Today, we went to a picnic hosted by my French tutor at our favorite park in Paris: Parc Montsouris. Since it only sunshines like 30 days out of the year, we enjoyed ourselves immensely all afternoon.
Brian played boules (french version of shuffleboard with balls and on gravel...so maybe it's not like shuffleboard at all). Michael ran around barefoot in the grass. We relaxed in the shade with friends! It was a nice afternoon.
Anyways, I made this Apple, Pear, and Cranberry Crisp, courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa on FoodTV. It was a hit. The older French ladies kept telling me how delicious it was and asked me what I put in there. And they're French so just saying these things to "be nice" isn't something they do! AnD, they each had 2 helpings. So here is the recipe if you are interested:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_112626,00.html
It's got an interesting mixture of fruit flavors and was quite nice.
Enjoy!
Love,
P
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Nice is...NICE!
Ok, honestly? I really did not think anyone was looking at our blog anymore except my mother-in-law so I kind of just stopped posting because well, we talk to her fairly often! And she checks in with us and looks at our pictures!
But I found out that there are some people who still read, and that makes me so happy! We want to keep in touch with everyone back home and love to hear from you guys so away we go!
June 14th-17th we packed up and headed for the beach in southern France in a town called Nice. The water is just GORGEOUS. A cool shade of aquamarine:
It was a bit chilly with the high temperature of the day at 75 and the water was quite a bit cooler than that! Around 66, like Barton Springs! But when it's not 100 degrees out and sunny, that water is a bit "nipply," if you will. Either way, we did our best to go swimming!
The beach in Nice is VERY ROCKY. Like so rocky you have to wear shoes. Like so rocky that Brian's big toe is now a little roughed up and it hurts him still. And the waves were HUGE! (editors note: like 3 feet tall - BMB). Couple that with a slow-to-warm-up-and-timid-son (and sun for that matter too) and that just spells sunbathing time.
So we got the heck out of Nice and headed to Antibes where the sandy beaches and super calm water were much better! Yes, Brian is wearing a speedo; yes, we are all a bit flabby and VERY white; and YES, there were people sunbathing and swimming topless. Brian was already doing it so I decided to too. For about 15 minutes and then I lost my nerve, despite only strangers being around.
Michael loved it there and loved picking up rocks to throw into the ocean. I think he would have gone further into the water but it was a bit cold and I don't blame him. Here's my favorite shot from the beach:
And I love these B&Ws.
It was a pretty relaxing vacation all around! Salade Nicoise is just a salad with tuna and fishy sardines so we weren't too impressed! But here's a quick wrap-up of our trip:
Saturday: Arrived by 2pm. Brian took a nap while I took Michael to Monoprix to buy food and swim diapers. 5pm - took a walk on the Promenade des Anglais. 7pm - Dinner at L'Ovale where we feasted on cassoulet (slow cooked duck with white beans) and shared a bottle of delicious red wine. Micheal napped!!! From like 6:30 - 8pm so we had to wake him up. He didn't go to bed until 11pm that night!
Sunday: Went to the beach for most of the morning, had lunch and went back to the hotel around 2pm. Showered, rested, then went out to explore Place Massena and Vieux Nice (old Nice). Walked along the Promenade des Anglais again and let Michael ride the caroussel 3x and then play in a fountain. Had dinner at a very nice restaurant called La Maison du Marie. It was a place that was a bit too nice to hold a squirming toddler and to quiet him from screaming "Caca" all during dinner. Caca is the French word for POOP.
Monday: Took the train to Antibes and sunbathed/swam all morning. Came back to Nice around 4pm. Showered, took naps, and then back to walking around Vieux Nice! Attempted to get to the top of Nice via an elevator. However, it was not available due to repairs and the stairs looked rather intimidating. So we walked along the coastline and had dinner 'on the run' and back to sleep at 9pm!
Tuesday: Felt well rested enough to take the stairs to the top of Nice where the Chateau was. Got some nice pics, then walked back down the ramp that is not advertised! Explored the morning produce market and went to the train station an hour early, much to Brian's chagrin.
Good thing we did because Nice trains were on STRIKE! Our train to Marseille (where we would connect to another train to Paris) was cancelled. So we had to exchange our tickets right? Should be easy but the registers were closed too. There was only 2 people working really and they were swamped of course. We used one of the automated machines. We were behind a girl who made us all wait while she called someone to go through all of her travel options and decide which tickets to buy. Then at the end of her transaction, we find out she's an SNCF (train) PERSON!!!! WHAT THE?!?!
