EGER, HUNGARY
My beautiful little sister, Rikki and her husband Sebastien at dinner in Eger, Hungary
Norby was our tour guide for Eger. He is a member in the branch my parents served in. He was a really nice guy and a great tour guide! He only gave you the important information instead of boring you to death with all the details!
One of the cannons inside the castle in Eger. The Turks took over the castle and destroyed alot of the outside of it and the rest was covered by sand! They have been excavating it and this was in the underground passage we explored.
Seb and Mike playing around on the little kids playground at the top of the castle. It was quite entertaining
These two pictures are taken from the top of the castle looking down!
This isn't the best picture, but it is of another castle in Eger.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY
This is a piece of the wall that was taken in remembrance of what the Nazi's did to the Hungarian people. It is outside "The House of Terror" a museum that tells of the horror that happened to the Hungarian people from both the Nazi's and the Russians! It was so very sad!
Touring in Budapest with Rikki, Lauri, Mom, and Mike! We walked all day long which wasn't in the plans. Mom and I wore the wrong shoes and by the end of the day, we had blisters on the bottoms of our feet! I have never been so tired in all my life! I kept thinking about the pioneers and couldn't imagine how they kept walking! Lauri kept singing the song, "Pioneer Children sang as they walked and walked and walked!"
The Great Synagogue...the 2nd largest one in the world. The largest one is located in New York
Rikki and Seb in front of another Catholic Cathedral in Budapest, Hungary
I couldn't believe how ornate these cathedrals were. I thought of our Temples and how sacred they are and how different it is from all the cathedrals we were able to tour. There were always so many people in these cathedrals and I was so thankful that we have our Temples where we can go to find peace and solitude...not tourist.
That is one big organ!
These next pictures are of Budapest from the sky. We rode a ferris wheel and got some cool pictures that overlook the city
The Hungarians admire Ronald Regan for what he did for them and that is why they have this statue in Budapest.
This is the Danube River. These shoes have been bronzed as a memorial to the Jews who were shot and then tossed in the river like they were nothing! This really hit me hard, especially when I saw the little pair of toddler shoes! It is so sad that people can be so cruel and just down right evil!
MARSEILLE, FRANCE
From this view you can see Marseille, France. This is where my little sister, Rikki, and her husband Sebastien live with their 3 children, Brice, Damien, and Lucy! It was absolutely a breath taking view!
This was a Roman Aqueduct that was built a really long time ago. It was HUGE and so neat to see.
Cliff jumping at the Aqueduct...Mike
Damien
Brice
Matthew....Seb's brother
Sebastien with his two boys
Even Jacques, Sebastien's dad, jumped off...pretty impressive
PARIS, FRANCE
Enjoying a picnic at the Palace of Versailles. This was the kings hunting lodge where he went to get away from the city! I could not believe how big the Palace grounds were. Crazy to think this was just a hunting lodge to him! This was as close as we could get to the palace for free!
I got these pictures from the internet...a little better picture
The great Eiffel Tower. We walked to the tower and by the time we got there, we had already walked all over Paris and it was 11:00pm. The girls decided they didn't need to walk up it, so we waited while Mike and Sebastien walked up all those stairs. I had to go to the bathroom so bad, but all the bathrooms were closed by then! There are a million people there and they close the bathrooms!! I got the real French experience and found a bush and went! Us girls were just laughing as we guarded each other! How thankful I am for being able to find a restroom in America! This was so frustrating to all of us on this trip!
A very small part of The Louvre Museum. A few us went to the Louvre and saw the famous things! It wasn't really my thing and it was HUGE and there were people everywhere! I have decided that I do not enjoy being places where there are crowds of people! However, I can say I have been to The Louvre now!
A much better picture of the Louvre and the Pyramind
Rikki and I on the river boat we were on for their Independence Day! The food was delicious and they always made it look so pretty, so we had to take a picture! I must say that we experienced the best fireworks show ever. It lasted 45 minutes and it was AWESOME!
These are some pictures from the river boat. I just love the architecture and how different and old it looked!
Dad didn't really seem to be enjoying himself on the river boat. It was loud and he can't see anything, so I can see how it wouldn't be that great to him. However, when he and mom were dancing he looked so happy!
NORMANDY
My cute little nephews and niece that I only get to see every 2 years! The last time I saw Lucy, she was a little baby! I hate it that we are so far from them and I know our kids don't like it either!
Here are the Beaches of Normandy. It was absolutely beautiful. I was really wishing I would have brought my really nice camera, but was too afraid of it getting stolen!
This was a crazy looking bridge. I had never seen anything so tall!
Mom and Dad were snoozing it up on the car ride
The American Cemetry
I so wish you could see the inscription on this monument! It talked about why the Americans fought for the freedoms of others! I should have wrote it down!
You can't read it well in this picture but it says," 1941-1945
In proud remembrance of the achievements of her sons and in humble tribute to their sacrifices this memorial has bee erected by the United States of America
One of the bunkers that are still there! It was so neat to see all the bunkers that the soldiers used!
I can't say how wonderful it was to see the American Flag! I felt so proud to be an American, but even prouder of the men who gave their lives for the freedom of others!
I LOVE the quote on this monument
"We too born to freedom and believing in freedom are willing to fight to maintain freedom we and all others who believe as deeply as we do would rather die on our fee than live on our knees"
Franklin D Roosevelt June 1941
This is a crater that was created from the bombs during Normandy
I love my Lucy girl
Brice being Karate Kid
These pictures are all the many bunkers that still remain on the beaches of Normandy. I believe we were on Omaha beach
Monument for the Heroic Ranger Commandoes
Trying to show you the 2 bunkers behind me
The boys loved climbing out of the holes
This is the hotel we stayed at...it was such a cute little place.
Le Mont Saint Michel
when the tide comes in, it surrounds the entire bottom of the castle. It wasn't the right time to see it actually happen, but my mom and sister say it is pretty amazing. The tide comes in from 10 miles out.
Inside Le Mont Saint Michel
Being "Superstars" just for Lauri
BACK TO PARIS
This is a HUGE mall and it was very ornate!
The old Opera House in Paris
Notre Dame...it was a little too gothic for me
Arc de Triomphe
this was the best picture I got. we were in the car in the crazy roundabout and let me just say...i was so glad Sebastien was driving! That is just one insane roundabout
As we walked this is what was peeking through these two buildings.
Basilique du Sacre
Once again we had to walk up a million stairs to get to this Basilique. It was so beautiful and worth all the stairs! Afterwards, we walked through the little village there and had some yummy ice cream
Grammy and Poppy are FINALLY home from their mission in Eger, Hungary! On their way back to Oklahoma, they stopped and stayed at our house! They took the kids bowling, to the arcade, and McDonalds! They really spoiled them and they were so happy to see their Grammy and Poppy after a long 2 years of being gone. We are sure proud of all the hard work they did in Eger and know they changed many lives. It was so evident in all the tears that were shed at their farewell party! I know they are so grateful for their time there and will always have a great love for the people of Eger. I even think they are already planning on going back to visit!
