Sweet Dreams

I thought I post a few fun pictures of Jack from this last week. Jack is now (knock on wood) sleeping from about 8:30pm to 7:00am. I now have time in the evenings to spend with Jason and I don't feel like a mad woman running around until the minute I collapse from exhaustion. It's actually kinda nice to have time again!

So, thanks Jack!

Keep up the good work! :)

Is there anything more precious than a little boy and his dad asleep together? This NEVER happens anymore (Jack likes his own space) so I had to capture this moment.I also found Jack like this . . . . . .after a nap. He has now learned to pull himself up. Good thing Jason lowered the crib last week. Poor thing - he looks so scared!

WARNING . . .

The following is a boring travel log of our two week trip to Europe. I am posting all of this for my own family history . . . and cause IT WAS THE TRIP OF A LIFE TIME!!

Ready . . . Set . . . Go!

Leaving Las Vegas

Saturday August 1, 2009

We left Las Vegas at 4:00am on Saturday August 1, 2009. My mom was so funny and rented a bus for our family and the 17 suitcases, 10 carry on bags, one stroller and car seat that we had to take with us. I was a little anxious as we started that morning knowing we had a fifteen hour plane ride ahead of us with a seven month old baby.

(Too excited to pay attention to the NO STANDING sign on the bus)

(Jack wasn't used to being us THIS early. PS - doesn't he look like Gavin here?)

Jack did amazingly well on both flights. From Vegas to Philadelphia and the Philadelphia to Venice. I was really prepared for the worst - but we were able to keep him entertained and asleep for most of the fight. We had to switch his day and nights, so sleeping during this time was an essential part of our travel strategy.

(We kept Jack entertained with Baby Einstein movies)

(Uncle James and Jack)

We did get a nice three hour lay over in Philadelphia where we were able to let Jack play and roll around. Please don't judge me for letting my seven month old crawl on the airport floor. I was desperate.

(Aunt Becca and Jack)

We ended up sitting on the runway in Philadelphia for an extra three hours while they worked on the plane generators. It was a miracle that Jack slept through those three hours and the next nine hours to Venice.

(None of us were happy about sitting on a plane for three extra hours)




By Sunday August 2, 2009 we finally had arrived in Venice and we boarded the Celebrity Summit.


WOOHOO!

Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy
August 2, 2009 and August 3, 2009

The evening we arrived in Venice my parents' offered to watch Jack while the rest of us went to explore Venice at night. Sigh. It was romantic . . .

Our gondolier liked to drink while he was taking us around the city. Guess there aren't any drinking and steering rules in Venice. HAHAHA! I crack myself up.

He was pretty funny and told us all about gondolas and those the people who work them. Apparently, only certain families are allowed to build the gondolas and certain others are allowed to row the gondola. He told us that he was a fourth generation gondolier . . . while he drank his beer . . .

I also had to have my first scoop of gelato that night. YUM! That was one of many this trip . . . you'll see!
The next morning our family went on a tour of Venice. We began in St. Mark's Square where we visited Doges' Palace, St. Mark's Cathedral and a Glass Showroom where they make Venetian glass. We took Jack with us on this excursion - but somewhere on the walk from the pier and Doges' Palace he lost his "inside voice" . . . oh wait, he has never had one of those. Grandpa David took him outside and wandered around until Jack fell asleep. Grandpa's a great. :)

St. Mark's Cathedral

I loved this sculpture in Doges' Palace. A momma with her two boys.

Jason and I standing in the place where to Doges (who were the governors of Venice) would greet their visitors.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

August 4, 2009

We were scheduled to take a family tour of Dubrovnik, but after Jack's charades in Venice, Jason and I decided to take the bus into Old Town Dubrovnik and explore on our own instead of being trapped for four hours on a bus with an irritable baby. It ended up being a great day for our little family and we had a blast! Croatia is actually a place I would like to go back to - SO beautiful. (The view of Dubrovnik from our ship balcony)

The entrance into Dubrovnik's Old Town felt medieval and full of history. I had no idea Croatia was so beautiful.

Ummm . . . we don't really know who this statue is of - but it looked pretty cool!

The streets were small and croweded with stores and tons of pizzerias and restaurants. Vehicles are not permited inside this area of Dubrovnik so we were free to roam around on foot without the worry of being hit by mopeds. Heh heh heh. Jack ended up LOVING the front pack we brought for him as it allowed for him to see more and feel less restricted than he did in the stroller. We noticed there were not many children in most of the cities we visited so Jack was treated like a celebrity! People would come up to ooh and aah over our little guy. He sure knew how to turn on the charm for them!

