*Another (late) Update*

There is too much to be said. In a nutshell: Life always moves quickly. However, here are some highlights:

To try and curb his extra energy we've been doing chores together. He's a really good Helper

We collected leaves and decorated our other mantle

We've been playing the days away

This is what it looks like by 4pm in the afternoon, so it's hard to want to do anything besides curl up in a blanket with Maddix (Travis as well, but he does have things to do:)

Another outing in the snow: He finds himself quite hilarious

 OKAY: Our Temple Trip/Take Bryce His Package Trip
Wednesday morning we boarded a bus bound for Warsaw where we first purchased sleeper train tickets for that night from Warsaw to Prague (9 1/2 travel while sleeping; done deal). We found out however that the cars were all full and we'd have to share one that sleeps 6 (so 4 strangers). We said fine and began our 6hr wait until the trains departure.

The day was pretty miserable. Maddix was NOT happy about being dragged around in the cold. Eventually it was so cold out that we paid for some play time at an indoor playground (top photo). Then to kill the last of our time we had dinner at the HardRock, and let me tell you: It is the BEST place to eat at on Halloween. Everyone's costumes were phenominal, and we enjoyed some real American food (Middle photo). Then we finally boarded our train and were so gratefully surprised to have no one sleeping in our car with us (Right side photo).

We pulled into Prague at 7:30am and began exploring until our afternoon check-in to our apt we were renting (much cheaper and BETTER than a hotel!).

We once again began getting crabby as the weather dipped Colder and Colder, and to our luck we wandered into a cafe at just the right time and had some brunch

delicious

This was what our bill came in and where we left our tip (coins even)!

That night we dropped Bryce's package off to his mission home, explored until pitch dark, grabbed some dinner and hunkered down in some blankets, ate, and watched Cinderella:) The next morning we were off to Freiberg for our Temple session. When we reserved our room there weren't any available, besides one room; lucky for us it was a wheelchair accessible room so we ended up with more space, we were next to the kitchen AND had a private bathroom (whereas the other rooms all have shared). We were each able to do a session and also learned a valuable lesson: Freiberg doesn't use debit/credit ANYWHERE.

Temple Housing

We actually ran out of cash and had to walk back to the train station the next morning. But it was a pretty walk, and the weather was warmer than it had been. So we boarded our train and made a detour into Dresden (a gorgeous city all around) before heading back to Prague to catch our 10pm sleeper train back to Warsaw: I think this day was my favorite by far!

Last of our German pastries

All day everything was breath taking and anytime we stopped walking we just ate and ate and ATE! Then around dinner we made our way to Prague. And can I say, if I ever thought Prague was pretty in the day... it is MUCH more beautiful at night! None of the pictures do it justice, and words can't describe its beauty.

We were able to get our own private sleeper car on the way back and we loved it, and all its amenities it came with. We arrived into Warsaw at 8:00am, waiting for our bus to leave until 9am, and then made it to Lublin around 11:30am. We were SO happy to be home, and now that it is over and we're not carrying Maddix like a sack of potatoes day in and day out, and not experiencing the public fits, and not freezing, I can say it was such a fun trip:) We're so blessed that in order to go to the Temple, we have to pass through these beautiful places!

P.s. I think Travis would never forgive me if I failed to mention the GOLD PORSCHE we stumbled upon while in Prague. In Trav's words, "Nothing says subtle like a solid gold porsche:)"
Thanks for reading!