Category: Family

We’ve had a pretty busy summer thus adding to my delinquency with the family blog. Here are a few highlights from the last month.

Happy Independence Day from Mr. 4th of July himself!

Silliness with mommy: 

Reading his excellent report card from school! Watching Zooptia on a hot Sunday afternoon just like a big kid:

Beep beep! Andrew got his very own Jeep! Someone in our neighborhood was selling their toy jeep and I just couldn’t resist. Daddy and son have matching jeeps and are both very proud of themselves! 

In July we traveled to Ohio for Andy’s cousin Meredith’s wedding. It was great to see everyone and a perfect excuse to spend a few additional days together as a family. We visited Hidden Valley, PA for some relaxation, bonfires and pool time. The boys especially loved playing together and getting into trouble. A foreshadowing of years to come…

Meet the ‘dynamic diaper duo!’

All in all we had a fantastic, memorable vacation to northern Europe! Here are a few more random pictures from our adventure together!

Don’t let the glaciers fool you. Andrew and Papa had no trouble getting wet and having fun in the splash zone:  

Mr. GQ:    Proud of is car tower:   Mastering the art of eating a Mickey ice cream bar:   

How could I blog about a trip on the Disney Magic without sharing some classic Mickey photos or ‘Mic Pics’!?!? Some favorites from time our time on the boat:  

I’ll admit that my heart melted each time he ran up to Mickey and gave him a big hug and kiss! 

“Patiently” waiting his turn: 

After 3 awesome days in Iceland we recrossed the North Sea and headed to Norway. Thankfully the crossing was far smoother and more enjoyable than the first time. No violent seasickness episodes from the little guy.

Day 9: Bergen, Norway. Much to Andy’s dismay, I signed he, Kelly and myself up for a hike up Mt Fløyen; the tallest mountain overlooking the city and surrounding fjords of Bergen. After a brief tour of the old Bergen waterfront, we boarded the Fløibanen funicular and then the hike began. 2 hours or so and a lot of up hill later, we were at the top. A truly beautiful view and totally worth it…in my opinion!   Note: Andy’s smiling in these pictures because he knows his hike for 2016 is complete and I don’t have any leverage to get him up another mountain for six months.

Meanwhile back in Bergen, Andrew, Coco and Papa toured Bergen and enjoyed a few local treats. Old City Bergen: 

Day 10: Stavanger, Norway. We started our morning with a cruise of Lysefjord. Visiting the Norwegian fjords has always been on my bucket list. It was as beautiful as I’d pictured it but unfrotunately mother nature didn’t give us a great morning to take in the sites. After our cruise we stopped at a local farm, Bakernes Paradis,  and enjoyed some traditional Norwegian waffles; both Andrews favorite parts.  Once back in town, we took a nice stroll through the old city and grabbed some local lunch in the wharf. Much to our surprise and coincidence, our trip overlapped with the 25th anniversary of the reign of the King and Queen of Norway. To celebrate they were taking a national tour of Norway and just happened to be in Stavanger that day; and their yacht was docked next to our ship! We managed to grab a-never-would-be allowed-in-America- up close glimpse of the royal family as they strolled by. Unexpected, but still very cool!

Lysefjord Cruise:   Trying desperately for a family picture where we all were smiling:   Not quite….

Old Stavanger: 

Pomp and circumstance for the royal family:  And someone is clearly unimpressed with the royals: 

The journey from Scotland to Iceland across the North Sea took 36 hours and was less than smooth. We faced unusually rough seas and 18 (!!!) foot swells. The entire 10-story ship which houses 2,500 guests and 1,000 staff was swaying back and forth like a little raft in the open ocean. I am not one to get sea sick and even I was a bit green in the gills that day.

And Andrew, well we learned the little guy does get sea sick. Actually, Andy learned that Andrew gets sea sick when he ‘relieved’ himself all over Andy at the Mickey Mouse character breakfast. I still feel bad for the people sitting next to us in the restaurant for the horror they witnessed…and smelled. After cleaning ourselves up and doing an emergency load of laundry, we used the rest of the day to sleep, relax, watch movies and pray for dry land.

But it was SO worth the journey! Iceland was simply stunning.

