Krakow

From Auschwitz/Birkenau, we drove an hour through the Polish countryside before arriving in Krakow. I had a view of Poland as gray and old, but it was quite the opposite. Beautiful countryside! We checked into our hotel in the heart of the city and then headed out for some sightseeing. 

A lollipop couldn't even keep him awake. 

Fun times at a small candy factory where we watched them make hard candies.   

Always love the outdoor cafes 

Part of the town square

His souvenir - he really wanted the wooden sword, but this was our compromise.   

The castle grounds were beautiful

We read in Rick Steves book that this corner in in the Wawel Castle courtyard is one of the Hindu 7 energy sites of the world, or something like that. My dad and Cade recharged their energy here. 

It was fun to have my sweet parents with us!

We only scratched the surface of Krakow on this quick trip, but we enjoyed our time there!

Birkenau

Thanks to my hubs for the sweet birthday post! I am blessed!! Now, back to the Poland trip...

After visiting Auschwitz, we drove a few miles to Birkenau, aka Auschwitz II. Birkenau was built as the expansion of Auschwitz and designed for killing. It could hold 100,000 people and roughly 6000 were killed every day. Sobering. Horrible. The size of the place was staggering - went on as far as the eye could see. There, we discussed, reflected, took it in...remembered. 

They Say It's Your Birthday!

Someone's turning a year older today.  She's pretty special to us!  

This is what Chelsea (6) has to say about her Mom today.

I love you.  You're cool.  You are special.  We play together nice.  My favorite thing to do with you is board games and Twister, even though it's not a board game.  One thing you do that makes me really happy is when you take care of me when I'm sick.  I like when you come to Big Sing.  I like when you came to the first assembly.  

 

This is what Cade (3) has to say about his Mom today.

I love you.  I like to play with Mama.   I like to swim with her.    

This is what Logan (6 months) has to say about his Mom today.

Thank you for my bottles in the middle of the night.  My dad doesn't get up with me very much.  I can't believe you have taken me to 6 countries already.  You're the best!  -- translated by Larry

 
  

This is what Larry (your husband) has to say about you today. 

 You do so much to make sure our lives work!  You take your job as a mom very seriously - it's a full time job for sure.  You even said last night something that really struck home -- even though Cade is very much enjoying school and would probably go 5 days/week if we wanted him to, you choose to give up your "freedom" because you refuse to turn over his rearing to the school.  You constantly read books to get new ideas.  Have I mentioned you're amazing?  You plan the best adventures to help us build memories and then takes the time to document them in blogs and scrapbooks.  You followed me 6000 miles away from home and took 2 young children with you - need I say more?  Then you were willing to  live apart for 2.5 months to follow the growing of our family that God was calling us to.  You keep our lives on schedule and you ensure that we get done what needs to get done.  You demonstrate unconditional love daily.  I love you, Carey Michelle!

 

Trip to Auschwitz

Visiting Auschwitz is something that has been on our list since we moved here. Last Friday afternoon, we loaded up a 10 passenger rental van and headed to Poland with my parents. 7 hours later, we arrived in Oswiecim, Poland. We stayed in a lovely hotel that I would highly recommend to anyone - the Hotel Galicja. It was such a contrast to the horror of Auschwitz, just 5 minutes away. 

                                                   

Saturday morning, we visited Auschwitz. For those with kids, I would recommend getting there early.  From 8 to 10, you do not have to take a guided tour. Obviously, I wouldn't want the kids to participate in a guided tour, so it worked out perfectly for us. 

I struggled taking the kids at all, but thankfully they young enough to not really pay attention. Cade and Logan are pretty oblivious. With Chelsea, we just explained it at the highest level.  Auschwitz is divided into barracks, with exhibits in each one. Because we were early, it was pretty empty. We were able to let the kids run around outside the barracks while we took turns going in. There were a few exhibits that were fine for the kids to go into, so one of us would scope it out before taking the kids in. 

So horrible, such a tragedy. Standing there, seeing where the people arrived on the rail cars, seeing the pictures and the luggage and the kids clothes...the horror is unfathomable. One in 10 victims was Hungarian, so that added another dimension of understanding for us.

So many thoughts as we were there - wondering what did the people of that town think about what was going on there? How many risked their lives and their families lives to help? It was easy to stand there and think, where were the Christians? Where was the Church? Why did they do nothing? But, it also made me think about today - what do we ignore thinking we can make no difference?

Such a powerful experience. So glad we went.

In the Wild

Our last few weeks have been wild! In the past 2 weeks, my parents came, we went to Poland, and school started. So much to blog about! But, I hate going out of order, so I must back up 2 weeks. We ventured out into the wild and visited the Budakeszi Wildlife Park. 

In the usual Hungarian randomness, the parking lot was at least a kilometer away from the entrance. But, if you paid 300 forint (about $1.50), you could park right by the entrance. We didn't want the big kids to get tried of walking before we had even entered the park, so we sprung for the good parking.

The park is sort of like a zoo, but I think the goal is to show animals native to Hungary. 

The highlight was the petting zoo, where they ask you to sit on a bench and wait for the animals to approach you. We bought food, and we all loved the deer.

Throughout the park, there are signs by each animal indicating whether or not you can feed that animal.

Reindeer, okay to feed. 

No feeding the bears. Only feed bears at the other wildlife park. 

There was a nice, but rickety, tower we climbed near the bears. At the top, we were rewarded with a nice view of the Hungarian countryside. We took a quick picture and then headed down.

We only made it through half of the park before we all had had enough. It was a fun family outing, and I would recommend it!

And They're Off!

Last weekend we packed up the bikes and took a trip to the traffic park. For my Budapest friends, it is in city park right next to the Transportation Museum. 

The sign has seen better days, but it is a map of the park. The park is a giant bike path for kids. It is full of Hungarian traffic signs, including a stop light, railroad crossing, and a roundabout. 

So cute and perfect for the kids!

It is fairly large and not something I could have done by myself with all the kids. Larry chased Chelsea and I kept up with Cade while pushing the stroller. Everyone got a workout!

 Big sis leads the way, but quickly leaves Cade behind. She was flying!

Chelsea takes on the roundabout.

 Logans usual pose.

Another fun day for all!

Lake Balaton - Summer Edition

The last time we visited Lake Balaton was here, in the dead of winter. Today was our first summer visit. The landscape and the crowds were quite different than last time! We made the trip to Balatonlelle, about an hour and a half from Budapest. With a sandy beach, a play ground, and shallow waters, it was perfect for our kids. 

 It was super crowded, and everyone except for us seemed to have these pop up sun tents. 

We wished we had one, too! Are these popular now in the US?

 Despite the crowds, we found a nice patch of sand to call our own. 

The water wasn't so beautiful, but the kids didn't care. They loved that it was so shallow!

Logan had his first beach splash! He liked it!

Love that girl. 

A fun day for all!