6uCNV7ePUTr4GyGDa5E1hzso-wzFMsirEIWJgL91SaI7xQPMSaKNbo8Fat7vFg1KGNy-TZ0KI/s1600/IMG_7992.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSXvdqT1JeLvo4h9DHKjqAnUKivkxvtpQmjfe1dY9OGjlWz9GBcdMkBb3lDYa91RK_1zORal8qxAk_Uezua5ywRhudCTHILFFqOn2hZLirZITJPYF9msB8CCk_oivTxdECtFFA6LduC4/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSXvdqT1JeLvo4h9DHKjqAnUKivkxvtpQmjfe1dY9OGjlWz9GBcdMkBb3lDYa91RK_1zORal8qxAk_Uezua5ywRhudCTHILFFqOn2hZLirZITJPYF9msB8CCk_oivTxdECtFFA6LduC4/s1600/IMG_7996.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gXmr49jhNNuksfVE2S_8erM8ei1dQYWbdtGKMqOQ_mlQOKWFfoNaKEkvsnixNcMZgMdxmDOKA04o9rW-iSABh8r-mUEHl8N3cQ8TuYVe8D1Op4x2g1n8peVuSOC7BcAuGr4kKc-yK5M/s1600/IMG_7999edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gXmr49jhNNuksfVE2S_8erM8ei1dQYWbdtGKMqOQ_mlQOKWFfoNaKEkvsnixNcMZgMdxmDOKA04o9rW-iSABh8r-mUEHl8N3cQ8TuYVe8D1Op4x2g1n8peVuSOC7BcAuGr4kKc-yK5M/s1600/IMG_7999edit.jpg" height="640" width="514" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2hYwRxs_nVkDpWR5f1zPfl7A2zu4LbXRjnRJP_BscdLdPLJAngXiXulePOnsGbj83ljGcnMs5ZnR5Vw3pduoXcwnni42wem39CuYowYLpHslhyphenhyphenOTTvKMaNJ4E_wYV_Q1FcyHIOKElKc/s1600/IMG_8008edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2hYwRxs_nVkDpWR5f1zPfl7A2zu4LbXRjnRJP_BscdLdPLJAngXiXulePOnsGbj83ljGcnMs5ZnR5Vw3pduoXcwnni42wem39CuYowYLpHslhyphenhyphenOTTvKMaNJ4E_wYV_Q1FcyHIOKElKc/s1600/IMG_8008edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv48LZVeYZdLE6j0sk46OanUJTU5r9ZDx5OdZzdmb5tFZ-W3xMnBMTOmn3aD21hXau9CiJ9V2YsU8t8eYIaUqSYoydMGxoOh8p_7wpsFRaSBq4mA2KjZItnrL2cS8Rv-NB-igakTwj6M/s1600/IMG_8014edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggv48LZVeYZdLE6j0sk46OanUJTU5r9ZDx5OdZzdmb5tFZ-W3xMnBMTOmn3aD21hXau9CiJ9V2YsU8t8eYIaUqSYoydMGxoOh8p_7wpsFRaSBq4mA2KjZItnrL2cS8Rv-NB-igakTwj6M/s1600/IMG_8014edit.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62dYSLnllZmL9ung08on4yatRft3UiPHmt68hbRZTuZAbIBrTYyQiJdxo3xIEWO9FF7A7fOAN01MpQeG7DSjxDcI3Lca1f2auqDN7pk-Vykqdf4OUG60nm5PY9fnEzch-KQWMR604IVU/s1600/IMG_8019edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62dYSLnllZmL9ung08on4yatRft3UiPHmt68hbRZTuZAbIBrTYyQiJdxo3xIEWO9FF7A7fOAN01MpQeG7DSjxDcI3Lca1f2auqDN7pk-Vykqdf4OUG60nm5PY9fnEzch-KQWMR604IVU/s1600/IMG_8019edit.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkNoEI3zgATD7WLqkZfwdbLtzB2ueA8wvuKfEj-HXZ8ho1bZBpOswKt8ko_zn_gIElX8pMfO5ivDsxZmRF_SgOsGW-qWfVHWDVLUFDaWZ59xvCo63xT9H5oE27YtUeQIe2AfrMVzYGNM/s1600/IMG_8020edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNkNoEI3zgATD7WLqkZfwdbLtzB2ueA8wvuKfEj-HXZ8ho1bZBpOswKt8ko_zn_gIElX8pMfO5ivDsxZmRF_SgOsGW-qWfVHWDVLUFDaWZ59xvCo63xT9H5oE27YtUeQIe2AfrMVzYGNM/s1600/IMG_8020edit.jpg" height="640" width="458" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPZBqBCsiZrdMjcdbx1-CiUTXhkKtQvez3I8tqJglDWR5aqK9oLhpNo987s_F0Vpe1Zu7Knky3g93Jr8