Important Announcement & My Dream Trip 4

Well--my important announcement is that I will not be going private. I have weighed the pros and cons and there are other reasons for my decision but I will stay public. And now on to my vacation. On day 4 we got up earlier than I ever want to get up again and we headed to the train station. We got on the train headed to London. It was a 2 hour train ride so at least we got to catch a little nap. The train was really nice and went really fast. When we got to London and walked outside, the first thing we saw was this: Kings Cross station. Pretty cool--our kids especially loved the pictures because of Harry Potter. We headed out on our journey (walking of course) and we came across this: It was pretty cool--I wish we had time to go inside and look around but we were on a schedule. We walked to Hyde Park, which is GORGEOUS. The parks there are HUGE and very peaceful. Here is a sign we saw in the park: We headed off a little ways further and finally arrived at our destination:

Buckingham Palace. The flag was flying so the Queen was there. We got there just in time for the changing of the guard ceremony. It was really neat to see and I am glad that we got there in time. Here are some pictures of the ceremony:

We left after the ceremony and headed back through the park when we came upon this:

The Spencer home (as in Princess Diana's family). VERY cool. Then we headed here:

Trafalgar Square. Awesome. We grabbed some lunch at a TGIFriday's and then we decided to take a double decker bus tour. We saw so many amazing things and I really learned so much. We finally saw this:

Parliament and Big Ben. I am just here to say that this building is fantastic. The intricate design and the sheer magnificence of it overwhelmed me. Then we got a glimpse of this bad boy:

The London Eye. It is HUGE!! We didn't have time to ride it but I am sure I would have peed my pants if I did. We got a river tour free with our bus tour so we took a ride down the Thames where we saw the actual London Bridge, which the children's song is about. The we saw this:

The Tower Bridge. It was AMAZING. We did walk across it too which was pretty cool. Next is another shot of Parliament and Big Ben.

This building is The Gherkin. They named it that because they thought it resembled a cucumber. The we spent some time checking out this amazing place:

The Tower of London. It was just FANTASTIC and AMAZING. We wanted to go on a tour but we got there 1/2 hour before it closed and so we didn't. We had such a short time in London and we had to choose very carefully what we wanted to do/see. The next day (Day 5) we got up and decided to take a tour of Westminster Abbey. Sadly, you are not allowed to take pictures inside. But I am here to say that it was STUNNING. We happened to be there on September 11th and they had a prayer and moment of silence for all those that died on that day. I was bawling like a baby. The prayer was beautiful and it was very spiritual for me. We headed back to Paris after that and then we just did some shopping.

We headed home the next morning but because of the train system being worked on (and we had NO idea), we missed our plane. I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown because the man at the counter was being a real jerk and was going to charge us each $400.00 to get home (which would have meant $800.00 per couple). Luckily for us a really nice man came to the counter and told him we didn't know the train was down and to book us on the next available flight for free. Thank goodness for him!! Then we got to witness (well--we couldn't actually see it but we sure heard it) a bag being blown up RIGHT there in the airport check in area. A little un-nerving. We made it home a little later that we were supposed to but safe and sound and that was the important thing. Now, I am soooooooo ready to go back!!

My Dream Trip 3

So on day 3 we got on a train and went here: Versailles. I was so stunned with the shear beauty of the Palace. We looked around outside for a bit and then headed inside. It was the home of him: King Louie VIV. He had VERY extravagant taste in all things. There were murals on all of the walls and ceilings that were unbelievable. But I was most interested in this:

Marie Antoinette's quarters. There was so much to look at and we took so many pictures but I am condensing here. After the tour of the inside we went out the back doors and this is what we saw:

The gardens. That went on, and on, and on and on. We decided to just start walking. Everything was so beautiful and all of the gardens were in bloom. We then went back to Marie Antoinette's area where she built all of her own houses/palaces. She didn't like living in the main Palace so she had several of her own build miles away from the Palace. These were my favorite ones:

We were there for a good part of the day and it rained lightly for most of the time we were there. Then all of the sudden it started to POUR and I mean it was seriously POURING fast and hard. We were all soaked to the bone. We headed back to the train and decided to try the Arc de Triomphe again. This time it was open so we went up to the top. Here are some of the views from the top of the Arc:

See the church way up on the hill (in the above picture)? That is Sacre Coeur. We didn't get to go there (because of time) but I will next time for sure.

