And this, my friend, is why:
This also might be why we are NOT referred to as a dog’s best friend….
Child: product of my friend Erica
Dog: product of my friend Austin
Camera: product of my husband’s need to keep me busy
Friday, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Land of Orange: Amsterdam
After Keukenhof we refolded ourselves back into our car and headed over to Amsterdam. From what I’m told, Amsterdam is a little crazy every day. We happened to visit on the absolute craziest day of the year: Queen’s Day.
Said to be the largest outdoor street festival in the world, Queen’s day is a national holiday that celebrates Queen Wilhemenia’s birthday. Although she died in 1962, the holiday carried on and grows bigger with each passing year.
As you can see, people flood the streets garbed in the national color: orange.
We obviously felt the need to join in.
So…what do people do on Queen’s Day? (Other than party on the streets for 24 hours?)
The sell their crap no longer needed “treasures."
It’s part of the day’s traditions. A no-holds-back junk circus. Er, I mean flea market.
Although the sheer massiveness of the crowds prevented us from doing a lot of the sightseeing we normally would have done, we still saw quite a bit of the city and her attractions.
Actually, there’s a lot more to Amsterdam than legalized marijuana and prostitution.
I’ll be honest- Amsterdam is actually a really beautiful city. I’ll prove it to you:
Our final impression? Amsterdam lively, unique city filled with contradictions. It could easily be brushed off as licentious and dirty (which it is), but once you stop and look around you at the beautiful churches, winding canals, and unique architecture, you’ll see this this is a city that thrives off of juxtaposition. It is a hot mess of contradictions, which is probably why the city feels so unique and alive.
The Land of Orange: Keukenhof Gardens
Less than 48 hours after arriving back to the UK Glenn and I were air bound again- this time flying to Belgium to spend a little time with my brother’s family (it seems like we like them). We had a great time, which invariably means that I took an ungodly amount of photos to document the occasion (over 2000. I think its a sickness).
Over the weekend we all jumped in the car and drove up to Holland. We spent the evening in Rotterdam.
Side note: When Glenn and I first started dating he was working as an engineer sailing on ships. Our first long distance trial came a couple weeks into our relationship when he went to sea for several months-docking for some time in Rotterdam. As a result I’ve always been a little curious to see this port town.
The next morning we visited Keukenhof- the largest bulb flower park in the world. It was beautiful.
It’s been an unusually warm spring, so when we arrived many of the tulips had already been cut. However, we still saw plenty of beautiful flowers. I remember coming to Holland when I was pretty young- about 6 years old- and all I wanted to do was smell each.individual.flower.
Now I just photograph them.
A little hint: if you ever want to meander slowly around a flower garden with a group, make sure you bring small children with you. Then, instead of your incessant photo taking being obnoxious, it’s just endearing. (This mostly helps when you’re taking pictures of your group’s children instead of your own)
See? Even you think it’s adorable right now.
Point proved.
To those grandparents who are wanting hard copies of these pics: I take payment in the form of dark chocolate reeses cups. just saying.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEUmlWsSh5g?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0&w=500&h=375]
Jake’s first steps: Keukenhof Gardens, Holland
April, 2011
(Source: http://www.youtube.com/)
First Steps
There is something supremely special about witnessing a “first" in someone’s life.
I once watched a friend of mine eat sushi for the first time in her life- bear in mind that this girls was born and raised on McDonalds french fries. She nearly panicked when she discovered that the green papery stuff on the outside was seaweed ("SEAWEED? You mean people actually eat that green floating stuff?!") and she literally choked after taking the first bite.
Word to the wise: never be too eager to swallow something that you forget to chew it first.
I remember the first time I ever went cliff diving. In an attempt to impress my older brother I literally threw myself off of a 35 foot high cliff into murky water without any thought to proper form or, for that matter, consequences of any type. The goal: hit the water. I succeeded. Not realizing that you are supposed to pencil your way in I chose the loose, sideways, crazed cannonball look. I literally couldn’t feel my legs for the first 2 minutes and I’ve never been so bruised in my life. I’ve also never jumped off a cliff since.
Word to the wise: Sometimes a proper landing is more important than initial take off.
Two weeks ago I got to watch my nephew, Jake, walk for the first time. Now that is a first you want to be around for.
I mean- just look at the joy in his eyes!
This series was taken within the first couple minutes of his first ever steps. The sweetest part of it: he just wanted to get to his sister. Allie couldn’t stop cheering for him.
Almost there!
Made it!!
Word to the wise: There are few things more beautiful than watching a child move into a new stage in life. It’s important to cherish those memories.
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