The Swedes say there is no bad weather, just bad clothes!!

I would have to disagree with them during this time we have had Miles!! I haven't been able to do nearly as much as I wanted to do but it has rained every day and is just plain nasty!! I know that I can't hold on to him any longer and must pass him on again. Maybe after everyone is finished, he could come and visit us again when the sun shines!!

Here is the rest of the update from the palace visit......

After catching a glimpse of the Princess in the window, we headed Västerlånggatan. Gatan means street. It is a popular tourist attraction as it has many shops, cafes and restaurants. We even found a Ben and Jerry's but I was told that it was too cold out to have an ice cream!!
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A few blocks up, they even had a 7-Eleven
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After walking on Västerlånggatan for a bit, Kathryn's mommy said it was time to get on the T-bana (subway) and find a McDonald's for dinner. Yeah! I was so excited to hear that they have McDonald's too just like in the USA!!

Here I am showing you the different stops on the subway line. I think the McCoy kids had their fill of pictures at this point!
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And here I am waiting on the train. Kathryn wanted her picture taken because their was a pigeon in the background.
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And when the train was pulling up.
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When we rode the train, we were really far underground and had to take a very long and high escalator to get out and back onto the street. Here is another shot of me!
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After all of that walking and riding, we finally made it to Karlaplan. This is an area in Östermalm, where Kathryn lives. We have heard that Tiger Woods has an apt here! I was so happy to see my Happy Meal. It was very tasty! Did you know that the kids meals here, you can pick either carrots or apples and you still get fries too?!
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Here is Kathryn helping me with a drink. I sure was thirsty!
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What a great night I had. Kathryn's family has been very busy! They are still trying to move and Kathryn's mommy is doing Thanksgiving for 21 people in their apt!! It is going to be amazing but more because their ovens are too small to really fit the turkey.

Kathryn has told me that I am going to go and visit a new family and tells me that I am going to have a lot of fun. She was really sorry that we didn't get to go ice skating and see some other sites but the weather just didn't cooperate. I will be sad to leave her but can't wait to see what my next adventure holds for me!!

Kathryn's mommy said that she would come and let you know when I am on my way but looks like my plane is leaving tomorrow!!

The Palace and the Crown Princess!!

Today was an exciting day! Kathryn's mom took me to school to pick up the kids and told us we were going on adventure to Gamla Stan, which is the old town and a huge tourist attraction. She said we had to run because it was getting dark and wanted to get the best pictures possible!

Once we left the school, we took a bus that let us off right in front of the palace. It doesn't really look like a palace but rather a large old building. I guess the palace was burnt down in the late 1600's and was rebuilt and took many years. The Royal Family doesn't live here but the do work from their offices inside. And on their birthdays, they even come out and shake hands with all of the well wishers!
Here we are on the side of palace. In the background you can see Storkyrkan. Stor means great and Kyrkan means church.
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And here is what it looks like in the sun. But we really don't get to see much sun outside of the month of July and a bit of August. It rains here all of the time!
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As we walked up the hill the see Storkyrkan (pronounced Store-sure-khan) we were so excited to see that the 'changing of the guards' was about to take place!! Kathryn's mom got it on video!!
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And the upcoming activities at Storkyrkan
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After we passed the Storkyrkan, we ended up at Stortorget. It is a large square in the center of Gamla Stan, that many years ago was the site of a terrible fight between Denmark and Sweden. Today, it is a very pretty place to visit. They were even putting up a Christmas tree. There are buildings that outline this square. The Stockholm Stock Exchange Building, the Noble Museum, a few cafes and some very pretty buildings.

Outside Noble Museum
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Just as we were leaving the square we ran into Crown Princess Victoria and her fiancè Daniel!! Too bad it was in a picture frame in a tourist shop!
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Whew!! That sure was a lot of things that I had to tell everyone about. I still have more that I will have to post tomorrow. I am really tired and must get to bed! :)

And now for brunch!!

On Sunday, we walked around the corner from Kathryn's apt to have brunch. We heard a rumor that it was like an American brunch with all you can eat food!! So, we thought we would check it out. It was a bit crowded when we got there so Kathryn's daddy ordered us hot chocolates from the bar while we waited for a seat!

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The rumor was right!!! There was a ton of food and Kathryn and her brothers got to make their own waffles. Of course, they were in the shapes of hearts. Swedes love heart shaped waffles!! And they ate them with jam and cream just like a crêpe. Come to think of it, I don't think we have seen maple syrup here yet!!

After all of that food, we took the rest of the day off and caught up on some American TV! It was great to see all of my friends on Noggin, Disney and PBS!

Weekend adventures of ballet and brunch

Hej Hej Everyone!! Still having a great time but I must confess....Kathryn's mom takes way too many pictures!! She hasn't stopped since I got here. I secretly think she is part of the paparazzi. I sure am enjoying this movie star treatment!!

This weekend I got to go to Kathryn's ballet class. It was such a treat! I think Kathryn's mom was a bit envious since she has never been allowed to watch the class. I was amazed at how well Kathryn does since the class is in complete Swedish and she only speaks English. Kathryn was so excited that class was over though, she ran out with out me!! Thankfully, her sweet teacher got me back where I belonged before everyone left me. :)

1st Elevator ride. Our "hiss" (Swedish word for elevator) has a seat in it!!
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Before going in for ballet
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Outside Ballet Akademin Stockholm
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Waiting for the bus. I don't know if I am keeping Kathryn warm or she is keeping me warm! Her brothers told me that it was warm that day since they didn't have to wear hats or gloves!
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And finally on our journey back home. We took the bus since Kathryn's family doesn't have a car! It was so much fun! Most of the time they walk everywhere!
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Jet lag, moving and computer issues....oh my!!

I am having a lot of fun here in Sweden and haven't had much time to write! Kathryn's family has a lot going on right now!! First, I am dealing with a bit of jet lag. That sure was a long way to fly! Kathryn's mommy made a really nice bed and it was so nice to stretch out after being so cramped in that box!! Kathryn's family is also moving from one apt to another! It is going a bit slow but mostly because they don't see the sun very much right now, it is really rainy/snowy and Kathryn's daddy has been busy at work.

Kathryn's mom took pictures of what happened when they went to the post office to pick me up. She wanted to share them since it is a bit different than in the US.

They got a note in their mailbox, which is really a hole in their door! It told them where to find me! Since I was a big box, they got to go to the real post office otherwise they would have gone to a tobacco shop. Can you believe that packages are rarely delivered to your apt!!
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The next pictures are of the kids picking me up. Notice the 'lovely' Swedish weather!! It was only 4pm and completely dark! Here are the kids getting ready to go inside. Notice the post boxes. One box for international mail and the other for domestic.
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Once you get into the post office you must 'tryck' a number or push the button to get a number to wait your turn. Here is Jonathan standing by the machine and then showing you the number.
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Inside the post office
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Outside the post office under the sign
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So, that was my journey to Kathryn's apt. It sure was long!! I am having a lot of fun and missed Kathryn on Friday when she went to school. Kathryn's mommy was right about me staying home. I slept so good with everyone gone for the day!

Today, I went to Kathryn's ballet class and got to ride an elevator and a city bus. I know Kathryn's mommy will put those pictures up soon. But now it is really late here. I bet most of you are about to have dinner and I should be sleeping! Can't wait to see what they have in store for me for tomorrow!!!

The Monkey Has Landed!!!!

More to follow........  :)