Day 5 Reykjavik, Iceland: We were truly blessed with a gorgeous blue sky for our first day in Reykjavik. It made the sights that much more spectacular. I hired a private ‘Super Jeep’ to take us around for the day and explore. When we got off the boat, the pier was littered with large 4x4s. As we waited patiently for our driver to arrive we noticed a particularly large vehicle headed our way. Just then the largest -think monster truck size- Expedition pulls into the parking lot and out climbs a driver with long blond dreads down to his butt. Andy’s prayers were answered because sure enough he was holding a sign for ‘Phillips.’ I’m pretty sure Andy about jumped out of his skin with excitement. Our driver Gummi proceeded to take us on an amazing tour across the area. We first visited the hot springs of Deildartunguhver (and ate some DELICIOUS local strawberries) and then it was onto the waterfalls at Hraunfossar and Barnafoss, fed from beneath an ancient lava flow. We then drove on the mountain track in the desert valley of Kaldidalur, to Glacier Langjökull. When we arrived at the foot of the glacier we let a little air out of the tires and proceeded to climb. No tracks, no road, no signs, just the jeep and the open glacier. Insane.  When we neared the top we stopped at Cave Víðgelmir. “The Cave”, is the largest Icelandic lava tube caves complete with a chapel and place for a wedding. Before coming down the glacier Gummi gave Andy the wheel. Yup- Andy drove on a glacier in Iceland. Bucket list item- check! Afterwards, we made our way back to the boat but not before stopping at Thingvellir National Park, where Iceland’s first parliament, Alþingi, was founded in the year 930 AD. It’s also the place where the two continental plates split. We capped off our fun-filled day with a local dinner in town which included a few shots of ‘Black Death,’ Iceland’s local liquor and walk up to Hallgrimskirkja, the most famous church in Iceland.

Our means of travel. Not made for little people. 

Deildartunguhver Hot Springs:

Hraunfossar and Barnafoss Waterfalls:

Up on the glacier and into the Cave. You’ll notice that Andrew refused to smile as soon as the camera appeared…for the entire trip.

More Iceland & Hallgrimskirkja Church

Day 6: Reykjavik, Iceland. We had a second morning in Reykjavik and the Phillips family spent it visiting some lava springs and a viking ship. The Kleinfelter family spent it snorkeling between the continental plates. Yes, the water was frigid and yes, they wore dry suits to keep themselves warm.

Visiting the hot spring. Albeit beautiful to look at, they smell HORRIBLE. The sulfur is nauseating. And of course Andrew refused to smile.   A preserved viking ship. Imagine sailing across the ocean in that with 60 of your closest friends and animals. NO. THANK. YOU. 

Day 7: Akureyri, Iceland. We sailed up along the top of Iceland to the coastal town of Akureyri. Note: at this latitude we were enjoying nearly 24 hours of daylight! Don’t worry, we all still slept thanks to black out curtains.

In Akureyri we explored the area in another super jeep- though this one was a little more demure and less ‘super’ than the beast in Reykjavik. We visited two beautiful waterfalls, Goðafoss and Dettifoss before heading up to the Lake Myvatn region. Beautiful lakes, volcanic craters, waterfalls and smelly hot springs encapsulate this day. Seriously, Iceland is gorgeous. Andy was ready to drop everything and spend a summer driving around taking in the sights. I’m not protesting…

Goðafoss…and more classic Andrew pics. I swear he did have some fun. 

Dettifoss Waterfall and theLake Myvatn region:

Day 3: Kirkwall, Scotland. We spent one day in Kirkwall, Scotland in the Orkney Islands which is in the very north eastern tip of Scotland. In the morning we did a driving tour of the island visiting the Italian Chapel built by POWs in WWII, Scapa Flow and the Standing Stone of Stenness. The landscape was beautiful- albeit constantly windy. And what trip to Scotland could be complete, without a trip to a distillery. We partook in the Connesiour’s Tour at the Highland Park Distillery and were able to try  a few different drams of Highland Park’s finest. Of course Grandpa and Andy were in pig heaven!

Hello Scotland! Andrew excited to visit a new country. And of course he was sporting the proper headwear thanks to Aunt Judy and Uncle Pete.  

