So much to tell...so little time. First, Paris was...well Paris. Wonderful sights, wandering streets, fabulous fashion, the best shopping and a sparkling Eiffel Tower! Add to it a chance to be with family and life is good! We spent our first day with Grandma Sandy on the bateaux mouches, the boat that takes you around Paris on the Seine. We took the "bus" version so we could get on and off as we pleased! It allowed us to visit Notre Dame (gargoyles and all)
and stand on the "heart of Paris" where all of Paris points are measured from (see picture). We then proceeded to the Champs Elysees where we rode a VERY LARGE Ferris Wheel and saw the Arc de Triomphe. Of course, we ended up at the Eiffel Tower where we chose to take the steps to the first platform...the line to the lift was long.
This was all after flying in from Munich! The day ended with a WONDERFUL dinner in the home of my sister and her husband who own
this marvelous apartment in Paris. Audrey was serenaded with "Happy Birthday" by her aunt, uncle, grandmother and grandfather (and us of course)...and it wasn't even her birthday yet (see picture)! She also got to sleep in the apartment which meant not having to sleep with William...what could be better!?! The next day, AUDREY'S BIRTHDAY, was spent in an exhausting search for just the right Parisian outfit for Audrey. Her aunt Lisa took her to many, many stores and many outfits were tried on...At the end of day, we were all dazed and confused BUT success...Audrey had not one but TWO Parisian outfits to wear. Meanwhile, William was treated to his first ever Parisian haircut by a '"tres jolie" stylist (Matt thought she was quite lovely too...see picture). William also managed to get some shopping in as he has been very influenced by the
European style. They both wore their new clothes to the birthday dinner at the famous La Coupole....a classic Brassiere in Montparnasse. It was a busy, wonderful dinner which ended in a loud and jubiliant version of 'Bon Anniversaire' (Happy Birthday for the non-francophiles in the crowd) by the waiters including our VERY handsome head waiter (see picture).We then strolled the streets of Paris as two events went on...First, the annual Nuit Blanche where art exhibits go on all night in Paris and second, the celebration for France who had won their most recent rugby match in the World Cup event which was going on in Paris at the time. Both resulted in lots of people, drinking and noise throughout Paris. We also got to see the Eiffel Tower sparkle with lights which is a true sight to behold. We returned after midnight exhausted but thoroughly happy. Sunday was spent at
Montmarte (including stairs) where we ate crepes and went to the Dali exhibit. We also visited the Moulin Rouge where William got a bit of an education since it sits in the heart of the red light district...Yikes. We returned home Sunday night all of this having taken place in a little more than 60 hours...Can you imagine?Matt then had to head off to a week in Austria for business. The kids and I recovered a little and then spent three glorious but cold days with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Dennis who arrived from Paris via train. It was the first time for both in Germany so we ate wurst at the Ratskellar, drank beer at lunch, wandered the English Gardens and, of course, viewed the Glockenspiel at the Marientplatz (it is the clock with dancing figures etc that goes off three times a day to the delight of all tourists). Matt returned on Friday and we went to the famous Osteria (the Italian restaurant that has been in place since 1890). It was a great visit and it was fun to show Munich to friends/family from home.
Instead of relaxing, Matt and I spent Saturday night with our neighbors at a Greek restaurant where one of the neighbors was celebrating his birthday in total Greek style...which means lots of shots of Ouzo, breaking many plates, dancing on the plates and finally, a mountain of fire...Don't ask but it had something to do with pouring Johnny Walker Black over a mountain made of foil, lighting it and dancing around it. It was an event!!!
Sunday, we had a visit from a friend/coworker of Matt's where we walked around, had coffee and cake with our German friends and a nice evening out. Matt then returned to Austria and I spent the week working, teaching and in parent/teacher conferences...Audrey is studying Physics, Chemistry and Biology this year which has been a substantial jump from last year's earth science. BTW- Audrey is studying this in between spending lots of time with her friends and new boyfriend, Tyler (see picture). William is studying hard and enjoying himself at school
and with his new friends. He has also acquired a new style of sorts which I will document for the next blog. He had a stomach bug this week but all is well now!Jewel and Buster are still having a blast! Jewel has continued to lose weight and, I daresay, has regained her girlish figure (wish the same would happen to me) and Buster still loves his dog filled romps in the Gardens.
We had our first snow this weekend...This while seeing friends in Kemblesville on Skype sitting around in T-shirts. I guess we are really far away!
Finally, we are off to Venice this week. The kids have a week off so we will leave Tuesday to take a train to Venezia returning on Saturday. I am sure there will be lots to report. We miss you all and wish we could be doing all this with our dear friends from home!
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