Iceland: The Blue Lagoon

 I feel like I say this about every new place I see, but Iceland might be the most amazing place I have ever been. Everything we saw was breathtakingly beautiful. I felt like I was in a National Geographic dream every day.

After flying EasyJet into Reykjavik, we drove straight to the Blue Lagoon. It was freezing cold, which made the steaming warm water ever more mystical. The picture below is a real testament to the relaxation I got in on the trip.

The geothermal water and the silica mud are known for their healing effects on the body. It was unreal to bathe right where the steam was coming out. We felt like we were swimming in a cloud. We stayed for almost 4 hours!

Natural mud masks

Traveling with the Tierney's was a dream. Our kids our best buddies, it made the trip just perfect. 

Hampstead Heath

The Heath is one of my favorite spots in London. To me, it's a refuge from the concrete jungle of the city. I love to go and let the kids run free without constantly having to tell them to, "stop! wait! hold my hand! slow down!" which phrases I must constantly bark as we walk the city.

Milly all tuckered out.

Heidelberg and Rothenberg Germany

With Betsy in town to watch the kiddos, we took advantage of a quick weekend trip to Germany. The two towns we stayed in were so charming and quaint, it was magical.

Rothenberg really feels like it belongs in a fairy tale. It's Christmas all year long!

Ty on the wall that preserved Rothenberg during the war.

Willkomen to the Romantic Road!

Heidleberg

 Swimming in the river was so refreshing and invigorating. Traveling without kids is awesome.

36 hours in Belgium

Betsy and I took the Eurostar one Saturday morning to Brussles and Bruges. We only stayed one night but packed so much into those 2 days, it was a blast. Leaving the kids home with Ty helped increase the fun level.

Manuequin de Pis

We happened to be in Bruges during a dance festival. The Silent disco was our favorite!

The charm of Bruges is unforgetable.

The Atomium in Brussles

We headed to the coast for a few hours at Ostende.

Lots and lots of chocolate, waffles and frites! 

Bottom right chocolate belgian waffle= best waffle of my life.

Below is a picture of Betsy on the train after she punched a dude that tried to pick pocket her! 

London at Midnight

One night the Madsen's dropped by our front window to say hello. They mentioned that one day we should do a midnight bike ride and we decided that since we had Betsy in town we should capitalize and do it that night. So we took the city by storm a few hours later. It is the perfect way to tour the city.

Buckingham Palace

Millenium Bridge towards St Paul's Cathedral

National Gallery at Trafalgar Square

Cycling in London has really made us fall in love with this city. I love biking around with the kids by day, but I love more than anything getting on a normal bike. I love riding our bikes on date nights. It just makes me feel like a kid again. I love Ty's knowledge of the city and that I can follow him like a little lost puppy dog. For the record, I mostly ride around our immediate neighborhood because I am terrified of riding in city traffic unless I'm following Ty.

Oh Betsy!

We had the pleasure of Betsy's company for a month this summer. Betsy is fun, positive and has more energy than anyone I know. Every billboard sign, poster, newspaper arcticle advertising an event or activity that seems remotely interesting she says, "we HAVE GOT to do that". Then she writes in it her to-do list and she does it. Here are some pics of the times we could keep up with this little energizer bunny.

Borough Market

 

 Betsy basically potty trained this little lady

 Brighton Beach

 Taming of the Shrew at The Globe- £5 standing tickets!

Sunday commute

 She also made some fun date nights available for us. We saw Richard III at The Globe

Portobello Road market

 Oh the dance parties we had!

 Kenwood House and Hampstead Heath

 Parliament Hill paddling pool

St James Park

 British Museum