This was the beautiful home of our rented Reykjavik apartment owner, the lovely Anna Lara. While the apartment was being cleaned for our arrival, she invited us over and for breakfast (and even insisted that Ryan sleep in her bed). I will forever remember her kindness and generosity.
This was the bathroom of our apartment, which we loved. Ryan got to soak in the huge, deep tub a few times. We had some of the nicest showers while in Iceland, where the water couldn't be hotter (it takes longer to get cool water than hot because of the geothermal heat) or cleaner. Yes, there was a tiny bit of a sulphoric smell tinging the water at times, but I barely noticed, and frankly, didn't care about. I believe Iceland leads the charge in using something like 90% geothermal energy, and I hope the Big Island is on its way to mimicking that usage.
Ryan loved these steps leading up to the attic of Anna's apartment (it was a few minutes walk from her home)...they would never make code in the US! He loved to catapult himself off of them onto the sofa below!
Right outside our front door there was a newly renovated park for Ryan to play at, so this is where we spent nearly every evening. :-)
Ryan at the open air museum (that's a turf house in the background)...he couldn't have cared less about the place, all he wanted to do was run in the grass, fall down in it, play in their park and blow dandelions.
Ryan with his beloved Mickey Mouse (he recently discovered the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show) at the Kringlan mall. Thank you Grandpa, for paying the $2 rides for him since mommy wasn't going to choke it up.
A more impressive, futuristic view of the now defunct Perlan looming above the city (but only maybe a mile from our apartment).
Okay, so while this word doesn't technically mean "toilet," it refers to the family-style restroom. And c'mon, have you ever seen a funnier looking word for peeing and pooping? The entire trip Joey would announce,
"I need to go snyrt!" or
"Don't go in there! I was just snyrting." (Always classy that one!)
I remember seeing the cubed cantaloupe and watermelon in Japan over a decade ago, but never took a photo of it because it wasn't so unusual to see then. Now? Priceless. Sure, sure...they won't roll around in transit or in your cart, but is it worth the $30+ to buy one? 'Cause they don't look so hot.
I would have been one helluva Viking!
Our little angel picking dandelions at the park...I think God created them for our children's amusement.
Okay, so it's not Niagara...but it was still beautiful enough to leave your breathless.
On our last morning in Reyjavik, as we were rushing around trying to get out of the city (psst! Look! It's my dad reading my blog!), Ryan decided to "help" make his own breakfast. What a great helper he was! But it was so cute because he looked up at me with a huge grin and said, "Oh! I know what happened! If you turn the box upside down, the cereal comes out!"
Hah-vahd, here we come!
I'd read that Icelanders love their sweets. But I had no idea that pretty much every single store in the land would have a large candy display. Seriously, Iceland does NOT mess around when it comes to candy.
Take note, America...THIS is how it should be.
Even though he's tall for his age, lanky and has light brown hair, I know he's
mine whenever I see that smile...eyeballs not at all visible, chubby cheeks. All me. [proud]
Joey calls this his Match.com profile picture. He calls any picture like this that though. I have one too (scroll down below).
This was the day Ryan was chafed from his pants and we let him strip down to his skivvies (it wasn't very cold). Here he is being carried down the mountain, exhausted, by Uncle Joey.
Even though he couldn't have been less impressed by the lagoon or boat, Ryan did muster enough interest to hoist a piece of ice out of the water for us!
The senior component of the tour...which did not excuse my father from his one assigned duty on this trip- luggage loader! (No one can pack 18 suitcases, a golf bag and 23 carry on's into the trunk of compact like he can.) My mother's only job was photographer (she has the fanciest camera), but she also served as co-chef, dishwasher and nanny. :-)
The two bestsest buddies in the whole wide world!
Gramps taking his turn hauling ice out of the lagoon. All we were missing was the Malolo syrup! Interesting side note: This man can move boulders in 90 degree heat & humidity without complaint. But put him in 40 degree, breezy weather and he turns into a chattering, shivering little girl. He bundles up and hunkers down in the back of the van with the heat turned on high while his scrawny three-year old grandson frolics around outside half nude! Yes, I would be deeply ashamed too. I will let him know you think so as well.
Joey staged and took this photo of me for my own future Match.com photo! :-)
Okay, slightly creepy...but this is what my brother does with his scarf anytime he wants to snooze and doesn't want his head rolling around. He ties it to the chair back! Mind you, he does this on trains, planes and automobiles. But here's the thing- it works great! Free final tip: He claims if you tie it just right, you can also make an eye mask to block out light! Go on! Get your scarves out, try it. You'll see. Credit the source!
And one last time...the Blue Lagoon. They made me put floaties on Ryan because, and I quote- "If he drowns, we won't be able to find the body." Nice. Very reassuring. Oh, and if you happen to have eagle eyes from my other Blue Lagoon pictures- guess who wore a wet suit in Iceland? Ryan did! And it totally helped! Even though the water was heated (trust me, it doesn't help for long), he never once chattered and asked to leave. The best $15 (for a $60+ suit!) ever spent...taak fyrir eBay!
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