BYU Grads

In April, Spencer and I both graduated from Brigham Young University!  It was so awesome to walk and graduate with my best friend by my side.  I dreamed of attending BYU all my life, and to study there and finally graduate with a degree is a dream come true.  It was a long journey, but so worth it.  I love BYU, and the many experiences and lessons I had there have made me a better and stronger person.  Although... it feels so good to say (or sing)... "Ohh rise and shout, these cougars are out!"

Peace out BYU.  It was a good ride.

I had fun designing these announcements (below) and sending them out to close family and friends.

We had a very special person in the house - Dieter F. Uchtdorf!

(So obviously, I would jump up to snap a pic.)

My sweet parents have been my biggest supporters. I'm so blessed to have them!

The Madsen clan (minus my big bro Matt)

Christeen (Cousin), Dad, Spencer, Me, Mom, Dave (Bro), Jes (SIL), Jenny (SIL)

I just adore my cute sisters-in-law!

We truly have the greatest parents in the world.

We can always count on Dave to throw one of these in there...

After Commencement, we all went out for a nice dinner. There's my niece, baby T!

Mateo

The next day, our separate colleges had convocation ceremonies.

At the end of the day, I gave my 'Stole of Gratitude' to my mom and dad.

It is supposed to be given to someone(s) who has offered great support and encouragement.

There was no question as to who would be receiving my stole.  My parents have been my biggest fans and amazing support system through my whole college experience.  A huge thanks goes out to them!!

When in Roma

Our final destination of our European adventure was ROME! 

We only had one full day to explore the city, so we had to get movin'... however, this task became much more difficult after I slammed my foot into my suitcase and broke my baby toe five seconds after arriving in Rome.  But, after a sweet blessing from my husband and loads of ibuprofen, I took my purple and swollen foot, and hobbled out to show my hubs one of the most amazing, historical cities in the world.  I have been to Rome with my parents before, but it was so fun to experience it with Spencer and see his cute reactions and excitement.  We even bunked with the nuns.  For reals though, we stayed in a room at a convent/hotel where the nuns live, Suore di Santa Elisabetta.  The nuns took good care of us.

We woke up super early and took a cab (my foot was singing hallelujah) to Vatican City.

We caught up with our tour group and toured the Vatican, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica...

along with 29,000 other people who tour Vatican City each day! Crazy herds.

I love history and have taken many art history classes, so I loved seeing it all again.  Incredible.

St. Peter's Basilica (below) is considered one of the holiest sites in Christendom. 

It is the site where Saint Peter was crucified and buried.  His tomb is located under the main altar.

It was built by some of the greatest Italian architects and took over 100 years to build.

Pieta

St. Peter's Square

After our tour, we caught a cab over to the Colosseum!

...with a crazy, drunk cab driver who was pretending not to speak English so he could rip us off.

Nice try buddy.

We waited in a two hour line to get inside... but wow, that place is fascinating.

The Roman Colosseum is the most famous monument to have survived from the classical world.

Built nearly two thousand years ago, it could seat 45,000 spectators to watch 

violent gladiator games, spectacles with wild beasts and ships, executions, etc.

This is my (victorious) gladiator pose.

We told these guys we would give them a few Euro to take some pictures with them.

Once we were done, one of them put out his hand and seriously said "30 Euro".

Come again?  We laughed and handed him 3 Euro and jet.

Spanish Steps

Spencer bought me this pretty rose from a (*cough*, illegal) street vendor.

Nutella pizza

We spent our final hours at the magical Trevi Fountain.

...making our wishes!

This trip was truly a dream come true. 

I had some of the best times of my entire life with the best travel partner ever!

We shared so many fun and new experiences that we will never forget.

"To travel is to live."