We're Going to Europe!

It's such a feeling of relief when plane tickets have been purchased.  We decided that this year we'll celebrate our two-days-apart birthdays in Europe.  It's been over ten years since I've traveled across the Atlantic, this will be Rob's first trip, and I was itching to go (due in no small part to my sister-in-law, Schelly's recent trip to Germany and Austria, and the last month I've spent with my nose in John Irving books, many of which take place in Vienna).  So we're taking off for Dublin, the cheapest entrance from the US, spending a little time in Ireland and other spots in the UK, then moving over to the mainland where we'll enjoy the rest of our trip in Paris, Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague.  I'm excited to say the least.  What's happening with Olive, you ask?  She's coming with us, of course!  Our week without her in California was trying for me, so I'm not about to do it again, doubling the time away and taking away the convenience of a domestic phone call.  She probably won't remember much of the trip except through photographs, but I'm sure she'll enjoy herself while she's there.  I'm just hoping to not experience a similar flight scenario as my friend, Sam.