Picnic!

Thanks to everyone that came and helped with the picnic tonight. It was fun to have the kids in a setting that was more relaxed then the regular meetings. I can tell this is going to be a fun group.

There were lots of questions about money, packing etc... I'll use those questions as the topics of the day until we leave. Look for the official flight plans tomorrow.












We did a much better job of a group photo today. Cute kids!

Munch, munch

17 Days!.... One of the fun things about travel is experiencing the culture of the places you visit. An integral part of any culture is it's food. We will get a chance to eat some typical meals in each country but there are a few things to remember...

Breakfast is continental style which means bread, jam, and juice, then maybe cereal with yogurt or warm milk. Dinner is usually 3 course but portion sizes are smaller than what we're used to. Drinks cost extra and there are no free refills. 

Lunch is on your own and some would rather spend their hard earned cash on something other than their mid-day meal. (I usually find a market and buy a roll, cheese and a piece of fruit and have a great cheap lunch.)

This means often we are eating enough to keep our energy levels up but some feel they aren't completely satisfied. To prevent going hungry it's a good idea to pack some snacks. 

Traditional European meals tend to be a little light on vegetables so I like to pack some dried fruits. Apricots, raisins and mango are my favorite. (Yes, I know that dried mangos are actually candy.) I also pack granola bars. I use these as a mid-day pick me up or instead of lunch. I prefer the hard, crunchy kind instead of chewy. The chewy get smushed in my luggage. My brother in law swears by protein bars. Trail mix or mixed nuts is another thing I pack. I like trail mix because there is a little sweet thrown in with the salty. Last thing is a little sugar. There are plenty of amazing treats unique to the countries to pick up along the way so when I say a little I mean little. But, whatever you pack avoid chocolate. It doesn't survive the heat and messes up whatever is in your suitcase!

Once you've munched on all those snacks there is extra room in your bag to pack those souvenirs you pick up in your travels!

Chaperon 6

Hello,
My name is Whitney Fauver. I was born in Price, Utah. My parents are Jim and Jennifer Fauver. I was raised on a farm in Orangeville, Utah. I am the oldest of four sisters. Miranda (Aldo) Gutierrez and their son Atlas, Tennyson and Banner. My Mom stayed home with us, and we spent our days roaming around the fields or at my Grandparents house. I think it could be said that I had an idyllic childhood.  In the morning before I went to school I had to feed the cows. My sisters were not strong enough to do all the heavy lifting so I was my Dad's go to girl. He taught me to drive when I was nine, I thought I was freakishly tall for my age( no girl likes being taller than their male Principal in 6th grade) but my Dad used it to his advantage. When we weren't working hard, we were playing hard.

Me, Miranda and Dad (take note of my killer fanny pack)

 I love spending time with my family. The day after I graduated from High School I moved in with my Grandpa Jorgensen. He was in declining health so I opted to stay with him, and attend a community college. The day I started my first classes, he got really sick. I ended up spending my first two weeks of college sleeping at the hospital and attending classes during the day. He passed away, and I lost my best friend. We were kindred spirits, so I decided that I would pattern my life his. It was for that reason that I studied History at the University of Utah. I graduated with a degree in History and Spanish in 2011. I am currently working on my Masters of Education. I like to think that he is so happy that I chose a path similar to his.

 When I was 21, I was called to serve a mission in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. If you want real adventure stories, I suggest living in a third world country. Honduras is definitely my second home, the people are kind but life was difficult. We lived as they did, that meant no running water, very little food, cooking over a fire, and living in tin roof shacks. It was a shock for me, I was high maintenance, but after  "camping" for 19 months I started to live on the edge. The edge consisted of no makeup, washing my clothes by hand and smelling the worst smells imaginable (sometimes me) and keeping a smile on my face. My motto was, "Come What May and Love It." It was the hardest thing that I have ever done, but it was well worth it.

Disneyland

I grew up with a Mother who loves sports. We spent our weekends watching football, basketball, tennis, golf and whatever else happened to be playing at the time. Olympics are a must. I may have a certain family member who takes a week of vacation time to stay home and watch the Olympics. Our family Opening Ceremony Parties are legendary. The one sport we didn't ever get into was soccer.Needless to say after living in Central America, I learned to be a Futbol enthusiast. That happens when you are surround by people who are obsessed with everything about it.

 I came home and got back into the groove of life. The groove for me is work, family and travel.
 My travel buddy (Aunt Sara) and I, try to visit Disneyland (we are obsessed) and a new destination, every year. We have had countless adventures and disasters as we have trekked across the globe.

Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park

Paul McCartney Concert. Sara and Me

Jonas(Luke Skywalker) and Me(Princess Leia)

 I spend a lot of time with my family. You may laugh but I love Star Wars, LOTR, and all Regency Era (Jane Austen, etc..)books and movies. I love to read a good book and listen to my tunes. If someone ever found my Ipod on the street based on the music, they would never guess it was mine. I like to say that I have an eclectic taste in music. I was heavily influenced by Sara and my parents. I love music from the 60's,70's, 80's and of course throw in some good old N*Sync and I'm in heaven.

Me and Lily

 To get through school I worked as a Nanny. I worked for a family with 9 boys and 1 girl. I have learned all I ever/never wanted to learn about boys by being a nanny and working at a Middle school and now High School. My Dad's favorite thing to preach was, "boys are gross!" He always said he was blessed to have all girls, I disagreed when I was a teenager because that meant we had to work like boys, but I wholeheartedly agree now that I have experienced their mischief first hand!

Dad, Mom, Tennyson, Me, Banner, Miranda and Aldo

 I worked in the Counseling Center at Union Middle School until 2012 when I was hired to be a Secretary at Highland High. I consider being hired at Highland to be one of the most fortunate things that has ever happened to me. I love Highland, and I am very grateful to work with great kids. I am currently the Girls Basketball Assistant Coach, and Throwing Coach for the Track team.
 In December my sister had a baby (the first boy), and we were all so excited. Little Atlas, or Young Sir (as I call him) has been such a fun addition to our family. I will miss Him while we are gone, but not as much as Katie will miss Kawika.

My Mission President and Wife, with my family.

I hope you got to know me a little better, I left out most of the really good stories, but I figure I will share those with the kids as we travel through Europe!!