FRANCE!!!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Well....I have felt like the I am luckiest girl of all time! I got to go with Jake and his wonderful family to France for 2 weeks! I had a wonderful time getting to know them all even more, and exploring what France had to offer. The main purpose of this trip was to pick up Jake's brother, Cameron from his mission in Toulouse. So cool! I was originally going to post all the pictures from everyday we had on the trip, but decided to post a few highlights on the blog instead.(When I make a photo book someday, Ill post the link of the finished product)

Flying to France was fun,but long. I think it was the first time I didn't fall asleep the whole plane flight! I was so glad that Tuna was able to sneak in my bag and come on the trip. I played with him the whole flight. When I got to France, I forgot a few things that I loved so much. Pastries, Bounty bars, and chocolate filled crasanuts.
This is Tuna. He is the best monkey of all time! He came with us everywhere! Tuna had already known most of Jake's family in California when we got him from my brother in law John. Tuna was so excited to meet Cameron! Notice how clean Tunas face is at the beginning of the trip. (he got lots of kisses and love)

We stayed at the cutest bed and breakfast places in every area we went to. This picture was taken in the backyard of our first bed and breakfast! This for sure was our favorite place we stayed at. Probably because the nutella and pound cake for breakfast.

This was one of my best experiences at church away from home. The spirit was so strong here. I love how I do not speak or understand any language besides English, but when I go to church, the feeling is just the same. I would even say the spirit can very easily,and strongly be felt here in this French Branch. One the strongest I have felt. It was great! At the end of the sacrament meeting a little girl that was probably around 8 years old or so, said the closing prayer. I thought that was so sweet.

Have you ever heard of a sunflower grower men? Maybe a sunflorest...a floweroligist? The only time I have was in duck tales. How cool for that to be your job! There were so many sunflower fields along our drives in the back country. I guess the sunflower farmers extract the oils from them and create sunflower oil! That's neat! We had a blast looking at the flowers and taking pictures of them.

After an intense day of finding a place to eat lunch, we found a good one! A hail storm began. It was fun to watch. It scared many people away, most likely because the hail kicked them off of their table...


This is one of my favorite places we went to! Beautiful gardens!

I love the architecture in France. You can sign me up to have shutters and a brick home anyday. (with air conditioning.....)


CAVES!
Wesley was quite an adventurous eater. He was always up to try anything and enjoyed it all! Hes my idol. Welsey got escargo and let me try one. The snails were covered in so much garlic and butter,they tasted great.

Jake is going to be the best father ever. I walked in, and he was having a talk with Tuna. It looks like it was a pretty intense talk. Tuna has a large smile on his face, so I am guessing he enjoyed this one on one time with Jake.
Great news!!!! It was finally time to pick up Cameron! We got to go to his groups, closing testimony meeting over at the Mission Presidents home. It was wonderful. I was so glad to meet him. When Cameron got to the car, Tuna was wait to meet Cameron. They exchanged hellos in French. Cameron and Wesley did an awesome job doing so much interpreting for us during the trip. They were life savors! Jake knows a bit of French and did great speaking the language to. France was interesting to me, because I felt like it was the only place in Europe I couldn't communicate with anyone. I feel most places in Europe, everyone speaks English. I need to learn another language.
Carcazone. Sadly Sue didn't get to join us, so someday well all have to go back again! It was a neat Renaissance town with castles, jousting, and swords.
We got to see the coolest towns that were up on hills. Each town had its own large cathedral. That was amazing to me. They were all beautiful, and very gody.

Wahoo!!!! Cameron's first swim!!!! This was an exciting night! Jake and I bought a water camera before we went on this trip and it has worked awesome! Go Cannon, and Cameron for your first swim!

My cute Jakey. I am happy, my hair feels like its starting to grow. Still a mullet, but a longer mullet.


Count of Monte Cristo!!!!!! Remember that cool movie? We got to go see the actual place where the story actually took place. Shato Def. (I don't know how to spell) It was neat. The hole where he climbed out must of been hard to dig. It wasn't like in the movie though, with a long tunnel, and coming up threw the floor. It was kinda on the side of a wall. The building also didn't have long windy passages, and enormously tall walls like in the movie. It still would of been miserable to be there. When we were there, we were told that some parents would pay for there kids to come here. Yes, that would make anyone do their homework.

We ate great food the whole trip! Sadly, food is always a highlight in my life. Many restaurants made an effort to have nice presentation. Eating customs are also quite different in France. There is only certain times during lunchtime, or dinner that you can eat. Thank goodness for McDonald's. We ate a lot of stinky, but yummy cheese, begets, pastries, green plums, chocolate, and peaches. It was fantastic.

Jakey and Tuna Melt. I always knew he was great, but now I know even more why! Because his family is so great! They treated me so well on this trip. I truly felt part of their family. They are so good to me.

This was one of my favorite days of the trip! We got to canoe down river! Kim had the best idea ever of putting Tuna in a ziplock bag so he could come canoeing to! After having Tuna with us everywhere we went, we couldn't stand to leave him in the car all by himself. I feel his smile is extra large in this picture.