I added this picture (above) because this is how they drive around the Arc de Triomphe. There are no lanes and really no rhyme or reason to the whole thing. Everyone just makes their own lane and they go when and where they want to. And the people on scooters or motorcycles just weave in and out of all the cars and trucks. It was the craziest thing I have ever seen. We stood there and watched and laughed for quite a while.

This picture (above) is the staircase that takes you up and down. There are 284 steps and they are all spiral. I could have done the stairs easily but the spiral killed me. I was dizzy and sick to my stomach by the time I got to the top. It didn't help that somehow I got stuck behind 2 schmucks that kept stopping to rest but there was no room to pass because it was so narrow.

This picture (above) is of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They just happened to be having a special ceremony when we got down to the bottom. It was very moving to watch (yes, I cried) and I am so glad that we were there to see it.

This is the Metro. We rode on it a lot. I love this picture and so I thought I would share it with all of you. That was the end of Day 3. And can I just say again that I am in LOVE with Paris?! I LOVE, LOVE it!!

My Dream Trip 2

Day 2 was a great day. We first went to the Louvre. We went to the Dutch Artists floor, which was really neat for us because my mother-in-law is from the Netherlands. We saw so many beautiful things which made me wish I was artistic--but I am not. Then we headed off and found her: Venus de Milo. She.is.beautiful!! I couldn't believe I was standing right in front of her. It amazed me how close you could get to everything. Finally we made our way (with everyone else practically in the Louvre) to find her:

Mona Lisa. There were so many people and it was hard to get really close but she was A.MA.ZING!! She is a lot smaller that I imagined (again--what I had pictured in my own mind), but it didn't matter. I was so happy to be standing in front of this AMAZING masterpiece. After that we went to the Musee d'Orsay but sadly we were not allowed to take any pictures in there. I did discover while there that I had a very weird raised, itchy, burning rash on both legs. Good times. Then it was off to:

The Arc de Triomphe. As you can tell everyone is walking around with umbrella's. Well----everyone but us. We were soaked and let me just tell you that rain and humidity DO NOT go well with naturally curly hair. So I had to wear a hat everyday and even still my hair was sick. So, we went to go up to the top of the Arc only to find out that the workers were on strike. But lucky for us it was only a 1 day strike????. So we headed for some lunch of pizza's with fried eggs in the middle--YUM. Then we headed here:

Les Invalides. Isn't it beautiful?! Well--what wasn't beautiful?! Anyway--we went there to see this:

The tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. And let me just say that this tomb is HUGE. After the tomb we headed back to the Eiffel Tower but this time we went to the top. We had to ride 2 different elevators to get there. When we got to the top the views were A.MA.ZING. Here are some pictures that we took from the top:

After a while we headed back down. Matt and Ryan decided to take the stairs instead of the elevators. Christa and I declined to join them and took the easy way down. This is a picture that I LOVE that was taken while they were walking down the stairs.

Then we were back at the bottom and again I was in such awe. I.LOVE.THE.EIFFEL.TOWER. LOVE IT!!

That is the end of day 2. Again we walked another 42 miles (again--I am totally exaggerating) but yet again----it was worth EVERY step. **If you missed day one, just scroll down to check it out.**

