Paris

Paris!

One of the BEST parts about living in Europe is the ability to take quick trips to so many different places.  For the past couple of years Rylee has wanted to see Paris.  If we asked where the girls would like to take a vacation, she would quickly respond with Paris as her desired destination.  Ryan decided we were going to take a quick weekend trip with the girls.  We had such a great time!  We couldn't ask for better weather and the girls really enjoyed the sights.  We did a TON of walking around, they fell in love with a bakery for their croissants, and enjoyed sitting in front of the Eiffel Tower watching the people and the tower light up.

We found Indiana!

We left as soon as the girls got off the bus on a Friday and it ended up taking longer than we expected to because we got stuck in some Friday rush hour traffic, but the girls were troopers through it all.  Once we got checked in, we headed to a late dinner.  Poor Chloe fell asleep before dinner was over.  One of the girls ordered a cheeseburger (very french, I know) and it was the best looking cheeseburger I have ever seen.  Ryan couldn't believe we had all this delicious french food around us and we ended up with a cheeseburger.  We later discovered all the french restaurants are embracing and experimenting with the new hamburgers.  Who knew we were doing the "in" thing!

The next morning we got up and went on a walk to the Louvre.  We had a delicious breakfast of croissants in a park and the girls enjoyed the beautiful flowers and fountains.
We discussed going into the Louvre but the weather was AMAZING so we decided to hold off.  (our new artsy Gwen was disappointed to not see the art.) We know we will be headed back to Paris again and being inside is something we can do when the weather isn't quite so nice.

We also went to see the Eiffel Tower on Saturday.  We had planned on going up in the tower on Sunday, getting there early so we didn't have to wait forever in line, but the line wasn't bad so we decided to go on up.  This is an exhilarating experience and a LONG one!  Once you get up in the tower, there are more lines.  The first leg of your trip up (as you are packed in like cattle with about 70 other people) takes you to level one.  From here there is a view like none other.  The 360 degree view is simply breathtaking.  At this point you can still distinguish certain buildings and areas.  But wait!  There's more!  We got into ANOTHER line to continue our journey up to the next-to top level.  In a MUCH SMALLER glass elevator with about 30 other people we headed up, up, up, up.... (this is not for those who are scared of heights.  Sorry Nana!)  This level is truly a birds' eye view (or plane's eye view).

It was gorgeous and you can really see the layout of Paris from here.  I enjoyed the graph they have going along the top of the windows comparing the height of the Eiffel Tower to the other tall buildings around the world.  Ryan and the girls went up stairs to yet another level.  I stayed behind to watch the stroller and bags.  (There are signs everywhere threatening to blow up your stuff if it is not constantly attended)  The girls said the next level was even more amazing.  I greatly enjoyed the pictures and history they have posted throughout the levels about what the Tower was like when it was first built and ways they used the height to provide the ability for communication with antennas and such.  After the trip up we headed back down to the earth far below.  This long trip up warranted some ice cream and a little sit in the grassy area in front of the Tower.  With the weather being so nice, there were many areas of friends and families having picnics and bubbles being blown.  It was quite picturesque.

View from level 1

A piece of history

Relaxing in the park after a trip up the Eiffel Tower

On Sunday we decided to do a little more walking around then head back so we wouldn't get home too late. (that plan didn't work out too well)  We visited the Notre Dame.  While outside Ryan told the girls the story of the entrance (here is where Chloe becomes fascinated with John the Baptist and the fact he was beheaded) and we went in to see all the beautiful artwork.  Then we loaded into the car for the trip back.

We decided along our way back to stop off at a castle in the small french town of Pierrefond.  This was the first castle we had taken the girls to and it was PERFECT!  We got there in the late afternoon/early evening and there were closing up the inside for the day; they also seemed to be getting ready for an event to take place on the inside, so we walked around the grounds for a little bit.  The view was exquisite.  Ryan and I instantly fell in love with this quaint town and would like to return for an overnight stay.

Castle in Pierrfond, France

Due to our side trip to a castle, numerous restroom breaks, the need to feed the children, and traffic we didn't get home as early as we had hoped.   However, we didn't mind.  It was a trip we will never forget.  The girls truly loved every minute and were such great troopers with all the walking.  We can't wait to go back!  Next time, maybe some Indiana family or friends will be with us.    

 Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience.” -Francis Bacon, Sr.


For more pictures..take a look below.  Here are just some extra from our trip:

(this is for Terry West)  We had to take a picture of a random goat on a
 chain in the park in Paris.
I guess this is one way to keep your grass cut and looking nice?

"We are in the picture...right?
"I don't know, the sun is in my eyes."

This is the best picture daddy could get of us with the sparkles.
We all kept getting blinded by
the flash on the camera.  The curse of having blue eyes, I suppose.