Jökulhlaup

Thankfully we weren't on the old bridge!

Reykjavík Murals

We have been reminded time and time again of the artistic flare of the Icelandic people. Here is a celebration at your back.

Platform Nine and Three-quarters

Images of witches and wizards danced in mind as I boarded my train on Platform 10. Wonder if anyone passed unoticed between the platforms.

A Blast at the Perlan

Our littlest one loved the geysir most of all. Up up up! The older boys enjoyed a final show from the comfort of the basement.

Windy Windy Valley

Literally in the middle of nowhere, on a once paved, now unpaved road, we settled down for a sleep in a true valhalla. To protect our tent took some ingenuity as the meager 20 cm stakes were traded out for croquet mallets!

A Mountain Lake at Snæfellsnes

Here we experienced tranquility with the company of swans.

KR

Here's to the black and white! Our local soccer club is waging battle against their arch rival today. Go KR!

Friday Night Lights

The sun is still up and the main square is just the place to enjoy soft serve cones, brotherly love, and the entertaining antics of the local skateboarders.

Seltjarnarnes

Evening sunsets are slow and melodic between the coasts of this sliver of land jutting out toward the Atlantic.  We consider ourselves lucky to live in its shadows.

Iceland Times

Growing up amidst the city streets of Reykjavík and smiling at the opportunities.

At the Langá

Our vikings wait for mama - the ace angler who just landed a 63cm salmon.

Run to the Vík

The prospect of a late sunset makes us all run through the hills with thoughts of sun kissed waters on the horizon.

Swinging

You met the challenge. You have conquered the swing.

Not Without Conflict

We are here in a historic time. The fact that Iceland has indebted the unborn generations to come has not gone unnoticed.

Cereal in a Cave

Þakgil. A tough name to pronounce, but a wonder of nature conceived. Despite the adventures toiled on its 14k of mountainous roads, we enjoyed the jagged peaks around us, the midnight seranade of icelandic melodies and perhaps most of all - breakfast in a cave. Now hopefully we can make it out of here on our spare tire!

Nico's Sit Spot

Sometimes it is good to be alone and think.

Trailhead 8

Our new tent is up and in effect. We are safely settled in at the Hamrar campsite just up the road from Akureyri. We are anticipating little sleep on this the shortest night of the year. We are just 1 degree and 21 minutes away from the arctic circle and are itching to soak ourselves in dew at 05.45 gmt tomorrow morning. Abrazos al sol!

On the road to Akureyri

After our 350 km drive from Reykjavík, we understand much better the legends of dragons, trolls and giants. The sinewy mountains, ridges and fjords need little imagination to bring them alive amidst the flowing waters and fields of green.

Keflavik

A good spot for a sandwich from Landslög and discussions of sculptures that personify the common things around us.

A trip to the construction site

Concrete and steel and six eyes of curiosity. A nearby junction for the vikings and their gods.

A Scenic Jog

Reykjavik Bay and the everpresent Mount Esja offer us a worthy backdrop for our exercises. Small pedal cranks take many revolutions to churn against the stiff breezes that remind us of the wild nature flowing within our home if but for a day.

Listo

Ready to create at Myndlistaskólinn. We are curious to see what will come forth from your brush.

Mission Competion

The bathing pools beneath mountain runoff make for a great spot for snacking on crackers and sharing stories of our adventures in Iceland

A jaunt at the base of Mount Esja

Green tundra and volcanic rocks make a nice stream bed for a rambling hike on a Sunday morning.

Two wheels surrounded by beauty

13,000 krona is a paltry price to pay for the image of you pedaling with ancient volcanoes as the backdrop.

A parade in Reykjavík

What was the occasion? Maybe 6pm on a Tuesday!

Skál

The Leaning Tower of Lego Men

A first project in Iceland.

We are all excited about the prospect of photographing rock monsters amidst the volcanic rocks of the Iceland landscape.

A First Dollar Spent

At Logan International Airport, you carried out your first transaction all on your own - Terminal A - NewsLink store. The purchase - Purell.

