Amsterdam!

One of our goals for 2013 is to do more traveling. We feel a little guilty every time someone tells about "that one place in Europe" that is the "most beautiful place in the world" and they would kill to be in our position. Well people, I would love to travel more as well but there is one thing holding me back...it's called a day job! Nonetheless, we are planning to go on a trip at least once a month this year and Emily is scouring all of the travel deals websites to make sure we don't go into the poor house doing it. We decided to kick things off with a trip to Amsterdam.

Now, I know this is the internet, the home of exaggerated statements, but I feel I am being 100% truthful when I say Amsterdam is the most interesting city that I have been to in Europe. Living up to its name of "Venice of the North" I think I could have wandered around this town all week and not gotten bored. Beautiful canals, interesting narrow buildings, and lots of history. The people reminded me of a European version of San Francisco, very interesting and a little determined to be different than other big cities.

The Anne Frank House was amazing! We unknowingly played it perfectly and went to see the museum first thing in the morning. When we came out 2 hours later there was a line that went down the street and wrapped around the corner. Later in the afternoon when we floated by on a canal tour and the line was just as long if not longer. The museum is really moving. The rooms that the two families lived in have been recreated to to look exactly how they were when the families lived there. In the museum portion they had video with people that knew Anne in the concentration camps and lived to tell their story. My biggest take away from it all was that so often we think about the things we don't we don't have or restrictions on us (i.e. time, talent, money, etc.). Seeing the Anne Frank house made me think of all the things that I do have. Anne wrote page after page in her diary about wanting to simply open the window to let in the sun light, let alone go outside and play like normal kids do. It made me think how blessed I am to have absolutely no needs and very few wants.

We also visited the Rijks Museum. I always like to throw this in because 1) going to museums is something that I have to give Emily full credit for bringing to our marriage and 2) we sound considerably more cultured when I mention it. It was nothing major, we just saw a couple hundred priceless works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and the like. No biggie.

Finally, we had a lot of fun on a canal tour, visiting the Hague Temple, wandering around the city in search for fun restaurants. It was a perfect weekend.

We started off the long weekend at Vapiano, one of our favorite restaurants.
Valentine's is especially fun for us because it is the day we got engaged!

Em's gift - South Texas Cheesecake!

Just after crossing the border in to Holland. There was dense fog during the whole 2.5 hour drive.

After a session at The Hague Temple in Zortermeer, 45 minutes south of Amsterdam.

Beautiful sunset, beautiful renewable energy. They are really in to windmills!

I just loved this picturesque, quiet, European street in the background. 

The canals were amazing at night! We walked around for hours in awe.

On our way to the Anne Frank house. This town with narrow little streets really was made for bicycles.

The Anne Frank house was something not to be missed. The museum is a more modern building, which is connected to  the original Anne Frank House.

In front of the doors leading to Mr. Otto Frank's factory and office. The Frank family and another family lived in the secret annex at the top of this building.

Beautiful church, very typical of Amsterdam architecture.

Just catching some rays.

I don't think her feet could touch the ground.

Another awesome building. Quickly snapped this picture before jumping on the tram.

On the grounds leading to the Rijks Museum. This was the best museum we have ever been to!

How appropriate...a sculpture of cupid on Valentine's Day weekend.

Loved this picture. It was meant to show Amsterdam's wealth back in its hay day of the 17th century.

We were thinking about how much Little Dan would love playing with this "model" boat.
(It was about 10 feet long and 12 feet tall)

This artist was considered the best at reflection, which is why he put so many reflecting pieces in his pictures.
Not sure if it's as cool in a picture, but it was amazing in person.

Emily took this picture for me while we were on a canal tour, mostly because it has my favorite car out front.
I love the Land Rover Defender 110, and we get to see them much more often over here in Europe.

Cool little bridge.

Emily found this fun little place to eat one night.

Another beautiful night walk.

We heard about this place from a friend. It was a little more style than substance but still really fun.

Probably my favorite picture from the trip.

We navigated to the Amsterdam ward on Sunday morning and it was great!
We had English headphones and one of the missionaries translated sacrament meeting for us. At least 15 other people needed translation as well- at least 100 people attended, and it was very international.