A year later-Europe Sampler-

Well in case some of you didn't know. Mom, Andrew, and I went to Europe a year ago today.  I can't believe we're already coming up on a year! And I've been a horrible blogger! Since it's already been a year, I decided to blog our trip as a year anniversary.

We took so many pictures, and we had a great time. Memories that will last a life time.  The point of the trip was to visit with our great friends, the Murphy's.  They are living in Heidelberg, Germany.  So, of course, Germany was our first stop!

We left on the 10th but with all the time changes we arrived on Wednesday, May 11.

Wednesday, May 11--
We flew into Frankfurt, Germany, where Marie and Sister Murphy picked us up.  It was about a 30 minute drive to their home from the airport. They live in the historic part of town in Heidelberg.  We walked around, took pictures,  and got some pastries from the bakery (extremely delicious) for after dinner.

Downtown Heidelberg. The Main Street or (Hauptstrasse),

View from the Murphy's window. Incredible!

Thursday, May 12--

We went to the Heidelberg Castle which you can see from the Murphy's apartment.  It was very interesting to walk around and see what was left after fires.  Everything was so old. To get up to the castle we took a little tram that went up the mountain. From the castle we went up even higher to a place called Konigstuhl. It was neat to be so high up and be able to see all of Heidelberg.

View of Heidelberg from the castle.

Late night servant doors.  (So they didn't have to open the big door, just slip through the little one.)

Inside the courtyard of the castle.

Large wine vat.

Giant wine vat.

Beautiful Heidelberg!!

Konigstuhl- The highest point in Heidelberg if I remember correctly. We had to take a tram to the castle, and then another one all the way up to Konigstuhl. So beautiful!

View from Konigstuhl.

The tram for going up and down the mountain.

Friday, May 13
Despite it being Friday the 13th, we had a great time.  Mom went with Sister Murphy and Marie to where Sister Murphy does her internship.  While they were gone, Andrew and I went on a hike around Heidelberg.  The Murphys' had told us about a path called Philosophers Way.  It was on the other side of the river from their home.  We finished off our adventuring with lunch at Coyote's Cafe.  Not your average German restaurant. But it was nice to hear some country music.  A little piece of home.  We had gelato milkshakes for dessert. (Delicious!!)

May 11-13, 2011

Cinderella-May 2011

I was in LifeLight's production of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.  It was so much fun. Here are just a few pictures from the show. 

 Mom and me in my ballgown.

 Me and my dance partner Jack.

 Andrew, Catherine, and John came Saturday night.

May 5, 6, and 7, 2011

Spring Break: Destination Utah

The main reason for this trip was to spend time visiting Andrew and hear him perform with his university choir--BYU Mens' Chorus.  It was just mom and me this time.  We had a great time.  One day we drove up from Provo to Salt Lake City to visit LDS Business College, walk around Temple Square, and enjoy lunch with Marie Murphy at the Lion House Pantry.  From there we went to Rexburg, Idaho, to look at BYU-Idaho.

Salt Lake City Temple--Funny thing about walking around temple square with jeans on is that all the missionaries are all interested in talking to you.

The Conference Center was all ready for the General Young Women Meeting.

We love Marie!! 

Salt Lake City

Provo happenings: We had a great time in Provo with Andrew.  Tuesday night when we got there we met up with Andrew, Jack and Marie Murphy.  They took us to Bombay House an Indian place near Andrew's apartment.   Thursday we watched the BYU game vs. Florida with some of Andrews friends in the dollar theater there on campus.  The energy was incredible! Unfortunately, we did not win, but it was so much fun to watch! After the game we went to see a BYU production of Persuasion which Andrew's friend was in.

Friday I went with Andrew to some of his classes including Political Science and Contemporary dance.  I also took a tour of BYU.  Friday night we went to the famous J-Dawgs before Andrew's performance.  It was an amazing performance.  I'm so glad we were able to be there for it.  They gave the same performance as a matinee again on Saturday which we went to as well.  It was great!  Saturday morning Andrew took us to Kneader's Bakery.  Everyday they have all you can eat french toast.  It was soo good! You really couldn't eat all that much because it was so thick.  By far my favorite meal of the trip. :)   After the last concert Saturday we went to dinner with Andrew's friends, Ryan and Madison.  After that we went back to his apartment and hung out with him and some of his friends.  He introduced us to Drop Dead Diva (a new favorite show), played Dutch Blitz, and just had fun being there. Can't wait to head back again!

BYU Men's Chorus

Us with Andrew in his spiffy Men's Chorus suit.

Day 2!

Sammy's Cafe with Ryan and Madison

March 22-27, 2011

Moolah Shrine Circus

The circus came to town during spring break.  Mom and I took Ben, Grace, and Ally to the Moolah Shrine Circus.  The minute we walked in we noticed they were giving rides on elephants.  How cool is that?  So we decided we were going to ride an elephant.   The kids weren't quite as excited as mom and I were.  But everyone enjoyed it after the fact.  They had some really neat acts.  My favorite would have to be the 3x3 box that two girls both fit into.  I was speechless.  I can't imagine bending like that.

 Waiting to get onto the elephant!

 A little blurry but proof that we rode the elephant! :)

Face paint!! --Ben and Ally

March--17, 2011

April Visits 2011

Joanna, Ellie, Carter, Nanitzi, and Thomas came up to visit in April.  We had such a fun time having them here. So many cousin sleepovers at Grandma and Grandpa's house and fun Easter projects like the in the pictures below.  Joanna taught everyone how to make little carrot gardens. They all loved it! I even brought my friends over later that night and we enjoyed making little gardens with wafer cookies, chocolate icing, and Mike n Ikes. 

 The finished project!

 We also went to the Easter village at Purina Farms.  They have all the baby animals you can pet or hold.

 Carter, Ally, Thomas, Grace, and Ellie

They even milked a cow!

And don't forget the Easter Egg hunt!  Some even got a picture with the Easter Bunny. 

One of my favorite parts of their trip was playing my favorite Wii game with them.  Just Dance! All the little kids would get so into it.  I don't know where they could get that from.  Lexy took this video of Carter dancing to "Hot and Cold" by Katy Perry.

April 14-22, 2011