tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20214583027446536412024-03-08T16:08:09.916-05:00boiled pizzaashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.comBlogger1021125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-21094720624968871542024-02-15T19:46:00.004-05:002024-03-08T16:07:35.316-05:00Elsie and her love for le sucre<p>When wondering whose house we were going to for the Super Bowl, Elsie asked, "Mom, where are we going for the Sugar Spoon again?"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5yDkmwQViSVqoIbK0DuHNntV87SSpIWV3QH0yNidSdrQQx1mE3gYpB5USoUd6PVVfay7268gGiQMpzUzlnX4rd1tqExUlw-W8rqnAtoH7lHN8IU4Mdf0CDh_V5jedQ91RDE23rLjjAwXooSp-vZptUSfybLWlKIhMHMiKHfTe5erKb3gxOp6JpMulXWI/s4032/IMG_1016.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5yDkmwQViSVqoIbK0DuHNntV87SSpIWV3QH0yNidSdrQQx1mE3gYpB5USoUd6PVVfay7268gGiQMpzUzlnX4rd1tqExUlw-W8rqnAtoH7lHN8IU4Mdf0CDh_V5jedQ91RDE23rLjjAwXooSp-vZptUSfybLWlKIhMHMiKHfTe5erKb3gxOp6JpMulXWI/w300-h400/IMG_1016.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p>After leaving In-N-Out where she had had mostly a shake for dinner, "I needed sugar because it's almost my birthday." Makes complete sense to me. Plus, she calls shakes, "sugar shakes."</p><p>At 10:30am, "Can I have lunch and then a treat?"</p><p>When she gets asked to get tucked into bed, she says, "Will you snuggle me up?"</p>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-12350671163766756612023-12-28T19:46:00.003-05:002023-12-28T19:46:16.556-05:00Back to France, this time Paris<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We left Switzerland and went back to France for a few more days. This time, to the capital city of Paris. It was so very busy. So busy! Still, such a neat place. The energy is real!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We drove into town and checked into our hotel. Then we walked to the Eiffel Tower and road on another double decker carousel. Can you spy Ansel on the tiger?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mEo6Q_Yv6hG2kC_oRqHz-i1bc3O00mgw-_u4vpd4MnFMKiUU-r22uNjm6qzpt-eU0CZO8o82eSM4Idii1QcbROfRc9UJUTKVDChgGB-nB_bD-dU3fma4rRJrfX1csnw1E5zcVQSoRXEmHXPPYtJS6UHslM5z9ArCfRMOctvkLZTb9Y6iyLZ8tHj1Gtiz/s4032/IMG_2895.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mEo6Q_Yv6hG2kC_oRqHz-i1bc3O00mgw-_u4vpd4MnFMKiUU-r22uNjm6qzpt-eU0CZO8o82eSM4Idii1QcbROfRc9UJUTKVDChgGB-nB_bD-dU3fma4rRJrfX1csnw1E5zcVQSoRXEmHXPPYtJS6UHslM5z9ArCfRMOctvkLZTb9Y6iyLZ8tHj1Gtiz/w480-h640/IMG_2895.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We ate at the market there and I made the mistake of buying over-priced nougat, but it was delicious. Many people were taking photos around the Eiffel Tower and they had such serious looks on their faces. We saw this all over and realized that it was people taking photos for Instagram. Ha! Ian and I decided to join in and try our hand at Instagram worthy stuff. I'm pretty sure we failed. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHX106qvNCYrFFPWvyUI4KNjTz1f31D1WRu0H53_5igjYzl-0_L3NnJR8bU9z4Dx1DAV1EKXWE_ujrICUzSkyoFHTz53Vw_oQznIlEJHV5rGwb9UZo8CKnP7oejrxDjwgKXcxY3rIl7KSwyoqMz4oValo2EahCFMj6ZU-NEkO4ET3nTLTXEtwJNqDwYNl/s4032/IMG_1309.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYHX106qvNCYrFFPWvyUI4KNjTz1f31D1WRu0H53_5igjYzl-0_L3NnJR8bU9z4Dx1DAV1EKXWE_ujrICUzSkyoFHTz53Vw_oQznIlEJHV5rGwb9UZo8CKnP7oejrxDjwgKXcxY3rIl7KSwyoqMz4oValo2EahCFMj6ZU-NEkO4ET3nTLTXEtwJNqDwYNl/w480-h640/IMG_1309.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We walked back to our hotel and rested up. The place we stayed at was a hotel designed for groups. We saw lots of families here and young adult groups. Our room was designed for 6 people, so it had one queen size bed and four bunk beds. It was tight but nice and not too expensive, which Paris can become very quickly.</div><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zAUJqY6IxqjjdAlMfMD8egY4XZBvrYeu2wz3fAYmN3U2jLV6gcWz3FwtYIt1OTi3S5qqZs1CC2RxEGk3ObyOdTi6T5Dn2wESKKefOuT6RhxOskgshIUokNW37vOxSYV3CFiX2J3sepzZ_miLFp6I87WhUiwtLQTDPwEbETAJluq_vj-IE54z5J5CpmmS/w480-h640/IMG_2948.jpeg" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The hotel actually had an old video game theme, which I saw photos of but didn't realize were prevalent in every aspect of the hotel: the halls, the keys, the lobby, and arcade games. The kids loved playing Pac-Man, King of Fighters (think Mortal Combat), Steel Talons and more. Each day, we spent time on these games, giving the kids a chance to take a rest from the sights and sounds of Paris. Come to find out, seeing the City of Light isn't that exciting for kids.