A Trip Down Memory Lane

Our travels often serve as book markers of time. When Mrs. Sandman and I are trying to think of when a certain event took place, we tend to find ourselves marking against our vacations. "That happened just after we got back from Australia - remember?" It strikes me that sometimes I mark my memories of my kids growing up in the same way, with the family trips as the yardstick.

Here's a look at Sandgirl growing up - every year a new stamp on her passport...



2004 - 1 year old, her first trip to Europe. Here was a vacation to Germany and Switzerland. This shot was in Wengen - we stopped there on the way back down from the top of the Jungfrau. She had just started walking a few months before.

2005 - A tour of Tuscany. This is in Florence, and that's Ponte Vechio in the background. She got to sample the best gelato ever on the other side of that bridge. Say cheese!

2006 - The year her baby brother was born. But he wasn't born just yet  when this pic was taken - here we're in Venezuela, she's playing with her cousin.

2007 - Germany and Austria. That's Neuschwanstein castle in the background - this is the place that inspired the Disney castle! We looked all over for princesses, but the prettiest princess was right there on my back all along.

2008 - This year mommy and daddy went to Australia and sent the kids off to the Grandparents in Kansas. Kudos to the Grandparents! Sandinette reeled in a trophy perch there behind Grandpa's house - must have been the good luck smurf charm necklace she'd made for the occasion. This is also the year Sandinette started kindergarten.

2009 - England. We stayed in Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds. Beautiful, beautiful place! Sandgirl started her habit of writing and drawing in her travel journal on this trip.

2010 - Burgundy. She's capturing some memories in that travel journal of hers.

2011 - Iceland. She loved the waterfalls and glaciers and lagoons in Iceland - who wouldn't? She's such a big girl.

I can't wait to see what 2012 will bring...