Europe 2012: The video!

We finally got around to making a video of our Europe travels.

Enjoy!

The Netherlands: Rotterdam and Kinderdijk

For our last little bit of time in Holland, we decided to explore the city of Rotterdam, 

and also head out to the windmills at Kinderdijk.

Rotterdam is a lot more modern than Amsterdam or Delft, so it was interesting to see 

the difference between the cities.

There were a lot of modern art displays around the city, and they were really cool!

Isn't this floating tree awesome?

In order to get to Kinderdijk, we had to catch a "waterbus,"

then we had to catch a smaller ferry.

Traveling on the water was such a neat way to see Rotterdam!

We got to pass under bridges, see huge barges on the water, and see cute little houses on the waterfront.

Boston was loving the whole boat ride experience. 

It wasn't a stuffy train or bus, so he was a happy guy!

Love this face.

And this jean bum.

Is he looking old, or what??

Finally we made it to Kinderdijk... and on the last ferry, no less!

We made it just in the nick of time.

(Story of our lives. Haha!)

We had to walk a bit to get out to the windmills, but wow--

it was SO worth it!!

There were probably twenty windmills all scattered around, 

and it was seriously such a beautiful place.

I couldn't take enough pictures!!

This one is definitely a favorite.

And of course...

Boston made some new friends.

That boy is quite the social butterfly!

He has no fear of walking up to a complete stranger, grabbing their hand, 

and saying something that sounds strangely like "Hey!"

We are trying to teach him "Bonjour," but it is just confusing the poor kid.

We will stick with English for now!

After we explored Kinderdijk, we hopped on the ferry and

headed back to Rotterdam for dinner at a yummy barbeque chicken joint.

(Did I just say 'joint'? I feel so hip.)

I don't know if it is because we were starving, tired, or all of the above, 

but we both agreed that it was the best barbeque chicken we have ever tasted.

 Seriously people, it was good.

We loved it so much that we didn't even mind paying $3 bucks a pop for our

miniature-kid-sized drinks.

Okay, so we weren't too thrilled about that, 

but welcome to Europe's portion sizes! 

(This picture is right before Boston Hulk-smashed his food and sent it flying all over the restaurant.

It's a good thing he's cute!)

My night was complete when we found a shake place on our way to the train station.

Nothing could have made me happier than that chocolatey ice cream goodness!!

I was in heaven.

We had such a blast in the Netherlands!!

We loved seeing all of the sights, and experiencing a new culture.

It is always so much fun exploring a new country.

I can't wait for our next trip!

The Netherlands: Delft!

On our second day in the Netherlands, we hopped on a train to the quaint little city of Delft.

It was so beautiful!

Delft is where they make the famous white and blue "Delft china,"

so I couldn't wait to grab a pretty souveneir! 

The town itself was less touristy then Amsterdam, which was nice.

The streets were quiet, the sun was out, and it was a perfect day to explore!

 

We happened to be there on a day when there was a GIANT antique market 

going on along the canal.

It was so fun to browse the booths and get a taste of the culture.

We had a lot of fun strolling along the streets and listening to people barter.

After the antique market, we made our way into the city center.

There was some kind of festival going on, 

so music was playing and the square was set up with all sorts of booths.

Boston was loving it!

He kept pointing at everything, running around, and stopping to jam periodically squat to the music.

So this next series of pictures went like this:

Me: Oohh! Some cute Holland shoes! Lets Get Boston's picture in them.

Bost: Seriously? No more pictures mom.

Bost: For real, guys! One more cheesy picture, and I'm on the next train outta here...

(five seconds later)

Bost:... Oh hey, music!

I love that kid.

And the city center of Delft.

Isn't it stunning??

We took a quick lunch break at an American classic...Subway!

Why does trashy American fast food always taste like a million bucks in a foreign country??

(side note...notice the awesome chips that came with my meal)

We were only able to spend a few hours there, 

but we loved our visit to Delft!

Next we ran off to catch a train...then a ferry...then smaller ferry

 to the beautiful windmills at Kinderdijk!

(Stay tuned for pictures!)

The Netherlands: Amsterdam!

We were able to take a weekend trip to the Netherlands a couple of weekends ago, 

and we absolutely loved it!!

Holland is such a beautiful place. 

Our first day we spent entirely in Amsterdam--

exploring the stunning canal views, wandering the cobblestone streets, 

and dodging a zillion cyclists...

but really.

It is such a biking city!! 

You always hear that about the Netherlands, but you don't realize how many people use bikes

as their main mode of transportation...like pretty much everyone.

Boston was a good sport on the train ride from Brussels to Amsterdam.
He was probably thinking,
"It's like a car ride...but I can run around! Sweeeeet!"

This is what we saw when we got off the train.

A four-level parking garage...

for BIKES.

Is that awesome or what??

After a quick stop at Mickey-D's for lunch, 

(Bless you, America, for sending McDonalds to every country in the world)

we started exploring the city by heading to Amsterdam's main square.

Weird moment of our day...

we encountered this guy in the main square.

He tied bread all over his head and let the pidgeons attack him.

Uhhh, okay?

We browsed through a book flea market,

tried our hand at haggling,

and snagged a cute French fairy tale for Boston's collection.

I cannot tell you how many stinky cheese shops we walked past.

The cheese looked awesome...

but seriously smelled like death.

The house boats that lined the canals were TO DIE FOR.

They were the cutest things I have ever seen.

I decided that I want one when we retire in a hundred years.

We found Jord's name... kind of.

Whoop whoop!

We were so lucky to be able to go through the Anne Frank house.

It was one of the most touching things I have ever seen.

Ever since I read the book, so I have always wanted to go to her house.

As I walked through, I just couldn't believe I was actually where she was.

It was incredible.

The line was just a tiiiiinsy bit long,

but it was definitely worth the wait!

We weren't allowed to take photos in the actual house,

but take my word for it--
It is incredible.

If you ever get the chance, GO!

After the Anne Frank house, we spent hours wandering the canals.

Amsterdam is such a beautiful city.

We had to get a picture by the Amsterdam sign.

Its classic!

(How cute are these two boys??)

We took a snack/ rest our legs/ let Bost run around and sit in mud break.

Those kind of breaks are definitely a necessity when traveling with a one year old!

Of course Boston found a basketball court within 30 seconds of sitting down...

and tried to join the game like it was no big deal.

I have said it once, I will say it again--

The kid is OBSESSED with any kind of ball.

Seriously.

Could he be any cuter?

Hey, guess who I found in Amsterdam?

EDWARD!

Okay, embarrassing moment of the trip:

As soon as I got a glimpse of him (his fake wax self) in the window,

I screamed to Jord "IT'S EDWARD PATTINSON!!"

(do you love how I combined his fake name with his real one?? wow.)

and started booking it towards him.

Not the proudest moment of my life. 

Then we ventured over to the "Red Light District" for a quick photo opp.

Don't worry, it was still the middle of the day...

so nothing scandalous was going down.

We felt pretty rebellious walking through it, though!

After a yummy dinner of the most authentic food in Holland..

cough cough...Shanghai Chinese noodle restaurant...

(It looked good. So sue us.)

we hopped on train to Rotterdam to crash at our hotel for the night.

Me: "Hey Jord, do something funny for a picture!"

Jord: "Why do you always make me do this."

(He loves me.)

I love this little family of mine.

We had a great day in Amsterdam,

and couldn't wait for the next day of our trip!

Stay tuned for pictures of Delft and Kinderdijk, coming up next!