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4WxHQ2yV30Qrlzp9Of6ysNOekTVT1lBEdJ3we0SLfvdE8pBXpKdNNtToNh26lqUlvBwQjiMbqC8lKqRbdibQ6agrR9beHVdlVraXQmZ6fNIv2uWzniPu7evrCHABgtyfVxDG7WlDDrX28SJ3Q1NzU0OA57M3hBgivVQTfIhcDQ5mjLIy9OtG31XtFTQT/s4032/IMG_1430.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4WxHQ2yV30Qrlzp9Of6ysNOekTVT1lBEdJ3we0SLfvdE8pBXpKdNNtToNh26lqUlvBwQjiMbqC8lKqRbdibQ6agrR9beHVdlVraXQmZ6fNIv2uWzniPu7evrCHABgtyfVxDG7WlDDrX28SJ3Q1NzU0OA57M3hBgivVQTfIhcDQ5mjLIy9OtG31XtFTQT/w640-h480/IMG_1430.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div>Yet, we persevered! Jess, Oliver, and Ansel headed to the Catacombs. They really liked seeing this part of Paris.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zAUJqY6IxqjjdAlMfMD8egY4XZBvrYeu2wz3fAYmN3U2jLV6gcWz3FwtYIt1OTi3S5qqZs1CC2RxEGk3ObyOdTi6T5Dn2wESKKefOuT6RhxOskgshIUokNW37vOxSYV3CFiX2J3sepzZ_miLFp6I87WhUiwtLQTDPwEbETAJluq_vj-IE54z5J5CpmmS/s4032/IMG_2948.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH0ap1EvsSCZ5-Nv17LHt8aW6mj6kmLtGGraYJDrSOnzbKZzt3y7XM1kP81muKYcdh4aV2LAPxeDuL78_Tiy7GsXlg-Zd-UlhNLG49orqYSHzdr2pWO6_DO0J2mfAyL4FXPU9_bWBhXlrEsnI21j3y7GKp0qTfA6gk6QMlzY3F711lZXF-CAbYpyB_-Wv/s4032/IMG_1456.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH0ap1EvsSCZ5-Nv17LHt8aW6mj6kmLtGGraYJDrSOnzbKZzt3y7XM1kP81muKYcdh4aV2LAPxeDuL78_Tiy7GsXlg-Zd-UlhNLG49orqYSHzdr2pWO6_DO0J2mfAyL4FXPU9_bWBhXlrEsnI21j3y7GKp0qTfA6gk6QMlzY3F711lZXF-CAbYpyB_-Wv/w640-h480/IMG_1456.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I stayed with the younger kids and walked around the city looking at the Siene River, Notre Dame, Saint Chapelle, along with restaurants and street vendors. We stopped at a water fountain that was out of commission (seems like saving water during a drought was a high priority for France), so we played a game. It was simply called, "Find the bottle caps!" The kids went wild and found so many.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ6LNZ8_pkEFecukrUUH4CjUWAIA44JX7FeyPpd74Gulhvz9MMXAfXPnEnvf56Qz5-KHJFJ6SOZOswadErlXroOfpAz27pUWDEN9zhcaDnepQOjHZVItvT0r8dYz_tiWpRzcN_FS5pUs7fT8WBOWbti7LS7qfbNWOiQyz-llhDPm6YMH23DzxG10t01B_/s4032/IMG_2960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJ6LNZ8_pkEFecukrUUH4CjUWAIA44JX7FeyPpd74Gulhvz9MMXAfXPnEnvf56Qz5-KHJFJ6SOZOswadErlXroOfpAz27pUWDEN9zhcaDnepQOjHZVItvT0r8dYz_tiWpRzcN_FS5pUs7fT8WBOWbti7LS7qfbNWOiQyz-llhDPm6YMH23DzxG10t01B_/w480-h640/IMG_2960.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When Jess and the boys finished, we met at Notre Dame. You could still smell the scent of the fire in the square. The <a href="https://rebatirnotredamedeparis.fr/en">public entity in charge of the project</a> is working to have things restored by 2024 but it looks like there sure is a lot of work to do. What a job! Glad they are putting in such a great effort.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHN8d-3X1v2iq7SKCJ8MzlSiqYKrKBrFJ_PoJURO1dRkt5-K_gDEoqaBfaTE318Lo3YwZ0xWrcN0dIhRouuMbBEpN47vEt8IDq2nfHERPL6WreDeHkUgAmr0kGn3TY5l2hGWQzJpciEjH6TAmGiEkZR3ZvvKmH4zDBzvR5kZTOZRJ2DWfITMytxPlupBl/s4032/IMG_1459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHN8d-3X1v2iq7SKCJ8MzlSiqYKrKBrFJ_PoJURO1dRkt5-K_gDEoqaBfaTE318Lo3YwZ0xWrcN0dIhRouuMbBEpN47vEt8IDq2nfHERPL6WreDeHkUgAmr0kGn3TY5l2hGWQzJpciEjH6TAmGiEkZR3ZvvKmH4zDBzvR5kZTOZRJ2DWfITMytxPlupBl/w480-h640/IMG_1459.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We then began walking along the Champs Elysees. We stopped at the Louvre. Earlier, during planning, we had asked the kiddos if they had an interest in going inside the museum and the answer was no, so we just went to see the glass pyramid. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAWshyphenhyphenysi8ScKBaaOy3daz5wWvRorFd3bkUVc0FxPWu8Qv1CxHnqQAsJAPMhHH5QhP3YYzNCHKZ83s8YGYGI3Am-QT3a0i5pvcCRWJml-r3rZwopLENdUlydv0Ozh00RlGdewxUEihb6ilRcm-XzqAN46BFmwjMugCG9tRH3QhJw5NfKCfZg0Z0c3dwLq/s4032/IMG_1479.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAWshyphenhyphenysi8ScKBaaOy3daz5wWvRorFd3bkUVc0FxPWu8Qv1CxHnqQAsJAPMhHH5QhP3YYzNCHKZ83s8YGYGI3Am-QT3a0i5pvcCRWJml-r3rZwopLENdUlydv0Ozh00RlGdewxUEihb6ilRcm-XzqAN46BFmwjMugCG9tRH3QhJw5NfKCfZg0Z0c3dwLq/w480-h640/IMG_1479.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">We moved along, skipping through the Tuileres Garden and stopping for a drink. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceO9Z6F4Ry0WaRzyAVZrSctPgiOnPl2l7wSSVmlXwn8kJeb05ZIAYDcyeTikoEZnhqp_P-d2K5wt94hDKyf6JsgvjX1dHCy1IPZzqgt9esq2FpZ_rwnxnHpk1qu_alUpKIjQLeW2Fhscn6RVuFeE09pUxh8GGeN1-XQtVcqgVGX7WGa-hJf5vinG_jDy2/s4032/IMG_1489.