Finally, at our turn, the automated machine wouldn't take our ticket to exchange so we had to buy 2 new sets of tickets, which were twice as expensive and would take an hour longer to get to Paris!
On our train, we somehow made it to Marseille in time to catch our original connection and thankfully made it back to Paris at our originally designated time.
Gosh, that was longer than my whole summary! It was nuts. Vive le France...I guess.
See you guys at home soon! Can't wait to come to the USA!
Love,
P
But I found out that there are some people who still read, and that makes me so happy! We want to keep in touch with everyone back home and love to hear from you guys so away we go!
June 14th-17th we packed up and headed for the beach in southern France in a town called Nice. The water is just GORGEOUS. A cool shade of aquamarine:
It was a bit chilly with the high temperature of the day at 75 and the water was quite a bit cooler than that! Around 66, like Barton Springs! But when it's not 100 degrees out and sunny, that water is a bit "nipply," if you will. Either way, we did our best to go swimming!
The beach in Nice is VERY ROCKY. Like so rocky you have to wear shoes. Like so rocky that Brian's big toe is now a little roughed up and it hurts him still. And the waves were HUGE! (editors note: like 3 feet tall - BMB). Couple that with a slow-to-warm-up-and-timid-son (and sun for that matter too) and that just spells sunbathing time.
So we got the heck out of Nice and headed to Antibes where the sandy beaches and super calm water were much better! Yes, Brian is wearing a speedo; yes, we are all a bit flabby and VERY white; and YES, there were people sunbathing and swimming topless. Brian was already doing it so I decided to too. For about 15 minutes and then I lost my nerve, despite only strangers being around.
Michael loved it there and loved picking up rocks to throw into the ocean. I think he would have gone further into the water but it was a bit cold and I don't blame him. Here's my favorite shot from the beach:
And I love these B&Ws.
It was a pretty relaxing vacation all around! Salade Nicoise is just a salad with tuna and fishy sardines so we weren't too impressed! But here's a quick wrap-up of our trip:
Saturday: Arrived by 2pm. Brian took a nap while I took Michael to Monoprix to buy food and swim diapers. 5pm - took a walk on the Promenade des Anglais. 7pm - Dinner at L'Ovale where we feasted on cassoulet (slow cooked duck with white beans) and shared a bottle of delicious red wine. Micheal napped!!! From like 6:30 - 8pm so we had to wake him up. He didn't go to bed until 11pm that night!
Sunday: Went to the beach for most of the morning, had lunch and went back to the hotel around 2pm. Showered, rested, then went out to explore Place Massena and Vieux Nice (old Nice). Walked along the Promenade des Anglais again and let Michael ride the caroussel 3x and then play in a fountain. Had dinner at a very nice restaurant called La Maison du Marie. It was a place that was a bit too nice to hold a squirming toddler and to quiet him from screaming "Caca" all during dinner. Caca is the French word for POOP.
Monday: Took the train to Antibes and sunbathed/swam all morning. Came back to Nice around 4pm. Showered, took naps, and then back to walking around Vieux Nice! Attempted to get to the top of Nice via an elevator. However, it was not available due to repairs and the stairs looked rather intimidating. So we walked along the coastline and had dinner 'on the run' and back to sleep at 9pm!
Tuesday: Felt well rested enough to take the stairs to the top of Nice where the Chateau was. Got some nice pics, then walked back down the ramp that is not advertised! Explored the morning produce market and went to the train station an hour early, much to Brian's chagrin.
Good thing we did because Nice trains were on STRIKE! Our train to Marseille (where we would connect to another train to Paris) was cancelled. So we had to exchange our tickets right? Should be easy but the registers were closed too. There was only 2 people working really and they were swamped of course. We used one of the automated machines. We were behind a girl who made us all wait while she called someone to go through all of her travel options and decide which tickets to buy. Then at the end of her transaction, we find out she's an SNCF (train) PERSON!!!! WHAT THE?!?!
Finally, at our turn, the automated machine wouldn't take our ticket to exchange so we had to buy 2 new sets of tickets, which were twice as expensive and would take an hour longer to get to Paris!
On our train, we somehow made it to Marseille in time to catch our original connection and thankfully made it back to Paris at our originally designated time.
