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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Shay, Travel ·

Norway & Netherlands 2016: Days 6 & 7


I know what you’re thinking…but yes, I have more vacation pictures.
I know.  I feel like it’s 1984 and I have you all in my living room and am forcing you to watch slides of our family trip.  My apologies friends ;).
If you missed Days 1-3, click here.
Days 4 & 5, click here.
And now, we’re on day six!
Hello Tuesday.

We ported this day in beautiful Stavanger, Norway.  The entire city was built on little hills that had white houses with orange roofs.  It was absolutely gorgeous!  

Smith laughing at his dad in front of the fish museum :).

We spent the morning taking in the city.  It was lovely.

Of course, we found a park!

My kids love touring old churches, so we bought tickets to go inside this one.  It was full of history and beautiful inside.

For some reason…everyone wanted a picture on the turtle…

…love these four so much!

 This is their “I’m so hungry” faces.  We sat outside here and enjoyed our lunch.

And then after lunch, we went to the much anticipated Stavanger Children’s Museum.  We found this in our pre-trip research and my kids were pumped to go.

Inside the museum ready to explore!

 Hahahaha!  Smith!  They’re in front of a whale’s jaw.

 Look how big this whale is!

 The museum was totally geared to kids and was both educational and interactive.  Win, win!
Ashby’s like “what is this place???”.

Whew!  After a lot of time in the museum, we took to the streets once again.

Some of us were really tired after all of that playing!

Love these two.

 We found another park on our way back to the ship.  

My kids are obsessed with playing the card game Crazy 8s…so every night we would play before dinner.  And after.  And any time they stood still for more than five minutes ;).

We enjoyed dinner with our scenic cruising out of Stavanger on this night.  We had a lovely view as we left the fjord.

 Uh oh!  Can you guess the weather for Wednesday???  Lots of rain!

So…we had big plans for our day in Kristiansand, Norway…but due to the rain, we had to improvise.  We were going to visit their zoo and rent bikes to ride.  We had been so pumped about both of these activities…but because it was raining, they were both a no-go.  When we got off the ship, we talked to the kids about our day and Smith said, “If you let us jump in puddles all day and get all wet, then we’ll have the best day ever.”.  So…that’s what they did.  They jumped.  And jumped.  And jumped.  And were soaking wet.  And they had the BEST time.  Who needs the zoo and bikes when you have puddles???

So much fun in the rain!

I mean…how did I get so blessed?  She’s just the cutest little thing!

We set off toward the old town part of Kristiansand and decided to duck under the awning of this cafe for coffee and hot chocolate along the way.  Smith was being goofy…so that’s why they’re looking at him ;).

And then when I wanted his picture, I got this.

Loving her Norwegian hot chocolate!

Along the way, we went to their farmer’s market and Kensington bought some strawberries.

We continued exploring the town and then found this super cute restaurant with heaters and a covered patio for lunch.  It was the coziest spot to eat and watch the people hurry around in the rain.

And crepes are a must for us come rain or shine.

 We went to the harbor and checked out the fountains and the boats.  Smith is being…well a boy here.
 One, two, three little Shull kids all in a row.

We had the best day.

 Next stop, the fish market!  My kids were highly entertained here!
 And then of course, there was way more of this…

 We got back on board the ship, changed into dry clothes (the kids were soaked!) and played cards before dinner.
My other dinner date :).

On this night, Kensington asked if just the two of us could go into one of the cabins and have room service dessert and watch a movie.  Done, done, done!  It was such a special time with my girl!
So, those were days six and seven :).  Tomorrow, I’m going to wrap things up!  See days 8 through 10 here.
On my foodie blog today…
…Red, White & Blueberry Coconut Parfaits for your July 4th!
See the recipe here.
Happy Thursday friends!
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Comments

  1. cathrine says

    so glad you're still showering us with your sweet holiday pictures, keep'em coming! so sorry the sun wasn't out all days of your trip, but there's a Norwegian saying: there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. So you all looked like you were in the true Norwegian spirit 🙂 looking forward to the rest of the photos tomorrow! thanks for sharing them with us all 🙂

  2. Carrie says

    What pair of Ray Bans are you wearing? My husband just got a pair and I've been wanting a pair, too! Such beautiful vacation photos! I love that you take your entire family. My husband and I are going to Europe for the 2nd time next month (several cities in Italy) and one day I'd like to bring our kids with us. For now I am too chicken. 😉

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  3. Jen V. says

    Ok, I'm super impressed you thought to bring umbrellas! I would never have thought of that! I guess you've done this whole traveling with kids thing before. 😉 Love the pictures and hearing about your trip!