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceO9Z6F4Ry0WaRzyAVZrSctPgiOnPl2l7wSSVmlXwn8kJeb05ZIAYDcyeTikoEZnhqp_P-d2K5wt94hDKyf6JsgvjX1dHCy1IPZzqgt9esq2FpZ_rwnxnHpk1qu_alUpKIjQLeW2Fhscn6RVuFeE09pUxh8GGeN1-XQtVcqgVGX7WGa-hJf5vinG_jDy2/w480-h640/IMG_1489.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we walked along the Seine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBvGnjvKIra2KaLOdpEvdhaKCCErPae3hiy4gSOM4xNtzalr0MDxD02TJqCSPCgHW2SchqYfL3yCav0_yOSIMpx-lCmPB8P-5QRsnMEiZ_5TyF5F6ovZMN2Hzkb3X9Q6C3oHDK7KVbuAfNVVyKNFW8XLFH8Hsh8yE2nFEjbigzw9Lnge1KVVvzJFdBWda/s4032/IMG_1481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBvGnjvKIra2KaLOdpEvdhaKCCErPae3hiy4gSOM4xNtzalr0MDxD02TJqCSPCgHW2SchqYfL3yCav0_yOSIMpx-lCmPB8P-5QRsnMEiZ_5TyF5F6ovZMN2Hzkb3X9Q6C3oHDK7KVbuAfNVVyKNFW8XLFH8Hsh8yE2nFEjbigzw9Lnge1KVVvzJFdBWda/w640-h480/IMG_1481.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I'm sure someone (or many someones) has written a blog post (or two or three) about how to do Paris with kids and I'm sure none of them say to take your kids on the 2+ mile walk along the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Still, we did it, and it was probably a mistake; but we made it. The kids were exhausted and we may have soured them on the city of Paris, but hopefully, they can go back when they are older and really come to enjoy the place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs022BEExw38ENuPdR-c3qcu7it8TCV1bAVLzw8PT8GLu_IaAmTHnpZarnViGdQn-W8v2Y2ln_TUdattr2cQesg5WgG-gETlXKv9g3tl_a6lrYwcBV6_HKvqm0Mp6x-3GwDZo8Axjr6KftEOpGzTxH9Ib7U4WyBOOp1hMbcNwUG4hUvxijbXlzH2W-sdTB/s3088/IMG_1491.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs022BEExw38ENuPdR-c3qcu7it8TCV1bAVLzw8PT8GLu_IaAmTHnpZarnViGdQn-W8v2Y2ln_TUdattr2cQesg5WgG-gETlXKv9g3tl_a6lrYwcBV6_HKvqm0Mp6x-3GwDZo8Axjr6KftEOpGzTxH9Ib7U4WyBOOp1hMbcNwUG4hUvxijbXlzH2W-sdTB/w480-h640/IMG_1491.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">The next day we headed to Versailles. Another place that requires walking and looking and not touching things or running around wildly. Still, the littles were good sports for the most part. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9V5eYpThUWfxiFBvA_8skvNkDEMeYZimA9bZzibB_TAvoUDJWdmtR7wGqcOGPfkdPEIDEj5EqP-3VCECW7Cfq22Wbhuta2rbnp5qLKjoZhHpVZL4di3ZH2dVezcDWvuoYZfJFR05Plbpu249imhK8AMhIoHwP2-0CSMtP5vUdjdKjn2vza6zzUuH3B5Q/s4032/IMG_1319.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9V5eYpThUWfxiFBvA_8skvNkDEMeYZimA9bZzibB_TAvoUDJWdmtR7wGqcOGPfkdPEIDEj5EqP-3VCECW7Cfq22Wbhuta2rbnp5qLKjoZhHpVZL4di3ZH2dVezcDWvuoYZfJFR05Plbpu249imhK8AMhIoHwP2-0CSMtP5vUdjdKjn2vza6zzUuH3B5Q/w640-h480/IMG_1319.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I came to discover that the Hall of Mirrors won't impress a 7 year old or a 3 year old. Ha! Oliver and Jess did enjoy it however, which made it worth it!</div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJxxyfpeBzAIjnQgsctEEUqGg58SGN6H12IXFRN7HrCdfkMOmvCIn0SAHQn6IINXdoXvLwrqnXv-KM_QQ-t_2r7twp2t849CpTJ_X-rLl9FHE-xkUKjlu_2P7C_gCqsmQHjmcPfE6qHiEBPmzegnZWIMbe9_jGwMpe7ZT749hrK2t4C6GMDBBTN67z_mV/s3088/IMG_1325.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJxxyfpeBzAIjnQgsctEEUqGg58SGN6H12IXFRN7HrCdfkMOmvCIn0SAHQn6IINXdoXvLwrqnXv-KM_QQ-t_2r7twp2t849CpTJ_X-rLl9FHE-xkUKjlu_2P7C_gCqsmQHjmcPfE6qHiEBPmzegnZWIMbe9_jGwMpe7ZT749hrK2t4C6GMDBBTN67z_mV/w480-h640/IMG_1325.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And the place is amazing! I loved the rooms and couldn't stop taking photos. Even the halls were exciting. Look at those floors!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMQJ3UiZkQyReHpWwHrL6_P_3X79h2haj6xmOfjJKJp1vKTzAML3acnzQTc73OK56HM7RoMQtwxpyTEkRO_VV3tGRUuTfnIfiTaJtaZ0EB3ojqaaJx-E2lP9gHPoSl1908HdJnzQZHKS9jXxsV0-yYNBi17GWfCvCz7LiI02CE_Ve3OqTmVzbXQxIu97D/s4032/IMG_2925.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMQJ3UiZkQyReHpWwHrL6_P_3X79h2haj6xmOfjJKJp1vKTzAML3acnzQTc73OK56HM7RoMQtwxpyTEkRO_VV3tGRUuTfnIfiTaJtaZ0EB3ojqaaJx-E2lP9gHPoSl1908HdJnzQZHKS9jXxsV0-yYNBi17GWfCvCz7LiI02CE_Ve3OqTmVzbXQxIu97D/w480-h640/IMG_2925.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After getting some food from a very small, French cafe, we ventured out to the gardens. I would say that if you plan to eat at the Chateau during the busy season, bring your own food. Food options are few here and the lines get long. However, we did enjoy our pastries and eating French sweets always lifts the spirits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry9V84Vx1qwvZf4TjDC5W4C-yI7ygZneUlIeNder7aU5onL6WbN4zYzpIEPKMsYoxU-Yaocp_rEk0RmS1blOPeGStXAF66UMA9FJ4SBjna5Pt1O65eKhlJu9D_I7pwynTR-Y_AG7o7NH26842aWKiPK2DESweg0rFCE80V25SKm4lIK_wwDqJZLpeRnec/s3173/IMG_1353.