same_sky | Pictures from the other side of the pond.

Better late than never, right? We have been back a week and a half now, and life has finally settled back into its normal routine. Last week was a little rough, because we were all still jetlagged and waking up at six in the morning. Plus, I felt a little aimless and lost, kind of like you feel after the presents are opened at Christmas. I've been planning this trip for SO. LONG. Now that I'm home I'm not entirely sure what to do with myself. :) I'm glad to report that I am feeling much more myself this week.

sweden picturess

This is my desktop background right now. Isn't M a cute Viking? We took a day trip to Sigtuna, which is one of my favorite places. It's a manageable drive outside of the city and yet it's a small town. I have always said that's where I'd want to live if we moved to Sweden. We wouldn't, of course, but it's a nice daydream. Anyway! We went on a Viking boat. It was touristy and silly but a lot of fun. M was the official steering dude. Is there a word for a Viking boat steering dude?

sweden picturess

We ate almost every single meal (outside of breakfast) outside. Lovely! I am not a fan of eating outside at home because it's far too hot here, and the humidity is terrible and the bugs are even worse. It's great in Sweden. In the summer, anyway. :) These are my in-laws, along with Evie and my niece, Whitley, who was with us.

sweden picturess

There really aren't that many pictures of Evie and me. I try to stay out of pictures as much as possible. :) Still, it's nice to occasionally see that I was there, too. Anyway, this was just before we went on a boat tour, I think.

sweden picturess

Nice scenery picture from the boat tour. We were meandering through Stockholm. The boat tour was pricey but very enjoyable, even for the natives.

sweden picturess

We went to Skansen, which is a zoo and open-air museum. Evie's favorite part was the section with rides, of course. She got to ride her very first ride by herself, and she LOVED it. :) We have about sixty different pictures of her lookiing exactly like this. :)

sweden picturess

While we were there, M won four kilos of Toblerone chocolate in a carnival game of chance. No one was more shocked than him.. except maybe Evie.

sweden picturess

I can't resist a second photo of the Toblerone. You'll also be glad to know that inside, there were a bunch of individually wrapped bars, easy for distribution. We sent some home with my niece, left a bunch with my in-laws and M took most of the ones we brought home to work. Like we really needed four kilos of chocolate laying around the house.

sweden picturess

This one was taken while we were out shopping. I had been dreading this day because I knew Evie would HATE all the walking and shopping, but she ended up staying with her Farfar and Farmor for the first time. :) She had a great time, we had a great time. I wasn't sure how it would go, or even if they would WANT to keep her by themselves, but they did and it was really nice, from the sounds of it. I think they all enjoyed it, and I know it was good for them in a bonding sort of way.

sweden picturess

Here we all are at the royal castle, Drottningholm. This is taken from the back... I chose this one because I wanted to tell a story and make sure you all know that inside, I am still twelve years old. So anyway, we are walking around to the backside and my father-in-law is pointing out the guard stationed at the back, keeping out the tourists, and he tells me, "We're not allowed to see the royal private parts." And I didn't so much as quirk my lips because I didn't want him to think he had said anything WRONG, linguistically, but inside I was dying. No, I imagine that the royal family doesn't give acess to their private parts to just anyone. I think we'd have all heard about that in some sleazy tabloid otherwise. :)