Amsterdam

       Traveling around Europe has been so much fun and the travel train continues!  This time we headed to Amsterdam.  We had been talking to friends about flea markets that were within driving distance and the largest in the Netherlands is in Cuijk (pronounced cook).  We decided to drive up for the day.  We did a little more research and realized that it was just another 2 hours to go on up to Amsterdam and we decided to make a weekend out of it.  The only bad thing about weekend trips is that you have to cram in everything you want to do in 2 days and still drive there and back.  We spend little time relaxing and more time trying to do everything we want to do while not doing some things that look fun because you are on a time restraint.  I really would have liked to visit a shoe or cheese factory and maybe have seen the country side, but we just didn't have enough time.

Around Europe Amsterdam is known as little Venice.  I LOVE Venice, so of course I would love Amsterdam too! 

Since moving to Europe we have become pro's at using public transportation.

I think these shoes might fit Uncle Kenton.  :)  

One of the souvenirs I wanted was a pair of wooden shoes.  I had no idea there would be so many to choose from!  I ended up getting the pair I'm holding.  I probably should have gotten them in my actual shoe size.  It didn't seem like a big deal at the time since I won't actually be wearing them.  It was so hard to choose.

While waiting to eat outside of Hard Rock Cafe, the boys watched an intense game of chess.  Luke really wanted to play.  He's so funny.

We've been collecting t-shirts from all of the Hard Rock's we visit, the idea is to make a quilt out of all of the them and name it "Rockin' Around the World."  

 Tuck just loves getting his pic taken. 

The day before we left Micah decided Luke needed a hair cut.  I about had a heart attack when Luke walked out of the bathroom with a shaved head!

Because Venice is surrounded by waterways there are boats everywhere offering tours.  On our second day in Amsterdam we took this cruise line on a tour of Amsterdam.  It was lovely.

A little architecture.  Driving isn't big in Amsterdam.  Public transportation is the route we took although most people bike.  Amsterdam isn't a large place so biking seems the perfect idea.  If I remember correctly there are around 4,000 bikers every day in Amsterdam.  Another fact, if my memory is correct, is the average age of people living in Amsterdam is between 18-35.  

We stayed at a Best Western and it was fantastic!  We have stayed in some pretty bad hotels while traveling and this was by far my favorite so far.  The beds were so comfy.

Of course on day two it rained the whole day.  We ended up purchasing two additional umbrellas.  

We stayed about 10 minutes from the city center, so we took the public transport both mornings and hailed cabs home each day.

 My sweet boys.

 Micah hardly ever gets souvenirs, but this sweatshirt looked a lot like the Heineken emblem.

 We were surprised to see another Madame Tussaud's.  We didn't go inside.  :( 

 Our first umbrella purchase had a tulip handle.

Crazy huge shoes in Holland!  The souvenir shops were tricky with kids.  We steered clear of the Red Light District and thought we were pretty safe.  EVERY souvenir shop, which was about 10, we went into had a section of not so kid friendly novelties.  Each shop had a section that was straight pornography!  I couldn't believe it.  This stuff is eye level for kids to see!  It was tricky maneuvering the kids away from it.  The best was when the kids would say, "hey can I have a sucker?"  They would hold it up to us and there would be a pot leaf on it.  It's hard to explain to your kids why they can't have a sucker.  We also learned the difference between coffee shops and cafe's.  Cafe's sell coffee and other drinks, coffee shops sell weed.  Huh.

The main attraction Micah wanted to visit was Heineken.  I have to admit it was pretty awesome.  Here Micah is stirring mash.

It was really hand on and educational.  The kids took turn grinding something.  I can't remember.

 Tuck was a little small, but he did give it a try.

Micah helping the boys.

You received 2 drinks to try throughout the tour.  Personally I don't care for beer... at all.  But I did learn that when drinking beer it's better to take big drinks.  When you take small drinks you get a lot of foam and it has a sour taste.  So, I tried a larger drink.  I still don't like beer.  :)

Micah drank his and mine.  He also got a free drink for answering a question right during the tour.  He was very proud of himself.

This was really cute.  You could get your picture taken and because there was a green screen you could choose your background and purchase your picture.  We decided to just have someone take a picture with out camera.  

Since this was our anniversary trip we purchased a Heineken glass and bottle of beer that had our names and anniversary date on them. 

One of these buildings was the original Dutch East India Trading Company building.  I thought that was pretty cool.  While on our tour we also saw a tour boat that was named The Black Pearl. 

 View from our tour boat.

Right next to the tower, on the left side, is the Anne Frank House.  We waited in line for an hour in the rain to tour it.  The Anne Frank House was the main thing I wanted to visit.  

 The center of the city.

Shopping area.

Micah and I on our tour.