Day 5

Today was really fun. We set out towards Berlin, and toured Bachaus (Bach's house) and Wartburg Castle where Martin Luther locked himself up to translate the Latin bible into German. So we ate at Bach 'restaurant for lunch and I heart German food! I had a dumpling, beef broth soup, a delicious salat, and some of quin's bratwurst, sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. Yum yum :) Really good food! We loved Bach's house. He grew up there. He had 13 children, and was an amazing genius. We listened to great music and learned of Bach's life. So neat...this was all in the city of Eisenach. We then went to Wartburg Castle, and took  a neat tour mostly on St. Elisabeth who lived there. Plus, Luther and his small hide out. Huge, beautiful castle in the middle of nowhere... Really fun

Day 4

Today was Frankfurt, and it was a great Sun at Quin's international ward where he served...great members...we loved being with them today. So after we explored Frankfurt and really enjoyed the rich history. During WW 2 most of the city was destroyed, and they rebuilt it after...so it was neat to see all they did to rebuild their lives. I especially liked The Zeil which is a pedestrian zone. There was a really cool outdoor eating gathering too, which made it even more fun... we ended the night eating crepes with the Francois family. They are so sweet and great pioneers of the church. Great examples for us, and Quin loved them as a missionary :)

Quin's main area where he street contacted people as a missionary!

Day 3

Europe is awesome! Why don't Americans go here more? I totally wish I spoke all of their languages too :) Today was centered around the Friedrichsdorf temple near Frankfurt. We went to an English session with one of Quin's companions who lives near there. It was a neat experience to see the faithful German saints and feel of their love of the true gospel. They are great, happy people. We also were able to visit some other members who were having a youth conference. It was so neat to see the youth in action living the gospel. We also had some great German food. Can't go wrong there. We then hung out with Quin's companion and his adorable little family and got to know them. It's funny how all Germans think their English is terrible when in reality it's really good...so it's been fun today to listen to them speak many different languages...who knew Austrian was different than regular German. So cool! We then hung out at a pseudo European mall...then ate amazing German food at our hotel in Bacharach. Holy cow, best German food so far! (Pictures soon!) I had this tender beef, dumplings and red cabbage and Quin and Joyce had spargel, (white asparagus that's famously grown in Germany around this time). Then Apple strudel. Wow...best I have ever had...delicious layers of goodness. So apparently we really like food, but it's a huge part of culture and I'm loving it.... :) So really great day...don't want to leave...

Day 2

So today started off a little rainy and cold, but this is normal in Germany...and we had a great German breakfast. Delicious bread, meat, homemade marmalade, muesli...it was really fun...we were late meeting Bruce & Joyce, (Quin's parents,) bc we're sleeping next to a train and we have to wear ear plugs and didn't hear our alarm...haha!
We decided to go to Berg Eltz castle today, and it was so beautiful...hidden in the trees...there are so many beautiful trees in western Germany, it's unreal. We then had really good German food and Applesaft. The next trip was to Dusseldorf, one of my favorite cities in Germany. Small, but many people live there, with a thriving city center and right on the Rhein. Plus it became sunny! It was 70 degrees and so sunny! We walked around the city, I attempted German, and ate amazing Italian pizza. It was funny because it was a holiday yesterday, and so many people were out for the long weekend. So as a result, apparently many people get married around this time,so this means many bachelor and bachellorette parties. Let me tell you, these people are crazy! Drunk and wearing funny outfits as they frolic through the streets often singing! It was so fun to watch, and see their fun outfits and just having fun. We also explored many of Quin's areas on his mission and got to see what it would have been like talking to so many Germans. It was fun to see Quin reminisce. So far loving the countryside and really a (schade...bummer) that i'm not German...

Europe or Bust

So...I'm planning on blogging our Europe trip mostly every day, so anyone or everyone can see what we are doing...so we flew from Dallas to NY & had a 3 hr layover at JFK. We then had the longest 9 ish hr flight ever into Zurich. I barely slept, but tried to...ha. We got to Zurich, got a car and drove to the black forest! Holy cow...super beautiful...kind of a winding roaded journey, nonetheless, an adventure..super, quaint villages...tall, majestic winding hills...I can see where the Grim fairytales came from. Probably The Lord of the Rings trilogy was inspired from these forests...I feel asleep a few times during this adventure...but had donner kebabs in Frieberg, (a cute, little town,) and was happy to be in Germany! Then knew we had a long way to Bacharach to drive (near Frankfurt,) so we headed here in this adorable, romantic town...cobblestone streets, buildings all close to one another=love and now are ready to sleep at 7 p.m. Germany time! Ha

View from our window of the Rhine

Mid-Jan

Well It's always fun to start off a new year.  I always feel like I need to be more grateful and better.  Lately I have been thinking about how wonderful life is, and how I'm happy to be where I'm at.  Quin and I were discussing this idea and we really feel so blessed. 

I was super sick recently with a 101.5 fever and it made me reflect and be so grateful for the small things in life and tender mercies from the Lord.  I'm so glad I'm feeling better, and wondering if I maybe should get a flu shot? lol!  The holidays were great though, and we're looking forward to the new adventures ahead.  With moving to TEXAS! and planning EUROPE!  We're just pumped!  I feel like there's so much hope, excitement and opportunities in life.  SO let's take it! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just found this, but it was a few months ago at the REAL SLC game- really fun!

Provo's First Snow....
(from the car!)

I can't believe November is almost over!!! It's crazy! WELL things are great here, and I'm so excited for school to be off for 3 days!!! I am excited to do some fun things like hang out and read the whole time.  PLUS, go to the women's soccer game on fri, because they are in the ELITE 8!! GO COUGS!  Honestly, I'm so grateful for all that I have in my life and the blessings we receive daily.  We are so happy for all the new changes coming up in our lives.  Quin is done in April and WE'RE OFFICIALLY moving to TEXAS!  So it's kind of crazy!  We're excited for all that will come for us in the future!!! SO much to be thankful as Josh Groban says.  We hope to travel this summer to celebrate us both being done with Undergrad!!  We hope to go to Europe and explore Quin's mission and go to my much favorite place in the whole world that I've never been to before-ROME!  So we're looking forward to that and budgeting a ton!  So we're excited for the holidays and time to spend with fam!