Sweden: Gothenburg Day 1

 Today we explored a little bit of Gothenburg as we also adjusted to the time change. I was so thankful for a room at the airport hotel when we arrived, but in the morning, I was anxious to get going. We were all up early, and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before picking up our rental car. Then we drove to our hotel in Gothenburg and dropped off our bags before walking to Universeum, a children’s museum near the local amusement park. I was honestly underwhelmed by the museum, but some of the younger kids really enjoyed it, and it kept everyone busy and awake. Their exhibits included an Amazonian rainforest, a human body exhibit, a space exhibit, and a math exhibit. Joy certainly got a kick out of it all, as she ran around, exploring everything. 

After we left the museum, we headed back to the hotel to check in. Of course, we stopped for our first mjukglass of the trip while walking back. 

After checking in, we relaxed until dinner, when we walked to a restaurant that promised plankstek, a meal many of us had waited years to eat again. Unfortunately, the potatoes contained some sort of nut ingredient, and K and AJ had to choose a different menu item. 

After dinner, we walked back to our hotel to get ready for an early bedtime. It had been a long day, and everyone was exhausted from jet lag and all the walking.

Christmas in Texas

This winter, we spent Christmas and New Year's in Texas. My sisters had arranged for us all to fly in to celebrate together, something that becomes increasingly rare and difficult as the years progress and our family sizes increase. Not everyone could be there, of course, but four out of six of us made it.

We spent about five days at a ranch a couple of hours away from San Antonio, and my kids enjoyed hiking, doing a high ropes course, and riding the zip line. They also got to meet some critters and even hold them.

AJ climbing the pole

K at the top of the pole. She had to jump for that trapeze.

Jumping

My niece climbing the pole

AJ at the climbing wall.

K conquering the climbing wall

AJ on the ropes course

AJ and Timo getting ready to do the zip line

Away they go

AJ

Timo

My love

AJ

K

K having too much fun

S holding a snake -- yes, it is real

K holding a tarantula

S hanging out

H with Grandma

Each night, a different family was in charge of dinner. One night, we chose a Hawaiian theme to honor my dad and the time he served in Hawaii during the Korean War. The menu and decor were Hawaiian, and K even performed a couple of dances as entertainment.

My parents and niece, Erika.

AJ

K dancing

Edith and K

After we left the ranch, we drove to San Antonio where we visited the Alamo. It was a short visit, but we had talked about the Alamo during history a while back, so I wanted to share the experience with the kids while I had a chance. Unfortunately, not all of the kiddos were thrilled about being there, so our visit was not as pleasant as it could have been.

Part of the Alamo

K in front of the Alamo

AJ in front of the Alamo

H in front of the Alamo

A rare shot of me (and baby in the belly)

The following day, we visited the children's museum. This was well-received by all of my kiddos. S had been sick, but he perked up at the museum. It was nice to see him happy and playing. 

K checking AJ out at the grocery store

S playing with trains

K giving a baby a bath -- practicing for her baby sibling to be born in April

AJ riding in the ambulance -- unfortunately, he has ridden in a  real one.

Uh, oh! Look who's driving the ambulance!

Riding the "horse"

S riding

H driving the "race car"

AJ controlling the space ship

Astronaut AJ. 

H wanted to ride in the ambulance, too.

Here, they put pipes together to use air to push little fuzzy balls out the top.

Carpenter S

AJ "roasting marshmallows"

K painting her face

All done

During the evenings, we also enjoyed the company of one of my sisters and her family. We walked from the hotel down to the San Antonio Riverwalk for dinner, which was crazy since the Alamo Bowl was just around the corner. Every single restaurant was packed, but it was fun to be able to spend a little more time with her and her family.

The buildings downtown were beautifully lit for Christmas

A church downtown

The day after the children's museum, we visited the zoo with my sister and her family. The weather was perfect, and the kids all seemed to enjoy themselves.

Riding the giant iguana

Fun pigeons

 In one section, you could purchase some special food to feed to these colorful birds.

AJ feeding a bird

K feeding a bird

H taking a turn

S on his favorite spot. We did bring a stroller, but he was happier here.

H looking at a crocodile

 Just outside of the zoo sits a train station. K wanted to see more animals, but my boys preferred a train ride. This got a bit chilly since the sun was setting, and we didn't all bring our coats on the train.

H, Timo, and S

AJ and H

I didn't get a photo of it, but H ended up with my coat on by the end of the train ride. My poor little guy was so cold.

After San Antonio, we drove up to spend a couple of days with my parents. We took it easy there, taking the kids to the park to play, visiting an old fort, and enjoying a more relaxed schedule. We also had the privilege of celebrating my parents' 56th wedding anniversary with them. They are an inspiration and a great model of a happily married couple.

K saluting by a cannon at the fort

Two saluting kids, one silly kid

H saluting by the cannon

Um... yeah

This was the first part of a fun display of Christmas lights. The kids REALLY enjoyed the whole thing.

A rare photo of me with my parents

My parents and I

We left my parents' house the afternoon before our flight left from San Antonio. This allowed us to sleep closer to the airport and catch our early flight.

The first flight went well, but we arrived to discover that our next flight had been cancelled. We rebooked a flight for the following morning, and, after waiting for a while at the airport (we had booked a hotel but could not check in until 3pm), we discovered that the second flight had been cancelled as well. At that point, we started weighing our options and decided to fly as close as we could to home and drive from there. We arrived home around 4:30am, but we were at least HOME.

The next day was a lazy day, and rightfully so. It was good to be home.