Announcement: EUROPE 2011

EUROPE!

Well the cat's out of the bag and the rumors are true. Trent and I are backpacking Europe this summer. To decode the map: What we hope to travel through is in BLUE, our simplifications are in RED and the extra hopefuls (and unlikely's)are in PURPLE.

We leave April 27th and arrive in Madrid late on the 28th. We'll then have four weeks to go wherever the wind takes us (including bull chasing, castle spotting, church viewing, SCUBA diving, site seeing, painting, buying souvenirs, and so forth). Most of our nights will be spent on Euro Rail as we bought global passes through 22 countries. Trent and I hope to finish our Trip in Buchs where his Brother Ian and his family live.

Sicily Amphitheater

Neuschwanstein Castle

spain bullfighting

We've made a lot plans thus far but have a long way to go. Any suggestions, recommendations, tips, etc. would be extremely appreciated. We will not change our minds and go anywhere other than the area we have included on the map (so don't tell us we HAVE to go to the UK, Scandinavia, Greece, whatever). We're trying to keep a tight budget but also care a lot about enjoying our time since we will have traveled so far to get there.

Any "have-to-pack" items? We've got towels, sleeping bag liners, safety belts, and emergency kits.

Any places we have to see in these countries? Where's your favorite place in Europe that we'd regret to miss?

Any tips for two vulnerable young people in a foreign place?

Any hilarious stories about your trip abroad (Europe or elsewhere)?

(Spending time in the Fijian Bathroom. At least there was TP!)

One of my favorite stories is when I realized I was intolerant to coconut milk in Fiji, a country that basically has no fresh water and rinses all of their food in the milk before preparing meals. Needless to say, I spent many hours in the bathroom.

(woman resisting the urge to touch Trent's lucky hair)

One of Trent's favorite parts of living in Vietnam is how all the people in the area loved touching his hair.

We look forward to your comments!!!

I'm a no-picture-taking turd...

I have been so bad this month in taking picture. But without waiting any longer, let me tell you what Trent and I have been up too!

Valentine's Day was fantastically romantic with my dear sweetheart. Trent surprised me with 2 mint chocolate brownies from The Chocolate, a girl's greatest sin.

Also, my band has had some great performances. From now on the posts and updates for The Lucky Crickets can be found here.

On the 20th, Trent and I drove to PC to play with Miranda, Reza, and our darling niece, Leila. We had so much fun baking, playing pretend and just being with friends and family. The following day, we went to Park City Mountain Resort for a day of snowboarding. The weather conditions were perfect not to mention we had a snowstorm the previous night. Trent and I were in powder heaven; we forgot how much we missed the slopes.

warming my tush by the warm fire during lunch break

On the 23th we babysat Leila and I successfully put her to bed all by myself! For those of you who know the triumph of tucking a little 3 year old into bed when you're not the mommy, you know the success I felt that night.

24th was TRENT'S B-DAY! He turned 25 and we made no downplay of the event. Trent woke up to delicious homemade egg mcmuffins made by Miranda. He opened his first collection of presents including gummy worms, a freezer mug, apples for apple crisp, and MONEY. That evening, Trent and I found him new snowboarding pants at a local store that zip into his burton jacket. We have completed his snowboarding outfit! Now all that's left are snowboard, boots, and bindings. Trent was so happy with his new pants that he put them back on when we got home and watched NBC's comedy line up in them.

silly twent

Trent's BFF Brett called and invited us to Jump on It, a party place full of trampolines. Needless to say it was the best way to end this momentous occasion.

Birthday Boy Riding an Elephant

with our great friends Brett and Adam

very similar to fern gully water jumping (go to time 1:30)

Levitational Love

backflipping tricks

The following day I went to a hair school my great friend Brooke attends and got my hair cut and colored by her. She did a fantastic job and it was so great to reconnect with her :)

That weekend my parents, along with the Christensen family, came into town. Trent and I got in another day of snowboarding and had a fabulous fun filled time playing in the snow with the nephew, building snowmen, sledding, teasing, and eating delicious homemade treats (the Tueller way).

That next week we alternated days visiting park city with the family and going to school (the real world). Trent even experienced his first full day of Skiing at Deer Valley!

It was sad for all the family to leave but makes us that much more excited for out next reunion. Fortunately I got a great hour of shopping at Tanger outlets with my momma. Many thanks to her and her spoiling ways!