Gosh, that was longer than my whole summary! It was nuts. Vive le France...I guess.
See you guys at home soon! Can't wait to come to the USA!
Love,
P
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Lone Stat
Michael had his pediatrician visit today for a vaccination. The only number I could understand was 11.3 kg for weight. Not bad for Michael! 2.5 months with a 2.2 lb gain!
Love,
P
Love,
P
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Time Out?
While I was cooking in the kitchen today, Michael wandered over to the chimney and smiled at me. I said, "Michael, if you touch that chimney, you go into timeout."
I turn back to cooking, and about 10 seconds later, I hear a door close in my apartment. It is quiet. Too quiet.
So I find Michael, in his room, on a self-inflicted timeout. When Michael gets a timeout, he gets put in his room and we shut the door. He didn't even touch the chimney, but I guess he understood the words "timeout."
Sooo...it makes you wonder...is he so good and put himself in timeout? Or is it that he actually likes timeout and doesn't mind to go, even if he didn't do anything wrong?
Hmmm....either way, don't think TimeOut is going to work in his room anymore! And I had a heckuva time trying to explain to him that he didn't do anything wrong so he didn't need to go into timeout after all.
Love,
P
I turn back to cooking, and about 10 seconds later, I hear a door close in my apartment. It is quiet. Too quiet.
So I find Michael, in his room, on a self-inflicted timeout. When Michael gets a timeout, he gets put in his room and we shut the door. He didn't even touch the chimney, but I guess he understood the words "timeout."
Sooo...it makes you wonder...is he so good and put himself in timeout? Or is it that he actually likes timeout and doesn't mind to go, even if he didn't do anything wrong?
Hmmm....either way, don't think TimeOut is going to work in his room anymore! And I had a heckuva time trying to explain to him that he didn't do anything wrong so he didn't need to go into timeout after all.
Love,
P
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Coincidence...or NOT?
Today, Michael ran up to me and said: "Caca"
Which is the French word for Poop.
I smelled his diaper and sure enough, there was poop there.
Could he already know this earlY? Surely not! Maybe I should go buy a little potty...
Love,
P
Which is the French word for Poop.
I smelled his diaper and sure enough, there was poop there.
Could he already know this earlY? Surely not! Maybe I should go buy a little potty...
Love,
P
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thunder
I saw a flash of light from the sky. And then I heard thunder.
This was the first time I've seen/heard both in Paris. It rains almost every day in the winter (which is about 9 months out of the year). And we've been here for 17 months and have never had a thunderstorm.
But let me not be premature...we don't have a thunderstorm yet. I just saw one flash and heard one clap. So that may have been it.
Tidbit-Life in Paris
Oooh! There goes another mini flash of light!
This was the first time I've seen/heard both in Paris. It rains almost every day in the winter (which is about 9 months out of the year). And we've been here for 17 months and have never had a thunderstorm.
But let me not be premature...we don't have a thunderstorm yet. I just saw one flash and heard one clap. So that may have been it.
Tidbit-Life in Paris
Oooh! There goes another mini flash of light!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Yet Another Worry...
Ok...did you guys know that Air France goes on Strike with our public transportation system? Well, you probably did and I just realized it.
So pray that they don't decide to go on strike for our flight to the US. Don't care about our flight back to Paris, just our flights to the US!
As if...reason number 1002 not to like France.
Love,
P
So pray that they don't decide to go on strike for our flight to the US. Don't care about our flight back to Paris, just our flights to the US!
As if...reason number 1002 not to like France.
Love,
P
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Almost Famous
Our favorite photographer in the whole wide world, Janet Roe, has our images on her website! Check it out!
http://jroephotography.com/
Click on Kids, then Portfolio, then Christening. It's the first option under the Christening menu.
And she has our engagement picture up on her wedding website under "Old Favs." We're OLD! ;o)
Much love,
P
http://jroephotography.com/
Click on Kids, then Portfolio, then Christening. It's the first option under the Christening menu.
And she has our engagement picture up on her wedding website under "Old Favs." We're OLD! ;o)
Much love,
P
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
One More Thing
When Michael woke up today, I let him down from our bed (he sleeps from about 5am - 7am with us...not all the time, but from time to time). It was a bit quiet so I turn around on the bed and see Michael standing next to the bed, eating from an entire pear. Skin and all.
