April 2007

April is totally fabulous in Prague. Everything is in bloom and everyone is out and enjoying the longer, sunnier, warmer days. The parks are filled with locals, sitting on benches or blankets on the grass (watchout for dog poop and cigarette butts). We've been busy discovering new parks and attractions on the outskirts of Prague.

Here are a few of April's highlights:

* Tour of Vysehrad castle and park
* Exploring the Botanical Garden with our friends, Morgan and Petr
* Easter fun and photo shoot
* Train trip to Dresden, Germany

The month of April just flew by and we're all looking forward to what May brings. First, we'll celebrate Morgan and Petr's marriage with their family and friends in Slavonice, a small town in the green Czech country side a couple of hours South of Prague. Laurence will celebrate her first birthday on the 14th!!! No, her parents can't believe it either. And last but not least, Grandma and Grandpa will come for a two-week visit on the 18th. We're looking forward to showing them why we love Prague, and Europe, so much.

We would love to show each and every one of you, too. So please come for a visit.

Love,

Britt, Melinda and, the soon-to-be one-year-old, Laurence.

We kicked off the month of April by walking to nearby Vysehrad castle and park, built in the 10th century, that sits on a cliff above the Vlatava river. Not much of the castle remains but the church is still there and many of Prague's greatest artists and musicians are buried in it's cemetary. Vysehrad offers great views and is a wonderful alternative to the hustle and bustle of the downtown tourist area.

The park behind the Malostranska metro stop has a little something for everyone: water fountains, koi, sculptures, beautifully landscaped gardens, peacocks roaming the park, a wall of lava rock art, etc.

The magnolia trees at the "secret park" looked fabulous in bloom.

"Sugar magnolia, ringing that bluebell, caught up in sunlight, come on out singing. Ill walk you in the sunshine, come on honey, come along with me"

Standard Easter basket filled with gingerbread cookies, decorative eggs, chocolate, and whip to keep mommy fertile. Small stuffed animals not included. The Czechs don't use baskets for Easter so mommy, I mean the Easter Bunny, had to improvise.

I can't decide which stuffed animal to play with first...hmm, I'll try the Easter monkey.

Why don't adults look as good as babies in polka-dots? Sounds like the set up to a joke without a punch line.

We took Laurence to the vineyard next to Prague castle to snap some Easter photos of her in her new dress. She decided to first bite the nose off of her new bunny.

Hi, I'm Chucky. Wanna play?

We met with our friends, Morgan and Petr on Sunday and walked from their flat to the Botanical Gardens. It was so beautiful and everything was in bloom. It even had tulips that looked like they were on fire.

Here's the view from the Botanical Garden looking down towards the Vlatava river.

Morgan and Petr just got married a few weeks ago and are so much in love. Don't tell Morgan but I think Laurence has a crush on Petr. She loves it when he speaks Czech to her.

Daddy had the brilliant idea of taking the train to Dresden, Germany and spending the day there. One hour from Dresden, mommy and daddy decided we should get off the train and take a ferry boat across the Elbe river to Bad Schandau, a cute tourist town right on the German/Czech border. They had passed it many times before on the train and just had to see it in person this trip. It was my first ferry boat ride so I gave daddy my best smile.

Laurence and Mommy look down the Elbe river at approaching Bad Schandau.

Bad Schandau was cute, kind of like Mill Valley, CA meets Park City, UT...if they sat on a big river...and were filled with German tourists.

The parks in Dresden ROCK!!

Why is there no one at the park in Dresden? Do we offend? Oh well, more lush greenery for us.

Laurence's first exerience with grass.

Which blade of grass do you like better, the one in my right hand or the one in my left hand? Yes, daddy is busy giving his best "dead tourist" impersonation while sawing logs in the background.

Mommy and baby had the BEST time at the park in Dresden.

Castle in the center of Grosser Garten.

Laurence finally got a nap while strolling through Grosser Garten.

Farewell, Dresden. We shall return.

See all those yellow flowering plants? The Germans harvest them for alternative fuel.

March 2007

Hello, hello.

Mommy and daddy FINALLY got internet and phone service at home so now I can post photos and videos more frequently. Things are going well and we're enjoying the beautiful spring weather in Prague.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Love,

-Laurence, Melinda and Britt

Out Came the Sun

Cookies N Faces

Mommy and daddy took me to Becki Land to meet with other expat parents. It's a huge place filled with rides, games, and more toys than I've ever seen under one roof. We had lots of fun and I made new expat baby friends.

Escape from Lego mountain!!

Expat meet-n-greets make me sleepy. Luckily it's a long metro ride back home and I can take a catnap.

The Charles Bridge, Vltava river, and Old Town can all be seen from the elephant ride at Kampa park.