We are on the move

Not exactly the depression era, but we are certainly loaded down with luggage on our way to Iceland for a summer of adventure.

1 to Infinity

You pointed out today that you count to infinity by holding up one finger, because infinity is in every number.

Adventures to Target

Our littlest one was ever so eager to join for a pre-Iceland trip to Target. We are looking forward to our Sunday jaunt across the atlantic - well at least most of the way.

3k Run Completed

Congrats. 3k in the bag. Final time - 17' 24". That's a 9' 20" mile pace - not only respectable - downright impressive. Happy Memorial Day! It was an honor to run with you.

Bike Ride

Falls Church --> Georgetown

Quite a haul with the hilly river influenced landscape of the connecting trails. You are on your way. It is very amazing to observe the realization of freedom that comes through your mind as you peddle, peddle forward leading us on and beyond. God speed.

All Pulling Together

Thanks to big brothers for helping to keep our tot in tow as we head from green fields filled with soccer memories. Congrats to N for two goals today. And what fun to play panda bears up in the crepe myrtles at Carter Baron.

Sunset picnic at Dupont Circle

Thanks to you for suggesting the vace pizza and the picnic stop downtown after a great hustle at soccer practice. Good pizza and good times.

A good question

"How do you stop a war"

We spoke of red and blue and purple middle ground. Also my mate from australia who said that everything around us as well as ourselves are made up of portions of love and fear. When the fear outweighs the love, inbalance and possibly conflict ensues.

Hope you find an answer.

Smoothies with our prima

After an excellent soccer match, we found our way to the starbucks for strawberry smoothies. Yum.

Lucky Day

A beautiful day of sunny blue skies and rolling down hills.

Those Shoes Smell Like Hot Dogs

At Meadowlark Gardens in Vienna today. An astute fellow sand box participant asserted that the sandals on the side had a distinct smell.

Drinking it Up

After a jaunt through cherry hill park, a cold drink for you and for brother is all the rage.

Gummies in Iceland

What an assortment. Bats, bracelets, cocacola bottle, tools, fish, eggs, watches, letters. Takk Fyrrir, Hagkaup

What fun on a May Day. Now off to Reykjavík city center for a parade.

Boston to Iceland

After a pleasant afternoon spent strolling on Long Wharf and swimming at the Logan Hilton's indoor lap pool, we set out on an overnight jaunt from Boston to Keflavik. All three of our boys did very well after succumbing to the sweet songs of red-eyed sleep. Mama didn't get any sleep; the crying, sick child in front of us took away the sugar plums and left visions of swine flu in return.

The sky is bright as we land before the 6am hour and we are ready to venture forth into a new land.

And away we go...

Today was the day. Helmet on, training wheels off, and down to the w&od bike trail for some smooth sailing. All in all a 2 mile jaunt for a first unencumbered foray into biking. That is quite an accomplishment!

Soccer Starts Again

Yesterday was game #1 for the 09 spring season for the Stoddert Dragons. Everyone on the team is showing great signs of advancement. Looking forward to developing a new twist on soccer skills.

Sunday Bagels

Today's religious education class ended with a very nice easter sign language song. "Sing Alleluia". As the candle was extinguished, N gave a nice explanation about how a fire cannot burn without oxygen.

We are now finishing fortifications and walking to Andrew Hyde School to explore a new park. Our adventures have included a few lessons about Miss Utility's markings for services in Georgetown. Yellow = Gas. Red = Electric. Water = Blue. Orange is a special color showing a survey mark for reference.

Green Bear Travels

24 hours after our scheduled departure from atlanta, mama keeps the troops in check with a green bear story about his first days of school.

Our airport delays allowed for a rapid visit to grandmama, grandaddy, and tio jon. Also resulted in a new big green egg for the cantrells of the south.

Happy easter!

Mario Sanchez

The final stop on our key west adventure was a trip to the Art Museum next to the Sunset dock. Suggested by Nico, this was a terrific stop.