  7. Narci says

    Oh my goodness, Stavanger is SO pretty!! I mean, so pretty!! What a beautiful country!! Love the picture of you and Kensington at the end: total sweetness!! Xoxo

  15. Rebecca Jo says

    I love your kids love museums so much 🙂 Hearts that want to learn.
    OK – I give you such big props that you even thought to bring umbrellas & rain boots on vacation. I would never think of something that simple.

  16. Judy says

    I've been to Stavanger many times — your photos are so much better than any that I took. I'm sorry you guys couldn't go to Pulpit Rock but I think the climb would have been too much for the kids. Next time you go, put it on the top of your list.

  17. Helen Truesdale says

    Please do not apologize for all of your pictures! I just LOVE seeing your vacation recaps and enjoy each and every smile you capture! Thanks for taking us along with you, I truly enjoy seeing all of your adventures.

  18. Alston and McKenzie says

    Hey Shay! I saw that you travelled internationally when Kensington and Smith were little. I was wondering if you have any tips/tricks/advice for the plane rides or in general? My husband and I are going to London next Thanksgiving with a 2.5 year old and hopefully another baby. (Trying to get pregnant right now.) Little nervous thinking about the flight especially! My email is mckenzie.causey@gmail.com. Thank you! McKenzie

  19. Kara says

    I have so enjoyed a glimpse into your family's vacation. I am part Norwegian and I feel as if Norway is such an underrated travel destination. Beautiful photos and memories.

  21. Megan says

    I love seeing all your pictures!!!! And how cool is it that your kids have played in parks all over the world!!!

  23. Kristina @ Ms.Modify says

    Wow Norway looks so charming! I seriously love that you packed umbrellas and rain boots… I always pack an umbrella just incase and everyone laughs at me! (and then when it's raining, they try to squeeze under mine! Ha)

  24. Angie says

    You should do a post on your vacation prep:)
    Do you have any favorite sites that you use when researching the different ports and things to do? I always feel so overwhelmed trying to decide what would be worth seeing, and also trying to find something non touristy. My husband and I are doing an Alaska cruise next summer.
    and I am assuming you just checked the weather to know to bring umbrellas and rain boots?

  25. Morgan Godbold says

    I love all these pictures!! They havemade me want to go to Norway! Also, what lip color are you wearing on the rainy day in Kristiansand, Norway?

    Thanks,
    Morgan

  27. SD and EJ says

    So fun! This is a random comment, but my kids are your kids exact same ages and they LOVE the card games Sleeping Queens and Rat-a-Tat Cat. And, bonus, I actually love playing with them. You should try them!

  28. Cristy Ballweg says

    Love the pictures! You and the kids are always so appropriately dressed and have everything needed for trips and occasions. Do you have any great tips for packing?

  30. Errin Rybicki says

    We're a cruising family too! Love this itinerary. One question, how was the food? We love to cruise, but we've had a not-so-yummy experience with dining on our last cruise. We've never tried Holland America, so i was curious.
    Also, gorgeous family! God bless-

  32. ProudAuntKaren says

    This is so fun!! Thanks for taking us on this adventure!!!
    I am so glad my morning tea and before work blog reading is now back on!! 🙂
    Karen

  33. Anne says

    How fun that you guys were in Norway and Kristiansand! I am from Kristiansand, and I have lived here my whole life. It is a wonderful city, and I am glad you were able to enjoy it even though the weather wasn´t on your side.

  36. Shan Rocha says

    Was super excited waiting for your vacay pics and they didn't disappoint !! Gorgeous pics, beautiful family -as silly as it sounds, you guys make me happy 🙂

  37. Aubrey says

    Love that you made the most of your rainy day. It never fails to impress me that gloomy family days in little European town and villages look so darn beautiful.

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