Europe 2022

We had a marvelous European trip Fall 2022.  Since returning from our mission in 2018....we have managed a trip to Europe in 2019, 2021 and 2022.  We missed 2020 because of Covid, and the 2021 trip was cut short when we needed to return to the US b/c of Mom's death.  But for 2022 we had 7 glorious weeks together in places that both Tom and I love.  And we love being together, so it was perfect.  We flew in and out of Paris, a city that dazzles and never disappoints.

We went from Paris to the French Riviera for a week.  We shared Debbie Evenhands apartment with Ric and Charlotte Walton.  What a blast we had.  Fun to explore, eat chocolate mousse, gaze at the views over the water and Menton from the deck, take the bus all along the coast, walk on the cape, and a favorite day was renting a boat together (picture below).  We were lucky because we had another week to stay here after visiting Brussels and Rome.  

Brussels.  Home sweet home.  So many memories.  Fun to visit with friends, connect with members of the church, go to dinner with the Casares family, and of course hang out in Leuven.  Tom sitting in these chairs where so many family photos have been taken over the years.

Just an awesome shot of Tom as we strolled the streets of Leuven

We literally visit Domus every. single. trip to Europe.  It's a must.  The spaghetti bolognese or the Uitjsmeiter?  Both.  Duh!

Then off to Rome for 3 weeks.  Lovely, beautiful, enchanting Rome.  So fun to stay in our old missionary apartment, and Francesco Conti and his wife Paula had us over for dinner on our last night.  This photo is from Bistro Vivi where just the thought of this ravioli makes me salivate!  Every day we made a plan of what/where to visit.  Seriously Rome keeps you busy, we never ran out of ideas.  We did go to the Rome Temple with Luigi/Louiza De Mateis and Hanim Shakir (twice!)

We also took the train to Florence for the day.  It's also a great city.  Saw the Piti palace for the first time in all its splendor and pomp.  

Cobblestone streets 100's of years old.  We were strictly on public transportation, but an easy task to accomplish in Europe.  Seven weeks and never rented a car.  Amazing.  The history in Rome boggles the mind.  Cool to think about all the people that have passed this very spot on the Appia Antica.

Tom said this was his favorite day.  A boat all day on the French Riviera with friends.   I also liked renting bikes in Rome.  Both Tom and I feel so ALIVE when we are in Europe.  Not just living, but full out stimulated and awed each day we were there.  Our goal is to go each year.  I hope we can keep it up, at least a few more years while we have our health!

 

Very Proud (as a former teacher of 4 year olds...cartwheels are not easy!)

 

Retirement is more like Life in the Fast Lane!

This summer I have had a chance to meet up with lots of friends.  Here with Barbie Curtis at her home in W. Jordan.  Also met up with Carolyn Fenn.  Remzi Machish and wife came up to Heber, as did the Pickerds, the Norbys (all separately of course) and the Tomlinsons/Henstroms/Wilsons.  We have LOTS of friends!

While Tom was in Miami for work, I tried to hike in Park City as often as I could.  Beautiful place and I loved the summer flowers and quiet escapes.

 

Invited my LDS High School friends over for a girls get-away.  We re-enacted our pose that we did back in High School for a Laurels conference where we performed a dance (see photo below).  Can you believe we got together with the same group almost 50 years later?!?  I think we have changed since we were 18 years old....

So the girls are Chris Hayes, Sue Davenport, Kristy Walker, Verlie Bond, Paulette Bott.  All married with different last names of course.  What a group.

Tom and I went to Education week and heard Lynne Wilson talk about how the Latter Day Scriptures enhance the knowledge of the OT.  She is amazing.  Smart, PHD smart, 7 children, cancer and still fighting cancer, husband CEO and regional representative.  Now they are incredible witnesses for Christ.  I love their example.

Henstrom, Wilsons, and us out for dinner in Provo

Got together with my siblings before Steve/Renee go off on their mission to Lyon France.  Suzanne having conquered intestinal cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, and knee surgery!!!.  And we are headed off to Europe for 2 months....so we got together to share our love.

