Our Europe Trip...Begins...Finally

 Mike and I never really intended to take the kids to Europe.  It always felt too expensive and too daunting.  But, when we were looking at the price of flights to Hawaii and discovered we could go to London for the same price, we entertained the idea.  So, in January 2022 we bought 6 tickets to London with a return flight from Paris.  Thus started to waiting game for August 21st, 2022.

The first leg of our flight (7.5hrs) was bad.  We were flying through the night, so we all were attempting to sleep (except Tyson who had the time of his life watching movies and had no idea he was supposed to try to sleep--not that we hadn't told him MULTIPLE times).  Our seats were so uncomfortable, and close together.  I don't think any of us slept for more than 30 minutes. 

We arrived in Iceland just as the sun was rising (which was pretty exciting, except for the fact that we couldn't leave the airport) with sore backs, hungry bellies and tired eyes.  Jordan was even crying, her body was in so much pain (and it takes a lot for Jordan to cry!!)

Our next flight was shorter (3.5hrs) and we all managed to get a little more sleep.  But when we arrived in London, we were exhausted.  It was Summer's turn to cry in this airport...this time because her shoes were hurting her feet (oh man, it was going to be a long trip).  Luckily we were able to get her old shoes out of her duffle bag (never again will I bring a duffle bag on a trip like this) and switch them!

There were so many different sinks, hand dryers, toilets etc. on this trip.  Here's Summer using two (very powerful) hand dryers at once in the Iceland airport

We picked up our rental car and Mike started driving--on the left side of the road (and the right side of the car!  using the gear shift with your left hand was strange--at least we had an automatic)!!!  Eek!  We mapped our phone to the first stop, LDS Temple:)

Once we were at the temple we decided we were all too tired to drive the 2 hours to the beach and then the 2 hours to our hotel.  So we scratched the Brighton Beach plan and headed straight to find some food and check into our hotel.  It was an 8 hour time difference, so we flew through the night but arrived at around noon the next day.

We tried to find some British food, but we were all a little irritable and tired to really enjoy much of it...not to mention, it wasn't great.

Looks like the only picture I took of the food was the ketchup and vinegar packets haha...we were excited to get the white vinegar packets!  

Summer legitimately fell asleep on the table at the restaurant.  That is what jetlag does to you I guess (or maybe just not sleeping for 20 hours)

Halfway through our drive to the hotel, we switched drivers and I got to attempt driving on the left side.  It was strange, but I have to admit, I was a better driver than I was navigator.  Besides the wrong side of the road, the sights seemed pretty similar to the PNW we were used to.  Lots of green trees and overcast.

We were so excited to arrive at the hotel.  Even if it was hot and stuffy, with no AC and a window that kept slamming shut haha. We wondered around Amesbury looking for something for dinner, but most things were closed because it was Sunday.  We found a little convenient store and grabbed a few snacks (and met a boy with an amazingly thick British accent that only Jordan could understand). And Tyson coined to line "You know, you have to take those opportunities right when they come" after Summer missed out on climbing a tree with him.  We all had a good laugh.  

None of us slept great that first night, but we were up bright and early the next morning, (maybe 5am) to start our adventures...but not before our full English breakfast (made to order each morning). 

The apricot jam they had at this restaurant was the best thing I've ever eaten!!  I meant to take a jar home with me but forgot.  Maybe I can find it in the USA, but probably not.

Random highlights--Summer 2022

 We did a HUGE family vacation at the end of the summer this year...but before that, we did have a little bit of fun:

Summer went to her first AD camp

I learned to paint

We got to hold baby animals

School ended

I had a visitor I hadn't seen in over 20 years

We swam at the pool...and our backyard pool too

We went to a Sounders game--and had great seats!

A Plane Crashed practically in our backyard

We went to the lake

Kya finally came home

We did family photos

We sat around many fires

Clayton came to visit

And watched beautiful sunsets--from our own backyard

Nothing Holding Me Back

Now that Canada has lifted Covid test requirements, I finally feel like I don't have to miss everything anymore!  I feel so incredibly grateful.

I got to take a solo trip up to Canada to see Janae and Alaina in their school musical, Matilda.  It was just amazing and I am so glad I got to see it!  

The next night was Amanda's graduation from BYU party!  I got to see some of Ted's family who I haven't seen in probably 20 years.  It was so fun to celebrate Amanda.

Ginny and I actually got to meet up for our dinner dates that we haven't done in 3 years!  We were worried the restaurant we used to meet out was out of business, but it was still there.

Then we got to take Kya up for a trip to see her cousins--and the rest of us got to go too:)

The Leavitts even drove down and met us half way so they could meet Kya's boyfriend, Clayton.

And finally I got to drive up to celebrate my mom's 75th birthday.

I love my family.  I am so grateful that I can be more a part of their lives again.

VISITORS FROM CANADA

 Our first visitors from Canada since before the pandemic is reason enough to celebrate!!

Another reason to celebrate, Tina's actual birthday:)  

We celebrated Tina's birthday with a BBQ and the most delicious black forest cake I've ever had (from Hillcrest Bakery where I had the best cream filled donut I've ever had too)

We had a warm and cozy bonfire...where we all piled to one side to avoid the smoke:)

We went Kayaking at Bothell Landing.  

The workers were so accommodating when I called to schedule a group 3 times the size they usually rented to.  I was so grateful because it turned out to be so much fun.

We then took them to one of our favorite beaches (Waverly) on Lake Washington.

Mod Pizza for 11?  Why not?  Tyson was sad to miss this!

And we snuck in a quick drive to the temple, even though it was cold and windy.

We also got a babysitter for Summer and took the whole clan to see Elvis!  

It was spectacular!!

And we even managed a trip to the zoo.

Oh and we couldn't miss Cafe Rio even though we weren't super hungry yet haha...oh and did I mention we went to Crumbl Cookies after?  Yikes we will never eat again!!!

So much fun!!  Can't wait for our next visitors:)