My Dream Trip 1

Wow--I can't believe it's almost been 1 year since I have blogged. I have my reasons, which I may or may not get into at some point. Anyway--you last heard that I would be going on my dream vacation to Paris. So, because of a friend, who encouraged me to blog before I go private (you know who you are), I thought I would share a little of my dream with you. We left on September 6th and flew from here to Houston, Texas on a small, little, made me really nervous the entire flight, plane. From Houston, TX we looked out the window at the plane we would be flying to Pars, France on and saw this: Whoa Nelly!! That's a mighty big plane!! Of course I was stuck in a middle seat with Matt at the window seat and a really nice older gentleman on the aisle seat. Well--Matt fell asleep and the older gentleman fell asleep (and he snored and layed on my shoulder almost the entire flight) and of course----I did not sleep. Not a wink. Not one minute the entire 12 hour flight. Good times. We arrived in Paris on September 7th in the morning. We took our luggage to the hotel's locking closet because we couldn't check in yet. And then we were off. We walked the streets of Paris until we came upon this: The Seine. It was so much bigger than I had imagined (in my own mind). Everything around it was beautiful. We took a river boat tour later on in the day down the Seine (Christa and I may or may not have fallen asleep part way through) that was really neat. Next we happened upon this place: Notre Dame Cathedral. Look at how beautiful it is. I was in such awe. Everything is so intricate and beautiful. After that we walked to this amazing place:

The Louvre. I could not believe how big it was. And to think of all the beautiful things inside made me giddy with excitement (we didn't go inside this day). I was seriously so happy!! But then, finally, I saw what I had been waiting for since I was a little girl:

The Eiffel Tower. I cried (I warned everyone before hand that it was a strong possibility I would cry but I think I hid it pretty well and no one knew). IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL, SO BIG, SO AMAZING, AND SO WONDERFUL!! Finally my dream had come true. Oh and the food wasn't too shabby either!! We seriously walked 42 (of course I am totally exaggerating but it sure felt like it) miles that day but it was worth EVERY step. And this was just day 1!!

I'm Making A Comeback--Slow But Sure

Sooooo....I have decided to start blogging again. I know, shocker!! But for many reasons (which I won't mention) I have decided to go private. If you are still interested in reading my blog, send me your e-mail address via the comments or my e-mail (coxmatthew7@hotmail.com). I will go private as of April 8th so get me those address (or not)!!

Some Stuff And Judice Is Back!!

I hope that you all had a Happy Mother's Day!! Mine was great. I got 3 new pairs of shoes, a candle warmer and some scented wax. My family made me a ham and cheese omelet with a side of toast for breakfast. My husband had no Bishopric meetings that morning so he was home to help with getting the kids ready for Church. We had dinner at my parents house and it was delish!! All in all it was a great day!!

I used to have a picture of the Eiffel Tower on my sidebar and under it were the words My Dream. Well guess what?! My dream is coming true on September 6th. I am going to Paris, France!! For a week!! I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!! And then we are going to Disneyland September 27th----with my entire family. I am going to LOVE September!!

Today is my niece E's 9th birthday. She is my brother's oldest daughter. Happy Birthday E!! You are my most favorite E there is!! I ♥ you!!

Finally--here is something to make you laugh. I laughed so hard my guts hurt!! Enjoy and have a great day!!

I Need A Little Help From My Friends----PLEASE?!

I know I haven't been the best blogger of late. Sorry for that. But I need a HUGE favor from all of you. I have a friend named Emily. Last year she was diagnosed with Lupus. She has a wonderful husband and a 5 year old daughter, and a 2 year old daughter. This disease has been so hard on their little family. She has been in kidney failure, she has had to endure many bouts of Chemotherapy, she wasn't able to hold her babies or help them in any way. Matter of fact--the girls had to be watched and cared for by family members because she could not do it. Lupus has no cure so she will have it for the rest of her life.

Here is the part where I need your help. They are entered to win a Backyard Makeover. They are one of 4 finalists. They need people to vote for them. So PLEASE, PLEASE (I am begging from the bottom of my heart) vote for them. The contest is from Good Things Utah so you go to www.abc4.com/contests. That will bring up all of the contests. The Backyard Makeover is the first one. Then click on details and that will bring up the finalists. Then click on Sign Up and then you create an account so you can vote. Then you vote for THE DEYOUNG FAMILY. Please, please do this. They deserve it SOOOOOOOOOO much!! Thank you for all that do--it really means a lot!!