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3173" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgry9V84Vx1qwvZf4TjDC5W4C-yI7ygZneUlIeNder7aU5onL6WbN4zYzpIEPKMsYoxU-Yaocp_rEk0RmS1blOPeGStXAF66UMA9FJ4SBjna5Pt1O65eKhlJu9D_I7pwynTR-Y_AG7o7NH26842aWKiPK2DESweg0rFCE80V25SKm4lIK_wwDqJZLpeRnec/w640-h610/IMG_1353.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">We looked at the fountains, two of which were actually working. The drought had put a stop to most of the fountains being on, which I totally understand but was sad to miss.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTzoPEM3x9JIt9nXaiswUsVmqwk0u6IJ20osV7kim98r-BlFgNLhEbMq9ZMPNiVG0bK0Xzv-xTckfWxw3Pvjx0xEirpNOS2WouWSFMCvGcFk8VMvHEpoDxVngrij0Z1Gx7kRvQoalWa5FFsomr9U6v0nYrUdWYg8SIV0q2ePQKybFotxcfTvqw_JoKtr6/s4032/IMG_2938.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTzoPEM3x9JIt9nXaiswUsVmqwk0u6IJ20osV7kim98r-BlFgNLhEbMq9ZMPNiVG0bK0Xzv-xTckfWxw3Pvjx0xEirpNOS2WouWSFMCvGcFk8VMvHEpoDxVngrij0Z1Gx7kRvQoalWa5FFsomr9U6v0nYrUdWYg8SIV0q2ePQKybFotxcfTvqw_JoKtr6/w640-h480/IMG_2938.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>Ian took up map reading since the gardens are so very expansive!</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbuSoNypOEQyR09x2dL0OTPNzvwHey-0t4JsSjc8WuLLIGfdw4QHSBNS9oSUbF8yk_rFAv1bhJ-hiUkp4Qoiy8BVxhiBd1K6wV1553Hy941aO4NJe-H1k91L-cxDBmGxjzV4ch0LPjaz1OylKZg72SmBGeGR7pZFr_-0sN2y1oKj-i4LZZks_T6UX6ULB/s4032/IMG_2942.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbuSoNypOEQyR09x2dL0OTPNzvwHey-0t4JsSjc8WuLLIGfdw4QHSBNS9oSUbF8yk_rFAv1bhJ-hiUkp4Qoiy8BVxhiBd1K6wV1553Hy941aO4NJe-H1k91L-cxDBmGxjzV4ch0LPjaz1OylKZg72SmBGeGR7pZFr_-0sN2y1oKj-i4LZZks_T6UX6ULB/w480-h640/IMG_2942.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids found a statue stone foundation and decided to become pieces of art. Oliver climbed up first before I reached this location with the younger kids, so when I came around the bend, he was standing in this position. I couldn't stop laughing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocOaz_rL3ocNJn77uunca0hfw4FfVZXleVFrsejl9TbuU5FEK4c9W-dswBf59Ekcn6GtQ_p3MtORRHZ-JIrMayS4_nRe6jwqwSTz7PiQjoS93J1t_LBHEjYq_TNGRGqbZs55zcNdEvBVYU0ZS38lugIWcwkcrN0UrFjeSRE5CVuY8LBnlFTKlGc7u8sg-/s4032/IMG_1389.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocOaz_rL3ocNJn77uunca0hfw4FfVZXleVFrsejl9TbuU5FEK4c9W-dswBf59Ekcn6GtQ_p3MtORRHZ-JIrMayS4_nRe6jwqwSTz7PiQjoS93J1t_LBHEjYq_TNGRGqbZs55zcNdEvBVYU0ZS38lugIWcwkcrN0UrFjeSRE5CVuY8LBnlFTKlGc7u8sg-/w480-h640/IMG_1389.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">The creativity flowed!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij2Uyv44eHwOKy7ggi_J92MmO3IEPPHiGFi1CUR7lRYpvQMUM-Lf2ID5Uu8ki5E1l5gEDMHKDgp04WkuYe-hdQpTFcpVr9vqbbSLtbn_6welP_xhizx6BKsBQ5ZpzzNG_EqFz3az4IaAae7EdBGe4tBirEnrKtVwfLy5mc2ISedcYKc3dRqKBMG0VoMd_/s4032/IMG_1407.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgij2Uyv44eHwOKy7ggi_J92MmO3IEPPHiGFi1CUR7lRYpvQMUM-Lf2ID5Uu8ki5E1l5gEDMHKDgp04WkuYe-hdQpTFcpVr9vqbbSLtbn_6welP_xhizx6BKsBQ5ZpzzNG_EqFz3az4IaAae7EdBGe4tBirEnrKtVwfLy5mc2ISedcYKc3dRqKBMG0VoMd_/w480-h640/IMG_1407.jpeg" width="480" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>You could tell by the kids' poses that they had seen a lot of statues that day.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ru03WwhmjQ8tLhK7GhUMTYS-YGJjZrVfsawdn9IaTeOvrRXAiOZH8kjLaoqVcPFca87a371049a9IzCoO9xRk3AsHzWX4OkSyhvyx0JdpYr8pn6OyzTKXQfvIv-FbM-OawK3rk9JCgmtL6NPmXdk0Bngzv9dEDHUI3NX1XJxRLqTz2YpHwy-dsNYcOH/s4032/IMG_1390.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif5ru03WwhmjQ8tLhK7GhUMTYS-YGJjZrVfsawdn9IaTeOvrRXAiOZH8kjLaoqVcPFca87a371049a9IzCoO9xRk3AsHzWX4OkSyhvyx0JdpYr8pn6OyzTKXQfvIv-FbM-OawK3rk9JCgmtL6NPmXdk0Bngzv9dEDHUI3NX1XJxRLqTz2YpHwy-dsNYcOH/w480-h640/IMG_1390.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br />And Elsie was trying her best to interpret the stone statues along with the brotherly statues and came up with a this pose.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp3G3qkUFbrMolzt7yPY7-_ljD2WogtiL5w7UqMkWDbaAo0CE724evVo-jtoPVbe0vx4Nv4-7EfEy_wGC90wMZF___CAaG0M-WtGzrKO770-xv1FH95TQ2uJ0qmlN7eMDk-l2g9sgCXq-K2rge0W2eTr9pYHEE5bw88ktXQvqppAbpA1eIVntlSu4GI1o/w480-h640/IMG_1392.jpeg" width="480" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Versailles was beautiful! After a day of walking we were so tired that we headed straight home and totally forgot to stop at the Paris Temple. Yikes! Oh well, there's always next time.