Labor Day holiday in Finland

Our very first holiday in Finland, and I must say it wasn't too bad. On Friday, we had a pleasant surprise and received our new vehicle. It got to the port from Germany on Thursday the 1st, so Troy went to pick it up at lunchtime on Friday and I had no idea. He wanted to surprise Chloe and I when he got home that afternoon. Which he did around five but I was upstairs bathing the children and getting them ready for our trip out to dinner. We were all ready to go and walked outside of the house, went down the steep hilly street that is alongside of our house, and I see a vehicle right away that looks like ours. I say to Troy, that's our color, and he says, no, that's black, I told him no that's the dark blue like ours. He then knew he was busted because he had the obvious smirk on his face, and then Chloe & I got all excited because we knew it was ours and it was finally here. YAY!! 
We took the first ride in our car to Itakeskus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%C3%A4keskus_shopping_centre) center to go eat supper and to look around the mall while we were there. It was a nice ride and we enjoyed it. Getting to know all the gadgets and buttons are going to be fun. We got there had supper and then we found the high-end grocery store here that someone told us about. It's called Prisma (http://www.prisma.fi/market/prisma?a_Visit:dockat=060_Lyhyesti09019b36807c871f&myymala=Prisma+It%C3%A4keskus&paikkakunta=Helsinki&osuuskauppa=HOK-ELANTO&pageName=Doc)
Troy and I were really excited to find it because it reminds us of a SuperTarget back in the states. It's pretty much the same thing but a lot bigger. The store seemed to go on for days, it does because it has 3 floors. Troy and I knew that it was going to be impossible to get it in all in one day. We figured we would try again another day. We got home, got the children to bed and then watched a little t.v. but that pretty much was our Friday night and off to bed we went. 
We got up just like any other day, didn't matter it was Saturday. No sleeping late on the weekends around here. The day started with cleaning up the house, washing clothes and then getting ready for our afternoon barbeque at our friends, JP & Melanie's house. Chloe was so excited because she'd get to play with Grant & Mason. We got there after 4, and of course, the children started playing. They had a great time and played very well together. We ate supper, visited and had a very nice time. Around 8, it was time to go because Troy Jr wasn't a happy camper. He was better when we got home and was ready for bed, so I put him and Chloe to bed, then Troy & I weren't far behind them. We knew that the next day would be our biggest adventure yet because we were going to get in the car and see what other things Finland had to offer.
Sunday morning, got up and finished up the rest of our laundry, packed up the diaper bag and made sure I had extra stuff just in case because I really had no idea where the road would take us. Then secretively Troy was packing more things that I didn't know about. He had something up his sleeve and he wasn't saying. All he'd say was that we were going to check out Porvoo, Finland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porvoo) which is about 40 mins east from where we live in Helsinki. We've been wanting to go because there have been a few people tell us that it's really nice. We packed the car up, loaded the children and took off for the store first that sold GPS's. (http://www.gigantti.fi/) Then we'd be on our way because we didn't want to get too lost. We got the GPS, set it up and headed to Porvoo. 

Chloe enjoying the ride so far!!

Troy Jr

                          

It was so nice out on the open road to see all the hills, countryside, and beautiful farm houses on our way. It reminded me of when we use to live in Virginia, acres of land for days, just beautiful. On our way we saw a place that we had to stop and check out. It was something that Troy said he had seen online and it was funny because we kind of accidentally ran into it. (http://www.noark.fi/) Noark Miniature World is a wonderful place to bring your children. It's a complete model of Finland and surrounding areas, also other countries too. Their own little world, in one building. It was so cute and Chloe really did enjoy herself. We all enjoyed it and were so glad that we did stop to check it out. 

Noark Miniature World in Porvoo, Finland

Priceless

Battles of the Road of Raate

Old Town Hall in Porvoo, Finland

Porvoo Cathedral (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porvoo_Cathedral)

Troy & Chloe enjoying the miniature world in lights

Central Railway Station, Helsinki

Eiffel Tower

This is how Troy Jr enjoyed the tour   

                      

On our way to the city, we just rode around looking at all the beautiful countryside, and took a few pictures of a wheat farm. It's amazing when you see these things close up. WOW!! I was in awe at all the wheat. We continued to just take our time on the drive to the city. It was so nice and we loved just being together.

Wheat farm in Porvoo, Finland

We got to the city of Porvoo, and Troy wanted us to go and walk to the Old Town of Porvoo, where they have old fishing villages and other interesting things to explore. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woqW5yYpUsY) Found this youtube video that best describes what we got to see. It was amazing and we loved taking pictures of everything, so yes, we did go a little crazy with the camera, even though it's not our good one. The Iphone & touchpad got their workout because we ran them until the batteries were out. LOL!! We loved everything we saw and wish we could have taken more pictures. 