qeLwX-x5Nx5u-xK7j2cJO0fkguUjuUWz73TK1dngjjuUVpZmWmTx9RmaFD40/s1600/IMG_8023edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPZBqBCsiZrdMjcdbx1-CiUTXhkKtQvez3I8tqJglDWR5aqK9oLhpNo987s_F0Vpe1Zu7Knky3g93Jr8qeLwX-x5Nx5u-xK7j2cJO0fkguUjuUWz73TK1dngjjuUVpZmWmTx9RmaFD40/s1600/IMG_8023edit.jpg" height="444" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTxoiSvZiOqcXWZb-rNDABL2MgJ8bDFJOgTV9vDQ-zWCsBvZpr-0pwuq5PcZ-xEpKOOhHaVI6XAfT_pBKSTVNaoyP24b4ifwRxVBWi4Qpv0GFZl1qSLrxz2IUgaVilwyzbGah8t2nY7k/s1600/IMG_8036edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTxoiSvZiOqcXWZb-rNDABL2MgJ8bDFJOgTV9vDQ-zWCsBvZpr-0pwuq5PcZ-xEpKOOhHaVI6XAfT_pBKSTVNaoyP24b4ifwRxVBWi4Qpv0GFZl1qSLrxz2IUgaVilwyzbGah8t2nY7k/s1600/IMG_8036edit.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeZx8ygtB72NK3KLrT99tdzusdopWUv2Cd29k7nqPPA-ChEfzkaiqVMmgaVhoHpbDjDPWj0Gz0wSPjyC3uLXkOgHrXMQA4u0J9_ATRbnio4ho1pg3yDDYy3v2qKCJjpV3epfc0XwTIlc/s1600/IMG_8037edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbeZx8ygtB72NK3KLrT99tdzusdopWUv2Cd29k7nqPPA-ChEfzkaiqVMmgaVhoHpbDjDPWj0Gz0wSPjyC3uLXkOgHrXMQA4u0J9_ATRbnio4ho1pg3yDDYy3v2qKCJjpV3epfc0XwTIlc/s1600/IMG_8037edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7boeQotHJvmS-r6MIucDyNeE_s0WMbbMC38UC9Rlcpk4PM-CYhdtuSdQ1_HOy1x9Nz8bCRmskRD0Ghw5jmgGE-SCFDqPVSvzt8qWvorBeWQyD-BQh0IVEBHpCIjBW37YHt9j-L-hjWhM/s1600/IMG_8038edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7boeQotHJvmS-r6MIucDyNeE_s0WMbbMC38UC9Rlcpk4PM-CYhdtuSdQ1_HOy1x9Nz8bCRmskRD0Ghw5jmgGE-SCFDqPVSvzt8qWvorBeWQyD-BQh0IVEBHpCIjBW37YHt9j-L-hjWhM/s1600/IMG_8038edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vl9133sXuMAtplelr6RDTwW8irAGHyODOznOCQI1fFkWs4LefRZdtf_6CPTAOHwjYEfqmHC-F3G1BKct6tCqbN5TI_0mcZfcqO5wSwfCL2Z6TBQUsq20fvH34OJTYdK5mH7oux_iSTM/s1600/IMG_8040edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vl9133sXuMAtplelr6RDTwW8irAGHyODOznOCQI1fFkWs4LefRZdtf_6CPTAOHwjYEfqmHC-F3G1BKct6tCqbN5TI_0mcZfcqO5wSwfCL2Z6TBQUsq20fvH34OJTYdK5mH7oux_iSTM/s1600/IMG_8040edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VrTQVSvXiYow0zL3glm7w4tfCM8nzgi3mefFGhMfrqbIwhdYvHZULrwcPXHm5qdYZG82-6SJTGcC7dECQ1gpdgFWXOnOD3EDNOjjLHbd0CprVRw3QiWX2c3l6UT_GiS6AYQs8f67wvw/s1600/IMG_8042edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VrTQVSvXiYow0zL3glm7w4tfCM8nzgi3mefFGhMfrqbIwhdYvHZULrwcPXHm5qdYZG82-6SJTGcC7dECQ1gpdgFWXOnOD3EDNOjjLHbd0CprVRw3QiWX2c3l6UT_GiS6AYQs8f67wvw/s1600/IMG_8042edit.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-65738059462710887442014-08-12T08:04:00.003-05:002014-08-12T08:04:56.987-05:00Benjamin - 7, 8 and 9 months oldWow, time has just flown by and I guess blogging has taken a back burner to all the summer fun we've been having! Time to update! :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_LHb2_tCkdTEfWJZSYp2A4cuKKWGuFecTB1UFFNyNtG9Amfd4vIP9vjKF8Y8rsd5nZ6yDTv87GGsbkQPCwZJcPLJ6NPl4QnlOVoZ0-id0sW37DpOnW4JptCsOy4UVFOvCbE8D-F3FTo/s1600/IMG_7089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_LHb2_tCkdTEfWJZSYp2A4cuKKWGuFecTB1UFFNyNtG9Amfd4vIP9vjKF8Y8rsd5nZ6yDTv87GGsbkQPCwZJcPLJ6NPl4QnlOVoZ0-id0sW37DpOnW4JptCsOy4UVFOvCbE8D-F3FTo/s1600/IMG_7089.