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We finished up our Paris stop with tickets to the top of the Eiffel Tower! I was so excited I could hardly manage it. Come to find out, I scheduled it for 10:30pm (which were the only tickets available) and with the late hour, the kids were tired. Turns out, even with the reservation, the lines to get on elevator one were long. After we had taken a ride up and saw amazing views (!!!) we needed to get onto elevator two to make it to the top, but those lines were even longer. The kids were ready to mutiny. Another line. More waiting. Jess and I gave in. We had made them go, go, go and they had done such a good job. So instead of going to the top, we decided to walk down the stairs from the halfway point. It was neat to be in the innards of the Eiffel Tower and fun to see the workmanship. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4W7AyH2J-QPssOPsa-T9u2zlS7YchyRA4xQMUpo7xuiWaa5hNdkWaPSOwU92Ww3_NLIKfJe1q62U_Mj1ItdkiyYHBFQ63pzoebb6pTfP2L6MAHnl1OV8tHwLLYwPCBx_Jg_iLQr5ZhMBI_u20epqGW1JcNBVkP5XR4oizZUb3E9vv7JyrPjDriYuW27M/s4032/IMG_2975.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4W7AyH2J-QPssOPsa-T9u2zlS7YchyRA4xQMUpo7xuiWaa5hNdkWaPSOwU92Ww3_NLIKfJe1q62U_Mj1ItdkiyYHBFQ63pzoebb6pTfP2L6MAHnl1OV8tHwLLYwPCBx_Jg_iLQr5ZhMBI_u20epqGW1JcNBVkP5XR4oizZUb3E9vv7JyrPjDriYuW27M/w640-h480/IMG_2975.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Paris, you were good to us and I really enjoyed our stay. However, we tried to do too much, walked too much, and planned for the older people of the group instead of the younger. Lesson learned!</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, I think we did a great job creating a trip for a family of six, with kids ages 3 to 14. We had a great time (check out the four previous travel posts). The kids and parents were patient with each other and with situations that we couldn't control. We ate good food, had snacks at the ready (most times), and got to see and experience so many awesome things! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat! Keep those passports current kids. Where shall we go next?<br /><p></p></div></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-46903449188194126142023-12-20T20:02:00.005-05:002023-12-20T20:07:00.616-05:00Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grindelwald is a beautiful area in the alps know for magnificent skiing and beautiful peaks housing the Eiger Glacier. We decided to visit Glacier Canyon early in the morning for this stop and it felt like we had the canyon all to our selves. It was here that we got to drink glacier water (ahhhhh!), feel the glacial mist, and walk over the rushing river. The sights were magnificent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oj-KtcgOA_s8weAA1SJ0qG_GjjIem8B-j2TF-IGeo0QOOKcp_KjpxrEjXyZppZMZjWPIpGqYb2eVw_y6bhGr9wdU3yIcQ7lSxtnzpvP83M-DJ2m7tHOltW_ZDG6Cyb7usEqN53_aZsH0_5fGZrIfiacvvyofieGtJdE2Bv2VcicLmKD4lYqDF0AQ9ZZ2/s4032/IMG_1119.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5oj-KtcgOA_s8weAA1SJ0qG_GjjIem8B-j2TF-IGeo0QOOKcp_KjpxrEjXyZppZMZjWPIpGqYb2eVw_y6bhGr9wdU3yIcQ7lSxtnzpvP83M-DJ2m7tHOltW_ZDG6Cyb7usEqN53_aZsH0_5fGZrIfiacvvyofieGtJdE2Bv2VcicLmKD4lYqDF0AQ9ZZ2/w480-h640/IMG_1119.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We had the chance to walk out on a net secured over the rushing water of the glacier. Everyone was brave enough to do this as it was kind of scary, but by the end we were all very comfortable with it. Of course, Oliver, Ansel, and Jess were the bravest of all, it hardly even phased them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk-TG1usc4VKguKl3GRfPfIZEnuipjtmyWJKriCR8rgjMPxDrSYyWBB04gWdU4vvO-kHCFZqO80Jgib0tsUMLg-3rQqgggm44lKf_b3BaTj2KDKFsjHZasE0542ksFOxbn2NrffoKfwE1YdoWSz8PsXWtAuvO6fXGmq0uXtAX50HH6yNtWBmk1jFWYvih/s4032/IMG_1127.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkk-TG1usc4VKguKl3GRfPfIZEnuipjtmyWJKriCR8rgjMPxDrSYyWBB04gWdU4vvO-kHCFZqO80Jgib0tsUMLg-3rQqgggm44lKf_b3BaTj2KDKFsjHZasE0542ksFOxbn2NrffoKfwE1YdoWSz8PsXWtAuvO6fXGmq0uXtAX50HH6yNtWBmk1jFWYvih/w640-h480/IMG_1127.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Here's the fam on a warm August day with jackets on because of the coolness of the canyon. At one point, one could climb up to this glacier (I visited it in 2000 and it was awesome!), but it has since receded faster than they can build a tunnel to it and all you can see is the glacier in the distance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgx_bDKP1dSlJ9Y2BR1RBWd51jc8KV14tkXR1wgudb0fCJ6uje69_Nx5NtsmwlhLJQDMJv-eR9CD5TkzAU-cZlJox6UD7cpRQVT0Tg0iLP4I7ljkltGaeqdpcGctmwxEl4LRLxbRMAyOQzc7wU9ScvlUzNsy_fgdQOU2iIaABUGx6llMZsoabi_-jLgCZ/s3088/IMG_1142.