A European Adventure

Please take a European Adventure with me--blogger style!

(Rather than bore you with billions of details, I've just included main events and favorite pics!)

Traveling Day:
Ever flown in a double-decker-ten-seat-across plane? Yep. I didn't think it would get off the ground either. Don't worry though. It did. For 8 hours.

Layover...Waiting...Waiting...Waiting...

Zurich, Switzerland

One word: Bratwurst.

Interlaken, Switzerland

Train Ride up through the Swiss Alps

 Ever wondered what is underneath all the snow in the Swiss Alps? Yep. An Ice Palace.

On the tippy top of Europe!
Most beautiful site I have ever seen!

Beautiful Swiss Country

Principality of Liechtenstein 

No flag at the Castle? The King is out on "business."
I didn't buy it either. He probably needed a break from his 3 square blocks of land that he reigns over.

Bottled water? Nope. Glassed Water.

Innsbruck, Austria

Hotel Neighbors: The Psych Ward. Perfect.

Touring through rainy Innsbruck

 Exhausted from touring? Oh! Why not take a break at McDonalds?

Swarvoski Crystal Musem

Weirdest. Place. Ever. Not nearly as cool as it sounds.
Let's just say: dancing mannequin exhibits, Rated-R video clips inside crystal pyramids, crystal jelly fish, etc.
I think I'm scarred for life.

Beautiful Innsbruck

Travel Stop

Couldn't help taking this picture while singing "Climb Every Mountain."

Ramseu, Germany

We just happen to stop in this beautiful German village at the time of a funeral. It felt like something out of movie or one of those "pinch me moments" when the church bells started ringing and the funeral procession marched out of the tiny church in their traditional clothing and up the hill to the cemetery all in front a pristine backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

Berchtesgarten, Germany
Lunch by the lake in beautiful Berchtesgarten, Germany.

Ever heard of Hitler's "Eagles Nest"? Yep. This is it. On top of the mountains above Berchtesgarten.

Salzburg, Austria

Sound of Music Anyone?

This is such a beautiful city!  

Unfortunately, my camera battery died after the first day here. I still haven't been able to get pictures from other people, but they'll come!!

Of all the cities that we went to in Europe, Salzburg is the city that I feel like I could actually live in!

Vienna, Austria

 Beautiful architecture and history everywhere!




Boating down the Danube Canal. Such a gorgeous day!

On this particular day we found something very special. Ever heard of Portabello Road? (Bedknobs and Broomsticks) Well, we found it. Welcome to a European Flea Market! 

It was so amazing and so fun! Oh the possibilities... Coulda spent days there... But seriously.

We may or may not have been given free beer. Welcome to Europe people--no underage drinking.
They just hand it out on the streets.

Europeans enjoy their Amusement parks too. And so do many American Tourists...

Church in Vienna

Prague, Czech Republic

Didn't believe it at first, but as the days went by I came to completely agree that 

Prague is the "Most Photographed City in the World."

For my Dad. Oh how he would love this. 

It would make touring around a city so much more enjoyable for him!

Oh and we did actually see/play in a few soccer games in Europe. 

Between 4 games, BYU Women's Soccer dominated Europe: 31-0.

Nighttime in Prague

 And of course we did TONS of shopping!!

We discovered this enchanted cemetery next to our hotel. The history that laid underneath the beautiful foliage was incredible. Like something out of a dream.

And on the final day we took a boat ride.
Made me want to go to Lake Powell. Of course.

With 3 stamps in my passport, I am now a world traveler.
Check #3: Go to Europe.
And I look forward to another day when an opportunity like this presents itself again.
Maybe it never will. But there is always hope!

22 Lessons I've Learned in 22 Years

1. You can always find something to be grateful for
2. You never really become an adult- you just get more responsibility and have more life lessons thrust upon you. Embrace it.
3. God hears and answers every prayer in His own time.
4. Mothers are the most amazing people in the world
5. "To Do Lists" can either enhance your productivity or overwhelm your motivation
6. Anyone can be creative
7. Outside is one of the best places to be, even if it's raining, snowing, or windy. Dress appropriately.
8. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo Da Vinci
9. Life is brighter and better when you get enough sleep
10. Learn to say no
11. Laugh out Loud
12. Don't try to please everyone. It isn't possible.
13. Sisters make the best best friends
14. Put the "rocks" in your jar first. The sand can still filter through.
15. The key to anything in life is willingness
16. Everyone is human. We laugh, we cry, we get angry, we are sometimes sad, but we can also be       happy beyond reason
17. You can do anything, over come anything, and be anything with desire
18. Google or Pinterest can answer anything
19. If you're doing what everyone else is doing, you're only contributing to the average. Do things that other people are not doing
20. Your health is your life
21. Be someone who can be loved
22. You can keep going long after you think you can't

For the Love of Coming Home

Going to Europe was one of the most incredible experiences that I have ever had! 

I loved it so much!!

But there is something to be said about the benefits of coming home again after being away for a while:

Room Covered in Clean Laundry

• having clean laundry
• sleeping in my own bed
• running whenever I want
• non-salty foods (Europeans love their salt!)
• not having to pay to use the bathroom!
• bright lights in the bathroom (for adequate eyebrow plucking of course)

But the best part about being home is having  

tons of wonderful memories 

to look back upon and share with everyone!! 

Here is a sneak peak. More coming soon!

St. Charles Bridge: Prague, Czech Republic

Prague Castle: Prague, Czech Republic

Beautiful Prague, Czech Republic