paris day 2 part 2

Postcard perfect picture. Damon really did take a million shots of this tower! It's just cool!

Tonight was a lot of fun, but a lot of unfortunate walking. We had dinner down in the Montparnesse area and then head up near the river to find the Statue of Liberty. Yes, there is one here too for those who didn't know that. We eventually found it, after a lot of walking, and got a couple of shots. We also found out that the bridge that they filmed the part of National Treasure 2 was not the bridge near the statue. It was actually a mile away down this beautiful river walk.

We walked back over to the Eiffle Tower to see it all lit up and sparkly at night. It was so fun. I finally had to tell Damon to stop taking pictures because it was after 11pm. We keep forgetting to enjoy all the wonderful desserts that are around. Tomorrow... The Louvre and then Versailles

Paris-Day 2

We woke up earlier than normal, 5am, this morning. Fortunately we both fell back asleep. I don't think our bodies know what time it is anymore. We got a little bit of a late start this morning. We were out late last night. The sun doesn't set until 9:30pm and we wanted to see the Champs all lit up. After grabbing a quick French breakfast, I don't think Damon is getting enough to eat, but I love it, we headed out

We went to the Bastille first. I have no idea what it is for, but there was a photo shop that Damon wanted to get to. Then we headed to the Eiffle Tower. It to is being renovated, but we made the most of it. We chose not to climb the tower and just enjoy the ground views. I don't know what draws me to architecture at all, but I can really admire all sorts of different buildings. We took a million pictures there. Damon decided that really old cities were supposed to be shot in black and white so that's what he did. While we took pictures a man on an accordian played pefect, old fashion, French music. It couldn't have been more perfect.

I kept the next destination a secret from Damon because I knew he would love it. I went to Sacre Coure the first time I came here, but didn't get to go inside because it had already closed. The views from the outside were amazing and the architecture in the inside was incredible. Damon wasn't quite as impressed when he found it it was built until 1875, but it still looks really cool. It kind of has a Byzintine look to it. Damon and I took humanities together at school and are starting to wish we paid more attention to class. We ate lunch on the steps and then climbed 300 stairs to get to the dome on the top. The views were quite impressive. I think we are done with stairs though.

We have conquered the subway system here. We joke because we say we need to go down to the subway to get fresh air. People aren't allowed to smoke down there. Today I saw a man smoking in the corner, which made me mad, but the when he turned his back and started to urinate I was really discusted. Then we laughed about it. Oh well. No matter what country you are in there are always the same type of people.
Our last stop before siesta (that is what I call Damon's down time) we headed to the Rodin Museum. Damon enjoyed it more than I thought he would. He took A LOT of pictures. I cruised through most of the statues because I knew what I was looking for. The marble statue that I wanted to see was the only real reason I wanted to go to the Rodin Museum. It's been my favorite for quite some time. When the Rodin Exhibit went on tour and came to BYU "The Kiss" was one of the pieces that was prohibited. I never really could understand why although I have my guesses. None of them having to do with the current university president. We don't need to go into that here. I finally found where "The Kiss" was and was just mesmorized by it. It is just beautiful and all encompassing. Before we left we went back to it one more time.

This is my next house. I loved the lawns and the house.

On the way back to the subway we ran into the ladies we met at dinner last night. They were headed to the Rodin Museum. What are the chances? Tonight we are headed back out late for a relaxing dinner and pictures of the Eiffle Tower all a glow. It's a good thing Damon is getting his nap:)

Paris Day 1-part 2 or duo

After Damon's nap we decided to head to the Champs de Elysees for dinner and some more fun. We went and visited the Arc de Triumph which doesn't look to cool right now because of renovating. We walked down the street until we found a place to eat that looked interesting. We sat near, and by near i mean or tables where two inches from each other, these 2 woman from Boston. We had a nice chat with them while we continued to wait forever for our food. Apparently they had to go out and catch the salmon that Damon was eating. We walked down the rest of the Champs until we found the Paris Opera House. Such a beautiful building. I couldn't help but sing a few lines from Phantom while I was in front of it. We managed to not get lost of the subway ride home. Our goal for tomorrow is the Eiffle Tower, The Louvre and The Rodin Museum. Good times.
A Picture from earlier in the day at the Luxemburg Garden.

