Long summer days in Denmark

I'm starting to wonder if the Danes are eternally pessimistic so as not to ever get disappointed (and remain the happiest on the planet?)....or if we have gotten really lucky on our timing of living here. We had the second in a row "best on record" summer here in Denmark. It was wonderful - so sunny and warm (of course by our new Northern European standards) and hardly any rain. We went to the beach for weeks on end - who would have thought that you would move to Denmark and it feel like you are on a beach vacation? (let's not talk about the coming dark months please...)

All these photos are taken at our favorite beach called Bellevue beach about a 1.5 mile bike ride down the road from us

 

 

We met up with friends from school at the beach several times



Flying her princess kite

And then in August the jellyfish washed up for a bit - yes, he is holding one. they don't sting apparently!

And the kids discovered crabbing - with a shoelace and a clothes pin

Here is Ron tossing the catches of the day back into the ocean

I can't overlook our July 4th party. Yes, it got patriotic. The gathering moved to the front yard and Ron and Alex rode around our roundabout a few times like this...luckily the Danes keep to themselves so we got many stares but not much else. We did surprisingly get a 'Happy 4th of July' from someone!

We are thankful for having so many visitors this summer!

First Ron's sister and family - Stephine, Mark & Alex - came to visit us. They were quite busy touring the city by bike and train most days. We took a road trip to LEGOLAND with them, where we stopped at Egeskov Castle and grounds on the way.

Raegan and Alex are up in the trees!



Wyatt was attached to Uncle Mark's shoulders the whole weekend



We talked Wyatt into the teacups at LEGOLAND! He says he had fun, not sure by looking at his face here :-)

I think the boys may have just about overloaded this little boat ride

Raegan with her favorite Lego Friends

Then our former Austin neighbors the Shopps came to visit for a weekend (they did not get the good weather unfortunately...). We went into the city for some Copenhagen street food in the rain and also to Bakken. The kids always pick up right where they left off. Raegan and Travis's war with the Dads got a little out of hand this year with all the water balloon throwing - but it was all fun!!

 Finally, our good friend April also visited - we were all so excited she came and didn't get detained in London for too long :-)  We were busy around the city and even took a ferry to Helsingborg, Sweden for the day.

Rosenborg Castle




in front of the Marble Church

Ron brought April down to our level - popping open a beer for our canal cruise!

touring Carlsberg brewery

Helsingborg Sweden

Helsingborg Sweden

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Tivoli Gardens!!

Aside from visitors, Raegan was busy with several summer camps - karate, horse riding, and volleyball. I'm so proud of her for making friends in these Danish camps where she is often one of the only kids that can speak English. She also lost her first tooth! And Wyatt went on his first pony ride.

 

We also visited Dad at work before school started.

 

Ron and I got to go to the Roskilde music festival and see the Rolling Stones!! The Stones were great. However, Ron realized he is getting too old to properly enjoy outdoor music festivals anymore :-)

And then the short summer came to a close - and Raegan started Year 2 (aka 1st grade) and Wyatt continued on in his preschool. He started his first extra-curricular activity - football (aka soccer) which is at a field on the beach down from our house - not a bad view while watching the kids play.