Europe

Blogging has taken a back seat to moving in and traveling....so I really can't feel bad about that. I still need to post pictures of the house but I was holding out for a yard that may not happen this year. Is it really so much to ask for?

Jim I I got back a few days ago from a trip with some of his family to Europe. We went with his parents, his sister and her husband and his other brother. We flew into Munich, Germany and stayed there for a few days. I didn't know what to expect but it was really green with pretty countryside. ex
This was our visit to a Nazi prison camp. It was depressing to be there and crazy to think that horrible things like that can happen.

Next we drove to Switzerland and visited a couple of castles. The drive there was incredible because there were waterfalls for hours of the drive. Jim's brother Rob took a billion photos and I don't have them yet but it was breathtaking. We also rode up a gondola to the top of the alps. It was freezing to everyone but Jim. He made us walk around outside and explore caves. I managed to put snow down his back without repercussions...that's amazing. His hair did freeze while we hiked to the top of the mountain. It was the cloudiest day but they did blow away for a few minutes and we looked out at the blue sky with clouds below us.

We had to wait to walk to one castle because the cows with bells around their necks were coming through town. Don't ask me....but lederhosen (spelling???) are great. I tried to buy Jim some.



Jim LOVES driving in Italy because all the rules are just suggestions and it is madness there in the streets. We did get to stop for places because we were in a car. We drove through Liechtenstein, which is it's own country. Then we stopped in Milan for a few hours to go into the Duomo (Cathedral). It was amazing and I actually ran into someone I knew there. Crazy!



We also stopped at Pisa after Milan on our way to Florence.

Florence

I was so sad in Florence cause I didn't buy a purse at the market...it's not right!
After Florence we went to Rome...we stopped in Portofino and Sienna on our way to Rome.


I always love traveling and Italy is an amazing place to visit with all the history and ruins. So many beautiful sites and I feel very blessed to be able to go.

LIMBO

Building a new house....fabulous or overrated!
Don't get me wrong, I am super excited and grateful to have one...but the process isn't as much fun. Has anyone heard of a deadline....ours has past a few times already and the work they were supposed to have done today, not so done! So in our show of good faith to people telling us it would be done over and over again...we rented our apartment. Which means Saturday we became homeless. Thankfully all of Jim's family is in Logan. And yes, that means we are staying at Jim's parents. The in-laws! They are great and it's not that big a deal to be staying there. But seriously, I am running out of clothes in my suitcase meant for only a few days. All my stuff is in my basement, in a not so organized pile. It started out more organized but I gave up as friends were so kindly helping move all our belongings to a dirty, unfinished basement. So here I sit...in my husbands office writing this, cause I have no computer service, no home, no TV....just waiting!

Back to School

So glad I got to have a night out on the town with "The Girls". Pat, Wendy,Janice, and Mindy took me under their wings when I taught in Utah last year. They saved me!We had a great time at dinner and a play. It's always an adventure when "The Girls" get together. I will miss teaching with them this year...but it will also be a nice break for me.

California knows how to party

In this case party = friends, food, and relaxing. Which was fabulous! I stayed most of the week with Julie Jones. She moved into the most darling 2 bedroom. It's decorated so cute and it was so fun to spend time with Julie. She is the closest thing to family I had in California for the 9 years I lived there. I had a list of people to see and restaurants to eat at. Oh, how I love California!

I seriously had the best time seeing all the friends I miss. I had lunch and dinner dates all week and I loved it! I need the Alabama girls to send me the picture we took at lunch still.
Here are the baby momas from Marshall!

Here is me trying to juggle all three!

The "click" from Marshall. It took the restaurant closing down for us to leave, we had such a good time. It's been a while since I laughed so hard I cried...but it felt good.

I also got fashion tips from Cooper! Girl's got style! Beach time, inappropriate movies, and another favorite restaurant! Can't bet it!

The shoe envy!

Cori's Wedding

Jim and I went to Seattle for Cori and Rob's wedding. Seattle is a cool city. I especially loved Pikes Place, which is a huge farmers market. I would go there all the time to get fresh fish...and I'm so sure Jim would go there all the time to get me fresh flowers.(hint, hint) We walked around down town and went on the Space Needle that over looks Seattle. We loved how lush it is there and had a great time at the wedding and reception. Cori's parents' new house is AMAZING! I want to stay there next time we go.

Summer Reading

My favorite book/movie of all time is Gone With the Wind. So I decided to read the sequel, Scarlett. The first part was a bit depressing cause she is trying to win back Rhett and is very lonely. I kept reading....waiting, hoping that Rhett softens up and admits he loves her. The whole time I am reading this 850 page book I just want to skip to the "happy ever after" part. Cause honestly, it would NOT be okay if they didn't end up together. So I think the last 10 pages was all I needed to read. JK No, it was a good read...I just wanted it to be the way I wanted it...and it took a long time to be what I wanted. Apparently it took Scarlett 840 pages to learn what she needed to learn and be ready for love. So, to all of us that it has taken a little longer for Prince Charming to find....hold out. It's so worth it and don't feel bad that it takes some longer than others. It took me 32 years.

Wild Hogs

Friday night fun! We could have been in a movie or a biker gang. Jim loves his motorcycles in the summer. He sold his fast race bike when we got married, thank goodness. A bunch of his friends were throwing their wives on the back and hitting the road for Friday night date night. One of the girls had full leathers. I'm not there yet....but I did wear a helmet (Jim didn't). There were 7 bikes, so we really were a gang, I'm sure we looked very intimidating!!! We rode out to Preston (Home of Napoleon Dynamite) and found a little diner to eat at. The weather was perfect and it was a great ride. Of course my mom shook her head and told me I didn't learn my lesson( I was in an accident years ago and still have leg problems). Trust me death and serious maiming is always in the back of my mind. Jim knows he has to drive safe when I'm on the bike. But when the call of the wild comes....you have to throw caution to the wind and hit the open road with wind blowing through your hair. That's how we roll in Logan! Who knows, cow tipping could be next! JK That was only in High School for kids here.