3:56:57 Marathon 10-6-07... go Bry!!!

The St. George Marathon seems to be a yearly insane tradition for members of our family. This was Bry's 4th in a row and his fastest also... breaking 4 hours! Also running for his 7th year at St. George and 19th marathon is our inspiring father, Kelly Sheppard! We were also really proud of brother-in-law, Andrew Rose who worked very hard and finished his first ever...marathon. Good job to all. Bry once again was trying to raise money for Eagle-Condor Humanitarian... and has kept his wife happy with the effect it seems to have on his figure!!!

Europe 07... Brighton, England

Brighton was an unexpected introduction to our European Vacation. We arrived in the Gatwick airport around 6:30 a.m. and were pleasantly surprised to cruise through customs. With nearly 4 hrs. to spare before we flew to Budapest, we boarded the first train to Brighton, (the london on the sea). A half hour later we were in this pleasant city walking w/ heavy packs to the Brighton Pier and famous Pavillion. It was a nice introduction to the quaint style England offers. The rocky beach and fresh morning air were a good morning treat for us and although we only stayed for an hour or so, we were glad we made the trip!

Budapest

The parliment, Castle district, Freedom Bridge and Gellert Hegy (mtn) Trabi cars, and all the scents and people make Hungary a place that is hard to forget. Bryan and I served our missions there nearly 10 years ago, but something about this great country stays very fresh within us. It was a great to be back.

Friends in Hungary

We love our Hungarian friends. I guess that is why we love to go back there. We were greeted by Amy's first companion, Melinda and Bry's close friend Kiss Robi at the airport. Then spent the day touring w/ Melinda and Timea. That night we had a big dinner w/ friends at St. Jupat (an old mission favorite) and met up w/ Gyula, Melinda, Timea, Laci, Bernadett,Robi, Iren, Noemi and Mimo. It was a great night. We then went back w/ the Kiss family and slept at their home. We spent the next day w/ thier cute family. We have many memories with these peopel and are proud of who they are.

Rijeka, Croatia w/ grandma and grandpa

Rijeka-Croatia is where Amy's grandparents are serving their LDS mission. They gave us a really good excuse to plan this quick European trip! We took a night train from Hungary to Croatia, got stuck in Zagreb @ midnight, slept in a hostel, and took a morning train the rest of the way. We then met w/ Ruth and Don and headed out on bus to KRK, and island near Rijeka. It was a very charming place w/an old town filled w/ narrow streets and a great harbor. Then on Sunday, we went to church w/ them and met some great people who love our grandparents. We are very proud of them and really enjoyed our quick stay w/ them. They are amazing!

The Adriatic Sea

Rijeka is located on the Adriatic Sea. It is really so blue and clear. Grandpa and Grandma took us to where they have the baptisms and Amy wanted to swim so bad. The water was very inviting. Too bad we'd just come from church and it wasn't in the cards!

One magical day in Venice

We took a bus from Rijeka, Croatia into Slovenia and across the boarder to Trieste, Italy. From there took a train to Venice. (3 1/2 hrs. in all) What a great decision this was. We loved the day we spent walking around Venice. There is so much character to this great city on water and we tried it all. Bry got attacked by birds at St. Marco Square, we splurged on a gondola ride, visited Murano Island and saw the glass making, took the Vaporetta (water taxi)up and down the grand canal, and ate prosciutto and Parmesan cheese at sunset looking into st. marco square.

Romantic, Beautiful Venice

There are few places I've been that are so beautiful and fun to photograph as Venice. I think I took a hundred pictures just wandering around. It is so magical and I really think it is a city reaking of romance. We wandered and got lost in the narrow streets that greet you at the end with a beautiful canal full of life and stories. Everyone must see it sometime in their life.

One day in London

London is such a great city. We only had the afternoon and evening, but we walked the town over. By evening we were so excited to sit down in the great theatre and watch "Wicked". It was a spontaneous decision, and we are so glad we did it. Other places visited, buckinham palace, downing street, westminister abbey, the south bank, covent gardens and many crowded subways. By 6 a.m. we were off to gatwick airport and headed home!