Europe Bound: First Stop, London

We are doing it, a once in a lifetime opportunity!!! The plan: London--> Denmark-> Poland

We have always talked about doing a trip like this since Carson came home from his mission 5 years ago. Carson is one to make things happen. Instead of just talking about it, he spent countless hours researching travel hacking and ways to travel affordably. He made this trip an actual reality for our little fam. It was amazing how things miraculously started falling into place. It was as though we were destined to go at this time! Needless to say, it was a 10-day dream vacation! 

We ran (waddled) around London, all three of us!!

First Stop: London!

After 15 hours of flying, it felt GOOD to arrive. Being 29 weeks pregnant, I tried to get up and walk every hour so I didn't sleep much on the flight. The airplane food, however, was surprisingly great and I received endless amounts of juice and water so I was happy!  We arrived on a beautiful, cloudy day. After finding our room--> we used Airbnb (side note: we had fantastic experiences in every country with this setup!)--> we explored the cobblestone streets for two days. We had pastries in the park for breakfast, watched the Changing of the Guards at the Buckingham Palace, explored the Tower of London, drank juice from one of the top floors of the Shard, and ran around the entire city. We walked more in London each day than in any other country...TONS of walking but we saw so many incredible things. The energy of the city made me come alive!!!!!! I couldn't have been more excited to spend all of my time with Carson, doing whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted!

The next night, we jumped on another plane--> Off to Denmark! 

Denmark

Frederiksborg Castle, Hillerød, Denmark

This Castle houses many original Carl Bloch paintings that are often seen in the LDS Church. President Engbejerg is known to take the apostles on tours of this gorgeous place. 

A 'must-have ice cream break' :)

^^The Queen's Summer Home

The famous Little Mermaid Statue

 

Church of Our Lady- Bertel Thorvaldsen's original statue of the Christ is found here. The Cathedral is breathtaking.  
The LDS Church has since commissioned several replicas that can be seen in many visitor centers. 


Above(^^) The Engberjerg's home. Below (vv) the gorgeous park and lake behind their home. Everything is so green and clean here! 

Denmark Temple (left) and Church (right)

 Tivoli. Furesøen, Virum

One of the world's oldest operating amusement parks in the world.

 Downtown Copenhagen 

The Engbjerg's (Carson's first mission president + family) are the most loving people and hosts. I could not think more highly of these two pictured above. Carson has incredible relationships with his mission presidents and because of that, I have been privileged to get to know them in a way most spouses do not. Carson promised President that he would come visit Denmark...so when this trip became a reality, the Engberg's were quick to invite us to stay with them the entire four days we were here. They dropped everything they were doing and explored with us the entire four days...I know, right? From castle-hopping, admiring artwork, enjoying Danish ice cream (DELICIOUS!), learning the history, visiting Tivoli, attending Church, and summer walks around the lake, they showed us the true Danish life. Staying with natives, made our stay in Denmark so much more meaningful and rich. I feel eternally indebted to them for not only taking us in like some of their own but for loving and mentoring Carson since he was a young, new missionary; they have truly changed his life...and for that, they have deeply affected mine! 

Denmark is reported to be one of the world's happiest countries...it's probably because the chocolate here is aaaaaamazing! :)

--->On to Poland ("older posts")