Slovakia

During All Saints' Week, we took a trip to the northern part of Slovakia, where we had a wonderful reunion with Honza & Zuzka and got to meet little David and 3 month-old Marek for the first time.

The people who owned the house we rented also ran a small horse farm, so of course that was our first stop.

Adri enjoyed the part about brushing the little horse afterwards (the horse liked it too).

Ilo rode in every position imaginable, forwards and backwards, standing on her feet and then on her head (well, not quite...)

Basti fell in love with a real live meow who, despite being a kitten, patiently let him cuddle her without too many complaints.

On the second day we went for a hike. It should have taken an hour but somehow with 5 kids and a dog it took the whole day.

We spent most of the time relaxing on a lovely meadow on the slope of a hill, enjoying the views and the sun on our faces, and playing with the kids. Zuzka+David.

Special delivery for Honza and Marek!

Adrienn and Akela digging for moles. We prayed to God they wouldn't catch any.

We celebrated Papa's birthday at the cottage.

The girls provided live music.

Our last hike together.

Adrienn, always hungry, found herself a snack. Well, at least it was the right shape!

Meanwhile Ilo and Basti stopped at every puddle to make "hot chocolate."

Photo-duelling with Honza-David.

We couldn't imagine a more idyllic place for a diaper change!

Outings with the big family

Visit to the bear farm with Zsofi, Marci, Emese, Lilla, and Ben

We got to feed honey to the bears with long wooden spoons.

The Bears and the 3 B's (Ben, Basti and Balint-Papa)

At least as exciting as the bears (for Basti) was the antique children's train parked at the entrance to the farm.

Lilla munching on a Lilla-sized zsemle (roll).

(A week or so later), a walk up the hill behind Nagymama's house with Nagymama, Kata, Eszter, Emma, Ambrus, Emese, Ben and Lilla.

Little Emma helping take care of Lilla.

Papa-tunnel, Basti-tunnel.

Nagymama-Ambrus.

Nagymama is always well-prepared - this time with Leibniz animal crackers. I knew this Leibniz was a smart fellow...

Buda + Pest

Mama's favorite building (Parliament) in Budapest, as it looks on her morning commute to work.
...through the arches of the Fishermen's Bastion.
...and with Adri in the foreground.
On the other side of the river, a few weeks ago, we attended a theatre festival, where Ilo tried some new roles.
All three munchkins made themselves some new headgear.
Where is Basti?
Papa can wear it too, in his own way.
Our first Hungarian llama.

Life in Hungary

So we have finally settled into our life in Budapest. Summer seems already like a distant memory, but fortunately we have some photos to remind us of all the fun things we did.

A view of the famous Lánc Hid (Chain Bridge) from Castle Hill, not too far from where we live.
Aboard the Children's Railway...
...which is one of the more charming remnants of Socialist times.
Zsófi, the youngest of papa's 4 sisters, got married this summer. Zsófi and Marci at their wedding party, where Adrienn performed a few pieces on her violin.
A big hug for Ilona after her performance.
Onwards to the castle in Visegrad (the former royal seat of Hungary) where our kids learned to be "real" Hungarians...



And to Tata, where we explored another old fortress and enjoyed a beautiful hike around the lake. A view of the moat by the entrance to the fortress.
Basti happy that the sun has come out at last.
Ilona and the world's tiniest csiga-biga (snail)

Quebec

Between moving out of our summer apartment and leaving for Budapest we had 10 days to spend in Quebec, with just enough time remaining to prepare for our departure (and for papa to install some kitchen cabinets in our new old house).

First stop: Mt. Tremblant National Park. Another two-phase vacation....I'm starting to see a pattern here.

A quick photo before our canoe expedition around Lac Monroe.

Next to our campsite we found a beautiful place to fish. Didn't catch any fish, but the place was truly beautiful...Adri was looking like quite the experienced fisher-lady.

Ilo tried out fishing for the first time...

But discovered she was more interested in ...

... frogs!

...and posing for photos with Basti.

We had a delightful time swimming in Lac Chat, the perfect lake for Basti, whose best friend is a little orange stuffed Meow.

One last splash in the lake before heading home.

It took 5 hours to drive to Quebec City. Adrienn didn't mind serving as a pillow for her younger siblings as long as she was provided with lots of books to keep her occupied.

Once in Quebec City the kids begged relentlessly to be allowed to ride on one of the ubiquitous horse-drawn carriages in the old quarter, and mama and papa caved in. It was worth it for the smile on Adrienn's face.

Fifi the horse was rewarded with a carrot afterwards, divided ino three bite-sized pieces.

Ilona at the top of the "spider web" structure in the playground. Never seen those in any Ontario playground - perhaps the influence of the Cirque du Soleil tradition in Quebec...

The wind atop the hill and the setting sun made for lovely photos.

Sitting on the cannons in the fortress was Basti's #1 favorite pastime in Quebec City. It seems his enthusiasm was contagious.


It was our good luck that we were in Quebec City for the Nouvelle France Festival. We enjoyed lots of local food, music, and the sights and sounds of the 17th century French settlements.

The streets were thronged with people in period costume. The girls here are in line to be judged in the "Best Costume" contest.