Another dream accomplished!

Ahhhhh Lucky me! I was able to go to Venice, Italy this past weekend!! I met two of my friends, Jamie and Heather, in the airport... and we had such a good weekend!! They have been backpacking in Europe for the past couple of weeks, and they saved Venice until the end so I could come meet up with them. I haven't laughed that hard for three days straight in a LOOOOONG time. It was by far my favorite place I have traveled in my life! I loved it that much. It makes the trip depending on who you travel with...and I am sooo glad I chose to go with them. We have lots of new inside jokes, and memories that I will always remember!! Thanks for meeting with me girls!!

Typical tourists with our new Venice sweatshirts on!!

We went on a Gondola ride our second night... let's just say it was BEAUTIFUL weather the entire weekend... but 5 minutes into our ride, it started to rain. hahaha we still had fun anyway!

Feeding the birds in St. Marks Square. Before I went... I heard this was a must do. Wouldn't do it again, but it was a lot of fun! We had a HUGE audience watching us and video taping us on their cameras!

We know the E is backawards... but it looked the best this way! We L OV E D our trip!!

Heather and I on the little Island of Murano!

It was known for its glass sculptures!

Yes we ate a lot of crepes!! Nutella and fresh strawberries was my absolute favorite!!! Such a fun trip!!!!

Summer time in Spain!!

Yay!! The good weather is finally here!!! I was hoping for hot... and now it is too hot. I definitely spoke too soon!! It would be really hard to not have a pool around while outside. It is over 90 degrees everyday and I feel like I am melting away!!! Everyone in Spain has a pool, so this is what our free time consists of lately, now that the weather has just turned amazing! The only down side....no air conditiong. I lay in bed and sweat at night as I am trying to fall asleep. There are so many things I take for granted at home, and I would have never realized it unless I came somewhere else to live. I am so thankful for all of my experiences!! I love it here!!

Swimming in Jo's pool on a Saturday!!!

Last week we went to Retiro Park, and rented a boat for an hour to take out onto the... pond I guess you would call it. It was a lot of fun... but SOOO dang hot!!

Elina and I on the boat!!

Jessica and I strikin a pose!

Eating popsicles in Madrid, tryin to stay cool!!

This is the patio that my little ninos eat all their meals at everyday. Tough life huh?

My host Mom swimmin' with the girls in the backyard!

Charles bein' sassy. Love this kid.

My backyard!!! I am so lucky!!

Ana, me, and Victoria! The pool is salt water... I have never heard of that until I came here!! It has 1/10 the amount of salt as the sea. Atleast it's better for my hair.... and I'm just glad I can't taste it very much!

Our favorite place to get salads and sandwiches. MONTYS! It is only 1E on Wednesdays. You know where to find us poor Aupairs!!

I guess this is the thing to do now a days when your hair goes grey??

We found a bird's nest by the patio

The BEAUTIFUL Madrid temple!! Love to go and sit on the temple grounds on Sundays!! Had a bad experience with some creepy men last time I went, so I am extra careful now when I am on my own!!

Elder McArthur is in the MTC and I got to see him sing!! He was waving at me!!

My favorite Trek bro!! Church won't be the same without him when I get home but he is going to be an amazing missionary!

I am so thankful for my life! I am so happy!

*R*O*M*E*

Ahhhh my life just keeps getting better and better!! I thought Lisbon and Paris were amazing.... Oh no. Italy is BY FAR my favorite place so far!! I am a LOVER of Italian food... Pasta is my absolute favorite. The real Italian food was incredible!! The city was beautiful, I fell in love with it the second we got there!! All of the friends I have made here have to work on the weekends, so I convinced my host Mom to come with me to Rome!! She siad that I am not allowed to leave Europe without seeing the city, and since she hadn't been there for 15 years she decided to join me!! We had a blast!! It was fun getting to know her better, and realizing how much we have in common. She stooped down to my level and made it so much fun for me. Since she had been there before, I had a walking tour guide 24-7. I saw so much of Rome that I thought my head was going to explode from all the history!! It was humid and hot, but SO worth it!! I go to Venice in two weeks and I cannot wait to be back in Italy!! We will see which city I like more!

Some old ruins in the middle of the city!

The Colosseum!! Absolutely incredible!!

Oh I forgot to mention... my host Moms friend, Paloma, and her fifteen year old daughter, Angela, decided to come with us!! They only speak Spanish... so that is all we spoke to eachother all weekend. I was actually pretty impressed with myself. I didn't do half bad. My host Mom had to help me out occasionally though!

Inside the Colosseum!! I LOVED it!!!

Some more old ruins.

I would have loved to see the city back in the old days.

We saw a 3-D movie while we were there. The seats moved to make it seem real. It was really interesting!

The Pantheon

Everyone drove vespas, and they were always dressed so nice. It wasn't uncommon to see a man with a full suit and tie... riding on a vespa!!

This picture looks fake... oh no, it's not. That's how incredible the city was!

The Vatican City!

Our hotel is the Yellow one at the end of the street. Loved it!

The four of us!

hahaha my personal tour guide!! a.k.a. my host Mom Milagros!

Flower shops everywhere!

The Spanish Steps!

Nothing but the best.... Italian Gelato and Icecream!!

HAHAHA this was the coolest thing I had ever seen!! I want one!

I absolutely LOVED Rome, can ya tell?!?!