Europe, here we come!

Take me to Europe! (The story of how this trip came to be...)

When I heard Jaren's parents might be serving a mission in Germany (back in June 2013), I went to Barnes and Noble in Billings, Montana and bought myself a travel book. I love reading travel books, but the thought of visiting Germany seemed far-away. Still, it was fun to think about visiting and I enjoyed reading about the country.

Jaren and I spoke about visiting Europe every now and again. Our main focus was his schooling and trying to start a family. (That's a whole other story!) We didn't think seriously about going to Europe because we wanted children, but it was always fun to talk about.

After our miscarriage in September (another long story), we were heartbroken! We decided to take a break and focus on Jaren graduating and...  going to Europe! Honestly, planning our trip has been SO good for me this year and has kept my mind busy and focused.

As we were planning, reading, and watching about all the amazing things to do and see in Europe... (Mostly reading and watching Rick Steves!) 3 weeks turned into 4 and then 4 turned into 5. We kept saying, "We should go here too since it's so close!" (Everything in Europe is close.) We figured this may be the only time in our lives (until we retire) where we will be able to take 5 weeks off and away from our everyday lives. So we decided to just go, and we bought the tickets! (Which made it official! We were really going to Europe!)

This year has gone by so extremely fast. I remember buying the plane tickets in March and thinking of how far away it was. But it came so quickly! This year has been such a good one so far. I think this Summer has been one of my favorites. I honestly feel like such a different person now then I was a year ago. Our focus will soon become starting a family again but I feel like a have a new perspective on life. This year I have set and achieved goals. I have not let my trials define who I am and I have been very happy. I love my husband and he is the perfect travel buddy! I can't wait to hang out with him as we explore Europe!

Here is where we are going...

Germany (Bavarian and Black Forest area. And of course Frankfurt-where Jaren's parents are living. We will be with Jaren's parents while in Germany.)

Austria (Salzburg and Lake Hallstatt)

Italy (Venice, Florence, Rome, Cinque Terre, Lake Como/Bellagio)

 Switzerland (Lauterbrunnen area- we will be hiking the Alps!)

France (Paris) and then back to...

Germany (Rothenburg)

Then we will be back at home just in time for Fall to begin!

Jaren's Graduation

On Saturday, August 22 Jaren graduated from PA school at Rocky Mountain College. It was such a wonderful ceremony! (The best graduation ceremony I have ever been to, hands down!) It was very intimate and personal.  The graduation was only for the PA students and their family/friends. I could tell the faculty knew each student personally and truly cared about them and their success. I could also tell the students were all friends and cared about each other as well! The speeches were great and towards the end I was just filled with so much love for Jaren. I'm so proud of him and all his hard work! My parents came as well and they, too, are so proud of Jaren and love him as their own son. Jaren going to PA school has not been easy, but we have learned so much and these past few years we have grown so close to each other. I love Jaren with all my heart and am grateful for these past few years of his PA school. He chose a wonderful career and I know he will be an amazing PA!

White coat ceremony...

Jaren receiving his diploma...

Jaren with my parents...

Our good friends (Asay's and Swenson's)...

My parent's fun surprise for Jaren...

This weekend in Billings has been wonderful and nostalgic! I loved living here and it was fun to reminisce, but I'm ready for the next chapter in our lives!

On Wednesday I drove up part-way with my parents to Idaho Falls. It was fun to hang out with them all by myself!

On Thursday my friend Brooke Swenson (who has triplets, lives in Logan, and who's husband is also graduating) asked me to ride up with her. She met us in Idaho Falls and I rode the rest of the way with her to Billings. Her kids are super cute and were surprisingly well-behaved for how young they are and how long the drive was.

When we arrived in Billings I met up with Jaren and we drove around the city. We talked about our memories of Billings.

Our old apartment (that we loved!)...

Billings temple...

Thursday night Jaren and I ate dinner with our friends the Swenson's and the Asay's. We went to Red Robin and had a great time visiting and catching up!

The next morning Jaren really wanted to go have breakfast at Stella's. He had been there several times before but I had never eaten there before. Oh my, it was delicious!

Friday evening we went with my parents to Rib and Chop, one of our favorite restaurants! We also took my parents to Candy Town, an old-fashioned store with more variety of candy then you could dream of! Afterward, we saw The Man From U.N.C.L.E. at the movie theater Jaren and I would always go to when we lived here. We all enjoyed the movie and had a fun day!

Rib and Chop...

At Candy Town...

My mom hates getting her picture taken but I made my parents take a random photo at the theater...

On Saturday we went to my favorite breakfast place, Harper and Madison. Afterward we all went to Jaren's graduation ceremony. Next we went to a few antique stores with my parents and then back to the hotel for a rest. While Jaren and my parents rested, I saw a few friends from Murdock Family Dental (where I used to work).

Later that day we went to Ciao Mambo for dinner (the best Italian food around)!

It's hard to go home after such a fun weekend! But we all had a great time and we are so proud of Jaren!

At Harper and Madison...

Ladies from Murdock Family Dentistry...

Lagoon and ReAL!

To celebrate Jaren's last day of clinical rotations, our friends Andrew and Brooke (also Andrew's last day of clinical rotations) wanted to go to Lagoon and celebrate. It was so fun to get together with the Swenson's. We had a great time at Lagoon and went on the new ride, Cannibal, twice! But my oh my it was SO hot and humid! We were pretty sick by the end of the night!

On Saturday (August 15) Jaren's cousin (Derek) got us tickets to the ReAL game (SLC vs Portland). It was an exciting game but sadly ReAL didn't win. We still had a great time though!

Oh! And Emily and I went to bounce-back at Lagoon on Monday, August 10. I had a blast going with Emily. We went on all the big, crazy rides (that I can't normally go on because Jaren gets sick on rides so easily)!

Raspberry Days

We had a great weekend at Bear Lake- it was Rasberry Days! Emily ran the 5K with me and we did surprisingly well! We both like to exercise, but we never run! We thought the 5K would be a fun way to get some exercise and a t-shirt! We finished together and here were the results...

Getting ready for the race.

Before the race...

Jaren took these action shots as we neared the finish line! (Don't mind my closed eyes!)

Here we are at the breakfast...

While at Raspberry Days Jaren and I bought this adorable ring for me! Here are some artsy photos...

Jaren and Austin doing some studying for school...

Bocci!

The lovely lake...

The cabin...

I like this sign our neighbors have...

My sandy seashell art project...

More bocci...

Bear Lake Monster and Big Raspberry...