We went to...

PARIS!!!!!

A year ago almost to the day, we booked our trip to Europe!! We thought it would never get here! My parents and siblings with their spouses all went. We had so much fun together! Joseph and I decided to do something extra for our anniversary, so we went to Paris a few days earlier before we met up with my family in Barcelona. We finally arrived on Friday, May 22nd at about 5:00p.m. after missing our flight to Paris. We were able to get another flight out a few hours later...but were very tired already at that point. We checked into our hotel quickly and got ready for the opera. (This is something Joseph has always wanted to do)

We are at the opera seeing "Tosca". Although the entire thing was in French, we still enjoyed it. (Even with jet lag)

Inside the Opera De Bastille



Later that night...view from our hotel.



The next day we went on a "Day in Paris" tour. We were going to see the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral, have lunch in the Eiffel Tower, and cruise along the Seine River. Everything was going well, until we hopped on the tour bus and realized that we weren't going to ANY of those places. What????? WE WERE ON THE WRONG BUS!!! We quickly told them to let us off and then were able to find our real group!











River boat cruise on the Seine River




View from the Eiffel Tower















We met a couple from Conway who were on the same tour as us and hung out with them all day. What a small world! (That's who is taking all these pictures of us)

Notre Dame Cathedral

Later that night, we went on a "segway" tour around the city. It was soo much fun! I felt like Paul Blart on "Mall Cop". If this is something you ever get the opportunity to do- you must do it!!

A typical beverage for France. A very delicious and the most expensive espresso I have ever had. I thought I was ordering something else, but got this instead. I finished it in almost three sips. :)

Chocolate Croissant- YUM!!!

We had a great time! I wish we could have stayed a little longer, but definitely enjoyed our time that we had!

Europe with my Family

FINALLY!!!!

I have been horrible about making new posts lately! I just can't seem to get it together! With summer weddings and trips...I have been very busy, but now I am back and can share all about my trip to Europe.

After a year of planning, Joseph and I took a Mediterranean Cruise with my family. It was incredible! It was great bonding time for everyone since it was the first time since everyone was married. These are just a few out of the 800 that I took (that's pretty sad)!

For our two year anniversary, we went to Paris a few days before we met up with my family for the cruise. (Pictures are soon to follow) It's such a great way to see several countries without the expense of a ton of hotels and transportation. I definitely recommend it!

On the cruise with my sister and sister in law.

Me and Joseph at our first formal night.

Our first day, we stopped in Naples, Italy. We traveled into Pompeii and Sorrento. This is the Almalfi Coast and Mt. Vesuvius is in the background somewhere-the only active volcano in Europe.

They had lemon trees EVERYWHERE. They also had orange trees along the streets where you shopped. What a life!

In Sorrento, We stopped here at this local family farm. It has been in the family at least for the past 4 generations. They make olive oils from their olive trees that were hundreds of years old, limoncello which is a liqueur using their lemons, and homemade mozzarella cheese.

This is the lady that was showing us the process of making mozzarella cheese.

The Fam at the Pompeii Ruins

In front of the old city of Pompeii which was destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius (which you can see behind us).

Me and Joseph at Dinner





The Guys! My Brother, Brother in law, and husband

2nd Day....Rome, Italy and the Vatican City



Me and Joseph in front of the Colosseum



My sister and I needed our coffee every morning for our long days!




Sistine Chapel (You were not allowed to take pictures inside...but I happened to sneak this one)




Part of the Sistine Chapel...How incredible!

At the Trevi Fountain

3rd Day....Florence, Italy. Aren't these shops adorable? We took a tour around the city in the double- decker bus.




Shuffleboard became a nightly activity! The girls won most of the time! :)

4th Day....Monte Carlo, Monaco

We visited the Oceanagrafic Museum. The different types of fish they are unbelievable. This is just one out of many! As soon as we got to the museum, we were going down the stairs to the aquarium section, and my feet completely came out from underneath me and I fell straight down on my bottom, or should i say, my tailbone! Ouch! Have you ever hurt your tailbone? Its definitely something that doesn't go away quickly...it still hurts today! ( How embarrassing!)

5th Day....Marseilles, France. This is in front of Monte Cristo's Chateau D'If.

Joseph's cousins, Daniel, Tiffany, and Claire have lived in Marseilles, France for a year and a half. We met up with them and they were able to show us some of the city and take us to a couple of their favorite local places.

This is one of their famous chocolate shops, "La Cure Gourmande". There is nothing like it!

Mom, me, sister Leah, and sister in law Morgan.

Last night dinner

Sad it was over, but we feel very blessed by all the things we were able to see and do!