Berlin - August 2009

We moved into a new house at the end of July. A few days later Dave's cousin, Donna, came to visit us. We took her to Berlin. It was the first time any of us had ever been. But we had friends who had gone earlier in the year, so we knew where to stay and what to see.

Our first full day there we went to the zoo and the aquarium. It was lots of fun and lots of walking. We sat down for a rest in the cafeteria at the aquarium. Dave was playing around with the camera and took a really good picture of me!

Of course, Dave is a Middleton man, so he brought his laptop with him on vacation. Which proved to be useful for finding places to eat.

Our second full day there we took one of those cheesey 'hop on-hop off' bus tours. Tipton liked listening to the running commentary on the headphones.

They had the commentary in several languages, including "Schwedish."

We 'hopped off' at several places, including Checkpoint Charlie. There is a museum there that is both fascinating and horrifying. I had to rush the kids through several of the exhibits because they just aren't old enough to be exposed to that kind of horror and sadness.

The kids had a good time playing around this really neat fountain. The fountain was dedicated to Neptune, god of the sea. It was near the television tower and the Berliner Rathaus.

The Brandenburg gate. Dave took a picture of Donna in front of the gate. He made the comment "It looks like you're holding up the gate!" because she'd spread her arms out...

So then of course Lilli had to do it too. And Dave and Tipton (those pictures not posted.)

The Victory Tower. You go through a tunnel under the street to get to the Victory Tower. Tipton and Lilli at the top of the tunnel.

Dave at the top of the Victory Tower.

Jenn at the top of the Victory Tower. (Another good picture of me! We should go to Berlin more often...)

Tipton at the top of the Victory Tower. (Did not get a picture of Lilli. She climbed all the way to the top but was too tired/cranky for a picture.)

Walking back down. Dave took this picture just as we started back down the steps, and about 10 seconds before Lilli decided she was too tired to walk and so I carried her down on my back.

Donna, who is not a big fan of heights, waited patiently for us down closer to ground level.

It was a bit stressful at times, like say when we missed the first ferry back to Denmark, but all in all it was a great vacation. I'm so glad that Donna could share it with us!