We're here!!

After a very, very, very, long day of travel...we have started our trip in Europe!

We first flew to Chicago were we had an almost four hour lay over because of snowy weather. It was fun to see some snow! =) And we got to watch them de-ice our plane. And then our plan was too heavy to take off, because of Snowy slush on the run way, so they took off a bunch of cargo, and we were off! 8 hours later we landed in France , got our rental car and started our ten hour to Czech...which ended up being about 16 hours, Due to our many stops and naps along the way.
Once we got to Czech, we checked into our hotel around 5am...when we got to our room, we thought we would take a quick nap and then take a look around town, and we ended up sleeping until about 5:30pm!! Which made sense because we had only had about 6-7 hours of sleep in like 2-3 days! =) So we went we went exploring the next day, it was such a beautiful city! we ended up at this very important looking town square with their city hall in it, it was breathtaking! Here we ran into some Elders, one from Utah and the other from Idaho. They were surprised to see Americans, and wondered what brought us to the town, for work, we explained. The day after we headed up a mountain to a glass works factory to take a tour of where we get our glass arms made for our Schonbek fixtures. It was such an amazing little village, with snow everywhere and little streams and grand tall trees. We entered the factory to see a bunch of men doing some glass blowing! And Brody got to do some glass work as well, which was so fun for him! =) The lady who showed us around was so sweet. Everyone we have come across has been so kind.
That day after the glass factory we drove about 6 hours to Austria, where we meet with the head of the Swarovski crystal company (who just bought Schonbek). It was stunning to be in this little Austrian Village with the Alps right there behind the factory! The office we were in had such a view of them, all snow capped, with green fields and cow with bells on below. We meet with Haunas, the top guy at Swarovski, and he was so excited we were there! We gave him a gift, and he gave us some things from their company. I got a crystal bracelet, Brody got cuff links and we both got nice pens filed with crystal. It was so kind of them. We got a private tour in places the public can not go...of their grounds, offices, and Crystal World (an exhibit). It is such an impressive company, I love that we are now linked with them, and get to do all the behind the scenes stuff! =)
That day we drove to Germany and meet with Holtkotter (another line Brody reps). Holtkotter is a high end contemporary line that comes from a rural farming part of Germany and is also a family own company. I love that all these company's we are tied to have such strong family roots, it's really nice. This factory was in such a beautiful area. We got to sit a green room with the owner of Holtkotter and have a chat over looking an amazing garden! (one thing I have learned heavily in Europe, if they ask you if you would like a drink, and you ask for water, about 99% of the time you with get Sparkling water) He gave us the full factory tour, and we got to see how everything was made. It was great to get a first hand look at everything. Hans was such a nice guy, we really enjoyed our time with him! They just could not have been nicer! I
I love that we got to get all dressed up and have meetings with these very important (very nice) people, I was so proud of Brody! And I felt so grown up! =) He is pretty young in this industry, and it is so great to make these strong contacts and see what a great job he does, and how much these people really love him! I just could not be more proud of him and the great career he has ahead of him! Oh, and we got some great news that he has picked up a new line of lighting to rep, which is such great news! In our line of work, it's like getting a promotion! =) I am so excited for him!!
The next day we drove back into France, and went to Disneyland Paris! It was so fun!! We went on Space mountain expecting it to be pretty much the same as the one at home...but this one had about 2 loops and 3 cork screws, and was SO fast, which shocked us! in a good way! =) We also went on Pirates, which ended up being like ours, but backwards! Which was weird. And the Phantom Manor (Haunted House), was so spooky, and twisted. very weird! We went on some more rides, and then headed over to the other park "Disney Studios", where we went on a back lot tour, some what like what you find at Universal Studios. And then we went on Crushes coaster (from Finding Nemo) where you sit in a turtle shell and ride as if you where in the ocean being pulled and twisted by the currant, it was one of our favorite rides and we wish we had it and their space mountain back home! It was a fun day at Disneyland, but it is true what they say, ours really is better! But it was so fun to see what this one was like, and it had some great things to offer! =)
Now we are in Paris, where we were lucky enough to meet up with my family. As we step out of the hotel, we can see this Eiffel Tower on one side and we are a short walk to the Champs-Élysées. It has already been since an amazing trip, and we still have about a week to go. It is amazing to have the time that we had, Just Brody and I the first week in all those amazing places, and now we get to have time in Paris with my family, and we can go off and do our own thing as well, which we do =). It is also so fun to spend this time with my sister as well, who before we know it will be off to UT for school.

Sorry if some of my post does not make sense or seems choppy, i'm a bit sleepy! =)

****** If you would like to see photos of our trip, please go to our Photo alum site...there is a link to it on the right hand tool bar*****

Monday, March 10, 2008
Northern CA

Well we had yet another trip to Northern CA to do some Expo work. This time we were just at the Roseville store. We worked hard, and played hard (as always on these trips) =) After we got the stores done, and since AD hadn't really been around San Francisco--we woke up at 4am on Saturday morning to head into the city! It was pretty early, but so fun! We got to see a beautiful sunrise, and got into the city at about 7am, and we pretty much had it to ourselves! It was so great! And then we hit the road to home....It was a fun trip! And we very much enjoyed having her with us, And spending some time before she goes on her mission. =)


Here are some photos of our trip:

This is a tanning shower...I have never seen such a thing...crazy!!!


AD has the whole world in her hands.....or sun.....or big crystal ball =)

Mmmm...Smells like Jungle fever!

Whoo hoo...we're all done!

Our EXPO super hero to the rescue!

Ann and AD on Lombard street

Brody and Ann by the seals

All of us walking down Fisherman's wharf!

Brody and AD at Pier 39


*As always there are more photos from this trip on our main website: brodyandann.com =)
A little update by The Foy Family at 12:30 AM


1 love Notes:
Hey Andie looks like a great time! Glad you guys were safe and had so much fun!

Malia said...