Brian left the pear on the coffee table and forgot to take it with him. Finders Keepers, losers weepers. And boy did Brian weep when he found out his precious pear was T-A-K-E-N.
I asked Michael, "Where did you get that pear?" and he took me out to the living room and pointed to the coffee table.
I guess it's ok that he doesn't talk much?
Michael ate the whole thing and when he ate enough to separte the stem from the rest of the pear, he gave it to me to throw away for him.
Breakfast...CHECK!
Love,
P
Brian left the pear on the coffee table and forgot to take it with him. Finders Keepers, losers weepers. And boy did Brian weep when he found out his precious pear was T-A-K-E-N.
I asked Michael, "Where did you get that pear?" and he took me out to the living room and pointed to the coffee table.
I guess it's ok that he doesn't talk much?
Michael ate the whole thing and when he ate enough to separte the stem from the rest of the pear, he gave it to me to throw away for him.
Breakfast...CHECK!
Love,
P
Neighbors
Today, my neighbor looked very pretty in a black skirt and tank top so I complimented her. She laughed and said she dug the skirt out of the trash actually. It had a rip so she repaired it herself and is wearing it now! Apparently, she used to work as a couture seamstress in Italy before living here.
This is the same neighbor whose son took Brian's sweater out of the donation box.
Gotta love France!
This is the same neighbor whose son took Brian's sweater out of the donation box.
Gotta love France!
Menagerie Visit
We went to the "zoo" here in Paris on Sunday and saw lots of hooved animals!
But the highlight of our visit was definitely the orangutan (sp?) exhibit. We saw the male orangutan swing down from his high perch to join his "wife" in the floor of the cage. Quite suddenly, we were privileged to see him dig in her "hind parts" and separate the hair around her "hind parts". This resulted in quite amusing gasps and laughter amongst us and the French crowd gathered around the glass cage! I HOPE that female monkey was 1) Female and 2) his wife.
Brian went to work on Monday and his co-worker also went to the same zoo on Sunday. He saw the baby orangutan in that cage go right up to the glass and proceed to poop/pee all over it.
I suppose they cleaned that up before we got there.
Love,
P
But the highlight of our visit was definitely the orangutan (sp?) exhibit. We saw the male orangutan swing down from his high perch to join his "wife" in the floor of the cage. Quite suddenly, we were privileged to see him dig in her "hind parts" and separate the hair around her "hind parts". This resulted in quite amusing gasps and laughter amongst us and the French crowd gathered around the glass cage! I HOPE that female monkey was 1) Female and 2) his wife.
Brian went to work on Monday and his co-worker also went to the same zoo on Sunday. He saw the baby orangutan in that cage go right up to the glass and proceed to poop/pee all over it.
I suppose they cleaned that up before we got there.
Love,
P
Sleep Eating
Lots of Random Things to blog about today!
Michael discovered bubbles today at the park! A father was blowing bubbles for his kids so Michael wandered over there to try to catch one. He's so cute and timid. The 2 other kids are right next to the bubble blower and Michael hangs out in the back hoping some blow his way.
Michael drew his first drawing today with crayons. It's hanging on the fridge.
Yesterday, I was folding laundry in the living room with all the clothes on the couch. Michael was standing next to me, playing with something on the coffee table. I turn to put a shirt on the arm of the couch, turn back around, and MICHAEL IS STANDING ON TOP OF THE COFFEE TABLE.
Yesterday, Michael was super sleepy at lunch, but was still able to grab a strawberry in his sleep. Which leads me to my pictures today.
Michael was literally sleep eating. These pictures are not long blinks. He was sleeping and chewing at the same time. I tried to pull his plate away and put him to bed, but he'd wake up, yank his plate back, pick up some more food, and continue to chew with his eyes closed.
Michael discovered bubbles today at the park! A father was blowing bubbles for his kids so Michael wandered over there to try to catch one. He's so cute and timid. The 2 other kids are right next to the bubble blower and Michael hangs out in the back hoping some blow his way.
Michael drew his first drawing today with crayons. It's hanging on the fridge.
Yesterday, I was folding laundry in the living room with all the clothes on the couch. Michael was standing next to me, playing with something on the coffee table. I turn to put a shirt on the arm of the couch, turn back around, and MICHAEL IS STANDING ON TOP OF THE COFFEE TABLE.