Before heading to Scotland, we’ve all been obsessed with the TV show Outlander. For better or worse the Standing Stone of Stenness were nothing but a huge replica of the ‘magical’ stones in the show. As a result we were all a little timid to touch the stones…

More sights around Kirkwall: 

And the distillery. If you want to know how Scotch is made, ask Andy. I was too busy trying to keep little A silent for a 90 minute walking tour and tasting.  All I remember:   

Too much Scotch for this toddler! Note: I think I’ve seen his father look the same way after a bit of whiskey as well! 

I know. It’s been a really long time since I’ve posted. But we’ve been really busy having fun, soaking up the summer, visiting family, blah, blah, blah.I think it’s just the sign of enjoying the good life!

But I’m back. I’ve even missed our blog. Some days I go to the site and am sad to see that nothing’s new…

So here’s what we’ve been up to. In June the Phillips-Kleinfelter clan traveled to Europe to board the Disney Magic for the 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland Cruise. We were all really excited about the trip and particularly eager to visit Iceland- a new destination for all of us! Before we could board the boat, Andy, Andrew and I needed to cross the pond. I can’t quite describe the inner anxiety I possessed at the thought of taking a toddler on a 8 hour red-eye flight to London. I read travel blogs, talked to my mommy friends and tried to think through every contingency I could. I had snacks, toys, large diaper stash and enough Mickey Mouse Club episodes on my phone for us to circumnavigate the globe a few times. But my fears were totally unnecessary. Andrew was a rock star! The moment the plane engines turned on in Newark, he was out! He slept the entire way to London. It was amazing. Andy and I enjoyed the in-flight adult beverages and bad movies as we jetted over to London.

We met my family at the ship in Dover, England and managed to get a glimpse of the famous white cliffs through the fog. We were all a bit dazed from the travel and sleepless night…everyone but Andrew that is. The only downside to a child who sleeps on the plane- he’s not tired when you arrive- which was quite different than is zombie-like parents.

Day 1: Sea Day. We sailed from Dover, England to Newcastle, England. Thanks so some blackout curtains in our stateroom, time change and red eye the night before, the ENTIRE Phillips family slept 13 hours until 10:30 am. It was glorious. We spent the rest of the day exploring the ship, eating and visiting with a few ‘special friends.’

It should also be noted that Andrew began to also perfect his names for my family. Bill or Grandpa is now referred to as ‘Papa’, Connie or Grandma is now ‘Coco’ and Aunt Kelly is forever ‘Kiki’. Yup, we were rolling deep with Papa, Coco and Kiki for two weeks.

Sharing his cars with Pinnochio at toddler time & playing hide and seek with Goofy! 

And a big hug for Andrew’s main man Mickey. He ran straight up to Mickey and Minnie. No fear. It’s like they were long last buddies!

Day 2: Newcastle, England or affectionately known as ‘Nathan Day.’

Instead of joining a Disney excursion, we decided to venture out on our own to visit some nearby sites surrounding Newcastle. Besides being home to some famous castles, the greater Newcastle area is also home to Nathan, Andy’s best friend from Lafayette and the best man at our wedding. Our first stop was Bamburgh Castle; a beautiful- and VERY old- fortress on the sea. Next stop was Alnwick Castle, another beautiful and well preserved castle. While Bamburgh was lovely, we were all really excited for Alnwick since it’s been the backdrop for both Harry Potter AND Downtown Abbey- two things this crew has a mild obsession with (some more than others). We ended our sight-seeing day with a traditional Sunday roast and pint at a local pub in Warkworth, Nathan’s home town. We were even lucky enough to grab a short visit with Nathan’s parents! It’s good to know people. After a long day, we headed back to the boat for a little evening sail up to Scotland!

Bamburgh Castle: 

Alnwick Castle:

Andrew saw some other children rolling down the hill at the castle and thought it was hilarious. He tried it himself but didn’t quite master the roll. Instead it looked more like him repeatedly throwing himself on the ground and laughing.

You can’t appreciate it from the photo from thousands of people lined the coast for miles (literally!) to see the ship off as we left Newcastle. Crazy sight to see so many people cheering for the Mickey boat! 

We’re on vacation for the next two weeks! England, Scotland, Iceland and Norway here come!