On the upper floor was an amazing exhibition of Key West folk artist Mario Sanchez. A cuban immigrant with a skill for wood carving and oil painting. His work showed the character of the people of Key West. My favorite was a scene within a cigar factory with Mario's father reading a novela to the cigar workers. We learned from the curator that 80% of the works turn over each year; we'll be sure to make a return.

Hacker

Congrats to Nico - you just hacked your first network at the casa del padrino de Zach.....

 

Wink wink

I enjoy the way you see me across the room and give me a wink to let me know.

--papa

Gol!!!!

Go dragons. An assist and a gol in the first game. Good stuff.

Puerto Rico en palabras

Enjoying a vacation adventure in a new territory. A side show of the explorations are your phonic advancements in language. Always searching for words and sounds. Good luck in your pursuits.

Winter Expressions

Development continues around us as the seasons fall dormant, resting for the spring to come. You continue to amaze me with your growth. You seem to understand your potential and ponder it often.

My philosophies often guide me in an expectation of surge - continuity of forward thrust. Yet you teach me contimplation of something else.

I do not wish to convey that I understand how you are choosing to develop within your own world. I have learned with you and your brothers that there is a cerebral balance to the growth of human conception which can never be explained through one perception. Unfortunately (stated as if there were an alternative) I can only view your growth through the cognition which my imperfect years has created. I look forward to what you will teach me.

Your sociality continues to expand. And you will teach many of the beauty of human interaction. Lucid and empowered; continue to address each day with the expectation of change.

Color and Words

Big advancements recently amidst the many pages of life. Lots of impressive efforts on the coloring books and many impromptu writing efforts. Happy birthday mama - I love copying your artwork.

Watson Come Here

Today the eldest brother dialed abuelita all by himself. Another lesson in numbers in a world full of them. Today you dialed family - tomorrow ....?

Happy Birthday

On the way back to the Falls Church fire house on your very special day. Mama sure did a great job on your aztec temple cake.

Pregnant School Mom

Upon exiting school on Friday, the school boy found it quite easy to find him mother. He ran up to her and exclaimed - "I knew it was you because you were the only fat one out here." Luckily there is only two months of getting fatter before brother number three hits the seen. Of course if our star had his way the new boy would be named Harry Potter. Only one chapter to go on Book Two. We're having a great time reading through it....

Best Man

Before the age of 5 you took the honor of supporting Edgar in his matrimonial endeavours. And smashing you were decked in penguin shoes and suit amidst the high profile of a houston night.

Big hug

Home from a very long day at work, you were kind enough to greet me at the front door with a bear hug like I've not had before. This empowering embrace lasted at least three minutes before we trod on into the house where you kept me warm over cold pizza.

Honk Again

Traffic is certainly not all that it is cracked up to be, even on a fine saturday. Our young sage's advice to a late merge conflict was 'honk again'.

First Call

Two days before we knew, you told mama that she had a baby in her tummy. Still not sure if your female gender prediction is correct. More on that later. Congrats mama.

Snow Patches, Blue Skies

Very happy to say that the new booster seat works nicely for our short jaunts to school. We kicked the crusty snow on the walk up the albemarle hill.

Science Experiment

Floats! -- Lego Motor Boat

Floats! -- Fire Rubber Raft

Floats! -- Rubber Duckies

Floats! -- Sponge

Sinks -- Bolt

Sinks -- Soap - Neutrogena

Floats! -- Soap - Ivory

Sinks -- Screw

Floats! -- Match

Floats and then Sinks!! -- Plastic Tub

Floats! -- Pirate Rubber Duckie

Sinks -- Nail -- Hypothesized correctly by Nico

Floats! -- Lego Piece

Floats! -- Baby Cradle

Floats! -- Wind up Duckie

Floats! -- Megablock

Sinks -- Quarter

Floats! -- Lego Jet Wing

Sinks -- Rhinoceros

Sinks -- Baby Lion

Floats! -- Rubber Ball