Yesterday, Michael was super sleepy at lunch, but was still able to grab a strawberry in his sleep. Which leads me to my pictures today.
Michael was literally sleep eating. These pictures are not long blinks. He was sleeping and chewing at the same time. I tried to pull his plate away and put him to bed, but he'd wake up, yank his plate back, pick up some more food, and continue to chew with his eyes closed.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
The Donation Box
A week after the Delivery Guy fiasco, my neighbor stopped me to tell me thanks for the sweater that her son pulled from the "donation box." The stripes suited him quite well apparently.
This time, it was Brian's sweater that fit the guy well so I thankfully dodged a bullet there.
Phuong
This time, it was Brian's sweater that fit the guy well so I thankfully dodged a bullet there.
Phuong
The Delivery Guy
I have a Delivery Guy. He delivers my groceries from Champion! It's actually quite normal here. You go grocery shopping, pay for your things, and the grocery store delivers it right to your door. What's not to like?
So the Delivery Guy was dropping off my groceries when he notices a box of things I had left outside my door labelled "Pour Donation." He asks me if he can take it and put it outside of Champion for people to take things if they'd like. Of course! One less thing to do right?
About a month later, Delivery Guy shows up...wearing a jacket I had put in that donation box. I have to admit, it looked much better on him than it did on me so I was glad it went to a person that needed it more than I did. And yes, it was a men's jacket that I had purchased a long time ago when I believed function was much more important than form. It had a fleece lining and was REALLY warm.
Anyways, it was surprising and funny to see he had gone through the box first and to see my old jacket. And a bit uncomfortable for me because I also put in there some green/purple lingerie that I wanted to get rid of. Here's to hoping he didn't remember THAT...
Enjoy your May 1st! Rabbit!
Love,
Phuong
So the Delivery Guy was dropping off my groceries when he notices a box of things I had left outside my door labelled "Pour Donation." He asks me if he can take it and put it outside of Champion for people to take things if they'd like. Of course! One less thing to do right?
About a month later, Delivery Guy shows up...wearing a jacket I had put in that donation box. I have to admit, it looked much better on him than it did on me so I was glad it went to a person that needed it more than I did. And yes, it was a men's jacket that I had purchased a long time ago when I believed function was much more important than form. It had a fleece lining and was REALLY warm.
Anyways, it was surprising and funny to see he had gone through the box first and to see my old jacket. And a bit uncomfortable for me because I also put in there some green/purple lingerie that I wanted to get rid of. Here's to hoping he didn't remember THAT...
Enjoy your May 1st! Rabbit!
Love,
Phuong
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Stats
17.5 month check
Weight, 10.3 kg
Length: 82 cm
Head circumference: 47 cm
Dip Tet vaccination today. I *think* these are the right numbers as I had to read them myself or hear my doctor mumbling under his breath.
Weight, 10.3 kg
Length: 82 cm
Head circumference: 47 cm
Dip Tet vaccination today. I *think* these are the right numbers as I had to read them myself or hear my doctor mumbling under his breath.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Spoon Practice
Today, Michael attempted to eat oatmeal with his spoon by himself. Eventually, he gave up:
Good thing it was a bit thick:
Good thing it was a bit thick:
Get it IN THERE!
We gave up. He got a croissant for breakfast. Better luck tomorrow, son!
Michael's friend Oliver has started making this HILARIOUS face. He breathes REALLY hard in and out when he does it. It's so cute:
Happy Saturday!
P
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Catch Up, Part 3 - Provence, France
Brian and I came back from Italy, and after a one night layover in paris, we hopped on a train and headed to explore Provence and the Cotes du Rhone area of France with Brian's Mom and Michael.
The first day, we arrived in Avignon, picked up our car, and did a wine tasting in Chateuneuf du Pape. There, we tasted 2 really good red wines, an incredible muscat, and 2 good white wines. They will deliver to Paris if you buy 3 cases (12 bottles each at 24 euro per bottle). Umm...no thank you.
We then, by chance, stumbled upon our bed and breakfast we were staying at. Luckily too because I doubt we would have seen their small sign at the end of a fence! We loved it there as it was a small farm and Michael discovered all sorts of animals. He wasn't too impressed with the chickens there:
On Saturday, we set out to Arles to explore its booming Saturday morning market. We bought loads of Herbes de Provence, table linens, and bed linens there! Now, I can see where Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma get their inspirations from! We paused to check out the exterior of the Roman Arena and didn't quite make it to the Roman Forum. I think we had shopping on the brain.
