Women are Angels. And when someone breaks our wings, we simply continue to fly... on a broomstick... We are flexible...

   After Paris, Andee flew to Pisa and met up with me. I flew over a few days before the rest of the family, so Andee and I could have a little last minute fling. Kind of bachelorette party thing I guess. Since she is getting married in a few months, and traveling will be nil for a while. It sucks to grow up and have to be on your own. Especially when Dad and Mom have such great flying benefits. So we flew into Pisa, hopped a train to Cinque Terra and hiked for 2 days this 7 mile stretch of 5 villages that you could only reach by train or hiking. It was an incredible time for us both. So very beautiful that the pictures do it no justice. You had to be there hiking along the ridge with the ocean below, the mountains above, the wind, saltwater smell, and sweat. Yes it was hot at times, and the next minute we would be in a rain down pour.

   The villages were so dang cute, with little walkways around the housing areas, quaint little shops and restaurants. Then when you were ready to hike to the next village, you had to find the little signs that headed you off through some farmers land, and up the next mountain. We hiked up and down mountains and it was so fun to see the next village off in the distance and get closer and closer. I really loved this area. If you ever go, I would highly recommend staying in one of the bed and breakfasts in a village along the coast. We stayed in a village a couple miles away, which we had to catch the train to. It was fun to see more country side, but the villages would be a high recommendation for accommodations.

  After hiking Cinque Terra, we caught a train to Venice (by the way, we got a the wrong train, a 1st class train, and we should of been on the poor mans train)  and spent a day shopping and sight seeing. I LOVE Venice. I want to go back so bad and spend some more time there. We actually spent a lot of time shopping for some Venice lace that we wanted to make Andee's wedding dress out of. But NO luck. We did buy some hankies, and other lace items. We had to hurry back to the airport and catch a flight to Ireland that night, so off we went after a full day of hurry, hurry, hurry to see as much as we could.

Pisa, Cinque Terra & Venice Click picture to see album

After Andee visited Ukraine with Andrew, he flew back to the states, but Andee was to meet the rest of the family in Ireland in less than a week. So we decided to have her just stay in Europe, instead of getting all the jet lag. 1st she went to Paris and stayed with her family there for 2 days. How fun to revisit them. In all their years of hosting students, only 2 have come back to visit. And Andee was one of them. I guess most just don't get the opportunity to travel like we do. We are very blessed.

To start off the summer of 2009 Andee and Andrew headed to his mission in Donetsk Ukraine. It has always been a dream of Andee's to visit the mission of the man she marries....well...she got to go before they even got married.

Click picture to enlarge

Slacker

So I know I've been a slacker, but here's a few reasons why...

Remember when you were 15?

Look who's behind the wheel !!

Spring Break

Spring Break started with a enjoyable weekend listening to General Conference, with a missionary that used to serve in our area and his companions coming to our house to watch it on TV. Also a missionary that had returned home to Canada, but was back in town to attend conference. It was so good to see all of them.

Then came Monday morning and Mom, Ciera, and Bridger packed a couple swim suits and headed for the airport. We had Hawaii in mind, but didn't really care, as long as we ended up on a beach some where.

Maui was the winner.

Next we went back to Bountiful for 1 day, and then headed to St. George to go to the Arts Festival, and spend Easter weekend with Grannie and Papa.

While at the Art Festival, Barbara got to reminisce and visit her 6th grade school center.

This is were I went to 6th grade, and my teacher was Mr. Starr

Then we were off to get ready for our Easter picnic

Andee made 'BUNNY CAKE' with YUMMY Grannie's carrot cake.

They all colored easter eggs

Then waited to see what the silly Bunny would bring them in the morning !!!!

For a little R & R we did a little 4wheelin, fishin, and learning to drive a stick shift....

hahahaha now that was funny !!!

And Bridger got to enjoy a JoYFull afternoon shopping with his female family members.

All in all....we had a very busy and enjoyable

Spring Break this year