And we are off!

Ellie and I were very excited to wake up early this morning and head off to the airport.  I was up at 4 and Ellie at 5 so we could catch the flybuss to the airport.  The bus is a dedicated line to the airport and picks up 2 blocks from our house!  David walked us down to help with luggage.  Ellie was very sad to say bye to Daddy.  The airport was extremely crazy with the bombing happening several days ago.  There was an extra layer of security to get through and the lines were backed up.  We made it to the gate with just 30 minutes until take off.  Luckily, the flight had been delayed by 30 minutes so we had some time to collect ourselves and get a drink before boarding. 

I could not have asked for a better co-traveller.  Ellie did great on both planes and the layover in Atlanta.  She even took a 2 hour nap on the long flight during “nap time”.   After takeoff from Newark, she fell asleep after the beverage service and awoke after we had pulled up to the gate.  All she wanted to do was sleep and not get off the plane(It was 1 am Stockholm time).  Thank goodness for the stroller or we wouldn’t have made it to baggage claim.   It was awesome to see Mom and Dad waiting for us at baggage claim.  It took Ellie a minute but she recognized them fairly quickly and woke right up.  After a stop at Cracker Barrel on the way home, we made it back to Cayce without any issues.

Waiting for the Flybus.

Getting ready to head to the States!

I can’t believe tomorrow is the big day!  What a to do list we have to get ready to fly out tomorrow.  First on the list was taking Ellie’s Christmas card picture.  I just finished her dress last night.  What drama this dress has been.  The pattern I started with I hated about 1/3 of the way through so I ripped it out and David helped me come with a “pattern” that would work.  Ellie had fun playing model out in the snow.  Paci baby even got in on the act.  We ran a few last minute errands, picking up food for David at the store and returning library books.  By bedtime we were all packed and crashed early to be ready for tomorrow.  So excited!

Not picture time again!

Okay I will try to be cute.

Mommy is silly.

Is it over yet?

Don't forget a picture of my baby.

Skansen Christmas Market

Today we were off to another Christmas Market.  This one was located at Skansen.  Skansen is an open air history museum located in Djurgården.  They have the typical blacksmith shops, leather shops, glass blowers etc.  There is also a beautiful church, barnyard with animals, and examples of typical Swedish buildings.  The vendors were set among the buildings.  There were some crafts but mostly food.  I think that most people attend these fairs to eat the food.  Of the three markets I have been too, Taxiage was my favorite. 

There is also a small amusement park with rides.  Ellie was excited to see the rides.  She asked to ride the swings.  It was her first “fair” ride by herself.  She loved it.  She also rode the merry-go-round with Daddy. Skansen was a really neat place to explore, we will have to go back when Christmas is over and the weather is better. 

Happy to be out and about with my baby!

The "outside" train that goes to Djurgarden.

Skansen

View of Stockholm from Skansen

David loved the fence.

Ellie rides the swing for the first time and loved it!

Fun in the snow!

It was another fun day at the park.  We went to Vasaparken.   Ellie had so much fun trying to climb the snowy hills and sliding back down again!

I made it!

Sledding

Today we were out shopping and found a small sled.   Ellie has seen some of the other kids sledding in the park and has wanted to try it.  It was a cheap sled so we decided to try it out.  After the shopping was done we headed to Rådmansgatan to a hill we have seen other kids use.  She never quite got the hang of how to do it, which was probably due to me teaching her.  I didn’t really know what I was doing.  She had a blast though and thought she was doing it which was all that mattered. 

Wipe out!

Fun in the snow!

Christmas Stars

Today we picked up a star for our window.  Placing a star – 5, 6 or 8 pointed – in the window is a Swedish custom.  They can be seen in most home and business window during the holiday season.  The stars are made of paper and fold flat for storage.  Add a light bulb and you have a Swedish decoration.

Christmas on Gamla Stan

Today we went to a Christmas Market on Gamla Stan.  The stalls were overflowing with all sorts of foods and craft items.  There was plenty of glögg and gingerbread cookies.  Glögg is a traditional drink in Sweden that is similar to a sweetened, spiced wine or grape juice served mainly in November and December.    It is traditionally served with peanuts and raisins thrown in the cup.  Ellie enjoyed a hotdog for lunch.  She really loves the hotdogs the stands serve here. Gamla  Stan was so pretty all dressed up for Christmas with the snow all around.

Each vendor had a stall to display their products.

Daddy and Ellie enjoy the Market

The market with Gamla Stan in the background.

Special Bread

Ellie has found her new favorite food in Sweden  - the saffron bun – or as Ellie calls it “special bread”.   In other areas of the world they are flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg and currants.  The Swedish version leaves out the cinnamon and nutmeg and replaces the currents with raisins.  They are baked in a reverse S shape.  They are sweeter than bread but not sweet enough to be sweet bread.  I think they are perfect for breakfast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron_bun

St Lucia

Ellie and I set out today to buy an early Christmas present for David.  We were looking for a St. Lucia decoration that he had seen and loved.  It is a wooden depiction of the St. Lucia parade that is celebrated here in Sweden.  A procession of girls enters carrying candles and singing songs.  The lead girl wears a wreath on her head of candles.   I love learning about the local traditions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy's_Day