Amsterdam Getaway - Day 2 & 3

We started our second day in Amsterdam off efficiently, by jumping in line at the Anne Frank House before it opened.  We had been warned about the long lines, and were successful in arriving with a very minimal wait time - probably 10 minutes at most.  The house/museum walk-through lasted for an hour, and it was an hour very well spent.  This was one particular museum I had been looking forward to visiting since moving over here, and I was not disappointed.  I was humbled and saddened to walk through this significant piece of history, insuring that I will never forget the past.  Our kids did exceptionally well and, once again, we were very proud of them.

No pictures allowed inside, but here is the nameplate on the outside of the house.

Front of the house on the canal.

We hit another beautiful, and cold, day, allowing us to roam about the city with ease (and take more pictures!).

This is the view looking out from the Anne Frank House.

Because of the productive start to our day, we had a world of time for more activities.  We meandered toward Dam Square, which is Amsterdam's best known square.

The Royal Palace.

Not a very good picture - unfortunately, it's the only one I apparently took of the grand view.

The building in the background is called Magna Plaza, and is a large shopping center.  Pretty inviting, if you ask me!

Sundial at the top of De Nieuwe Kerk.  I guess this sundial was once used to set the clocks in the entire country.

Such beautiful architecture throughout the city.

Another shot of the Royal Palace, and us.

We decided that the best way for our group to learn more about the city in the time we had left of our trip, would be to take a bus tour.  We boarded a double decker "hop-on, hop-off" bus, put in our earphones and relished in the warmth of the bus and the facts of the city being shared.  

A group of happy people!

Well, except the littlest one.  He wasn't quite sure what to make of the bus ride at first.

We stopped at the Gassan Diamond Factory, where we went on a free 30 minute tour, to see beautiful gems, being precisely cut by workers with exceptional eye-sight and an absurd amount of patience.  :)  After the tour, we walked around and found a delightful cafe to eat at for lunch.  This was a night and day difference from our first day's lunch experience.  When lunch was through, we boarded the bus again, and proceeded on with our tour. 

Maddie had the headphones in about 50% of the time, and the rest of the time, was a happy camper, sitting in the front, and on the top of the bus. 

Driving by the Rijksmuseum.

It was by this point we had decided we would go around the loop one more time...I think it was an excellent call.

His head finally fell over enough to gently lay him in my lap.  It was a very peaceful rest of the ride. :)

Amsterdam Centraal Station

Geoffrey woke up, and when I took one look at him, I burst out laughing.  His hair is always so stick straight, that this Elvis bed-head was too much for me!

We got off the bus at the Rijksmuseum, where we walked around the vast parks that stretch out behind it.  This also allowed the kids to play at a playground to stretch their legs.  They really had been such troopers with so many adult activities, that it only seemed fair to let them run off some of their energy for a bit. 

Vondelpark, a beautiful "central" park in Amsterdam, where several people were out riding bikes and playing with their dogs, before the sun would go down.

 We hopped on the bus one final time to get closer to "home" and find dinner.  Martha had spotted a place earlier called "The Pancake Bakery."  It was a delicious find, with so many fabulous pancakes to choose from.  I ended up getting an "international thai pancake."  It was right up my alley!

Brant decided upon the autumn special, which consisted of poached pears, cranberry compote, cinnamon ice cream, whipped cream, powdered sugar and chocolate shavings.  Oh. My. Word.  Talk about your sugar buzz.

The biggest surprise of the night was the pancakes I had ordered for the kids.  I quietly ordered them, so as not to tell the kids and keep them in suspense as to what they would be eating - a "princess pancake" and a "car pancake."  I was thinking this meant the pancakes would be in the shape of these objects.  The waitress did inform me that there would be a small toy included with the meal.  Okay, I thought.  Like a Happy Meal, right?  So wrong.  This is what showed up.

Yup.  A huge toy truck, a pancake with sugar, three candies and a lollypop.  WOW. 

Maddie's food came out with the same presentation, but instead of the truck, she was given a princess wand, tiara, and earrings.  She exclaimed, "The restaurant gave me a new toy!  You guys didn't!"  I made it very clear who was paying for the dinner that gave her the toy (thank you Grandma and Grandpa), and that this is the only restaurant that does this.  Needless to say, she was super excited!

It was a great dinner and a fun way to conclude our trip with Dale and Martha, before they took off on an airplane the following morning.

On Saturday morning, we said our goodbyes to Dale and Martha and sent them on their way.  We decided it would be best if we kept ourselves busy in the city for awhile, before heading home.  This would also help with the feelings of sadness that always appear when company has to leave.  Our plan was simply to wander about the city, exploring just a bit more. 

We found the stomping grounds of our friends who came over to the Netherlands for the same reason we are here, just a year before us.  This bakery was highly recommended by them...and now it is highly recommended by us.  Yummy!!

Incredible raisin cinnamon twists with pink frosting - soo good.

Keeping warm with our gloves!  The kids are so excited about them because they are such a novelty for these California babes!

Finally, Maddie spotted Santa Claus on our walk, and insisted upon taking her picture with him.  :)

Amsterdam is a fantastic city.  The history, the architecture, the scenery, the energy, the life, the beauty...we had a marvelous time.   Our time with Dale and Martha was one to be cherished and looked back upon fondly for years to come.  We did so many memorable things - many which we would never have experienced together if we did not live here (like riding bikes as our only means of transportation!).  Thank you for making the trip to come and visit us!!   And, I successfully crossed one European destination off of my bucket list.  Next up?  The Christmas Markets in Cologne, Germany in 4 weeks!