Around noon we noticed big storm clouds coming in over the sea and we decided to sit and enjoy some lunch before we headed back to the ship. We were sitting outside at a pizzeria when the waitress suggested we come inside before the storm hit - because when the storm hits people rush into the first shelter they can find. We enjoyed a REAL pizza (not the american stuff we love) topped with three kinds of cheeses, parsley and tomatoes. We also quenched our thirst (hahaha) on some warm Coke Light. No diet Coke in Europe my friends. It's all called Coke Light and it does taste different.
Well, the waitress ended up being right and the storm started to move in to the town. Jason thought we should dart back to the buses and I suggested we stay and stick it out. He argued against that and I am sure glad I listened to him. It started raining as we hiked our way back to the bus and we did the best we could to cover Jack in the front pack from the rain and wind. As soon as we boarded the bus a huge crack of thunder hit and the storm let loose. It rained SO hard and so much that the pedestrian stairwells turned into waterfalls (literally) and hail the size of small rocks started falling. The bus driver said Dubrovnik hadn't had rain for months and months so this was not normal weather at all. My poor family was stuck in Old Town Dubrovnik when the storm hit and they all came back drenched.

Cutest two boys around Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Days At Sea

A Day at Sea

August 5, 2009

On this cruise we had three days at sea. On these days we spent time in the pools, playing Bingo, napping, watching movies and lounging on the deck of the ship. It was nice to have a little breather and take some time to let Jack get on a better schedule. He was such a trooper.

Jason took Jack to the kiddie swimming pool to test out the water.
It took a little convincing.

But Jack got in the water.

And loved it.

Jack even spent some time lounging on the deck with Grandma Cindy. He had his bottle while we sipped on Daiquiris and Pina Coladas - virgin of course.

Athens, Greece

Athens, Greece

August 6, 2009

Since my mom and dad had already done this Mediterranean cruise they volunteered to stay with Jack on the days we did exclusive tours - which were all day tours. Like ten or eleven hours. Athens was one of those days that it was just "us kids."

We had a short bus ride from the pier to our destinations. We had a little fun on the ride there.

(Me and Jason)

(James and Lauren)

(Buff Becca)(and a relaxed me)

The bus ride into Athens was actually very fascinating. We drove by The Temple of Olympian Zeus, Hadrian's Arch, Constitution Square, the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, the Olympic Stadium (used in the first Olympics), and the Academy.

This is the Academy and University Library. It was one of the very first universities in the world. After our short drive through the city we were taken to the Benaki Museum where we were able to see ancient Grecian pottery, painting, dress and household items darting back to 300 years before Christ. It took so much effort to wrap my brain around all the information we were give there.

After the museum we went to the Acropolis. You know - the place where they worshiped Greek gods. It was amazing and so surreal that we were actually standing in a place that was thousands and thousands of years old.

After our visit at the Acropolis/Parthenon we had lunch at Dionysus Restaurant for an authentic four course Greek meal. If you ever go to Athens - Dionysus is the place to eat. It faces the Acropolis and has amazing food. Trust me. AMAZING.

Santorini and Oea, Greece

Santorini, Greece

August 7, 2009

We decided to do some exploring of Santorini on our own. I was so excited to visit Santorini. For those of you who have seen Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . this is where the story is set when they visit Greece.

There are a few methods of transportation to get to Santorini. First a little background . . . this is an island where half of the it fell into the sea many, many years ago. So, the town is at the top of this cliff and houses are built down the side. You can take a cable car up to the cliff, ride a donkey or take the stairs. We chose the cable car.

(Here is the Beckwith family - who are family friends - in their cable car)

And when you reach the top of the cliff, the look out is breathtaking.

(The girls and Jack)

(The whole Mortensen clan)
(and the Beckwiths)

No, we didn't ride the mopeds. Some of us wanted to, but I didn't dare with Jack. I mean, have you seen how they drive in Europe?

After exploring the city of Santorini my dad took Jack back to the ship while we went to a black sand beach. Since Greece is a lot of volcanoes the sand on their beaches is black and grainy. It's not the typical white sand beaches I thought of when Greece was mentioned, but I LOVED the black sand. It was gorgeous.

(It was nice having a little time not being responsible parents for a bit.)

(Matt and Scott soaking up the Grecian sun)

After our time on the beach the boys decided to go back to the ship while the girls decided to explore more. We rode their bus (gulp) to a town called Oea. Talk about picturesque. We had a great time exploring, taking pictures and shopping in Oea. This is a place I WILL come back to someday. However, we will NOT be using their public buses there. You actually have to fight and push your way onto the bus. Good thing my buff sister was there to hold the crowd back while we boarded the bus. Literally. She blocked the way so we could get on. I am laughing now thinking about her. Love ya Becca Boo!