Another visitor...another trip back to Paris....poor me. Hahahahaha!!!
My friend Shoshana is 110% adorable. She made these darling cookies for our road trip. My cookies were gone before we made it to the French border. :)
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| Lately, we've opted for driving to Paris vs. taking the Thalys high speed train. Prices are crazy, and we can handle a three hour driving trip. |
We were fortunate to get a table at one of my favorite restaurants Comptoir de la Gastronomie. I don't know if it was my impressive French that wooed the waiter (ha) or the fact that it was after 10:00 and tables had started to clear. Either way, we were thrilled to get a spot. Their food is very good, but their chocolate cake with the liquid chocolate center is the star of the show.
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| This place is so perfectly French! |
Our main reason for spending the night was to see this beauty all lit up. If we do a day trip, we take the train, but in the summer, the last train departs at 21:54, and it's not yet dark. So, spending the night was in order.
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| So happy Karin could join us! |
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| I've only seen them shut off the golden lights one other time. So, I am assuming they do this the final time it sparkles. I think this was at 2:00 AM. |
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| And then, they shut it off completely! Show is over folks! |
Looks like the metro is shut off completely too. Oops!!! Good thing the taxis were still running.
The next morning, we were up bright and early! We had breakfast with Shannon, one of my former students! It has been years, and it was so good to see her. She and her husband Sam (a Brit) were on their honeymoon in Paris. Yep, we crashed their honeymoon!! Thanks so much for meeting us Sam and Shannon!
Our next stop was Notre Dame! My goal was to get these girls to the top.
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| Ugh! Look at that line. We were just a little too late. But, we waited and made it up! |
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| He's always worth the wait! |
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| It was the MOST spectacular day to go to the top! |
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| The big bell is finally open to view. Now we just need Quasimodo! |
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| Keeping watch over his city. |
Julia at the center of Paris!
Walking along the Seine.
Le Louvre
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| The pyramid was getting a bath. |
My new favorite pic of the Eiffel Tower!
We took a nice relaxing boat ride along the Seine. Our feet needed a rest.
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| These are the annoying people in front of us who stood the ENTIRE boat cruise. |
Our beautiful niece!
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| Julia, we loved every minute of having you here. Allison and Thomas could not ask for a better cousin. You make our family so proud. xoxo |
On June 18th, Julia headed back to the US. We spent the day prepping for our next set of guests!
On June 19th, someone very special turned 14!!!
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I didn't have a 4...so we improvised.
Another perk of European life. If I was in the US, I would have frantically run to Walmart for a 4. Well, stores here were closed, so we just made due. And, this very imperfect cake...it's just fine for here too. I love the simplicity of everyday life. I hope I can keep that same mentality when we return home. |
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| We hope all of your wishes come true, sweet girl! |
To help us celebrate Allison's special day...The Richardson family arrived!!! Amy and I have been friends for 25ish years. Crazy! It was so much fun to finally have our families together.
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| They developed quite a bromance while bonding over Belgian beer. |
We spent Saturday in Brugge!
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| Brady peeking out of the street potty...which is next to a church. :) |
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| Selfie sticks come in very handy! |
Sunday morning, while everyone slept in a bit, I went to the Grand Place for the Gibson's final shoot in Brussels. Ericka and I had a fantastic time shooting pictures together over the last two years. The end of an era for sure. But, I will always treasure the fun, the beautiful locations, and all of the amazing clients we had the pleasure to work with.
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| Love ya girl! |
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| One last shot! |
That afternoon, we showed the Richardsons around Brussels.
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| Brussels swag! |
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| Getting great shots for the Frontback app. |
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| We loved our weekend with the Richardsons. So happy they could make Brussels a stop between their Paris and London adventures. Looking forward to seeing them someday in Arizona! |
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| Enjoying a sunny day in Brussels with some local Belgians. The English/French combo conversation is always entertaining. |
A stop at Hard Rock to continue the birthday celebration!
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| They are singing to her. She clearly finds it awkward. |
Monday, June 22nd, it was time to say "See you Soon!" to Ericka.
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| I'm smiling...but I'm not happy. |
Monday was also the last day of riding for the kids. They decided they no longer wanted to do it. They love it, but they were ready to try something different.
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Riding Jerry and Bueno for the last time.
Monday sucked.... |
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| Yep, that's a tear on his cheek. |
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| Last goodbyes...killing me!!! Does this look like a kid who wants to quit??? |
Moving on to happier topics. Stay tuned!
Until next time,
Wendy
