Family (Denmark)

We finally made it to the original Solvang...Denmark!! I was so excited, as we all were, to see the comparisons of Copenhagen to Solvang and see how we measure up. It was absolutely beautiful, and everything and more than I'd expected! Our very nice hotel, was centrally located in Old Town Copenhagen, and very close to it all. What did we do first, of course we dropped our bags, and went shopping and toured the streets! These guys on bikes were behind us at a crosswalk drinking beers, and my sister asked, '' is it really legal to drink in the streets here?!" Their response, "oh ya, we're a liberal country, anything goes. It's a GREAT country!" 1 minute later, he called to us, and gave Katie an extra beer! The Golden Lady! Sweet....this was going to be fun. A little further down the street, we bought beers at a 7Eleven just because we can!

Denmark is awesome! We found how to ride the bus to take us to the Carlsberg Museum. That was great! We enjoyed a nice lunch there, and of course some great beer. Took some pictures, and shopped at the souvenier shop, etc. Great to be in a brewery again, had been a while. We made our way back to downtown.

We also enjoyed a boat cruise around the harbor, which was great! Gave us information about the city, and we even floated by the Little Mermaid! Not as grand as we thought it'd be, but still something special. Strange seeing it in person! The part where we got on and off the boats, was beautiful, and it really looked like Solvang. Great pics there! We also took a Hop on and off Bus tour, which was very cool. This took us to the palace, Mermaid, etc.

Denmark impressed me completely! I really hope to return soon! One night, just Katie and I went out to a few bars, and it was just what I needed. A night of normalcy with my best friend and sister. We looked hot, and went out to meet the Danish boys! Met a few right away and it was a great night. We noticed a guy wearing an LA Dodgers hat, and we judeged if he was really from CA or faking it. Well, he didn't have skinny jeans on, so maybe...but then we thought no. We asked him, and he said, "WEST siIIIde!" Nah, I'm from Denmark, lol. Nice guy, but wannabe :) My sister and I agreed, Sweden had better looking girls, and Denmark had better looking guys! Maybe I will go back :P

Unfortunately, the trip ended for me in Copenhagen. They went on to Switzerland for a few days, but I rejoined up with the Holms in Smaland (southern Sweden), which was another little vacation in its own. We had a brief goodbye at the airport due to time, but actually it was probably better than the tearful goodbye which very well would have happened. I couldn't have asked for a better trip with my mom, sister and aunts. It really was a trip of a lifetime that we will all be greatful for for the rest of our lives! I admire these women so much, and it really meant the world to me that they came all that way to see me and spend time with me. As you all know, I LOVE it here and it's everything I've hoped for and more. It was nice to be reminded just what I do have at home and how blessed I am with such an amazing family. It went by way too fast, but the best parts were just when we were hanging out with each other. We seriously laughed the WHOLE time, and just lived in the moment. We sadly did not connect with our cousin Gunnel, but things happen. So a BIG thank you to Karen, Emily, Katie and Mom for coming to Europe to be with me! I love you, and can't wait to see EVERYONE in a few months! It's all downhill from here, and I'm excited to see what fate brings next for me...

SKOL!!!

Family (Gothenberg)

Back on the train, we were headed to the west coast to Gothenberg. I chose to take them to this city, because it's known for it's seafood. Absolutely amazing! Think I was the biggest fan, but still fun to see and eat! It was kind of raining this day, but it was okay. Lasse said that we must go to the Feskekorka, which is the best seafood market in Sweden supposedly. After leading the ladies on quite a walk to find it, we showed up hungry. We had a great lunch, and they tried crawfish for the first time. Katie had crab, and Karen had shrimp. I had oysters (mmmm), and mussles. Following lunch, we went back to the market where I ordered a ton of shrimp, and crawfish...my favorites! Assuming they would all help me eat, I got a lot. Unfortunately, but forunately, I had most of it! We enjoyed a cocktail on the 23rd floor of a hotel and a view of the city. Gothenberg is the second largest city in Sweden, and it was very nice. Probably not our favorite stop, but for me it was worth every bite! The next day, we headed to Denmark!!!

Family (Kumla)

Tuesday morning, our first offical day in Kumla, we walked around the city center of Kumla shortly for about an hour. We enjoyed the bakery, a few boutiques, flower shops, etc. Then eventually we made it over to the Holm's house to catch a bus to Orebro, the nearby larger town. I showed them briefly my bedroom, and what's become my home here. Finally, my mom sees where I put my head down :) We waited a bit for the bus (always unsure of the times), but eventually made it to Orebro. We had plans to go see the Orebro Castle, which I had never been to either. This castle was built in the 16th century, and was very beautiful! We took a tour, and learned about the history of Kings and castles and that time period. In this castle, I think we laughed the hardest on the trip. There was a question asked by our tour guide, and Katie answered with "Prostitues!" That was not the answer, lol. Ask any of us for further details if you want, it was hilarious. We left the castle and toured around Orebro. We didn't have that much time for this town, as we needed to figure out the bus back to Kumla, and dinner, etc. We enjoyed a nice cocktail right on the river, before we made it back to the bus stop. It was a great day!

