Stockholm, Sweden June 17-19

Such a great time to have all 13 of us to travel by cruise from Tallinn to Stockholm.  We had two eight seater taxis pick us up from our house and drop us of at Tallink terminal D for our departure at 6pm. It was very exciting as this was 1st cruise for many of us:-)  The ship looked giant and our 3 cabins were super tiny :-) We decided to bring coolers full of snacks and refreshments.  Some of us had to take motion sick medications including myself but when that kicked in - we were ready to explore the entertainment on the cruise.  

The first night - all 13 cups with names.  The party room with coolers as our tables. Nijole and Jurgis are on top deck - their first cruise ride.  Boys are showing of their "big" room and bunk beds. 

Here is some amazing food we had on the boat.  It was buffet style so we all went back for seconds and thirds :-)

In the morning during breakfast from our dinning room we were able to enjoy hundreds of Stockholm islands and small channels these big cruise ships have to navigate through.

We decided to walk the streets of Stockholm instead of taking public transportation.  We were most amazed with Chris's ability to walk all those miles just 7 weeks after his achilles surgery.  We had a perfect sunny day and great company to  sight see and explore.

Stockholm is absolutely beautiful port city.  We truly enjoyed seeing all sorts of sail boats.  We even had lunch all thirteen of us sitting on a long bench by the water. 

Visiting Vasa museum was a big highlight of the day. Lot's to explore and learn.  This warship, lovingly restored and preserved, was built in the early 1600s but sank before it even had a chance to engage in battle. Some three hundred years later the sixty-four gun royal flagship was raised from its resting place in Stockholm harbor and now delights and captivates visitors of all ages from around the world. 

On the way back home we parried up on Baltic Queen.

Most captivating Swedish sun set led us sail back home to Tallinn. Farewell - Farväl 

Grandmamma Linda and PopPop Adrian are here for a visit

First day in Tallinn Estonia - thank goodness we went to the beach and enjoyed some sand play because almost the rest of the visit was rainy and cold.  Esti people promise it was unusually cold weather for the summer :-) 

Even if the weather was cold and wet - it didn't stop us from exploring around town.  One night we drop of Cameron for soccer practice and we drove into city for a short cobble stone street walk.  We parked next to the Ukrainian church and were lucky enough to get invited for a quick tour.  Got some post cards made by hand down the basement of the church and toured the secret basement with lots of national treasure.   Same trip - as we were walking around the block to get to our car we stumble across a movie shooting set.  That was also unexpected and amazing to see.

More shopping, touring and eating.  On one of our walking trip to old town - we stumbled upon a lovely restaurant called Vennad - means Brothers in Estonian.  We were seated at a table down the basement by a window.  Right above our table was a TV with Charlie Chaplin movie series on.  The boys thought it was the best place on earth.  We got great meal and rested our feet from all that walking :-)  Same day we found a Post office with a very tiny door to enter and mailed some post cards to people in US.  Explored Katherines Guild and went for dinner with Chris to a place down town that had the worst customer service ever.  We also learned that you pay for tap water in Estonia.













One day after Kalev spa swimming, splashing and sliding - we went to old town for another tour.  Cameron wanted to go to a pizza place at Katherine's guild - they only had outside seating which we took and had our 1st experience with eating at a restaurant with blankets wrapped around us :-)  What a unique treat - wouldn't get that too many places.

 After "blanket" dinner we went to explore more what old town has to offer.  Were happy to have Dite and Une join us.  Purchased a really cool oil painting by a local artist Juku of Estonia - yaks working the fields - it reminded me of my grandparents working on their land.  Even though they used horses - I love when an art piece speaks to you and has a story behind it.

Camerons' and Jurgitas birthdays June 7-9

For Jurgita's birthday - all the men in the house prepared breakfast and brought it up to bed  for the birthday girl.  Presented with many great gifts: a old/new watch; summer down coat with flower pattern (you need it in Estonia), personalized drawings and a trip to Paris.  We also went to dinner at our local favorite place PAAT - the upside down boat restaurant.

For Cameron's birthday, only 2 days behind mommies - we woke him up with hot-home made doughnuts and a trip to Paris - to see Tour de France last day. 

Yellow flowers were given to me by my Estonian triathlon friends at our Saturday swim practice - that was they through me in the pool as a celebration of my birthday.  Red peonies and a handful of rhubarb along with a bottle of champagne was given to me by our dear next door neighbors Andres and Katline. Whom we met at Frankfurt airport (the day we were moving to Tallinn) before we even knew they were going to be our neighbors:-)  The odds of that are one in a million.