Paris Part 1

Since I have some time I thought I would do a little blogging. Damon is currently taking a nap. I always wear him out on trips. Next trip we better spend on a beach doing nothing, just to make him happy.
Our 1st day of the trip was spent travelling all day long. I woke up at 3:15am even though the alarm was set for 4am and knew I would be able to get back to sleep. So I got up and showered and got ready. My fabulous friend Erika took us to the airport. Our flight was for 7am, but since we were there at 5:50am they let us go on the 6:20am flight out to LA. That was nice. The flight to Miami wasn't bad either. I had never been to Florida so that was kind of cool. The part of the airport we were in though was blah though. It was really old. The flight from Miami to Paris was a long one. What made it even longer was the 45 minute delay before we boarded and then the 30 minute delay once we got on board. We finally left. We were able to get a little sleep. Damon looked longingly at the first class section. He isn't used to traveling long distances with the lesser mortals anymore. Poor guy.

We finally arrived in Paris at 9:30am and then waited for what seemed like forever for our luggage. We hired a taxi to take us to our hotel. Paris drivers have nothing on New York drivers. I honestly held my breathe in some of the places the driver was trying to squeeze us in to. Damon said the drivers in Taiwan are even worse. aagh! We were able to check into our hotel early (yea!).
Our first stop was a place called the Luxemburg gardens. It reminded me of Central Park, but not so big. It was pretty. We crossed the street and headed straight for the Pantheon. Marie Curie was buried there. After that we grabbed some lunch from the deli and walked up to Notre Dame. I think Damon really liked that. The place took over 200 years to build and was started in 1163 AD. It really is unbelievable. We also took the bell tower tour which I didn't do the first time I came to Paris. That was fun, but there were a lot of stairs. My legs were burning and my heart was pumping, but one we reached the top we had the most amazing 360* views of the city. We figured out the metro system down below and haven't managed to get lost yet. It's been a good day thus far. We are just a little tired. Hopefully that will change soon.

Getting ready

Packing shouldn't be complicated. Throwing clothes into a suitcase is a simple task. So why am I so unmotivated to pack? Why have I not made my list and checked it twice. What seemed like a good idea in November is starting to feel like a major stress causer in May. It's not like I haven't travelled internationally before. I think my excitement comes all out at the beginning of the idea of a trip then by the time the trip rolls around it has fizzled tremendously. Don't get me wrong, I am WAY excited to leave. I have been mentally planning this trip since 2003. I just really hate the minute details and that's all that is left.

I think the number one factor of what's causing this pre-travel anxiety is my kids. Our last big international trip we took them with us. It was fun and I loved having them with us and I am glad that they aren't coming on this trip, but I am worried about them. The people who are taking care of them are more than capable and willing to care for them. I think I am worried about all the details. I know I will miss them. This is the longest I will have been without them.

The details are dragging the trip down in my mind. Two weeks ago I was ready to just get on a plane with a backpack and take whatever comes as it comes. Now I just don't want to pack. I have given myself the deadline of Sunday. I can't put it off past then. Until then, it continues to be put on the back burner.

As Tuesday comes around I am positive my excitement will reach a peak again. In fact I am sure I will not be able to sleep the night before. As long as there are no bomb threats, bombs, or volcanic eruptions we should be good to go. Damon has assured me that if we get stuck in Miami we will have a fun week long vacation at the beach and Disneyworld (yes, I know it's in Orlando. We would just go there too). He has also said no amount of planning can make everything perfect. There are bound to be hiccups. He said I will need to roll with them. Hopefully my OCD will deal with that when it comes. This is why I love my husband. He knows me so well.

Field Trip Thursday

I'm still kicking myself for starting this field trip, but it is over with and the kids are in bed and I think they had a nice time, but it certainly took them long enough to be happy.

We went to Disneyland today for what will be the last time for a long time. I pulled the kids out of school a little early and we drove up to have some fun. Well, that was the plan. Noah had the melt down in the car before we even left the school parking lot (don't ask), Lily had the melt down at the end of the night and Adam had the melt down during the middle of our stay. Needless to say I am very tired and think I am done with kids, Disney and field trips for a while.

Here's for trying to go the extra mile with my kids!

Family Night

Yesterday we drove up to Mortensen Manor for Family Night. A chunk of my cousins and their kids all came over. We had dinner, chatted and got to see pictures and hear stories about my grandfather's life in a powerpoint presentation. It was so fun. My family may have issues right now, but they are my family and I still love them. Dinner was a potluck of soups and they were so yummy. We also celebrated all the May birthdays. We used to do this growing up and my aunt suggested that we start doing it again. There are three generations at this party and when my grandfather attends there are four.

We got home super late last night and we are all tired today, but I felt like it was worth going. I am grateful that we live near family now especially for occasions like this. It was a treasured experience.

My cousins wearing my grandfather's Navy dress jackets. My grandfather was a Captain.