Sue and Kim got us to large 3 seater canoes for us. This was good because sometimes we would each need to take a little break. Except for Kim. I think he should be a professional canoer. He had so much rowing energy.
Wow, lets just say this was a big day for mankind. This was Tunas first time swimming. As you can tell from this picture, he was so ecstatic, and overwhelmingly excited. Now anytime we even bring him near a large body of water he wants to jump in. Tuna has learned though, that he is not allowed to go swimming with out his plastic bubble. I am so glad Tuna got to go swimming to. Tuna said this was the highlight of his trip. Thanks for the great idea Kim!

A large reflection walkway/pool. This was neat. We had fun walking around in it. It was a walking area, just glazed with water so only the soles of your shoes got wet. This area reminded me of downtown London. It was fun being able to go to areas where Cameron has served. He seemed like a great missionary.
Sue has great style. She called about some cute dresses that were modest,that she found, and we got matching dresses! I love to match! This was really fun for me! Thanks Sue! You are to good to me!

I wish I could post all the pictures. 10 pictures does not do a two week journey justice! Thanks Harris family for the best time ever! I sure love you all so much!



mandy and davids wedding weekend

Monday, August 2, 2010

My cousin Mandy got married, and so it turned into a family reunion in Utah. It was great! Mandy met her soon to be husband at BYU idaho her first year. Then David went on a mission, Mandy went on a mission, and when they were both back, love was in the air! My mom came into town so I got to play with her for a whole week! It was great! One day, we had the entire day to our selves so we had a blast going shopping, and out to Gardner Village.
This is mom and I at Gardner Village. I don't think we have ever looked better! Gardner Village has the cutest shops! My mom and I's favorites were the fabric shop and Christmas decorations shop. Then later that night we met up with uncle Bryan, aunt Robin, Jana, Alex, Mandy, Mitch, Rachelle, and Jake came up to Salt lake and we all went to a yummy deli called "corner cafe" and then went over to the cheesecake factory to eat yummy cheeeeeesecake. We happened to be there on national cheesecake day, so everyone got a piece of cheese cake half off! What a deal! They had a new kind that was Reeses delight. And oh...it was a delight. While we were there I saw my friends Shelby and Ryan Skousen. They told me it was their year anniversary. How time flies! Then all of us went over to Nanas house and played the card gave "5 crowns." It was a great time! I craved to play it all weekend.
On Saturday at 11:30, Mandy and David got married in the South Jordan Temple. This is the temple Mandys parents got married in. Jake and I walked around with Jana and Alex as the wedding ceremony went on.
Here is the happy couple, officially married!
Jake and I hanging out while lots of pictures were being taken by the bridal party.
The family.
My moms siblings. Uncle Bick, John, Mom, Laurie, Robin.
Cute little Mandy.
Mom, Jake and I.
Jake and I ended up having our little own photo shoot. It was so pretty out, mom found some great places to take our picture.


Cutest flower girl I have ever seen.
The luncheon was held at the Joseph Smith Memorial building in the Presidents room. It was fun, and the food was great!
Dorthy and Toto. After the luncheon we went over to my Uncle Bick and Donnas, and cousin Lacys home. Uncle Bick and Aunt Donna have started breeding puppies! They had a few kinds and were soooo cute! It was so sad though because they had one that was born that day, and he died a few days later because the mom bit it because she thought it wasn't in best health...:( poor little puppy.
Mom and uncle Bick
Mitch and Rachelle. This is Mandys twin brother. He and Rachelle have been married for over a year now.
Cousin Lisa and husband Todd. I always loved Todd as a child because he liked rap. It really bonded us.
Alex and Aunt Laurie
mitsy,bick,bick,robin
Sunday was a fun day of Church with Nana, 5 crowns, yummy pizza, and playing with mom and the Laubaughs. Monday, we all met up at Kneaders for breakfast. Sourdough pancakes are my new favorite. Mandy and David even came and joined us for breakfast on their way out back to their new home :) Then we went to the BYU bookstore and got some goodies. Low and behold they had the card game "5 crowns." Mom bought it for me! Shes the best! Then that night I was in charge of the ward closing social with my co chair Preston. It was soooo awesome having my mom here to help! She is the best watermelon cutter around!
The closing social was at Nunn's park up Provo Canyon.
This is my roomate Emily and Preston. Emily and her sister left floating the river and came right over to help me with this activity! They were such a help! I am so lucky to have such great people in my life! Jake came on his way to help and threw up, so he had to go home to go throw up more.
Shelly is great at making posters. She has wonderful handwritting.
Wahoo! Activity done, and finished Preston brought us these great baby aprons while we grilled up some grub. After my mom was a gem and helped me unload the car, and clean everything up. Oh moms are the best! Then we took ill Jake some gatorades and a new puppy dog beanie baby we found at the gas station. He was boiling warm. He was not doing to good. But luckily he was able to fall asleep! Then my mom and I drove up to stay the night in Salt Lake at Nanas again before moms morning flight. That night we had one last hurrah with the Laughbaugh's. This was a great week! I was so glad I got to see my mom and play with family!