What I love about Sundays....

Family Brunch

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL...

Seahawks v. Broncos, and yes, we won.

New York & Berlin

On July 31, 2009 - our five year wedding anniversary(!) - we took off for a two week fabulous European getaway.

Passports? Check.

Our travel bible? Check.

Best travel companion ever? Check. 

We. Are. Ready!

We arrived in New York at 7am, pumped for a 12 hour layover and ready to see our really good friend, Jason.  We did surprisingly well with the subway, and managed to get to Jason's neighborhood in Brooklyn without getting lost.  We also were able to wake Jason up at 7 o'clock in the morning ... which, I can tell you, is no small feat.

Wandering the streets of Brooklyn with Jason and his new friend "Jack"

The view from Jason's rooftop - not bad :)

We had breakfast at the greatest little place.  It was called Acqua Santa and I absolutely adored it.  Jason knows the owner and he was so sweet to us - as were the rest of the staff.

The place was so cute.  It was open air, and there were real grapes growing on the ceiling.

Of course, it didn't hurt that they put champagne in my orange juice either!

At a "beach" in Brooklyn - signs warned us not to go in the water - yikes!

Ending our short trip at a pub in Brooklyn.  Sad to have to say goodbye to Jason, but we will be back in November....

Time to get back on the plane - feeling a little silly getting ready for "bed"

My husband says it's always important to take care of your teeth - even when traveling!

Sorry Angela! I just had to...

Berlin, Germany

We only spent two days in Berlin, and wished we had more time.  This is a place we will likely return to because the history is so rich and interesting.  Our favorite "activity" in Berlin was going to the German History Museum.  There was so much in the museum, we couldn't even get to it all (you could spend days in there), but it was just so interesting to see all the stuff revolving around history that is so fresh.  World Wars I and II and the history surrounding the Berlin Wall was my favorite because it was not that long ago that it all happened.

Other highlights of Berlin included the Berlin Wall along with Checkpoint Charlie and the Museum of the Wall about the Cold War and the Berlin Wall.  I couldn't help getting a little emotional in this museum because it gave so many details about people trying so desperately to get out of Eastern Berlin, and even losing their lives in the process.  It was heartbreaking.

And of course there was the beautiful architecture and scenery.  It's amazing how much Berlin has changed in so little time.

Our hotel - Pension Peters, right in the heart of Berlin (near the zoo)

Our first meal in Berlin - a hearty German meal of Pig's Knuckle and Dumplings - yummy!

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church - it was left bombed out by World War II as a memorial to the destruction of Berlin in the war

Brandenburg Gate

In front of Humbolt University with Rick

The German History Museums - no cameras allowed!

In front of the Reichstag - Germany's Parliament Building

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe - we would later learn that this memorial was designed after the Jewish cemetery in Prague (our next stop in our trip)

What remains of the Berlin Wall

Checkpoint Charlie - where the famous border checkpoint between the American and Soviet sectors once stood

The Museum of the Wall at Checkpoint Charlie.  Again, no cameras allowed, but this was a wonderful museum.

Lunch in Gendarmenmarkt square

Berlin's train station was gorgeous.

The Chancelor Building

Beautiful Reichstag.  We were so bummed, we waited until the last minute to go up to the top - a fruitless attempt to skip the long lines - and didn't make it in before they closed! :( 

Just another reason why we have to go back....

In front of Brandenburg Gate...

Prague

Prague had much more of a "little town" feel than Berlin, and we had no trouble seeing everything in the three and a half days we were there. 

Arriving in Prague.  I can proudly say that the backpack I'm wearing here contains everything I packed for the entire two weeks!  I will admit I complained when Stephen suggested we "backpack" again this time, but I am so glad I didn't have to roll a big suitcase around the cobblestone streets of Europe!

We stayed at the Grand Hotel Bohemia, which we loved...

Our first meal at the cafe in Municipal House.  Delicious meal and a fancy atmosphere with chandeliers dripping with crystals and rude waiters.  Even though cameras were not allowed, we sneaked a photo to spite those waiters ;)

The Powder Tower

The first day we took a walking tour of Prague.  Our guide was so good, we decided to go back the next day and do the "castle tour"

The clock tower in the town square

On the steps of the National Museum overlooking Wenceslas Square

We walked up to Castle hill to get these beautiful pictures right as the sun was going down

We ended our first night in Prague with Italian food at this cute little place

The next day we started our morning with a hike up to top of the Powder Tower.  This would be the first of several climbs to the tops of towers.  I, unfortunately, have a little problem with heights.  I don't consider myself afraid "per se", but I do get a little dizzy up there and sometimes I accidentally visualize myself pummeling to the ground right over the side of the building.  No matter.  I'm much too stubborn to let that stop me from seeing the views.  So, time after time on this trip, I subjected myself to the terrors of climbing to these ridiculous heights...

I've got my hands on the roof to keep from accidentally flinging myself over the side.  Rational, I know.

And here is the view I refused to miss...

Tower Number One. Conquered.

Old Town Square.  Behind Stephen is the Jan Hus monument. 

That afternoon we decided to go on the castle tour.  Our guide (not nearly as good this time around) took us all through the Castle grounds.

Lots and lots of walking...

In front of the castle gate.

St. Vitus Cathedral

Back in Old Town Square after our castle tour

On the Charles Bridge in front of the Vltava River.

Dinner at Plzenska Restaurace u Dvou Kocek ("By the Two Cats") - consulting with Rick as to what to do next.

Apparently, Rick advised getting a couple beers and walking the streets of Prague.  

Our last day in Prague.  

Confirming that chocolate and coconut are still the best flavors of gelato.

Climbing the Charles Bridge Tower

In front of the Vlatava River

At the Lennon Wall

We climbed one final tower in Prague.  The tower of St. Nicholas Church.  

Stephen decided it would be funny (he gets VERY amused by my irrational fears) to spook me at the top and photograph it.  I hate these pictures.  I don't even know why I'm posting them.

At least the views were fabulous...

Ahhh, back on level ground in the Castle Quarter.

Apparently, he's been forgiven by the time we get to the Dancing House.  Designed after Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers, it's quite a strange sight.