After this, we drove around some more and did Rick Steve's Cotes du Rhone drive backwards and as inefficiently as possible. We checked out another place for a wine tasting, saw Les Baux, Saint Remy, and loads of other places and views I don't remember because I was doing my best to entertain Michael in the backseat. He's not so fun in the car.
In Les Baux, Michael took his first audiotour ever:
On Sunday, we jumped back in the car and headed to....PONT DU GARD! I have been wanting to see this structure for MONTHS. It is a HUGE roman aqueduct and is the 2nd highest Roman ruin still standing (the highest is the Colisseum). It was a fascinating to see/learn about this engineering marvel. And of course to take pictures in front of it:
After this, we headed over to Avignon to experience dinner/dusk there. Here is Brian and Michael at the Palace des Papes:
And here is our happy family in Avignon. Well, at least Mommy and Daddy are happy!
The first day, we arrived in Avignon, picked up our car, and did a wine tasting in Chateuneuf du Pape. There, we tasted 2 really good red wines, an incredible muscat, and 2 good white wines. They will deliver to Paris if you buy 3 cases (12 bottles each at 24 euro per bottle). Umm...no thank you.
We then, by chance, stumbled upon our bed and breakfast we were staying at. Luckily too because I doubt we would have seen their small sign at the end of a fence! We loved it there as it was a small farm and Michael discovered all sorts of animals. He wasn't too impressed with the chickens there:
On Saturday, we set out to Arles to explore its booming Saturday morning market. We bought loads of Herbes de Provence, table linens, and bed linens there! Now, I can see where Pottery Barn/Williams Sonoma get their inspirations from! We paused to check out the exterior of the Roman Arena and didn't quite make it to the Roman Forum. I think we had shopping on the brain.
After this, we drove around some more and did Rick Steve's Cotes du Rhone drive backwards and as inefficiently as possible. We checked out another place for a wine tasting, saw Les Baux, Saint Remy, and loads of other places and views I don't remember because I was doing my best to entertain Michael in the backseat. He's not so fun in the car.
In Les Baux, Michael took his first audiotour ever:
On Sunday, we jumped back in the car and headed to....PONT DU GARD! I have been wanting to see this structure for MONTHS. It is a HUGE roman aqueduct and is the 2nd highest Roman ruin still standing (the highest is the Colisseum). It was a fascinating to see/learn about this engineering marvel. And of course to take pictures in front of it:
After this, we headed over to Avignon to experience dinner/dusk there. Here is Brian and Michael at the Palace des Papes:
And here is our happy family in Avignon. Well, at least Mommy and Daddy are happy!
So we concluded our trip with quite a delightful dinner in Avignon. The next day, we played on the farm and explored the animals before heading back to noisy, stressful Paris. We sure enjoyed Provence with its sunny weather, relaxing atmosphere, and GREAT shopping!
We will most certainly be back there! Especially since we lost an entire memory card of pictures so we are missing TONS of family pictures. This just means we HAVE to go back. Awww...shucks!
Whew...I think that's it. I am tired. And now off to do 40 mini loads of laundry...
Love,
P
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Catch Up, Part 2 - Cinque Terra, Italy
Brian's Mom came to Paris on March 15th! After a 3 hour delay in Dallas due to mechanical issues, Brian almost nearly missed his online Fantasy baseball draft! That dreaded Daylight Savings Time too didn't help!!!
After getting all settled in and relaxing a bit, Brian's mom generously took care of Michael for 4 days and 3 nights while Brian and I took off for our first vacation WITHOUT Michael!
On March 17th, we got the hell-outta-dodge and flew to Italy where we visited Pisa, hiked the Cinque Terra coast, and then shopped in Florence. It was amazing! Brian impressed me by holding up the Leaning Tower with his nose:
The 2nd day, we began what was to be a 7 hour hike through all 5 coastal towns along the Cinque Terra. We started in Riomaggiore, went through Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and ended up in Monterosso al Mare. We had an amazing time exploring these quiet villages and hiking in the semi-wilderness. Some of the trail was QUITE difficult and I thought I wasn't going to make it. But we finished in a nowhere-near-a-record time of 7 hours. Along the way, we had fun conversations, great food, and amazing pictures.
