Our trip began in Helsinki. Here's a picture of us having lunch on the ferry.
Checking out a hay bale
We had a nice sunny day, though a bit chilly, but the views more than made up for that.
Luke checking out the scenery
Next we headed to Turku, where the weather was rainy and cold. So we took refuge in a bookstore to kill the time. We found Luke the perfect little house.
How do you like your place Luke?
I LOVE it!
After a few days in Turku, we took the scenic Archipelago trail road to visit the Finnish Archipelago. First stop was Nauvo. Luke loved the baby swing by the hotel.
Again, it was a bit chilly, but then we discovered Finnish donuts and coffee. We all felt much better afterwards!
Alex cherished spending all day with Luke.
Luke tries in vain to escape his father's smothering hold.
Hey, who turned off the lights?
Yummmm...daddy's hat...
The archipelago road goes from island to island, and you mostly have to take ferries to get from one island to the other.
Luke sleeping as we wait for the ferry.
There it is!
The hum of the ferry makes for good napping!
Anouk caught sneaking another cookie in her mouth...
Checking out the baltic sea water. It was cold!!
Family portrait
There were lots of great flowers to be seen.
Our next stop was Marimasku, where we stayed on a farm. Our room had a little kitchenette with a sink just big enough to give Luke a bath in.
Getting his weekly pedicure and catching up on the latest stories from the New Yorker. What a life!
Checking out the farm with the stroller and the farm dogs.
Luke thought the sheep were funny.
Hey, where did everyone go?
Oh, there you are!
Here we're getting ready for a big hike. The farm horse came to wish us a good hike.
The farm dog - which we named Howard - came with us and showed us the way. Such a good dog!
More interesting flowers, these ones reminded me of cotton.
Alex carried Luke the whole way
Luke did pretty well on the hike
The trail was covered with the softest moss that you can imagine. It made walking very pleasant.
Next stop on our trip: a day sailing with my brother Cedric and his wife Sylvie.
We had to keep Luke in his lifejacket, which he didn't really like.
We took him down below for his naps.
Crazy aunt Sylvie
Anouk at the helm with Captain Cedric planning our course.
Why did the captain take off his clothes?
Are they going to do what I think they're going to do?
They're crazy!! The water is 12 degrees Celcius. At most!
Cedric desperately trying to get back on the boat.
No such luck mate!
After a chilly dip, a shot of vodka is necessary to get warm again.
Aaaahhh...love....
We didn't swim but we needed warming up too!
Urgh, that stuff is vile!
It was chilly in the afternoon, but check out the kids behind me!
After several shots of vodka, Cedric grilled up some finnish (reindeer?) sausages as an appetizer.
Our last day coincided with the midsummer festival. We decorated the boat with birch branches.
Alex and Cedric trying to catch us some dinner.
Caught anything yet?
Thank god Luke didn't have to wait for the fish to eat!
Here we are after our sauna, headed to the beach for a dip in the water.
Holy shit it's cold!
Making sure Luke is warm enough.
The lighting of the bonfire to celebrate the longest day of the year.
Roaring fire.
Thanks Cedric and Sylvie for a great day/night!
