Liverpool

      On this trip to England, we decided that we wanted to visit Liverpool...birthplace of the Beatles.

Dan has always loved the Beatles. I learned this on our second date (maybe even the first). I was converted and then years later we have converted our kids.

Since the time Emily could dance, she has loved the Beatles, just like her dad.

Like Dan, she knows every lyric to every song and the history behind it all.

So, this is why the visit to Liverpool was a "must do" when went this time.

Artwork on the side of a building in London near the British Museum

We took an early morning train to Liverpool and arrived in the city around 9 am. 

We booked a FAB FOUR Beatles Tour and it did not disappoint.

We had a private car and driver for 5+ hours.

 He took us all over Liverpool and also took time to share the city's rich history with us.

It was a rainy day and even bordered on cold, but it didn't detract from the beauty of the sites.

In front of John Lennon's childhood home (now a landmark).

Mimicking a pose that John Lennon originally did in front of his home.

Our tour included visiting some beautiful old churches and cemetery.

Our awesome driver and tour guide for the day. He was a walking encyclopedia on all things England.

Love all the old architecture

Museums that we will have to visit on our next trip

The grand finale of our Beatles Tour was the Casbah in the middle of a residential area in Liverpool.
It is the very first place the Beatles played as a group before crowds became so large they moved them to the Cavern in the downtown area. The Casbah was in the basement of Pete Best's home (the original drummer for the Beatles). The Best family still owns the home and
Pete's brother gave us the personal tour.

Small "stage" area where the group performed

After a short stint in Germany, the group came back to play at the Casbah and John Lennon engraved this on the low ceiling where they performed.


Before we caught the train back to London, we did a little shopping and grabbed some fish and chips at a local pub.

Our Liverpool day trip was unforgettable, so glad we did it!

I Love London

Traveling to London again has pretty much soldified it as my favorite city in the world.
The English are so nice!

There is so much to do and see that it is impossible to be bored here.

 The Tower of London is a must see and a favorite.

Way too many amateur photos to post.
But here are a few more...

Lots of school groups visiting the Tower of London....one of my favorite little groups....love the uniforms!

England Expedition

Our England expedition ended and we are home safe and sound.

Traveling with Emily was so much fun! 

We left Emily in London with her study abroad group after traveling around the country for a week with her. I had a really hard time getting any photos of her because she was behind the lens of her own camera most of the time. She is in London for another 10 days and then onto Vienna in the next leg of her art history adventure.

As hard as it was to say goodbye, I know she is having the time of her life.

I am so grateful she has this amazing opportunity!

More photos to come...

Marathon Man

Last year after Dan finished the Utah Valley half-marathon,

he committed he would run the Marathon the following year.

Well, he did it today!

Emily and I were so excited when we finally got view of him running toward 

the finish line on University Avenue.

All these runners had to catch a bus around 3:30 am to get to the starting line.

To me that is pretty impressive, never mind the 26.2 miles!

When Dan put his arms up in the air I knew he saw us cheering for him!

Always the gentlemen...this is my favorite photo!

Way to go Dan!