Helsinki site seeing

Our hotel with a view to the harbor. 

We took a boat tour from the kauppatori through Helsinkis archipelago. 

Maija in the ferry. 

Then from the ferry to the double decker bus. 

Got off the bus at Kaivopuisto park for some romping time. 

Kids liked the rocks as much as the play structure. 

Next stop- temppeliaukio church aka church in the rock. Kai loved it, amazing architecture. It was blasted out of granite. 

The ceiling is a coil of copper that is 13 miles long. 

Anni enjoyed climbing on the outside of the church. 

After a stop at Stockmans and some dinner we went for a walk up to the Uspenski Orthodox Church. Rather than viewing the church, the kids thought it was time for push ups and planks. 

This flower (a clematis?) has a scent that lasts a block. 

Travel day down to Helsinki

On the road again. 

Stopped in Tampere for a much needed break. Went to pyynikki park and observation tower. 

Went for some exercise and a hike. 

Down we go. 

What goes down must come up again. 

Back to the observation tower for some munkki, though one of us wants ice cream and it was her bday. 

Then we got back on the road to Helsinki.  

Anni's birthday

We celebrated the littlest turning 5 today. Here's our on-the-road wrap job of her presents. 

Then Anni and I went for a walk together down to the kalajoki river. 

Anni aka "sandy"

The littlest has discovered that in Finland they put light switches on the outside of the door. She takes great pleasure turning the light off and letting people finish their business in the dark. 

Another big day for a little girl and she's wiped out. 

Soili and Olli's house photos

These city kids are wild with excitement running around the great expanse of the back yard. 

And laundry was on the tops of our list today. 

Back in the land of saunas. 

Our tummys will never be empty with Soili around to feed us.