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeSn3tGaIUEpYW9cMrvYJ35Cnzl-ka_ED5Qcn15Djiq5H885hGCkFWlFwfJvphMnCoD3sTbiSy6q5ls2OA90P3Jh23JtpRrQ-F_4k954JJbs6yNuuBLJXBKndaNr3VyTJa5um9gId-B0/s1600/8+months+ben.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbeSn3tGaIUEpYW9cMrvYJ35Cnzl-ka_ED5Qcn15Djiq5H885hGCkFWlFwfJvphMnCoD3sTbiSy6q5ls2OA90P3Jh23JtpRrQ-F_4k954JJbs6yNuuBLJXBKndaNr3VyTJa5um9gId-B0/s1600/8+months+ben.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kpf0is_0geLwec9WD5-ppLcOOj-hog-rgScXDLEdLzNTWd-PHy7nMgevx_-2csVt5aFb6D7lgNLmvVGe8S2_PWOkJ1ZQuckAJIU4OveHCQ3_EN4eF9wn6hCtkZ8zYlX9E0agmuaDkkQ/s1600/9+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kpf0is_0geLwec9WD5-ppLcOOj-hog-rgScXDLEdLzNTWd-PHy7nMgevx_-2csVt5aFb6D7lgNLmvVGe8S2_PWOkJ1ZQuckAJIU4OveHCQ3_EN4eF9wn6hCtkZ8zYlX9E0agmuaDkkQ/s1600/9+months.jpg" height="408" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgYmth4VNOxZ3Y2WK9DjYZs3F565S0ZoP7Ra-gIIRGktxCqgv3YdUC25UkSVStLaK4Wtb_LrT4XWSiiL3Wkrqqg9iM9onV8BBI9Dh5GGO_WeBhlxGEkbzQ620T9VZRJV-inLjLZN7ObE/s1600/9+monthsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgYmth4VNOxZ3Y2WK9DjYZs3F565S0ZoP7Ra-gIIRGktxCqgv3YdUC25UkSVStLaK4Wtb_LrT4XWSiiL3Wkrqqg9iM9onV8BBI9Dh5GGO_WeBhlxGEkbzQ620T9VZRJV-inLjLZN7ObE/s1600/9+monthsb.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1VUKZBh71DkceQyZi8NlSwOW_jCAvCvX8oS-5tX0z3ArT2AfrNbh-Mqabp-g5N68sUDwwHHCdGU_mXWWbByA4U-CctRvZjEQFR5_QpBKT5MugjELjHctebWU_UPqlnxFQN_FFbxJjhk/s1600/9+monthsc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1VUKZBh71DkceQyZi8NlSwOW_jCAvCvX8oS-5tX0z3ArT2AfrNbh-Mqabp-g5N68sUDwwHHCdGU_mXWWbByA4U-CctRvZjEQFR5_QpBKT5MugjELjHctebWU_UPqlnxFQN_FFbxJjhk/s1600/9+monthsc.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love this kid. Seriously. He's the best!</div>
<br />Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7902538139502721390.post-68247098425730404332014-05-12T13:59:00.002-05:002014-05-12T13:59:54.027-05:00Benjamin - 6 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Can you believe this little peanut is 6 MONTHS OLD?? (for two more days at least...come on slacker mom...hit post already!!)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Me neither...