One lady even asked us if we were newlyweds! CHA-CHING! Five going on 6 years of marriage thank you very much! Here is us being in L-O-V-E! And no, I haven't been body building. It's just my ruffly shirt shoved into my sweater that makes me look beefy on top:
After getting all settled in and relaxing a bit, Brian's mom generously took care of Michael for 4 days and 3 nights while Brian and I took off for our first vacation WITHOUT Michael!
On March 17th, we got the hell-outta-dodge and flew to Italy where we visited Pisa, hiked the Cinque Terra coast, and then shopped in Florence. It was amazing! Brian impressed me by holding up the Leaning Tower with his nose:
The 2nd day, we began what was to be a 7 hour hike through all 5 coastal towns along the Cinque Terra. We started in Riomaggiore, went through Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and ended up in Monterosso al Mare. We had an amazing time exploring these quiet villages and hiking in the semi-wilderness. Some of the trail was QUITE difficult and I thought I wasn't going to make it. But we finished in a nowhere-near-a-record time of 7 hours. Along the way, we had fun conversations, great food, and amazing pictures.
One lady even asked us if we were newlyweds! CHA-CHING! Five going on 6 years of marriage thank you very much! Here is us being in L-O-V-E! And no, I haven't been body building. It's just my ruffly shirt shoved into my sweater that makes me look beefy on top:
Here's proof of my Ruffly shirt with Vernazza in the background:
The last city in the hike was Monterosso al Mare, where we stayed. It was quiet, tranquil, and relaxing. Everything we needed! There were frogs that croaked and went to bed at 11:00pm, every night. It was so nice to hear nature instead of the constant moan of cars/buses in the background! Here we are at the end of the hike, still happy:
And the view from the balcony of our hotel room:
Our dinners were filled with super fresh seafood! One night, we had something we ended up naming the Sea Rat or Sea Worm. It had the body of a shrimp and the head of a sting ray. It was weird and awful. NEVER eat anything that fits that description.
Other than that, we feasted on fresh anchovies, freshly caught sea bass, and delicious fruits of the sea! I have never had fish so fresh!
The day after this, we headed over to Florence where Brian found some black shoes that he liked. He's been searching for MONTHS! Rick was right when he said Florence deserved a well planned day. We went to the Uffizi and Accademia and conceeded defeat after seeing the lines.
Ah well! All in all, we had a great vacation alone and were ready to be parents again when we returned to Paris! We missed our little guy!
Next: Catch Up, Part 3: Provence!
Love,
P
Catch Up, Part 1: The Dickersons Visit!
March has been a busy month with the Dickersons coming at the beginning and then Brian's mom came a week later! So after all of our fun with our family and friends, we now have time to sit down and blog it all.
Our Pinochle friends from Austin, Tom and Gina Dickerson, came to visit us at the beginning of the month. We took them to our favorite French restaurant, right around the corner from our house. We enjoyed wine with our French cuisine which included Foie gras, magret de canard, coq au vin, pigeon with truffles, and veal. It was DELECTABLE and a fun night out with NO KIDS! We are pretty happy about that:
Earlier in the day, we ran around with them to the Rodin Museum (2 pictures below) and also to Rue Cler (a market street) where we introduced them to the fine art of moldy French cheeses. Here we are in a fromagerie:
Our Pinochle friends from Austin, Tom and Gina Dickerson, came to visit us at the beginning of the month. We took them to our favorite French restaurant, right around the corner from our house. We enjoyed wine with our French cuisine which included Foie gras, magret de canard, coq au vin, pigeon with truffles, and veal. It was DELECTABLE and a fun night out with NO KIDS! We are pretty happy about that:
Earlier in the day, we ran around with them to the Rodin Museum (2 pictures below) and also to Rue Cler (a market street) where we introduced them to the fine art of moldy French cheeses. Here we are in a fromagerie:
Gina, Michael and I at the Rodin Museum gardens.
After that, they went off to enjoy Paris which included a dinner night cruise, the standard museums and attractions, and even stayed at the hotel Brian and I stayed at for our honeymoon. Even more impressive, is that they were able to fit in a visit to the Normandy beaches while they were here!
We thoroughly enjoyed their company and loved to see them! When they showed up at our door, it was like "home" had just walked in.
Next up: Catch up, Part 2: Cinque Terra, Italy - Our First Vacation away from Michael.
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