Greece-Corfu Island

When we got to Corfu we just wanted to find somewhere to swim.  We weren't interested in finding the nicest beach in the area, just the closest place to get wet.

 

 

Corfu actually had a lot of great shopping streets to wander through before getting to the water.

Leslie



Water! 
Looking down on the concrete slab that we would call our beach.

 

 

 

The flag decided to cooperate and unfurl right in time for the picture.
 

Noah Tells Stories in German

Noah speaks German at school and with his friends, but is very reluctant to fully use his German around the family.  He figures we all speak English so it would be silly for him to speak German.  He only does so when he is trying to drive Jag crazy OR when he is trying to get his mom to give in and give him what he wants.  He knows that I am a sucker for a foreign language. 

The other night we heard him in bed telling stories to Jag in German.  They were things that he was making up and laughing about.  He was actually willing to tell us his stories. 

I am happy to have a brief recording of him using his German before he forgets it.  He will look back and be amazed at himself one day. 

It is obvious that Kindergarten Humor is the same in English or in German.  All of his stories are about his family and usually involve bathroom humor as well.  Just gotta love it.

Split, Croatia

The old town was built inside of Diocletian's ancient palace.  There are ruins all over the old town.  However, some of the sites such as the crypt, baptistery, etc were pretty lame to see because nothing was really there to see.  We didn't even see any skeletons or anything AND they charged to be disappointed.  Oh well, only going to Split once in my life, so gotta try.

 

Bell tower for the little church.

Jag standing near the main square area.

Anya being a penguin.

Noah

Honestly!!  This is how Anya looked most of the day!

Jag

Noah checking out a Croatian band.  He is funny.  If he is interested in something, he usually just walks up and checks it out without hesitation.  I had to tell him not to go any closer while they were playing.

The little monster actually looks sweet here.  NOT.

Underground part of the palace that is now more of a shopping area.

Big statue of Ivan.   The guy who first taught/made the Croatian language.  He apparently has a lucky toe because it is rubbed shiny.

Darin going in one of the many city gates.

I love the laundry that hangs all around these old walls.  Who knew that I would find laundry quaint instead of a dreadful task?  I don't see my own clothesline as cute.

Davis and Christian

Split was good, but we all prefer Dubrovnik if we were to visit Croatia again.  Croatia is a country worth visiting.  It would be super great without a screaming little girl and hot, whiny children.  They only want ice cream.  The older boys actually like to see and shop, but with the younger 3 we often end up dragging them through various countries taking pictures so that one day we can tell them all about it.  I think that eventually it will be good for them, but for now they just want ice cream!

Vacationing in Croatia? Oh Yeah!

Who really sits around and says stuff like, "Hey, I think we should vacation in Croatia?"  Who would have thought that Croatia would be filled with amazing views and clear blue waters?  Who would have guessed that Croatia would be amazing!  We loved visiting the amazing cities, the clear waters, the sun constantly shining. 

Dubrovnik, Croatia
"Set in the waters of the Adriatic.  Dubrovnik is one of the most attractive destinations on the Adriatic Riviera.  The city's style and architecture is strongly rooted in its historical Venetian and, to a lesser extent, Turkish influence.  Much of the old town centre dates from the rebuilding that took place after the earthquake of 1667." 

One of our favorite cities ever.  

Walking along the city walls.
 The 2 km of walls were "beefed up" between 8-16 centuries to protect the city from the Turks.

With Mia, Leslie, Martin and family.
 I tortured them by making them stand in the heat while trying to get the Croatian flag to unfurl just perfectly.  They weren't patient enough and we only got a half furl.

The waters were SO blue!
 

I love the laundry hanging outside on the old walls.
Kind of a modern times meets ancient times...kind of.

Still on the walls.  Loving the red roofs and the blue waters.

It doesn't matter where we are the kids find time to look at bugs. 

Taking a refreshing break in the Onophrian Fountain. 

Watching the melting wax in one of the old churches.
 

It is hard to tell (?) that Anya is throwing a screaming fit. 
She was mean and tired on most of our trip.

The Ploce Gate
There is quite a drop down the sides where Noah and Jag are standing, into the ancient moat.  I was walking with Anya .  A young lady was crossing through the gate just as Darin started to put the boys up on their perches.  She saw Noah standing there and then plastered herself to the wall in the gate.  I told her it was Ok to walk through, but she said, "No, hurry just take the picture.  My heart is hurting so bad just seeing them stand there."  She wouldn't walk through and instead turned around and walked out.  She just couldn't be there to watch them fall off I guess.

One of our favorite memories of Dubrovnik is swimming on the backside of the Fort of St. John.  When I was researching our trip I consulted my good buddy Rick Steves.  When looking for places to swim in the area, he recommended just swimming here.  Wow.  Rick is such a smart travel guy.  The location was fantastic.  Not many people.  Cool and Refreshing water.  What a fun memory.

Davis found some crabs that he was determined to catch.  He finally caught one right before we left, but accidently dropped it right back into the water.

 

 

Benefit of having a bunch of boys.  Take off your shirt and you have a swimming suit.

Benefit of living in Europe.  Girls don't need tops and for anyone under about 6 a suit seems to be optional.

 

 

Darin floating in the waters of the Adriatic.

 

 

Wet and Happy.
 One of the few moments that Anya stopped yelling.

Turn the volume down and watch us swim.  I totally ruin it by talking and nagging my kids.  Really lame, but the views are nice.