We took the opportunity to go to IF for Tom's 71st bday.  We have only rare times when we get to see Dan/Lara's family.  We stopped overnight in Ketchum ID and discovered Red Fish Lake before heading over to their house

Sometimes Levi or Brauer will have baseball games in Heber and we feel lucky when that happens.  Levi was subbing for another team, so Dan had no coaching responsibility and we chatted throughout 2 baseball games!  The BIG NEWS is that on Aug 13, Daphne and Braxton got engaged in California, the whole family were taking photos and Brax snuck in and surprised Daph.  Super cute.  Also Zane has started college on a swimming scholarship.  Growing up!!

4th of July.  Lots of family visiting.  Colie also invited Mats to join us.

Nice to have Seth and family also for the 4th

Queens of the Mountain!

We tried to hike PC with Colie and her girls.  We got to the top of the mountain, when a huge rainstorm hit with lightening.  We were 'rescued' from the mountain top.  Still fun.

Tom was in Prague for work, so I drove down to St. George because Jonah was baptized on my 66th birthday!  We always go on great hikes while we are there.  Seth is still recuperating from his knee surgery but that didn't stop him from hiking miles and miles.

Happy 66th birthday to me

Great times at Rehoboth Beach, June 2022.  Steve and Jake's families.

Met up with Debbie/Mike as well as Patti/George

That Isaac.  Drama queen and cute as a button!  Kept getting up at unGodly hours of the morning so Felicia would have to take him to the beach for hours so the rest of us could sleep.  Crazy kid!

Teaming up to make sure we win the prize!

Mel brought her camera and too family photos for Steve and Felicia, Kent (7) and Isaac (2)

Before the beach, Tom and I took 2 nights and went to NYC.  Biking Central Park.  Saw 'HaddesTown' which was amazing.  Loved the food and walking the city.

Biking the paths by Jake's house

Colie off with her 2 girls to Hawaii to visit Natalie for 10 days

Hiking PC.  Got this great shot of a biker who didn't even see this moose!

The path less traveled by.  So pretty, PC.

Just a shot that Steve took of Isaac.  What you do with yogurt, in case you were wondering

Seth and his family visit quite often.  On one visit they decided to try the Weber Valley river.  Here is Tom with Luke, all smiles.  I took Penny to the playground while the others kayaked the river.  The scene was much different when I got the at the pick-up place....they had all tipped over.  Lost glasses, hats, shoes, etc. and were freezing!  Haha!

Penny's first ride on a horse....at Debbie Gardners house.  Again, the others were on a huge hike and Penny and I hung out together.

Cascade springs

At Jake's house, Tom and Tom

Isa and Penny

I did report that Tom bought an ATV and a motorcycle, didn't I?

Living the High Life

Tom and I were lucky to visit a Van Gogh display in SLC.  It was digitalized, accompanied by music.  Very well done.  It felt like you were part of his paintings.

Easter 2022 in St. George Utah.  Rock rapelling.

Cousins getting to know each other!

Seth and Heidi hosted this huge group.  We loved being together.  Chatting at night.  Watching cousins play and chat and dance and hike and rappel and swim, etc!  Jake's family came for a week.  Colie and girls and Tom and I were there for a long Easter week-end.  

Next stop is Hawaii to watch the Portugals while Natalie and Noel took a get-away to Spain and Morocco.  We love their neighborhood.  I love to take a bike and sit at their secluded beach and think!

Natalie had a cute bparty for Tori at the beach.  Tom and I were the photo set up props

We have seen lots and lots of turtles this trip.  We had a bird's eye view of two turtles at Waimea one Saturday.  They stuck around all day.  Also at Waimea we swam with dolphins!  Wish I had a picture of that!  We also saw a monk seal and her pup at the beach by Natalie's house.  They are endangered so we had to stay at a fair distance, but so cool to watch them play together.

Cute 10 year old bparty.

Went to the Seasider for lunch on Tori's 10th.

Mother's Day in Hawaii is special.  Isa and Tori made these lei's for us.

Natalie's beach. Nobody in sight.  It's always quiet and secluded.  She and Tom on a Sunday afternoon.  

Pounders Beach.

Shopping at Kailui.  Jillian, Bryn, Isa.  Just had the best acai at Nalu's.  

Natalie's beach.

  Natalie has all the Hawaiian 'toys'...kayak, bikes, snorkels.  We kayaked Kahana river and also to Chinaman's Hat.