#givethanks - day 2

Today I'm thankful for this guy who spent yesterday out in our hot garage trying to resurrect our 20+-year old dryer. (It should be noted that this is honestly a sacrifice, as heat and household tasks are two of his least favorite things.)   

 When we first met, he promised me that life with him would never be dull, and I can honestly say he has fulfilled that promise.  Here are some scenes from a few of our more recent adventures.

 

In the spring of 2017, I heard a news report that said that United Airlines was going to retire the last 747 before the end of summer.  I casually mentioned that I had always wanted to fly on a 747, and I had apparently missed my chance.  Doug spent weeks researching various options, and we ended up flying Global First Class to Beijing in the summer of 2017.  It.  Was.  Amazing.  We had a blast.  Along with Beijing and the Great Wall, we visited Hong Kong and Hawaii on that trip (with a brief stop at the Tokyo Airport, which doesn't really count.)  Also on that trip we got to spend about 10 days with our Utah grands.  

In the summer of 2018, we went to Australia - one of the places he promised he would take me "someday."  We had an absolutely wonderful time.  

This is Doug with a Baobab Tree in a park in downtown Sydney.

And we went to the Taronga Zoo and saw kangaroos and koalas.  

 

Flying Global First class is the best way to travel.

In the fall of 2018, we went to New Zealand and visited Hobbiton, which was the actual movie set for the making of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. It's actually a working farm, except for the movie set, so you have to go as part of a tour.  It was great fun!

In the summer of 2019, we visited Germany and had some great times.  This was taken at Schoenberg Castle, which is possibly the ugliest castle in the world.  It is however, apparently the castle nearest the place where the first Shonkwiler immigrants to America hailed from in 1757.  And despite the castle's rather hideous appearance, we had possibly the most pleasant meal we had on this particular trip sitting on a balcony overlooking the river valley on a cool July day.  One thing we learned about Europe is that they are very particular about their meal times.  Lunch was 11-1:30.  We arrived at 1:40 and had to make do with the "snack" menu.  Honestly though, it was delicious!

It's clear that we’ve had quite the adventure these last 44 years, with 9-ish moves, raising 3 kids, 5 grands. and a fair bit of travel I really never dreamed of.  He’s my best friend, and I’m so grateful that we are making this journey together.