Can I have another croissant?

We just got back from an amazing trip to Paris! I get it and I think I am in love...

The boys were excited about two main things; the Eiffel Tower and croissants. Everytime they asked for a croissant we would say yes. Their record was 5 each in one day. Our trips to the Eiffel Tower weren't that far behind the croissant record as we went 3 separate times!

On Friday morning we grabbed a cab to Brighton station, took a train up to London St Pancras International and hopped the Eurostar to Paris. We were excited to go through the chunnel and even more to get into Paris. Our hotel was in a perfect location, with wonderful views and history all around us and a metro station nearby to get us wherever we decided to go.

Saturday morning after a breakfast of croissants, freshly squeezed OJ and hot chocolate/coffee, we went straight for the Eiffel Tower. After many ooh's and aah's from the courtyard of the Palais de Chaillot, we decided to walk down and get ready to climb...all the time wondering what in the world was that funny orange thing hanging from it. Once we got there we were informed it was closed as someone from Greenpeace had climbed it in the middle of the night and hung themselves from it to protest some fellow activists being detained in Russia.

We stayed and watched them come down while we rode a carousel but decided not to wait for them to reopen it to the public and to come back another day. So we headed to the beautiful Arc de Triomphe and strolled along the Champs-Elysees.

We then made our way to the Ile de la Cite to see Notre Dame. After going through the cathedral we went on a mission to find 'Love Lock' bridge and add our own lock. On our way we ran into some great street musicians and just as we locked up our lock it started to pour, so we headed into a cafe for a nibble and a warm drink.

After the rain cleared, we rambled through the Latin Quarter doing lots of window shopping and ended up seeing the city of lights lit up on top of the Tour Montparnasse before finally making our way back to our hotel and happily taking our shoes off and climbing into bed! What a crazy full amazing day! Now I've got to rest just thinking about it all...

FBF - Halloween through the years

2005 - Owen as Griffin

2006 - no photo...and I can't remember...boo.

2007 - Owen as a Pirate, Walter as his Parrot

2008 - Two cowboys

2009 - Dragon Owen & Fireman Waltey

2010 - Robin Hood (O) & Little John (W)

2011 - Ninjas!

2012 - Darth Vader (W) & Skeleton Man (O)

That was good timing!

After a forecast of rain for the past 5 days and not seeing much, we thought we'd head out to Sheffield Gardens this midmorning. Of course when we arrived, the sky turned rather grey but we carried on and enjoyed a stroll through the beautiful gardens. The gardens on this island continually make my jaw drop. After meandering, climbing and collecting, we were just on the last 1/4 mile when drops started to fall. We slowly made our way back to the car and with a few yards to go the heavens opened up. We all commented on our timing...especially as we can tend to get moving slowly on a Sunday. Now we are home for some sewing, dinner & a family movie night.

Counting the rings of the Redwood.

We looked but didn't see any Smurfs. 

FBF - October 2007

My babies enjoying some time with my dear friend Lindsay...who I'm really missing these days. You can see her goodness in her smile.

I want to find one from the Devonian period.

Say what?! Devonian period...Owen and a classmate are researching the Devonian period and preparing a presentation for their class. Today we went on a fossil hunt along the shores of Beachy Head with school and as we discussed the trip before hand, he mentioned this a few times. Unfortunately the fossils along this stretch of coast are just 100 million years old, so not quite Devonian material. We still found many exciting finds and after doing two guided hunts, I think we can happily go hunting on our own. Our hammers & chisels will see plenty of use.

Again, I just need to say how much I am really appreciating the sea. I am so happy to be living so close to it and connecting with it as often as we are able to. J'adore la mer.

FBF - October 11, 2002

A day I will never forget and always celebrate...

Jer is in India today...but clearly always in my heart.

Thank you all for celebrating with us that day. Thank you mom & dad for helping make it exactly what I hoped for.

Happy Birthday Mama!

Wishing you many days filled with Aloha!

Alien Snack Attack

Today, the boys and I spent the afternoon creating a stop animation movie called "Alien Snack Attack".  We created it with play-doh, rocks and grasses, Tricia's Nikon D-60 and her new Mac (an absolutely impressive machine).

Based on how much fun the boys and I had creating this together...you should expect to see a few more animation movies posted here in the near future.

FBF - October 2009

A beautiful fall day in Steven's Point, WI - the boys and I met Jer there for a family Punt, Pass & Kick competition his work was hosting. Jer & Owen were busy punting, passing & kicking while I was busy chasing a cute little rugrat around.

La Mer.

I have a whole new love for the sea happening. Inspired by Jer, Jon & Rachel's spontaneous dip in the sea, the boys and I have been swimming quite a bit lately...like 5 times in the past 12 days! A few of them are literally in and out swims, but sometimes its a legitimate swim. I grew up on water and have always loved it. I feel so lucky to be living on the sea now, its time to really embrace it. Perhaps Santa will have to bring me a wet suit...

I have a new coworker who is half French. She brought in a CD that I borrowed and the song La Mer came flooding into my memory. Not sure from when, but I know it and have been enjoying dancing around the house to it. Yesterday I talked my coworkers into taking a meeting seaside and we sang La Mer in la mer. A true pinch me moment. How lovely!

I stayed home and snuggled Mommy.

Last Sunday was a very exciting day here...and in Minnesota...as the Vikings played at Wembley Stadium in London. We had four tickets, one for Jer, one for his brother and the other two for the boys. Walter wavered back and forth on whether or not to attend. In the end he opted to stay with me and on Monday when the boys were telling their teachers about the event, Walter told them this.

The game was full of action, all had a great time, and the Vikes even pulled off a win! We all spent the day touring London (enjoying seeing purple all over!), before dropping off the fans at the stadium and heading home. Jer, Jon & Owen didn't get home until 12:30 a.m...needless to say, we've had to wake Owey up every day for school this week. Its about the toughest thing to do to your child, but his memories and recollections of the game make it worth it. He had a proper blast.

On Saturday we went to tour Arundel Castle. Owen was at a birthday party all day, so Walter had a special day out with his aunt, uncle, cousin & parents. We all commented on how odd it felt without O. We ended the trip with a lovely dinner along the river at a beautiful pub in the country side. Definitely a repeatable pub!

The row boat Harry used to get across the lake from the Hogwarts Express to Hogwarts!

The two youngests!