The Chateau de Versailles

This beautiful chateau was where we went on Tuesday. It is was the home of Louis XIV. We took an audio tour of the chateau and saw the recently restored hall of mirrors. Very amazing that people lived in this place...just amazing. Also the home of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France...if you know you're history...also married to Louis XIV. We really enjoyed looking around and learning some French history. We also got some really nice pictures of the grounds and gardens, which were also amazing! Here are a few pictures from inside and out.

Coloring, singing, playing...oh my!!!

Kayli with new clothes and backpack ready to go...


Daddy and her little girl on her first day of school...


Kayli with mommy at school...


Kayli with her first color sheet from school..."Kayli had a GREAT day at school"

Well, we did it. Geoff, Kayli, Hudson, and I went on a GREAT adventure this morning. We climbed into the van and we were off for Kayli's very first day of school. We blended right in with the other parents there with our camera, snapping shots of Kayli in her new school clothes and backpack. She looked so lost when we left her there and debated wether or not we were really going to leave her there (not really). Geoff went off to work and Hudson and I went home to wait. After and agonizing 2 1/2 hours had passed, Hudson and I loaded ourselves back into the van to fetch sissy. We were so relieved when she ran to us and had only wonderful things to say about her very first day. We did a special lunch at Red Robbin where she could get some yummy mac and cheese and a YUMMY chocolate shake!! What a full day!

Montmartre, Paris (Monmart)

The Sacre-Coeur


Geoff and me


The view of Paris


Montmartre...where we ate dinner

Like I said, our days were very full...so after the Louvre, we traveled to Montmartre, Paris. Montmartre is located on a hill in Paris and this hill is where the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is located. In 1870, war broke out between France and Germany. The Council taking place at the Vatican broke up and the Pope, no longer protected by French troops, felt himself to be a prisoner in the Vatican City. France faced military defeat and occupation of part of the country by German troops. The response of MM. Alexandre Legentil and Hubert Rohault de Fleury was spiritual. They vowed to build a church consecrated to the Heart of Christ in reparation (iin penitence for sins commited) since for them, the misery of France stemmed more from spiritual than from political causes.

So, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica was built. They say that they received modest gifts from all over France to finance this project. The names of the donors are carved in the stone. Different than Notre Dame, when we entered this Basilica, we were asked to stay silent while we looked around. If was very beautiful inside and out. The view of Paris from there was also amazing. Here are a few pictures from there.

When we were done visiting the Sacre-Coeur we went and had dinner at a Cafe in Montmartre. This town was hopping with cafes everywhere and street artists. Those French sure know how to keep late hours.

A day at the Louvre...

Outside the Louvre on a rainy day in Paris


The Crown Jewels


Winged Victory


Dannielle's favorite...The Martyr


Statue Courtyard


Monday we all took the metro to Paris and to the famous Louvre. I am sure you all were made to sit and study the paintings and sculptures that are found in the halls of the Louvre. If you didn't take art history or art appreciation, then this post is lost on you. Unless, of course, you are familiar with the Mona Lisa...she lives at the Louvre. We arrived just in time for lunch...so we ate and then started our 6 hour tour of the Louvre. Here are just a few pictures of some of the amazing pieces of art there. It is a beautiful building too. It was very crowded the day we were there, so we didn't get to see much of Mona (pushing and shoving past her)...but we did get to see Winged Victory...and many, many more.

Nortre Dame...

Well, on Saturday, day, we hopped on the metro and saw Notre Dame and The Sienne River. Notre Dame was amazinging beautiful. Here are a few photos from there. We also walked along the Sienne River...looked at the box vendors and wandered around down by the river. During the summer, Paris brings in a bunch of sand and they create a little beach along the river there. People take towels and lay out to tan and the kids play in the sand....looked like fun!

Notre Dame



The Sienne River Beach



inside Notre Dame


A typical Paris street

Tag you're it!!!

OK, so I've been tagged by my older sister, Shauna. She is the best sister in the world and if anyone else had been the one to tag me I might not have been so compliant...so, I am going to give ya'll seven little know facts about me...

1) the dj for our wedding forgot to come
2) i like to dip my fries in a mixture of ketchup and mayo...big boy's secret sauce
3) yes, i was a band nerd for four years in high school
4) i love to watch little house on the prairie while my children nap
5) i have high school musical on my dvr (for kayli of course)
6) i sing opera when no one is around
7) i have never been fired from a job

There you have it! I am hoping that some of you will give seven little know facts for the rest of us to view on your blogs...I know Annie and Mandi are just dying to get right to it, right girls???

The Eiffel Tower...

All dressed up for dinner

Paris at night

Pastor and Carla

On Saturday night we all went to the Eiffle Tower. We got all dressed up and had dinner at the restraunt there. It was yummy and a beautiful sight from the tower at night. The tower lights come on at 10pm and sparkle for 10 minutes at the top of the hour at 10, 11, and 12. We were there for all three! A few of us crazy ones decided to walk down between two levels....many many flights. Our feet were soooooooooooo sore!!! When we came down, we were bombarded by guys selling glowing Eiffle Towers...of course we bought one for Kayli. She loved it! Here are a few pictures from that night.

Our French Tour Guide...

When we arrived in France, one of our missionaries meet us at the airport with a couple of cars to take us to our hotel. He was wonderful. He took us everywhere and showed us so many sights that first night. Since he speaks french, he helped us get around for a couple of days and also helped us buy our metro tickets. He really made getting around much easier for us. These pictures are of his church and the wonderful French meal he and his wife served us on Saturday. We were so very grateful for his time and hospitality.

Pictures from Paris...

These are just a few pictures from Paris...we have soooooooooooooooooo many. I will try to go thru them and find some more to show later. We had a great time. We cramed so many sights into those few days that we were wiped out! Our days were usually from 8am till midnight or 1am. The sun doesn't set there until 10pm...lots of daylight. We did get to Normandy one day on the train...that was amazing. Well, here they are. We are glad to bed home!!

Hello From Paris, France

Well, we made it to Paris. We are having a wonderful time. We are sitting at an internet cafe checking email and the weather. We have seen so much already. I hope all is well with everyone there. We ate dinner at the Eiffel Tower the other night, it was amazing. I tried to download a picture for everyone but it's not working. I will download pictures when we get home!!! Miss everyone!!