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNgx_bDKP1dSlJ9Y2BR1RBWd51jc8KV14tkXR1wgudb0fCJ6uje69_Nx5NtsmwlhLJQDMJv-eR9CD5TkzAU-cZlJox6UD7cpRQVT0Tg0iLP4I7ljkltGaeqdpcGctmwxEl4LRLxbRMAyOQzc7wU9ScvlUzNsy_fgdQOU2iIaABUGx6llMZsoabi_-jLgCZ/w480-h640/IMG_1142.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The kids loved this photo-op at the entrance of the glacier. Apparently, a Swiss woman used to sing at the entrance of this place, and now it's Ansel. He is really good at the playing the zither.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjLJ7Mk0JAj0GuLRjYjMTox_MM2p_RQHJsK9xtKTWmraA5YMriJhw-5ra0LA8XwlhbH6-4SHFJaLWetsW5UHoneRZ2mkv8y6dPtV0W6IRJDahB5ZlPuhlEY9CfF7ZS8MxPg8moRjIAASmCKQY3eKL-x8UzQ8JxtY91LCX1o0uKWdAS0GuIJPf2cRSIpdu/s4032/IMG_1155.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjLJ7Mk0JAj0GuLRjYjMTox_MM2p_RQHJsK9xtKTWmraA5YMriJhw-5ra0LA8XwlhbH6-4SHFJaLWetsW5UHoneRZ2mkv8y6dPtV0W6IRJDahB5ZlPuhlEY9CfF7ZS8MxPg8moRjIAASmCKQY3eKL-x8UzQ8JxtY91LCX1o0uKWdAS0GuIJPf2cRSIpdu/w480-h640/IMG_1155.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Afterward, we went on a hike up and over the valley. Crossing a very high bridge that was over the very river we had just visited.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOMW8mSQ-vPsaV1bujY5ATryY0BtWt76ZScvEnR0GC7fByKg_nMzy9qwsHhPrS1VIDz9Q8yVMh1IO0VZiPCteb09XTahAoIb8q5XvM6y2ij8YQTufZ-RqPKcBV04wHkkNf5UXW43IdyDVVg1Tky9a61HAhrLYv3K7WFrqUfKuizNmWeGfv-mrPNlOqHr5/s4032/IMG_1166.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOMW8mSQ-vPsaV1bujY5ATryY0BtWt76ZScvEnR0GC7fByKg_nMzy9qwsHhPrS1VIDz9Q8yVMh1IO0VZiPCteb09XTahAoIb8q5XvM6y2ij8YQTufZ-RqPKcBV04wHkkNf5UXW43IdyDVVg1Tky9a61HAhrLYv3K7WFrqUfKuizNmWeGfv-mrPNlOqHr5/w640-h480/IMG_1166.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We hiked up and up and up, all while taking in the wonderful sights.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuNjdp6UMm0TUDtIIcIwCQn5vfnDplAFHRj5_Hxy7GNZSHHBRK-UiGz1OWx1Bq6G2njS8DlHCqlyJLmDsBqrrsZDU066nBg3yQpqI0TEvZgSXSg2zrfjhe2rToG9QbljkVqW94gtG1v99Xukk5mD2IR_2UejlDJ8qP2HmUi_o_cQpVLYk-DlUXVtWmtJh/s4032/IMG_1184.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpuNjdp6UMm0TUDtIIcIwCQn5vfnDplAFHRj5_Hxy7GNZSHHBRK-UiGz1OWx1Bq6G2njS8DlHCqlyJLmDsBqrrsZDU066nBg3yQpqI0TEvZgSXSg2zrfjhe2rToG9QbljkVqW94gtG1v99Xukk5mD2IR_2UejlDJ8qP2HmUi_o_cQpVLYk-DlUXVtWmtJh/w640-h480/IMG_1184.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>At the top, the view of the valley was just amazing!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhJcB__WxQVxT96GXzgRoo1F5s_WkRrKvib-97Wz0RYeczfTrdMwDx7RCxHqZZ2pZCLsF7Ur07dUGFIyKS1gdO0-lsfd-MVxYrAsK_1jJLX6oXuZhw90evGkTi53f3p-ae6HTbaJtJPFHJm0SI3LCOlnJ5hhPuhHYwPFQFaccAt9oj2vGrx86P4vvLIsE/s4032/IMG_1193.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhJcB__WxQVxT96GXzgRoo1F5s_WkRrKvib-97Wz0RYeczfTrdMwDx7RCxHqZZ2pZCLsF7Ur07dUGFIyKS1gdO0-lsfd-MVxYrAsK_1jJLX6oXuZhw90evGkTi53f3p-ae6HTbaJtJPFHJm0SI3LCOlnJ5hhPuhHYwPFQFaccAt9oj2vGrx86P4vvLIsE/w640-h480/IMG_1193.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We were really excited to ride the alpine coaster up at the top, but the rain began to pour just as we were about to buy tickets. Deciding it would probably pass, we played for a bit at a zipline up top, and rode afterward. </p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR-4-rsxR8x2h5vgGIVyyZfsCasMyhPFRtGUm6J7xlt5VuN-UXwJbYZ7tYjYEHySSNhLhevSHVSRYAdmIDLKh2BcdqMoE0t4QKdnghdt357TTo9av1PKpd9If9oHXijY0SUIrsSaAKx6XifTJq5jRXYMwKJywPB_jYN6F8kUNHQbqG2MZrbjiK5h2AwVw/s4032/IMG_1204.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaR-4-rsxR8x2h5vgGIVyyZfsCasMyhPFRtGUm6J7xlt5VuN-UXwJbYZ7tYjYEHySSNhLhevSHVSRYAdmIDLKh2BcdqMoE0t4QKdnghdt357TTo9av1PKpd9If9oHXijY0SUIrsSaAKx6XifTJq5jRXYMwKJywPB_jYN6F8kUNHQbqG2MZrbjiK5h2AwVw/w480-h640/IMG_1204.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The rain let up, and we all loved riding the alpine coaster a couple times. Once finished, the sun was out and the top of the mountain was teaming with tourists, so we headed back down. Again, the kids were great hikers on a long hike and ice cream was a welcome treat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA27DaeMdTskEHDzYFCptVxSmGLD5sMnrN4RE8A3pEiwVN-FlvXGJQhcj_b7I1DIN4RmKnX_biw5W1NzcQuaRreRRSaxwQozho_SwXTJgq0MdCZg6lG0uDNFSGTEZ3x7rvrnJYRJFWsCT7YU0erWxh01XDMMkicr8A_4YsAn3igtLKxhDMhp5wX8n6a0c3/s4032/IMG_1209.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA27DaeMdTskEHDzYFCptVxSmGLD5sMnrN4RE8A3pEiwVN-FlvXGJQhcj_b7I1DIN4RmKnX_biw5W1NzcQuaRreRRSaxwQozho_SwXTJgq0MdCZg6lG0uDNFSGTEZ3x7rvrnJYRJFWsCT7YU0erWxh01XDMMkicr8A_4YsAn3igtLKxhDMhp5wX8n6a0c3/w640-h480/IMG_1209.