Wednesday, we toured Kumla. By now, you know it's a very small town, but very fun for the type of shopping my mom and aunts like to do. Little bakerys, boutiques, garden shops, etc. I had passed back these shops a few time, but we enjoyed each one and even made some new friends in the stores. Think we kinda stuck out, as 5 loud blondes speaking english and store hopping. It was a fun afternoon of casual shopping, and not having to rush or get lost. For dinner, we headed back to the Holms (about 30 min. walking), and Lasse and Susanne had prepared a huge dinner for our family and theirs. Lasse's parents, sister Sara and her family, and my family all together, it was a party! It was natural, easy, and just exciting to see my two families really getting to know each other. Thankfully, the weather held out so it was a long night of stories and more laughing. Lasse's father Frank was generous enough to walk us back to the hotel :) To this day, my Swedish family is constantly complementing how awesome my family is and how much fun we had. I agree. Lasse's sister said, "no wonder you are the way you are!" Yes, I am blessed with so many amazig women in my life to look after!

The next day, unfortunately it was raining. We were supposed to spend the day up at Torpet, Lasse's cabin. Instead, he was so generous enough to give us a personal driving (dry) tour of Kumla and Orebro. He grew up here and obviously has so much pride in showing the best. He took us to Old Orebro, where we did a little more shopping and toured a small museam. He then took us to this small mountain top, about 10 minutes driving up, but you can see all of Kumla. Too bad it was raining, but it was still cool. He then took us all back to the house, where he prepared pickled herring and pototes. He of course, didn't forget to serve us Schnaps either, Skol! After lunch, we all went up to the cabin and toured the property. Like I've talked about before, this cabin is very old, but very well maintained by Lasse and his father. They spent months cleaning and preparing the for the Irelans, so nice! Lasse then prepared dinner for us, which was a mouse and deer stew and potatoes. It was his goal to provide this day as Swedish as possible. It was easy to see how much fun and pleasure he had to do this for us. Like I said, it was all just so easy and fun to all be together. We had a nice evening at the cabin, and everyone loved the property, especially the double outhouse! We always went in pairs...

The next morning, Lasse drove us all to Hallsberg to board a train to Gothenberg on the west coast. We couldn't thank Lasse and Susanne enough for this whole week with them, everything they provided. We really got the personal treatment, and we can all say we're family enough. Lasse said goodbye, and see you in CA!

Family comes to town! (Stockholm)

Wow, what an amazing time! Months and months of preparation for my mom, aunts Karen and Emily, and my sister to come to Europe. My dad asked us, "what are you guys going to talk about once the trip is over?"...since that's all we talked about. I said, we'll be talking about this trip for the rest of our lives, play by play!!

The whole week before, the anticipation of seeing them was killing me! It was all I could think about, and how I've really missed my family! Lasse and I arrived at the airport to greet them. The poor guy had to wait with me, as I could hardly sit still, or stop talking. I wore a Sweden shirt, and my heart was racing as I couldn't wait to see these fabulous 4 women come around the corner of the gate. My mom was first, of course! I lost it!! No words could even come out, just hugs and happy tears as I hugged them all. My sister said, "thanks for making us all cry!" I was on top of the world! I told Lasse before, you will just know when they come out, trust me. We were all together in Sweden, finally! Lasse drove us back to the city center of Stockholm, where we checked into our very nice hotel, and also where we greeted Susanne and the boys. I was so excited to have my two families meet! The Holms then graciously showed gave us a personal tour of Stockholm, and guided us where to shop, what restaurants were good, etc. They only stayed in Stockholm for that Sat. night, but we were just getting started!

Since it stays dark until late, we walked around the area surrounding our hotel and also ate there for dinner. It had been a long day. Sunday, was the day to see and experience Stockholm! First, we made our way to see the Vasa Museum. The Vasa was a ship that sank right there in the harbor in the 1500's. It took years to build, but only stayed afloat for 20 minutes. All that work for nothing! The king was so embarrassed, no one was to talk about it. It was finally pulled up in the 1960's, and man, it was cool! History, such history! We spent most of the day, just walking around the city, which was actually pretty easy and close. A lot of water, but the scenery is amazing. This was only my second time to Stockholm, so I was the tourist too sort of. Then, the main even of the day...the Absolute Ice Bar! Okay, we laughed the ENTIRE time! No joke. As you can see from the pic, we wore these cape-like jackets to keep warm, since everything is frozen! My mom had her backpack on, so she looked like a hunchback lady, hilarious! Our drinks were served in Ice shot glasses even. Very cool. There was techno music on, and my aunt Emily says, "Oh I think the CD is skipping!!!" LOL, I laughed so hard and told Katie. I explained that type of music, come on Aunti Em! We got some great pics, and really just laughed a lot and loved the time in the frozen bar!

Monday, was the day of shopping and enjoying the new foods and fashion trends of Sweden. We caught a train back to Kumla that evening at 7pm. Seems late, but again, the sun basically stays up until 11pm. After the 2 1/2 hour train ride, with basically only ourselves on our train, we arrived in my small little town of Kumla. I told them how close we were to the hotel, and the city, and they were still surprised. Smaller than Solvang! The only place open, was this place I'd never been but it was a fast food type place that served hamburgers, and hot dogs. Katie, Emily, and Mom ordered these disgusting burrito like wraps with mashed potatoes, a hot dog, mustard, and lettuce. Ewww! They actually ate most of it too, but not sure how they felt the next day. Karen and I stuck to a chicken sandwich, which was not that great either. We had to eat!

Well, they arrived, and life was good!