Poland

While Kimball was visiting us, we had the opportunity to visit

Krakow Poland for a long weekend. It just so happened

our friends had also scheduled that same trip. 

It was great being able to experience this location together with them.

I had heard that this city was full of life and rich with history

and I knew it would also provide us with the opportunity to visit

Auschwitz and Birkenau, the largest German concentration and death camps.

It's a disturbing and horrific part of our history, but it was 

a still a place I felt was vitally important to share with my boys.

 I am hoping by seeing the things that they have over the last 2 years that

it will help them be a part of the next generation 

that will still be horrified, and that will still be saddened 

by the millions of innocent lives lost and atrocities made.

I want them to be men in their generation that will be able to 

keep the memory alive and keep the evils of the world at bay.

My Commentary will be minimal on the pictures, because sometimes

my words and descriptions are inadequate, and this is definitely one of those times.

This map shows how many locations across Europe the prisoners were taken from.

Our group preparing for the walk through the camp

Schindler's Factory wasn't open the day we went but if you are familiar with the movie you know what great measures he took to save the jews.

with our friends the Millers

The main square in Krakow will remain one of my favorite squares in Europe

Come on...you know we all saw that happening.

Uncle Kimball captures the best shots. :)

The street artists had my boys riveted the whole time…but for some reason this guy was their favorite.
Boys!!

painting with chocolate…yes, please. mmm.

This Cathedral doesn't look like any others we have seen in Europe. The colors were and different
design elements made it a beautiful work of art.

Rynek Glowny (The Main Market Square)

Ahh... the town square at night. So Lovely!

Cam and Kimball ate well!

A little too well in this case…look at all that meat!

Evens means Odds

Its an even year, which means its an odd year for birthdays.

Meaning…

Mack turned 11 and of course that meant 

the long awaited acceptance letter to Hogwarts

was waiting for him outside his bedroom door when he woke up.

Ahh, if only such a magical place really excited... 

 But, it doesn't' so Mack had to settle on a mexican food with his good friend Mateo instead.

 Creed turned 9 and enjoyed his last year of celebrating his birthday being in single digits.

Happy Birthday to these sweet loves of mine!

I'm a thief...

There are multiple reasons why we all love having guests come visit.

One of my favorite being that I enjoy seeing Budapest through their eyes, 

especially when one of those eye's is behind a camera lens. 

It's even an added bonus when they are a whizz with that camera 

and capture great photos of this fair city and of my boys that they let

me steal and put on my blog.

Thanks Kimball for coming and for sharing your pics.

My photos from Gellert Hill at sunset NEVER turn out this good.

A different angle of Parliament

The shoe memorial along the Danube

Just some cool guys hanging out on Chain Bridge 

The misters outside Parliament are fun new addition added this spring

Erszebet Lookout tower isn't too far from our house and provides a great view of the city and surrounding villages.

Just a fun inside view of the tower

The walk down from the tower is always easier than the walk up

The great Market Hall or Nagy Csarnok as seen from the top floor.

I spy St. Stephen's Basilica

And there it is!

From the inside looking up

Taking the stairs to the top of the dome is no easy feat.

But the view is worth it.

Castle Hill and Fisherman's Bastion look even cooler when taken by Kimball

A perfectly timed picture of Callan wanting to swing with Mack and I, and getting a little more than he bargained for. 

We had to introduce Kimball to Line Tag at hero square

While no trip is complete to City Park without walking across the "Bridge"

You never know what or who you will find at City Park.

 Pure delight on Callans face!

Another beautiful shot, this time underneath Margit bridge

Callan and I were happy to accompany Kimball to Szencheny baths

There is an actual Michael Jackson memorial tree in Budapest.
I know your impressed.

Just some typical Hungarian fare