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We got back to our car as evening began. The views never ceased to amaze.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoCozCT_AiC4-vLzChBamIWqFhdkmA9_tPRQ3OHVOUqEnY2aBSGOfJ28it7bWEbDUYv97JOOVJmSp5t1Pmsv_oVVG_Ck2RRrYoxiFShLR7X2YuG4FsIa2thJTXfdzk9T1SQf9Lg3FQUiI1jG2M6ICec9TcisImh-GwHZaQoeSgFEaGb-QsxvFIxcp2dhG/s4032/IMG_1219.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoCozCT_AiC4-vLzChBamIWqFhdkmA9_tPRQ3OHVOUqEnY2aBSGOfJ28it7bWEbDUYv97JOOVJmSp5t1Pmsv_oVVG_Ck2RRrYoxiFShLR7X2YuG4FsIa2thJTXfdzk9T1SQf9Lg3FQUiI1jG2M6ICec9TcisImh-GwHZaQoeSgFEaGb-QsxvFIxcp2dhG/w640-h480/IMG_1219.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The next day we set out again, but this time to Lauterbrunnen to visit Trummelbach Falls. I couldn't get enough of this place. One of my favorite stops. To begin, we took a ride in a funicular up near the top of the mountain where the waterfall begins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ8C67f4BUrv966N8lCJ27yjqPUNDPoJ_NRoaurw45NBGYes-77KaZRaTNKkq0OCqOhyphenhyphene6jJEvux3SvBoO9ivwYHE3SxexZUt74O2xhR7B7wdIpjyZ-KXK_A-pbRhOj3vMxkUkjzSYZ9pTxPhp_RDn9FpXXb92f76Vv0saOYq6YSb5Srg0ExzaLm2KD7N/s4032/IMG_1224.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ8C67f4BUrv966N8lCJ27yjqPUNDPoJ_NRoaurw45NBGYes-77KaZRaTNKkq0OCqOhyphenhyphene6jJEvux3SvBoO9ivwYHE3SxexZUt74O2xhR7B7wdIpjyZ-KXK_A-pbRhOj3vMxkUkjzSYZ9pTxPhp_RDn9FpXXb92f76Vv0saOYq6YSb5Srg0ExzaLm2KD7N/w480-h640/IMG_1224.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Water was rushing through the mountain at such force that the noise was immense! The power of nature at this spot was exhilarating and all I was doing was watching it!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuWj3V1XX1WtUNKBZz0uphFO79G-Dcnl9ZfMVpYKzVzaNTNczRsz-f-26pjZ1latc7bUbYdkPmPe8kHj-nkP-538DqHq7tde5R0AqB_bP0hXROvTWlh9hzAxqqvsI_3JHqaYWRqIUGdQvytabJOZS8Ww_qiM97PRB1lKzatp_jyPXJswR3wj10yl9sKfx/s4032/IMG_2864.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuWj3V1XX1WtUNKBZz0uphFO79G-Dcnl9ZfMVpYKzVzaNTNczRsz-f-26pjZ1latc7bUbYdkPmPe8kHj-nkP-538DqHq7tde5R0AqB_bP0hXROvTWlh9hzAxqqvsI_3JHqaYWRqIUGdQvytabJOZS8Ww_qiM97PRB1lKzatp_jyPXJswR3wj10yl9sKfx/w640-h480/IMG_2864.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Look at that water behind us. It was so neat. For those us familiar with the slot canyons of the western United States, it was very similar but instead of sedimentary rock, this was granite and gneiss.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdw-vqrAyIyeGKVZbrvDrN59idVyKKTsBWmKPD5xhewS0qYJezY4j-9fBp1r-yLFQeQnEjmQsoYiRaJ5_V1haSgB1u5MsGPOd-ngvz67EDkiq8LmdWBsPLLVKmle4RNeLaQLYWuOOd7RBduIiyzOcwFIbfjngZ_8afEhnzKer-5rhWTNVyhGduhrVS16O/s4032/IMG_1233.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdw-vqrAyIyeGKVZbrvDrN59idVyKKTsBWmKPD5xhewS0qYJezY4j-9fBp1r-yLFQeQnEjmQsoYiRaJ5_V1haSgB1u5MsGPOd-ngvz67EDkiq8LmdWBsPLLVKmle4RNeLaQLYWuOOd7RBduIiyzOcwFIbfjngZ_8afEhnzKer-5rhWTNVyhGduhrVS16O/w480-h640/IMG_1233.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>After we took it all in, we ventured to the bottom to relax a bit. While relaxing, Elsie found a very large, Swiss worm. She reminded me of a time, when Ian, at about the same age, picked up a very large, German worm.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1HYEpPKRq1BHgb4ZieAxhzKslyL1JS9pHIcoBTNioBSQWXb0bjXZMTz3Tz8zyHxPaH6t97hS6269HhEjKilf-SjR_TUmzol3tcDAdRznxo0W-jacZpZsHP3g9xuZ7zjYY-3nsTTJRN94ZELZvMh0EYL4up0tEkzJhJIIQOA_SpiL2C5B__wvdUwFs-Vt/s4032/IMG_1242.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv1HYEpPKRq1BHgb4ZieAxhzKslyL1JS9pHIcoBTNioBSQWXb0bjXZMTz3Tz8zyHxPaH6t97hS6269HhEjKilf-SjR_TUmzol3tcDAdRznxo0W-jacZpZsHP3g9xuZ7zjYY-3nsTTJRN94ZELZvMh0EYL4up0tEkzJhJIIQOA_SpiL2C5B__wvdUwFs-Vt/w480-h640/IMG_1242.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>We decided to venture out farther in Lauterbrunnen for some more sights and found another beautiful, though slower moving, waterfall. We watched paragliders sail and land in this lush valley, as we played and joked and took in the summer sun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTkLuPgGqwxaCB8gKTWNrZTzuqNaebzsHKzMi9rYjLzEBGgWtemSSU5zSoUkbafELGpKPquzKmE5sCP-RHTVsIbmD6ZTrxll63_zQPoR2td6P0OmKPvJ79s0jXggtELXDMchhUu6DemSd8bzOEKOsn1XRplWuMWCltTIH0TDWO7QfQZkDyQLZ0vzE076i/s3884/IMG_1246.