Old Town Porvoo

A very steep walk

And it continues

Finally, we made it

Porvoo Cathedral

While walking through Old Town and seeing all there was to see, we all started to get hungry, so we decided to look for a restaurant with Finnish food. Since moving here we haven't had any and thought we'd try it out. We had a visitors book that had a map in it and it also had a walking tour guide in it, so we noticed through the town there were several restaurants to choose from. We decided on Ravintola Wanha Laamanni (http://www.wanhalaamanni.com/eng/restaurant.html), which was right next to the Cathedral. Troy ordered the veal for us to share and the children got the Swedish meatballs with fries. Everything was delicious and we enjoyed it very much. Now we can say that we've had Finnish food and it was good. We ate outside and it was really nice but it got a little chilly so I have some pictures of Chloe all wrapped up in the blankets that they provide. She was too cute!!

A little chilly out here!!

My sweet little family

Troy Jr having fun with the napkin holder

Chloe & Mommy in front of the restaurant

After leaving the restaurant, we decided to continue walking more of the town before heading to the hotel. We went down the street and back in the area of the shops again. While there we ran into a couple walking their dog and Chloe was sitting on the bench playing with the tour guide book. The man asked Chloe if she wanted to take a picture with their dog and she said yes. It was the cutest thing because Chloe ended up getting a lick (kiss) from the dog and he stayed still the whole time for me to take pictures of them both. It was so precious, I couldn't wait to share the pictures with everyone.

Chloe & a very sweet dog

After the dog left, Chloe wanted us to take pictures of her reading her book on the bench. Not sure why but I've noticed that she does like to pose. It's Ok because she's so darn cute!!

After taking pictures of our beautiful princess we headed to the hotel and called it a night. We planned to start early in the morning to head back to see everything again and add the village to the list of things to do since we hadn't made it that way. Most of the shops were closed because it was late on Sunday and we knew they'd be open on Monday, Labor Day because it's our holiday not the Finns. We got back to the hotel and realized that we didn't have much life on our battery for the Iphone so we switched to the touchpad hoping to get somewhat decent pictures. We think they came out alright. At least we got them, because we could have been in Porvoo for the first time with nothing. That would have sucked for me, for those of you who do know me. LOL!! We took these pictures of Chloe & Troy Jr at the hotel before going to bed to test it before trying to figure out another solution. 

Chloe

Chloe & Troy Jr

Troy Jr

LABOR DAY!!!!

Just like any other day, getting up early I mean. It was a little different because we were all in the same room so we all slept ok but were up getting ready for breakfast really early. The hotel had breakfast that we went to eat and then took off for the city. Nothing in Old Town opened until 10, so we just took the opportunity to walk around and take all the pictures we took. We went into the fishing village and took pictures there first.

Chloe in the flower garden

Beginning of village tour, Beautiful fountain

Troy & I being silly

Chloe enjoying the piece of art

Troy Jr, Chloe & I

Nature, so beautiful

Chloe loving her flower

The bee that posed for the camera

Troy & Chloe being silly

Chloe playing, taking a picture of herself

A boat restaurant that we found

We saw all the boats and village, it was a nice piece of history to be able to see. Very nice and now it was time to head to the tourist information center to find out where the Brunberg Chocolate Factory and the other parts of Old Town were that we didn't get to see. 

Mommy & Chloe in front of the tourist center

Old Town Hall (http://www.porvoonmuseo.fi/index.php)

We continued going through Old Town, enjoying our walk, just looking around. We didn't go to the museum because they didn't open until 12 and we needed to find a place to eat so that we could feed two hungry, tired children. We took off down the lanes and just walked, & walked, not before we took plenty of more pictures. 

Porvoo Castle (now little shops)

Mommy & Chloe 

Cafes all down the street

Porvoo Cathedral

Another beautiful lane headed to the Brunberg factory

Brunberg Chocolate Factory

Hanna Maria (http://www.hanna-maria.fi/index_e.html)

We were suppose to eat there but never got a chance. If in three years there is another trip back to Porvoo, we definitely will be going back. Finnish food there too!!

After our long day in the city and Old Town we decided to head towards the hotel where the car was and start heading home. On our way, we found a park and decided to stop for a little while so that Chloe could play and have fun before we left. Hoping she'd tire out on our way back. Looks like Mommy & Daddy had fun with her too. 

A fountain of a boy & a fish in the park

Chloe swinging while Daddy watches

Chloe climbing the stairs

Mommy being silly

Chloe & Mommy having a ball

Smart girl making those boys pedal

I don't think anyone was pedaling 

Troy Jr hanging out

Johannes Linnankoski (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Linnankoski)

This was our last picture of the day, and I found it suiting because he's a Finnish author. I believe we are all authors of our destiny, and I believe that Troy, the children and I had the best Labor Day ever because we made it what it was and it turned out to be a wonderful little getaway. Us, the authors of our weekend!! I believe this chapter is closed now and we know that Porvoo is just as beautiful as Helsinki, but with a little less busyness. It's more rural and country, that's what Troy & I loved about it. It has so much history and history that we loved seeing and learning even if it was only for one day.