We took the family to Paris for spring break and we had so much fun! The best part was having our own personal tour guide. Andy spent a semester in Paris and knew his way around pretty well, which was so nice. It made the trip much more relaxing and enjoyable. The weather was beautiful and the city was everything I ever imagined and more. Paris is my new favorite place. I can't wait to go back.
One of our first stops was the famous Notre Dame.
The kids Trying to feed the birds in front of Notre Dame
After touring Notre dame we made a pit stop for Andrew. The girls and I waited outside. Livi was sitting quietly in her stroller and then all of a sudden she stared at me with the saddest most helpless look. I asked her what was wrong and she held up her wrist. I noticed that it was all red and I took a closer look and noticed a big blister. I was so confused and thought that maybe a spider bit her or something. Then I noticed that her sleeve was burned. I was even more confused and started looking around. Next I found two burn holes in her pants and then I finally found the culprit. Some one had carelessly tossed their cigarette butt on her. I couldn't believe it! It was still burning a hole in the seat of her stroller. I was livid!! Poor girl!
There is a bridge by Notre Dame where couples write their names on a padlock and then lock it onto the fence. They then throw the key in the river to symbolize their never ending love. They call them Locks of Love. Kind of romantic :)
And waht is Paris without street performers?! This guy played the chicken dance song for us, and yes, I did the chicken dance in the middle of the street in Paris. :)
Everything was blooming and all of the gardens were immaculate.It was seriously breathtaking.
Berthillion is one of the most famous ice cream and sorbet makers in France, so of course we had to try it. And let me tell you it was Amazing!!! We got pear, raspberry, and mango sorbet and it tasted like you were eating the real fresh fruit, only better. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.The lines were always really long at the ice cream shops.
The highlight of the trip was the Eiffel Tower. The kids absolutely loved it. The wait for the elevator was a few hours long, so we decided to take the stairs up. It was quite the climb! 347 steps to the first level, 674 steps to the second level, and then an elevator the rest of the way up. The kids practically ran the whole way but I had to take a few breathers. Plus I carried Livi up the first level. It was so worth it though. The view was spectacular.
Here we are in front of the eiffel tower
The view from the first level
We got to the second level just as the sun was setting
Then we got off of the elevator just as they were turning on the lights. It was seriously magical! Can't even describe how cool it was. The lights twinkle for the first minute after the lights go on. Definitely my favorite part of the trip. Standing under the sparkling Eiffel tower in paris with my family.
Here are the kids in front of the Louvre. We didn't actually go inside because we were afraid that the kids would get bored. I can't wait to go back and explore all of the museums.
Notice here in this picture that Avery is doing bunny ears to Andrew?
Well I told her to stop making bunny ears and Andrew thought I told him to be a bunny. I don't know why I thinkt it was so funny, but it makes me laugh. Here he is being a bunny in front of the Louvre :)
Avery brought her camera with her and had a lot of fun taking pictures, I wanted her to capture the trip through her eyes and create her own memories. She loved it and actually got some really cool shots. Here she is taking a picture of the Arc de Triomphe.
I loved this tree in the garden area
We spent lots of time on the Metro going from place to place. Andy was an amazing navigator.
My legs were still a little tired from climbing the eiffel tower, but I mustered enough strength to climb up to the Sacre Couer, and I am so glad I did. It is a beautiful Basilica on top of a hill that overlooks all of Paris. The atmosphere there was really fun. People were jsut hanging out on the steps and taking in all that Paris has to offer.
Livi fell asleep, so we hung out on the steps for a bit while she snoozed. There was this amazing street performer entertaining the crowd. He juggled a soccer ball in unimaginable ways. At one point he climbed to the top of a light post and hung on with his hands while he hung out like a flag and juggled the ball with his feet, It was Amazing!
and the view from the top of Sacre Couer
One of my other favorite parts of the trip was stopping at a Creperie. I was so excited to experience authentic French Crepes. Andy served his mission in France and still talks about the food 10 years later. So I was anxious to see what all the fuss is about. And although we didn't go to any restaurants, I must say that the Crepe was enough to make me understand, It was delicious and so fun to be eating Crepes in Paris. The kids loved them too. Especially the Nutella and banana Crepe. Yum!!
I don't remember what this place is. I'll have to ask Andy :)
This is the Luxembourg palace and garden. A lot of it was under construction, but still beautiful. There is a fountain with a large pool in front of it where you can sail toy boats. The kids had a blast chasing their boat around and launching it with the stick.
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