</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjrikVbt0YbexeEBAeGM_Q3sxozjCJliSphEwP1m-M1UYFUQ0zQmLQWs86R4YjCIFf5UyOX5sIWmrO241SWSAomQyKWvFXTD3dXftoBCR8NkFxth-IHNpE89CXsDWW6EGHxITzKllCzQ/s1600/6+months+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjrikVbt0YbexeEBAeGM_Q3sxozjCJliSphEwP1m-M1UYFUQ0zQmLQWs86R4YjCIFf5UyOX5sIWmrO241SWSAomQyKWvFXTD3dXftoBCR8NkFxth-IHNpE89CXsDWW6EGHxITzKllCzQ/s1600/6+months+old.jpg" height="472" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And he is, quite literally, a peanut. A long and skinny peanut. He weighed in at 14 lbs 10 oz and 27.25 inches long at his last dr appt (which puts him at 80% for height and only 10% for weight). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0iCQna9iy6COIdRpO3SOT6wt_z8qbviLe7QSrUBU8ZtUg1EC5k4tAufB9PTXS6TS70EyTYSgiirlxsxoGnQn88h_sLK_406S26oWNzgBK6wVXr1qdgpsz9phrGncKKKotI7eCHmRdrQ/s1600/6+months+old2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0iCQna9iy6COIdRpO3SOT6wt_z8qbviLe7QSrUBU8ZtUg1EC5k4tAufB9PTXS6TS70EyTYSgiirlxsxoGnQn88h_sLK_406S26oWNzgBK6wVXr1qdgpsz9phrGncKKKotI7eCHmRdrQ/s1600/6+months+old2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This one is always giving out smiles...but sometimes he makes you work for it. He has a very serious and observational nature. I feel like he's studying everything around him all the time trying to figure out the best approach to do something. Either that or, with two older LOUDER brothers, he doesn't feel the need to be very talkative. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP_CPBtHNB2SLPeRmQGyQK9h5pBIJ-Gx4ubQo1hjmm_t7XrtcluqKrJ06ebRSIy0aZ0aGjPYzrR6xZB0dqzY8QBYo4mc0AK95xLuCL4A8rmHFWkC3l0g3l9m02EoBXY9jmiA0A-jXJ8U/s1600/baby+blue+eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCP_CPBtHNB2SLPeRmQGyQK9h5pBIJ-Gx4ubQo1hjmm_t7XrtcluqKrJ06ebRSIy0aZ0aGjPYzrR6xZB0dqzY8QBYo4mc0AK95xLuCL4A8rmHFWkC3l0g3l9m02EoBXY9jmiA0A-jXJ8U/s1600/baby+blue+eyes.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's still got these gorgeous baby blues...definitely here to stay and oh SO pretty. I love it when he sits and stares at me with those pretty baby blues. SWOON.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxTCaqacFVYuc0FKDj5PTVBej-MaoT8QGck6hW7c1KnxSSwAp0aZHtb49NyljOqSBa18_UlleKwSqF_v-NwfNNEytMp-343U-HiuQU6k42ymaX8guyAVEnf57su37LozbqwYPurB20W0/s1600/sitting+pretty+blurry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxTCaqacFVYuc0FKDj5PTVBej-MaoT8QGck6hW7c1KnxSSwAp0aZHtb49NyljOqSBa18_UlleKwSqF_v-NwfNNEytMp-343U-HiuQU6k42ymaX8guyAVEnf57su37LozbqwYPurB20W0/s1600/sitting+pretty+blurry.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He's almost got his sit mastered. He's still a little wobbly. I'll attribute it to his little tiny heiny...not much to balance on down there! He's graduated to size 2 diapers and is wearing his 6-12 month clothing -- not because he needs it girthwise, but because everything else is way too short on him. So, sometimes he looks like he's swimming in his clothes, but at least his ankles aren't getting too chilly.