Berlin, Norway, Sweden, Guatemala

Berlin

A mural painted on what Maurie
calls the 'artistic' portion of The Wall.

One of the best things about living in Europe is that when your daughter's history class studies World War II, they take a trip to Berlin. How cool is that!? Maurie and her class were only in Berlin for two days, but they were able to see several important sites.     

Part of the original Wall--without murals.

Maurie seemed most impressed by the Berlin Wall and the Jewish Memorial Museum.

Mural on The Wall

The Jewish Memorial Museum

This outdoor section of The Jewish Memorial Museum was impressive. Maurie explained that the number of these concrete slabs is vast and their size becomes towering, as the ground slopes down. Apparently, the memorial was designed to produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere--representing a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason.

Maurie also had fun roaming and shopping with friends, eating out, and going to the top of the TV Tower.
  

The TV Tower, or Fernsehturm:
known to be a symbol of Berlin
and the tallest structure in Germany.

View from the tower

  

Flowers at the French Embassy in Berlin just after the terrorist attack in Paris.

  

Norway & Sweden

Travis and Kyle went on a fun ski trip in January. They flew into Trondheim, Norway and skied for two days in Are, Sweden (a two hour drive from the airport in Norway). They had a great time! They really had fun exploring a bit of Norway and Sweden. And skiing in Europe was a bucket-list item for both of them! 

All the Scandinavian flags--plus one for
the resort in Are, Sweden.

Trondheim Cathedral and site of the Norwegian Pilgrimage for Saint Olav,
king of Norway in the 11th century. 

Trondheim, Norway

Headed to church at the LDS chapel in Trondheim.

The most notable observation they made in Norway was that the Norwegians have no fear of the cold. Travis said on Sunday when they went to church and then walked around the city, it was almost blizzard-like conditions. It was windy, cold, and snowing, but there were people out everywhere! Families with small children and strollers, and even people on bikes were all over the parks and city as if it were a warm, spring day. The only difference, he said, was that they were bundled up with boots, snow pants, and etc., and riding their bikes across snow-packed, icy roads. Kyle added that, while he and Travis walked gingerly across the ice-packed roads covered by a thin layer of snow, these Nordic folks rode bikes and walked along as if there were no winter conditions at all--and for two boys from northern Idaho to be outdone in their winter adeptness, that's really saying something! I'm sure Norwegians have to be tough with such long, dark winters. 

While in Sweden, Travis and Kyle walked around on the frozen lake one evening watching the snowmobiles, and even dog-sleds cruising around. These Scandinavians have figured out how to enjoy the winter, for sure! 

This picture says it all!
These kayakers are just pulling out from the ocean.

Enjoying their afternoon walk through Trondheim, Norway.

Guatemala

Before Kyle left for his mission, we had a 'Guatemala Party' to celebrate with him. We had friends over to sample Guatemalan cuisine, play games, visit, and enjoy some hygge time with us. It was a really fun night that made us feel grateful to have a missionary and grateful for friends. 

Kyle chatting in front of the 'Guatemala Wall' complete
with flag, map, and fun facts. :)

Although initially leery of the
Guatemalan food choices, we were all pleasantly surprised
by how tasty dinner was! I'm
eager to hear from Kyle how authentic our recipes were.

Even a thumbs up on dinner from this crew!

Still not sure if this means a thumbs up from the peanut gallery or not!

The Guatemala Party was a night of fun, but things got serious when we pulled out our "Ligretto" card game. Casual chit-chat around the table was replaced by cutthroat intensity as the card game heated up. And all the usual courtesy of speaking English for the language-challenged Americans was replaced by Danish in an effort to tease and exchange banter as fast as the cards were flying. It was some really fun competition and a good reminder of how blessed we are to have found good friends here! 

The final days before Kyle's departure were emotional ones. Somehow we made it to the airport and said our final goodbyes. After we left the airport Ben asked, "Is there anything that can make you fall asleep for two years?" He articulated well the feeling we all share that we hope the time goes by quickly. Mixed with the really tough moments of tears throughout the last several days, though, there has been an abundance of wonderful moments of family fun and peace. I'm feeling very blessed and grateful.

The final 'look back.'