Thursday, January 3, 2013

Finland July 25-August 1, 2012

After Milan, Italy we flew to Finland for a week. It was nice to go to Kauppila and just relax for a while.

After a week of Italian food, the boys were ready for a good old McDonald's burger.

The moment when Alex found out that Elle was going on the Hawaii cruise next week.

Tyler is experiencing the buyer's remorse after getting this ice cream.

Flying to Helsinki, Finland.

Tyler is trying to sleep during the flight.

Four hour bus ride from the airport to Jyvãskylã

Scenery along the way

Gotta go get our taksari the minute we arrived in my hometown. The boys walking up Asemakatu.

My high school.

The long awaited taksari. I think Tyler was impressed.

The LDS chapel

We went to visit my nanny, Sirkkaliisa Marttila.

Tãti and I having a lovely visit.

Alex and Tãti

Tãti and Rod

Bumble bees had made a little nest just outside my mom's balcony and the exterminators had to be called to the rescue.

Poking at the nest.

Dinner at Figaro

Mom and I at Figaro







Morning view from my mom's balcony

On the way to Kauppila

Beautiful safflower field

Ari's son, Miro

Ari having a delicious moment with Miro

Lovebirds Kimmo and Marje

Aino talking with my mom

Pauli talking with Kalle

Miro playing with cars

It was time to take the newly built "kirkkovene"(Church boat) out and test drive it.

A whole lot of people came to help

Flipping the boat over

That's a huge boat

Rod, Alex and Tyler helped

They had to take it through the old shed by the lake

The boat is almost ready to push out.

Alex is ready to row

Beautiful scenery, calm waters to row the boat

Here comes the boat



Everyone's in the boat and ready to row

The caller sits in the back







Nice underwear shot, boys.  They didn't' want to get tar all over their shorts

My handsome husband...so serious.

The old road that has seen many stages of life go through


Old barn door to the "outhouse"




Kauppila was established 1709.  Quite a history this place has.  I'm glad I have been able to be part of that history.


Old sauna by Kines pond



Time to say goodbye.

Marita's flowers




Afternoon coffee/tea/juice at Uotila


Uotila

Marita showing her garden

Back in Jyväskylä, we went to dinner with my sister Riitta and her fiancé Sampsa at Alexandria. We always order escargot. 

Sampsa and Riitta

The next morning we took the train to Helsinki.  Tyler and Alex waiting for the train.

Tyler is sleeping and Alex is not.

Tyler and Alex with the Helsinki train station in the background.

Lunch at Fazer

Alex at Havis Amanda statue by the market square

Market square

The President's Palace

Uspenski cathedral (Russian Orthodox)

Ceiling inside the Uspenski Cathedral.

Timely warning inside the church!

Tyler and Alex looking at the Helsinki scenery

Bridge of Love had a lot of locks in it.

Helsinki Cathedral (Lutheran) and the Senate Square.

Armed Forces bands from all over the world came to perform and compete at the Senate Square.

There were a lot of people listening and watching the bands performances.

Inside the Helsinki Cathedral.

Beautiful chandelier and the organ inside the Helsinki Cathedral.

We went to spend a night at my best friend, Päivi's house in Lohja. 
Samuel and Atso with Päivi cooking in the background.

Maya begging for food.

Rod relaxing on the couch.

Päivi watching TV and doesn't want to be photographed.

Rod and Jyrki. Both bald and beautiful.

Then it was time to say goodbye to Europe and fly home.  Alex and Tyler at the Helsinki airport waiting for the flight to Paris, and then back to Salt Lake City.
What a whirlwind of a trip.





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