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Man, I love this baby. I could seriously sit and stare at him ALL DAY LONG. And I WILL! I know I'm biased, but we seriously make the most adorable boy babies in the world!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here are a few more photos of his sixth month of life:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTsPwbf_iqhJWpRUHPa8sOHQ7hTtrzIeTMNzadarmdPl1Phb_p2pnnr7771sR27PvirVxU8jS5gIxr6yhwy8jxoMHBzjH_krdvPqlUSM4KvYBj__Lfe-z3mdQ32FZG1S5o2tsAj-ZtH4/s1600/Photo+Apr+07,+6+36+57+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyTsPwbf_iqhJWpRUHPa8sOHQ7hTtrzIeTMNzadarmdPl1Phb_p2pnnr7771sR27PvirVxU8jS5gIxr6yhwy8jxoMHBzjH_krdvPqlUSM4KvYBj__Lfe-z3mdQ32FZG1S5o2tsAj-ZtH4/s1600/Photo+Apr+07,+6+36+57+AM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These boys sure adore each other!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFhFvvtHqCjkocHXjv-hDlZk1tE2WiHNNsg5Kkethl5mHvLIIYRKZFWRvJF0Dn-xUh4RVLOEnovbtflbRMMFfvFgahL5Vl-UkuqI1ikmT9YxPK0U_AEFWDsZRIiXbow-WsP4T_SgG3Uo/s1600/Photo+Apr+11,+4+16+05+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFhFvvtHqCjkocHXjv-hDlZk1tE2WiHNNsg5Kkethl5mHvLIIYRKZFWRvJF0Dn-xUh4RVLOEnovbtflbRMMFfvFgahL5Vl-UkuqI1ikmT9YxPK0U_AEFWDsZRIiXbow-WsP4T_SgG3Uo/s1600/Photo+Apr+11,+4+16+05+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbk5Cq5VnA_6SMgJY4Lu-7VuKZcdLQdCZfHscEEyHr4pvwUeRyZMT3GCfK9E5GQuXyNOJeEPtG3fkUD_SDoSuNUXPPcHYW1hoHkub-Qq9iB2tSKlEU6f_VV41FGWOr7gPhOfVxqJRDXQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+11,+4+23+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwbk5Cq5VnA_6SMgJY4Lu-7VuKZcdLQdCZfHscEEyHr4pvwUeRyZMT3GCfK9E5GQuXyNOJeEPtG3fkUD_SDoSuNUXPPcHYW1hoHkub-Qq9iB2tSKlEU6f_VV41FGWOr7gPhOfVxqJRDXQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+11,+4+23+04+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sam (left), Max (middle), Ben (right)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8aKF04jKIJEO9GO17aeUrkLm4JXPZml8ka2IfqpftbMJ0Y26F-dpYUM9_Bho8YHvfh1t2kj7mZu02emMEj0Au0_OkZHJ4y8-ww7Hjx-3hGoTz0GxPWa5ZGx4tfZbyiMXNM8agCkigLY/s1600/Photo+Apr+17,+6+43+21+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8aKF04jKIJEO9GO17aeUrkLm4JXPZml8ka2IfqpftbMJ0Y26F-dpYUM9_Bho8YHvfh1t2kj7mZu02emMEj0Au0_OkZHJ4y8-ww7Hjx-3hGoTz0GxPWa5ZGx4tfZbyiMXNM8agCkigLY/s1600/Photo+Apr+17,+6+43+21+AM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
All decked out in their matching spiderman t-shirts for Sam's 4th birthday.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1o3isdnKUqPGTCz4f8tyucS0ceThkhaajK-Y-wKPYv9iuFkY5oCeaUiuJsDRMlsp0DI__9yrIjSj6FAx4BVzOdreLQgD6Uzts_5AxrJtIaP08AKhIoC9AHfmkE_J4V3uWNLnC2IMqs8/s1600/Photo+Apr+18,+6+14+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1o3isdnKUqPGTCz4f8tyucS0ceThkhaajK-Y-wKPYv9iuFkY5oCeaUiuJsDRMlsp0DI__9yrIjSj6FAx4BVzOdreLQgD6Uzts_5AxrJtIaP08AKhIoC9AHfmkE_J4V3uWNLnC2IMqs8/s1600/Photo+Apr+18,+6+14+15+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nope...he can't get any cuter...