Happy Halloween

"To infinity, and beyond!" JR went trick-or-treating on the Rynek (market square) again this year. And he should thank his mama for it. Jill organized the event, inviting the families from her play group and the kids at the international school. She had a good turnout -- about 40 kids.

They went to six different shops and restaurants around the Rynek where Jill had supplied candy for the staff to hand out. The Hard Rock Cafe went above and beyond. Their staff were all dressed up in scary costumes and really got into it, taking pictures with the kids. Score one for themed restaurants.

First snowfall

We woke up this morning to 3 inches of snow. So we promptly suited up JR in his new snowsuit and took him outside to play. We built a snowman. It lasted all of five minutes before JR knocked it over. We also used the fireplace for the first time this season. He had been asking us to "turn it on" for a few weeks, and we were trying to put it off by telling him to wait until it snows.. Well, so much for that plan!

It's a boy!

Big news!  We're having another boy!  Here's the new addition to the family.  He's waving hello.

The plan is that he'll be born at the US Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany in mid-March.

Jill's super-excited for more "snips and snails and puppy dog tails"!  ;)

No cameras, please!

Poznan

We just got back from a three day weekend in Poznan. (No classes on Fridays is awesome!)

We liked Poznan quite a bit. It's only based on a short visit, but I'd say it was my second favorite Polish city (behind Krakow of course).  Jill says it was a close third behind Krakow and Gdansk.

We lucked out and the weather was sunny and not too cold to get out and see the city.  We visited the old square, the cathedral island, the castle district, and the palm house.  Poznan has a lot to see and the up shot is there aren't all the tourists to deal with like in Krakow or Gdansk.  We also noted that it's nice to visit other Polish cities where you can see something new but at the same time still feel comfortable because you're in a country where you know the language and culture.  We give Poznan two thumbs up!

On the Old Market Square

Enjoying a sunny October day

In Adam Mickiewicz Park

Fall colors

On the fighting goats -- the symbol of Poznan

Trzy Korony

I took a hiking trip with some friends recently.  We drove to the Pieniny Mountains, which are about 60 miles south of Krakow. We hiked up to a peak named Trzy Korony (Three Crowns).  It was a couple hours up to the peak.  A few steeps parts, but not too bad -- definitely easier without JR on my back.. The views were great, especially as the fall colors were starting to appear. Enjoy!

Map of Pieniny Mountains

View on hike up to Trzy Korony

View from top of Trzy Korony

High Tatras, Slovakia

For one last trip before school started back up, we drove down to the High Tatras, just across the Slovakian border. We spent two nights at a nice hotel (Jill especially like the robe and slipper for JR) and enjoyed the scenic surroundings.  The hotel was right on a lake in the middle of the Tatra mountains.  The trees were changing colors, but it wasn't too cold yet.  Ideal!

Riding the chair lift, up, up, up!

On the walk around the lake

With Mama, hotel in background

Ready for the pool

Prague excursion

Why visit just one beautiful old European city when you can see two?  We spent two and a half days in Prague while my mom and aunt were here.  They were pretty blown away with the beauty of Prague.  It's a show-stopper, for sure.  Especially the dramatic way their castle is lit up at night.  Sorry, I don't have any pictures here -- my iPhone couldn't do it justice.  

This was my second time in Prague and I was just as impressed as before.  I also noted how much easier it is to tour around a city when you don't have a two-year old in tow!

Happy tourists in the tower atop the Old Town Hall

At the castle gate

In the Golden Lane, a little historic street inside the castle

Siroka street, in Prague's old town

Back in Krakow, heading to the bus stop with JR