Stockholm, Sweden

Day 4

Days two and three were much less eventful.  I worked 10-12 hours both days.

I made it here to Stockholm from Enkoping (Where Packsize Tech AB is) by train, it was a 45min ride.

 My Hotel in Stockholm.  Nicer then my hotel in Enkoping.  Notice there are no sheets on the bed.  Is that sanitary?

 On my way to Gamla Stan

 I love all the water and bridges not to mention the beautiful buildings.

 Here comes the parade.  THe Changing of the Gaurd at the Royal Palace





They march to the Royal Palace.  This is no High School marching Band.  These guys are Legit.  I was very impressed.  Only the parts of their bodies that needed to be moving were.  For example the drummers only moved from their elbows down when they were not marching.

They did an awsome little show after The Changign of the Gaurd.  They played some fun songs.

First stop on my self guided tour in my tourist book.  Statue of King Gustav III

Next stop, Obliesk, and behind it, the Cathedral.

This is the smallest statue in Stockholm.  It honors Stockholm's Orphans back in the day.

Thanks to the tall buildings and narrow there was a lot of shade for me most of the day.

Oldest buildings in Stockholm (year 1400)

Inside the Cathedral

St. George and The Dragon - A symbol of Hope

Huge Painting of The Last Judgement

The Alter





In front of the Royal Palace

I went on a Tour of the Royal Amory.  It was pretty sweet.  I loved the cariges.  They were pretty cool.  There were weapons dispalyed and old clothing the Kings and Queens wore- Reminded me of the movies, like Ever After.  There was also modern day clothing that has been worn by recent Kings/Queen/Prince/Princess.  There were some beautiful dresses!

Vasa Museum

These totally creeped me out!  They look SO real.  They are made from actual skeletons from the people who dies on the ship below.

Seriously, Creepy

This ship sunk 20 minutes into its Maiden Voyage because of a gust of wind.  It has been on the harbor floor for 333 years and was resurected in 1961.

This theme park looks like a lot of fun... Maybe next time.

Paris?...I think YES!

DAY ONE

 I am in Sweden this week for work, training the Packsize employee's here a little more about SAP (Our new accounting software)  I am here with my boss, Brent.

We were notified a few hours before our flight was to leave to Amsterdam that  there was a delay and we needed to find another flight.  We hopped on a flight to Paris.  We delayed our connecting flight to Stockholm, Sweden so I could see some sights.

We Landed in Paris after an 11 Hour flight (3 am MST) and we took off on our adventure. (Keep in mind I was dead tired on this short trip, I was awake for over 30 hours yesterday)

Hello Europe!!!

First Stop... Eiffle Tower

So Beautiful.  Something I have always wanted to do, but never thought I would.

Standing Underneth

Views from the First and Second Level.  Hicked up the stairs and because I am considered a youth, my tichet was only 3.7EUR (about $5)  You have to take the elevator to the top, but I was told the view is best from the second level anyway.

There are a lot of large gathering squares like this.  I am standing in the square here in the first picture with the Eiffle Tower behing me. (first level)

 From the second level.  Still a ways to go to the top.  Maybe another time.  Remember my body thinks it is 4 a.m. and I had just hiked 994 steps.

There are so many historic/famous buildings out there.  I wish I had time to learn about them all.

Second Level



Next we got Ham and Cheese Creps for lunch.  The pronunciation sounds like "Craps".  We walked the streets of Paris (and rode a lot in the subway) and found a few more sites.

Seine (Sin) River

 I think this is where there government is.  Check out the hats the cops have to wear.

 Notre Dame.  I loved LOVED this!  It is an old cathedral built on top of a Temple I believe

The Arcitecture is so detailed!  I was VERY impresses.  This is Adam (left) and Eve (Right) and below are the Angels looking toward Heaven (left) and Demons chained, on their way to hell (right)  I may be off a little here.  I need to look up the story again, it's facinating.

The same detail was on the interior,  It was beautiful.

Check out this side view.  Parts of it were built in different time periods so different artchitecture styles were used.

And finally, we did spend a lot of time in the Subway (nasty!) so I though I better throw a pic in there.  There were several people singing or playing their instruments for money on every train.

Other things I learned about Paris

• It's Dirty and it stinks in some places
• Lots of Grafiti
• You must speak French if you go.  Lucky for me, Brent is fluent.
• The city is HUGE!
• The French like to make a statement as they did with the Tower

Happy Monday

Lagoon today... Sweden tomorrow...
It's going to be an exciting week!
Details and pictures to come.

Tubing with the Jansons

 We had Bryan and Lacey (Same couple that got married in a previous post) out to The Grand Cayman Resort aka Delta.  We took some pics while tubing.  Our nephew Dallin came too.

 Designated Boat Driver

 Cody and Dallin- They had a pretty wild ride.  They got flipped out of the tube.

Bryan and Lacey

We had a very successful weekend!  Lacey learned to Slalom. Bryan got up on two skis, Dallin is already a pro (we taught him last year) and the weather was beautiful!

More Delta posts to come all summer long!

Idols in SLC

My mom called me at work last Wednesday and said "Shane got free tickets to the American Idol concert tonight.  Do you want to go with me?"  I was stoked!  Last seasons was the fist season I watched American Idol faithfully.  Cody and I loved Scotty from day one.  The concert was so much fun!

You can't really tell what is going on in the pictures below, but at least it's Proof that I was really there.

Haley, Lauren, Niama, Pia, Thia

 Love Paul!!!

 Haley

Scotty!

What a blast!  SLC was their first stop on their summer 2011 tour.  I thought all the Idols were Excellent this season and they were even better in concert.   Thanks Shane!!!

Independence Day- Delta Style

Not the cutest picture- But we had fun trying :)

Playing in the water

I got to play in the Annual Delta Volleyball tournament with Brooke's friends.  Brooke was going to play too, but got food poisoning, so she had an upset stomach all day :(  We didn't take the ship, but I had a blast, even though I was a little rusty.

The water looks like this EVERY Sunday morning!  The only day we do not go out on the lake... very tempting.  Also, check out the new 28' dock!  My dad, Cody, and some youth from the ward worked hard on it.

Alexa

Cody

Brooke

Mom

The Wake Surf.  We are going to get it down this year!  So far no one has been able to surf without the rope.  If you have any tips, please let us know.

Sami trying out the trainer skis 

We made it back to Grantsville in time for Brynlee and Caden's birthday party and fireworks

Happy Fourth of July!!!

...Tri...

Last weekend I participated in the Tater-Tot Triathlon my parents host at their house.  I didn't do much training, but I thought it would be fun to "Tri".  Most of the athletes that participate do triathlons all summer long and are in tip-top shape.  There are a few like me that just want to get a good work out.  It was fun and very motivating for me to do better!

 Everyone getting ready

 First we swam 250 M in the Lake

 Then rode 12 miles and finished off by running a 5K

After is the BBQ... Winner has to cook!

Always a good time!  My parents know how to have a fun party.