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWhL8S0Ax2RRW-kFDV2k_C-H2pTinuL9JrjiLsvrrdfIvQH3gfGNB6Ezaqm_rpilf3_czs2XwsG2llYyye8daF0vcRkyE6JNxalvvxa2uUS7rwZB-xqc2CiLwK0boWGbqMLTMflPPAE/s1600/Photo+Apr+20,+1+13+53+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZWhL8S0Ax2RRW-kFDV2k_C-H2pTinuL9JrjiLsvrrdfIvQH3gfGNB6Ezaqm_rpilf3_czs2XwsG2llYyye8daF0vcRkyE6JNxalvvxa2uUS7rwZB-xqc2CiLwK0boWGbqMLTMflPPAE/s1600/Photo+Apr+20,+1+13+53+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With the weather warming up we've been able to spend more time outside. Ben loves laying on his blanket in the yard and little Max makes a great babysitter!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVorQjlwOQZWVPAbI_nUOZQ_kPWwwf9sjpdL6Lf_IGpSgHhTATgHK2e-kGKmBt9T4QXkzNqT1iY9q38Z-VVwQrikx48BPOhhK3avU1FpYttNtPppALJmtZ4MG7bMjUh6J6g1m_uFDAE0c/s1600/Photo+Apr+23,+5+06+51+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVorQjlwOQZWVPAbI_nUOZQ_kPWwwf9sjpdL6Lf_IGpSgHhTATgHK2e-kGKmBt9T4QXkzNqT1iY9q38Z-VVwQrikx48BPOhhK3avU1FpYttNtPppALJmtZ4MG7bMjUh6J6g1m_uFDAE0c/s1600/Photo+Apr+23,+5+06+51+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He smiles a ton too!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj5LY8ctsrVR0emy4HHC4mOcatLrOLr2LCExFA50kp6N8QvM5uVmbB_AAf53YkAth9HK0lsyml9wD4crgfAR5vjGKT2xkOcIW0tn2ROPcYWiWEBn8jXjx17MIsuiMok5ato5pFjUubUs/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+4+38+10+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzj5LY8ctsrVR0emy4HHC4mOcatLrOLr2LCExFA50kp6N8QvM5uVmbB_AAf53YkAth9HK0lsyml9wD4crgfAR5vjGKT2xkOcIW0tn2ROPcYWiWEBn8jXjx17MIsuiMok5ato5pFjUubUs/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+4+38+10+PM.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Especially for his 'da-da'!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HXsTGDLVeVbM8Yn6-P1PcsiIewCKO2HIIsXHqzgW9DxVkaPPIO4X4K8Tg7zttGRcfgXBHqgffIqD6jtWxC8kcVwt012FPde8BsW_4V51qQMtQMvQIYMobiH1qWVf5h5_4tRLrsBacXU/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+4+38+20+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9HXsTGDLVeVbM8Yn6-P1PcsiIewCKO2HIIsXHqzgW9DxVkaPPIO4X4K8Tg7zttGRcfgXBHqgffIqD6jtWxC8kcVwt012FPde8BsW_4V51qQMtQMvQIYMobiH1qWVf5h5_4tRLrsBacXU/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+4+38+20+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And, don't worry, he gets LOTS of kisses!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bwyARVTAHYIzO2uKbcBndXevILdcmSQSLpXZQr80h13SZDpmyJQIVAxDORlQ02uG5EMl8wfbRYvxtfYz1AxedTB6pxidDlSZeTbudPo8Ly1oQIWpSDLK7hIDHQSmsuljQqb_eU0Hwzc/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+8+24+08+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bwyARVTAHYIzO2uKbcBndXevILdcmSQSLpXZQr80h13SZDpmyJQIVAxDORlQ02uG5EMl8wfbRYvxtfYz1AxedTB6pxidDlSZeTbudPo8Ly1oQIWpSDLK7hIDHQSmsuljQqb_eU0Hwzc/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+8+24+08+AM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
