Day 52- Escorial & Valley of the Fallen

Today we left Madrid and made our way to Segovia! We made some pit stops on the way. 

Golden buns :)

We wanted to see if maybe the palace was open, but it wasn't.  Dang! 

We hopped in the car and made our way to el escorial.  This is where all of the kings and queens of Spain are buried.  It was so cool inside! 

Then we went to Valley of the Fallen.  This place was probably my favorite it was so amazing! It is a memorial Spain made for all those that died in the civil war and it is built into the mountain.  It's huge!!! I absolutely loved it.  

So my dad was about to take a picture of my mom and me and was in the most awkward position to try and get everything in, then lost his balance and slipped and fell.  It was probably the funniest moment!! Mom mom and I were dying- as you can tell :)   

 Luckily my dad popped up and took some pics of us in the action.  Love these two! 

Then we checked into our hotel in Segovia and went swimming.  There is Segovia from our hotel!! Amazing hotel, view, and place.  

I finally got to read insurgent and couldn't put it down.  Finished it in under 24 hours! Whoops. 

We went into town for a little dinner.  Here we are by the Roman Aqueduct! 

The cathedral- so beautiful! 

Cutest streets here.  I love Spain!!! 

My nice daddy bought me a Real Madrid jersey to rep at home and while i'm on my mission. He's the nicest! 

We went to dinner at this little cafe and had the best ham and cheese croissant it was so yummy.  Then, finished off with a little treat :) I'll be day dreaming about this one.  

I LOVE THESE TWO! That's all.  I'm steppin up in my photography game :) They are the best i'm so happy to be on this trip with them.  We are having so much fun! 

Day 51- Madrid

Today was our first full day in Madrid and I absolutely love it here.  It is still a huge city, but not quite as crowded as London.  The best! 

For breakfast we got these chocolate pastry things and they are to die for.  Breakfast of Champions. 

That day just happened to be the coronation of King Felipe. Here he is! 

VIVA ESPAÑA

After the parade we made our way over to the temple. Ah this place is beautiful! It is literally right next to the MTC, so i'll get to go lots. Yay! 

Hermana Marsh will be back very soon :)

Love my cute mom! 

We then did a city bus tour of Madrid.  My favorite part was seeing the Real Madrid stadium! I have a feeling i'm going to have a new obsession with soccer after my mission. 

See what I mean about the flags? They love spain! 

The palace was unfortunately closed, but we did get to see the outside and it is beautiful! Maybe one day i'll get to go inside it.  

Cutest parents in all the land! I'm the luckiest. 

The cathedral next to the palace was open though so we got to go inside.  Muy bonita!

Then we went to a modern museum.  HA. Those are funny. 

Favorite pic of the day- my mom telling my dad to suck in hahha!!! love this guy.  

I love Madrid and am so excited to get to spend some more time here! I'm not ready to leave.  The best day! 

Day 50- ESPAÑA

After an early start, we hpped on a plane and made our way to SPAIN! It has always been a place on my bucket list and now that I have my call there, I have been counting down the seconds for this day.  Our first stop- Madrid! 

My dad and I in front of the government building.  Something about Spain that I love- there are Spain flags EVERYWHERE! Spaniards sure love their country. It's great. 

 

Then we went over to the park and looked around.  We may or may not have crashed for an hour or so ;) The weather here is amazing! 

Posing like a statue... Which you can't really see ha! 

 

We then went to the Prado art museum which was really fun.  I even recognized some of the paintings! That's always a fun feeling.  

Here I am with my first Churro con chocolate.  YUM! I have a feeling i'm going to be eating this a lot the next 18 months.  

I LOVE SPAIN! It is such a fun place and I can't wait to be back in September.  Although I can't understand a word anyone is saying which is a little overwhelming, but i'll get there! I really feel so blessed.  

Day 49- hip dad and groovy mom

Today was my first full day with my parents and oh it was so fun!! 

Here's my dad and I in front of the center.  I am going to miss this place, but I sure am happy to see these guys! 

Out of all the places in London to take them, I caved and chose shake shack.  OH this place is yummy and I was happy to eat there again.  

After eating burgers fries and shakes, we thought it might be a good idea to do some exercise :) We rented bikes around Hyde Park and it was so so fun.  

We even got to do a little Paddle Boating! And yes- my mom and I did all the work ;) 

Then we did a little bit of sight-seeing for the two that hadn't been there for 7 weeks.  Wow I really love London.  

We went to the yummiest mexican place for dinner that night- they made the guac right in front of you! 

After dinner we went and saw once.  At half time you can go order drinks from the bar on the stage which I thought was pretty cool.  I am the spawn of satan and loved it even more the second time.  Whoops! But my parents loved it too so that makes it kind of okay, right? I really am obsessed with the male lead.  

 Oh I love London so much and I am so happy I got to spend a day showing my parents my favorite places before we head to Spain! 

Day 48- all good things come to an end

Today was my last official day of my semester abroad and I really am so sad.  It was the best experience and I had the best group.  London really feels like my second home.  I am going to miss it so much! 

We started off the morning taking all of our finals- bleh.  But hey those were my last ones for two whole years!! Then I finished up packing and guess who arrived... 

MY PARENTS! Wahoo let the party begin!!! They really are the best.  7 weeks is too long without them! 

Finished off our last sleeve of digestives.. heaven on earth these guys.  

Since it was our last night, we were feeling extra spontaneous and did some exploring of London at 1 a.m. Glad I did it, probably won't do it again :)

I love these girls!!! So sad to be leaving them.  

Our beloved Palace Court.  I will miss you so much!! 

Day 47- Final Sunday

Today was our last day in our wards.  I am going to miss my tiny Wandsworth Ward so much! I was only there for 6 weeks and they were so grateful for us it was the best feelings.  I loved working with the young women i'm going to miss it! 

okay here is little Joryn.  This is the professors son and I seriously love him! He's the cutest thing. 

Here are your pre missionaries!! I love these 4 they have been the best comfort.  

Louisiana-Spain-Russia-France-England

Don't we look convincing? We'll bring the world his truth! 

Tonight we had our fireside.  I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I really love this group so much.  I lucked out so much! They are the funniest, most thoughtful, and spiritual group. I'm so grateful and happy I came on this semester abroad. I love them so much!!! Words can't even describe how amazing this experience was. I'm the luckiest.