Our Trip to Europe

So I though would tell you all a little about Europe!!! Other than it was absolutely amazing and something that is so indescribable. I could never explain the feel of the historic sites that we went to and walked through. My favorite place was Venice, Italy. I loved the food; WOW. I still think about it and crave it.

These are Nolan's thoughts; he wrote emails as we visted countries so here ya go.
Venice:
So its 8:00 am here in Venice, which means you kids are currently sleeping. I must tell you Venice is amazing!
Absolutely enchanting in every way! Even Marlin thoroughly enjoyed it and I didn't think he would.

Today we are heading up to Austria; it is there I will begin practicing in the Alps on my Sound of Music score. Watch out Julie Andrews, there is a new Nun in town! Uhhhh well, I mean, well you
know what I mean. he he.

Austria:

I am from Austria isn’t that weird!

Wilkommen from Austria.

I am super duper excited for you to come here. Truly Austria is so beautiful with the most amazing manicured farms and land. It’s like everyone here spends their time making everything green and perfect.

So we rented a car and drove 50 miles south of Salzburg yesterday. That was interesting and scary. Marlin was driving me nuts, but I guess it was to be expected when we both thought we could handle driving in Europe better than the other. We rented a BMW 3 series, but we got in much later than expected so the stupid lady gave it away. We have a Renault Laguna, which is cool, but I want my Beemer!

The train ride was very cool. I think at one point we spent 20 minutes in 1 tunnel. The Austrians are not afraid of tunnels. We would come up on a massive cliff faced mountain and then cut right through it and end up on the other side.

Today we are heading to Hitler's Eagles Nest (his vacation home on top of a mountain), then visit some castles in Salzburg.

Tomorrow I think we are going to catch a high-speed train to Vienna, but we will see.

Btw the keyboards here are weird the y and z are in opposite of each other and the @ symbol changes every time I’m at a new computer.

Auvitizen for now!

Nolando

Austria Continued
The Autobahn, Me, and a Station wagon

By reading the title one of those things doesn't fit, and no it is not me. That’s right kids, here I am driving down the Austrian Autobahn, the excitement and rush of no speed limit, cars flying by like there is no other and I've got my little Renault Laguna Station wagon floored to 130 KPH. Not sure how fast that is, but lets say I definitely wasn't keeping up with the BMW's and Mercedes. Oh well dreamed fulfilled!

It is 5:00 am here and we are heading to Vienna for the day on a high speed train.

Yesterday was wonderful, we went to Hitler’s Eagles Nest high on an Alp (I used his toilet and ate a Wiener Snitchel, nice guy I'm sure if he were alive and man what a view) That Hitler new how to choose a good elite view!

We then went to Salzburg, but sorry no rendition of 16 going on 17. But I will see if we can sneak in a do-re-me at the train station today!

If you would like to unsubscribe to this email list then tuff luck! :)

Auviderzan


Denmark & Sweden

Hamlet’s Castle, Sweden, and a lot of Pastries

Not in any particular order, but yes we have visited all three titled in the subject line.

Hamlets Castle is about 30 miles north of Copenhagen located right on the ocean. It is a pretty amazing looking building and although Hamlet is fictional and Shakespeare only used the Castle as the basis of his famed story it is pretty cool to see. We got there late so we didn't get to go in, but none the less fun to take pictures and claim we have been there.

Denmark has consisted of a lot of driving, Marlin decided that a car would be the best way to see all his old mission areas, mission home, chapels and what not. So needless to say I have spent more time in the back seat of a Volkswagen than anywhere else. It's still fun to watch my Dad get all excited though about being back and I must say he has picked up on his Danish quite nicely again. Not that we really need it since almost everyone here speaks amazing English its still fun for him.

In 2002 Denmark and Sweden finished a 15 mile long bridge and tunnel that spans the channel over the Baltic Sea, so off we were to have lunch in Malmo Sweden! Two things I noticed about Sweden vs. Denmark.

1. There people are much better looking.

2. They have great shoe stores! (Yes we have visited them and yes I bought a pair and yes my Dad thinks I am weird because I love shoes!)

All in all it was a lovely afternoon in Sweden and more fun to say we have been there. I'm pretty sure I won't make it back there unless its all paid for by someone else. :)

Back in Denmark we went to Thavelsdons (sp) Museum this morning. Thavelsdon was the person who sculpted the original Kristus Statue back in the 1800's. I guess that President Spencer Kimball saw it on a visit to Denmark in the 70's, saw it, loved it, and paid a lot of money to whomever so the church could use the copyright. It really is pretty amazing to see the original a lot dirtier but still cool.

Well pretty much intermittent with all our travels are pastries, pastries, pastries! The one thing I will miss most about Europe are their pastries! They know how to make them over here and I think we buy at least 2-3 everyday just for a snack. If I wasn't walking 10,000 steps a day I would be a bit worried about the extra calories. Any who, they sure know how to make a good flørævej here. He He (Not even sure if that’s a pastry I just wanted to use the funny letters on the keyboard! lol)

Any who, tomorrow we are off to Paris for the final stint of our trip. Much to see and do in good old France so I will have plenty to report on whether you want to hear it or not. :)

France
Bonjour!

Welcome to France! Even though I may write it, doesn’t mean we heard it that much.  The French have some pretty amazing things to show off. The Effeil Tour, Notre Dame, Good Food, even an impressive Euro Disney, but dang they sure like to be polite.

That is right, out of all the places that we have been and visited they French by far win the please speak my language award and rude award. Regardless it was still fun and amazing to visit.

One of my favorite things about Paris is how beautiful the architecture is. They really know how to make a beautiful building. Most of their buildings were so grand and regal. It makes many of our buildings in the US seem so plain and ordinary.

For the 4 days we were in the city of lights we spent 3 nights out by Euro Disney. The resort was nice, but it was hard having to drive so far into the city and see the sights. So for the last night we stayed right in the heart of Paris by the Louvre Museum. The cost was quite a bit more, but in my opinion worth the extra money to have at least one night in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the world.

I loved driving in Paris… For as crazy as they drive you would think it would have been nerve racking, but honestly it was a thrill and I seemed to fit right in. Not once did I get nervous or apprehensive in any situation. I simply seemed to fit right in and enjoyed that everyone else is a horrible driver like me. 

The Palace of Versailles is something that everyone in their lifetime should experience. The Palace itself is huge and grand, but the breathtaking part are the actual gardens! Nothing could be so amazing as to imagine what it was like 4 centuries ago and see the royal French family enjoying such grandeur. Regardless of thousands of people there it seems as if the gardens were just for us to enjoy and explore. I highly recommend any visiting if they have the chance.

Paris itself has so much to see and do, that we will definitely go back. We had enough time to see the major sites, the Arc de Triomph, the Eiffel Tour, Notre Dame and the Louvre, but there was so much more that can be enjoyed. Autumn and I both agree that we need to come back and enjoy the city and really get to know it better.

All in all the best part about Paris, and Europe is that I fell in love with my beautiful wife all over again. It is such a special thing when you get to experience something on such a grand scale with the most important person in your life. Your True Love.

I can’t wait to go back and see more with her!

Nolan is the true love of my life and it was a phenominal experience and I look forward to many more wonderful adventures with him!