Week 2

Eric is really enjoying his job and the issues that he is researching and assisting with. He was invited to a fancy dinner with his colleagues. Too bad B and I had to stay home.

B and I enjoy make long strolls around town and picnics in the park. He loves to see the cool high school kids although I hope he doesn’t pick up on their smoking habits. Everyone here seems to smoke.

This week we visited Luxembourg Gardens and the Pantheon. It’s so lovely. We also came across the slut walk protest. I’ll let you look it up. I find it to be somewhat of an interesting subject, but I won’t state my opinion in the matter.

And since it was the first Sunday of the month, that means free museum day. Oh how I miss not having to pay for the museums in DC. We visited the Pompidou modern art museum, which is right by church. No one was there since they don’t have a satellite connection and it was GC.

We spent some time strolling the streets and found this yummy-looking candy stand on the walkway between two busy roads- and why not? Seems like a perfectly good spot to me too.

We also happened to come upon a fashion show- at least that’s what I think was going on. So I snapped a picture. As we were walking by we saw four large rolling racks full of black garment bags being rolled into the back door of this building. When I went in for a closer look, I found lots of beautiful women getting their hair and makeup done. We walked around the building to see if there were any signs up as to what was going on, but no luck.

Week 1

We landed in Paris. Is this real? Are we actually going to live here for three months? So far it just seemed like we were on holiday, but after schlepping our things around the city trying to get to our apartment, it seemed a little more than just a vacation. Maybe there’s a reason to Eric’s madness when he only lets Boston and me bring carryon luggage whenever we travel home to visit our families. I should have taken a note or two from my friend WK, who is the queen of schlepping.

We spent our first week getting oriented with the area. We spent our anniversary laving a picnic at the Eiffel Tower and strolling the Champs Elysees.

We traveled to Notre Dame and saw one of the many lock bridges.

While Eric works, Boston and I spend our time exploring the many parks this town has to offer and eating as many baguettes and chocolate éclairs as we can (it’s a good thing we walk a lot).

First impressions of the French people: Could they be any nicer?! They are always willing to help me carry the stroller down the stairs and my neighbor, a restaurant owner, brings us free food. If I try to speak French and make a mistake, they kindly correct me and tell me to keep trying. That I’ll get better. I’ve already been invited for coffee at another neighbor’s home. I’m loving it here.

As Boston and I were strolling one day along the Champs Elysees, I saw this beautiful gate and a long line of people waiting to get in. I knew it wasn’t Louis Vitton, that was farther up the road, but I had to get a closer look to see what I was missing out on. ABERCROMBIE & FITCH—really?! I don’t know why I find this so surprising. Maybe I just don’t think it’s that great or as much of a luxury.

We made it to Paris.

Bon Jour!!

 

We finally made it to Paris.  We arrived yesterday afternoon and made our way to our apartment.  Our apartment is just outside of the city in Boulogne-Biliancourt.  It is a quiet walkable residential neighborhood.  Our apartment is on the 5^th of an old building with a winding staircase and creaky wooden floors. We had quite the adventure lugging our bags across town to our apartment but we made it.

 

We spent today exploring our neighborhood which has several grocery stores, a morning outdoor food market, a park with a nice playground and a Gap all within a couple of blocks.   This evening we went to the Eiffel tower and then walked down the Champs Elysees. 

 

We have plenty of room and a fold out couch if anyone decides they want to come and visit.

  

 

 

 

OBX

Hanging out in the Outer Banks

Mr. Fix-it.

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An Italian dinner

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update- finally!

This summer has been quite a whirlwind. It's not that it's gone by quickly, it's just been full of fun events. The following pictures are mostly from the second half of our summer.

Boston and I were lucky enough to be able to travel twice to Utah this summer. Our time was filled with family, friends, and lots of fun. Boston's favorite part was-without a doubt- going to all the parades. I mean look at this face!

Here is Boston and Wyatt sitting with cute Aunt Kim!
A parade isn't complete without swords.
Boston and Chelsie!
And no trip would be complete without watching a show at Grandma's house and eating popcorn with the boys.
Boston and I were lucky to be invited to my sister-in-law's parent's home in Preston during the rodeo. And let me tell you what- I'm planning our summer vacation around this event every year. We had such a fun time and Granny and Pa couldn't be better hosts. Thanks for welcoming us with open arms and taking care of us! It is a child's dream! It makes me wish we owned a bit more real estate where B can play outside and have more fun toys to ride.

Here we are at the rodeo. Our cute little nephew, Sawyer, rode in the mutton bustin tournament and his cousin, Jack, took first place. They were incredible!

A trip to Granny and Pa's wouldn't be complete without having ice cream for breakfast!
B's first time on a horse!
We wore Boston out so much that he fell asleep right on the floor when we got home.
One of the many reasons we went to Utah was because my brother got married. Of course- I didn't even take a picture of the newlyweds. Ooops. But here's Boston. The day before the wedding he fell down a tile step. Look at that bruise. As time went on, it got much worse, but isn't he a looker in that tie?
Our cute family in front of the barn.
Now look at Boston's shiner! We took a hike up behind the B in Bountiful the day after the wedding.
This picture is after we returned home to DC. We took a walk around the tidal basin to see the new MLK monument. Pretty amazing.

Here's Boston looking out the window waiting for Eric to come home. Notice his face? Just after the bruise healed, he took a tumble down our front cement steps. My doctor says it's just that age, but I wish he didn't fall so often.

Here is Eric and Boston playing in the rain during the hurricane. We sure have had some crazy weather here in DC. Earthquake, hurricane, flooding. It's a good thing we're heading out for a few months.
These last pictures of our recent trip to the beach. We went down to the Outer Banks over Labor Day and couldn't have had a nicer time. The weather was incredible. We spent our days laying in the sun and building amazing sand castles. Eric is a champ- the only thing is to keep the kids away from the castles when they are under construction. There's just something they love about pretending to be Godzilla.

Now we're off to a new adventure. Hopefully we'll be able to give you all an update as soon as we arrive. I'm excited to share all of our travels with you.