He enjoys exploring new things...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ-v5UTeoSBvSCQQyPb_hgU7s0sUqnKuruz9iLNzAn-KnBLOyQfsop2OQYIoh6sedmXpQ5GB03fyHcesUtuEpvijK1notO9WBO6oSOgqcINH9SYzLg_WMjPcqarhqUxJnoCSuXn-LO6c/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+12+22+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ-v5UTeoSBvSCQQyPb_hgU7s0sUqnKuruz9iLNzAn-KnBLOyQfsop2OQYIoh6sedmXpQ5GB03fyHcesUtuEpvijK1notO9WBO6oSOgqcINH9SYzLg_WMjPcqarhqUxJnoCSuXn-LO6c/s1600/Photo+Apr+25,+12+22+23+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Trips to the park with his brothers...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoWlMKVJ8gGVlulAMwfFTgWnk50NPnfET_iSthUWsrYoshWmU_LbKLsP3WBFVb1loNHcdHvpWy4oyxAPR7SWadDleoKOB7pvevOUB1kI0Zh7w0f3t85BQTeUHBKucoGM9YobqqhmVGZQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+29,+5+22+19+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjoWlMKVJ8gGVlulAMwfFTgWnk50NPnfET_iSthUWsrYoshWmU_LbKLsP3WBFVb1loNHcdHvpWy4oyxAPR7SWadDleoKOB7pvevOUB1kI0Zh7w0f3t85BQTeUHBKucoGM9YobqqhmVGZQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+29,+5+22+19+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Eating mum-mums....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQlaroSawARys2FZgXeZUgcmqHYD7umNN4UTWgyJ_vgJUh7Tftx8LorGQaq1o2JX9G3XD3i6uErPKrLixHzBWP48Fs2APCgOkK4DXEFb8yJgnRpG4ltb-jt3C9l1-f4YWicUYF_9sy6Q/s1600/Photo+Apr+29,+6+27+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQlaroSawARys2FZgXeZUgcmqHYD7umNN4UTWgyJ_vgJUh7Tftx8LorGQaq1o2JX9G3XD3i6uErPKrLixHzBWP48Fs2APCgOkK4DXEFb8yJgnRpG4ltb-jt3C9l1-f4YWicUYF_9sy6Q/s1600/Photo+Apr+29,+6+27+56+PM.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Splashing in the bubble bath...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPPgllt6HPICJbDO4IBVd4BLXUoFkGUmJlzwJ88_IAq0MjqGMQGDnxfljXLZEJSN3NAigxcgqjDXZ2TewM2lcC_3gk23Ul_vYHp4Y0AvzTtbiMcXRcJQx0geQizyPkE7AfuiLFgYgHc/s1600/Photo+Apr+30,+6+17+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPPgllt6HPICJbDO4IBVd4BLXUoFkGUmJlzwJ88_IAq0MjqGMQGDnxfljXLZEJSN3NAigxcgqjDXZ2TewM2lcC_3gk23Ul_vYHp4Y0AvzTtbiMcXRcJQx0geQizyPkE7AfuiLFgYgHc/s1600/Photo+Apr+30,+6+17+06+PM.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And chevron, of course (well...maybe that's mom that loves the chevron).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Stay tuned for 7 months in a few days! (Ha! If I don't procrastinate and post it in a timely manner, that is...)</div>
Stefaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14701747974529920879noreply@blogger.com0