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3884" data-original-width="2295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTkLuPgGqwxaCB8gKTWNrZTzuqNaebzsHKzMi9rYjLzEBGgWtemSSU5zSoUkbafELGpKPquzKmE5sCP-RHTVsIbmD6ZTrxll63_zQPoR2td6P0OmKPvJ79s0jXggtELXDMchhUu6DemSd8bzOEKOsn1XRplWuMWCltTIH0TDWO7QfQZkDyQLZ0vzE076i/w378-h640/IMG_1246.jpeg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we finished up our time in Switzerland, we made sure to take a photo with our favorite bakery mascot who we drove by daily. We named him "Bakery Man" and here he is in all of his gluten glory. We went so far as to give him a jingle, "Bakery Man, Bakery Man, no one makes bread, cakes and biscuits like he can!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCmUKZineS4ePN1oTUtNjvChrJS9KAz3J-Zu1SYZ0AgbcNbLpkR2xa40Qg3nwdhx3S8ky2y3aKmtE8EVvdmaStmIbRjqhDHbMo7XU8EaadLTfSzkUj8Vpx1mft_HI2pQHcazyIaeKZN5yyNC2pLmxi8oBUQUxj8rzCLXPdvlRsGq8HSftLsOZrHvrXVFC/s4032/IMG_2886.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCmUKZineS4ePN1oTUtNjvChrJS9KAz3J-Zu1SYZ0AgbcNbLpkR2xa40Qg3nwdhx3S8ky2y3aKmtE8EVvdmaStmIbRjqhDHbMo7XU8EaadLTfSzkUj8Vpx1mft_HI2pQHcazyIaeKZN5yyNC2pLmxi8oBUQUxj8rzCLXPdvlRsGq8HSftLsOZrHvrXVFC/w640-h480/IMG_2886.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>Next up: we head back to France and this time, to Paris.</p><p></p>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-89888598178945591142023-12-18T20:59:00.002-05:002023-12-18T20:59:18.133-05:00Kandersteg and Interlaken<p>Our next stop was Kandersteg, which served as our home base as we traveled to mountain stops around Switzerland. Our Airbnb chalet was at the far edge of town and a perfect spot for our family.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fpp_4ZobfCWWB6LWy3NC7blh2zDnZJquMAhOjbH4kAglxozbB6usZ8cNiMT_n-wuMNEejpfa0qe2nZYclXIR9tWOvCwwUcnhemLSA3sb12L57pDh-b6rUE6FjlBpk2-dejcjxWgOtPyebgQUzpeH5g07Qyp2ZWm_WdXf8KmD2jmmHp6sK8Rh1Iil1yJ9/s4032/IMG_1276.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fpp_4ZobfCWWB6LWy3NC7blh2zDnZJquMAhOjbH4kAglxozbB6usZ8cNiMT_n-wuMNEejpfa0qe2nZYclXIR9tWOvCwwUcnhemLSA3sb12L57pDh-b6rUE6FjlBpk2-dejcjxWgOtPyebgQUzpeH5g07Qyp2ZWm_WdXf8KmD2jmmHp6sK8Rh1Iil1yJ9/w640-h480/IMG_1276.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We went on a walk right after arriving in the alpine town and it did not disappoint. Right across the street was the most magnificent pond! The view! That reflection! Wow!<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EA2LyK0C4ZlAauLTTbEkS4RWGo8K7t31x6paxvRmhuNGyiCAvGlFRJyIup-TkwigavGqhC42k9Rg9a1ErBhOfk8nbL6OWShww0DITSUlAgClnveg906wbWfZjDdXiIpQ1VC0YUcJtxPGJzxAjKs7-XCsY1X7Pn5AKI4N1io_64AoMOFqgh13tCmUIqCU/s4032/IMG_1026.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EA2LyK0C4ZlAauLTTbEkS4RWGo8K7t31x6paxvRmhuNGyiCAvGlFRJyIup-TkwigavGqhC42k9Rg9a1ErBhOfk8nbL6OWShww0DITSUlAgClnveg906wbWfZjDdXiIpQ1VC0YUcJtxPGJzxAjKs7-XCsY1X7Pn5AKI4N1io_64AoMOFqgh13tCmUIqCU/w640-h480/IMG_1026.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From there, we went into the mountains and found wild raspberries and blackberries! We enjoyed finding the sweet surprises as we hiked. M-A-G-I-C-A-L. This is the stuff I live for!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5NKboDoY4MTqWMGng5I7QII1TAXOJ22XJO98U8rSvaIgJPny3N0dQ_zByR2na5uomplRs3cpcaL3wh9LWHeNZ9wac85gPXr-MXc4hRW9fZ7bDN5oKz2GtzUXiUElDCJQba2580osoXvlYEpO4MfZ3Y0HjKH_Ap8WWy3c-v_o08IR4xkvpTbc52ruAuez/s4032/IMG_2752.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5NKboDoY4MTqWMGng5I7QII1TAXOJ22XJO98U8rSvaIgJPny3N0dQ_zByR2na5uomplRs3cpcaL3wh9LWHeNZ9wac85gPXr-MXc4hRW9fZ7bDN5oKz2GtzUXiUElDCJQba2580osoXvlYEpO4MfZ3Y0HjKH_Ap8WWy3c-v_o08IR4xkvpTbc52ruAuez/w480-h640/IMG_2752.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br />We could see a waterfall in the distance on the other side of the valley, so we decided to take a walk over to get a closer look. On our walk, we came upon a tiny gondola, the Scout outpost, and lots of camper vans near the waterfall. It was cool to see all the many people, from all over, enjoying this special place. It was a perfect day in the mountains.</div><div><br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FWoE8bhfWlZfYNyRFMa0YBLm131BCMFNe-9aaO-RVMsh5eyIxsYHaOchiTSl7CW14eQzh9k0atGn27cnbGCI23n7cvnRQFLA6NWaiitRn7qhZPr0-ptLJJDl-WoXz8CYqiSKNGf9clZByCt94K5DQFyLrn-5DhCKWWVRB9Sq5aKWAPfPa59PPaq_zxzc/s3088/IMG_1037.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FWoE8bhfWlZfYNyRFMa0YBLm131BCMFNe-9aaO-RVMsh5eyIxsYHaOchiTSl7CW14eQzh9k0atGn27cnbGCI23n7cvnRQFLA6NWaiitRn7qhZPr0-ptLJJDl-WoXz8CYqiSKNGf9clZByCt94K5DQFyLrn-5DhCKWWVRB9Sq5aKWAPfPa59PPaq_zxzc/w480-h640/IMG_1037.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day we took a day trip to Interlaken, which is out of the canyon and down in the foothills. We stopped at one of the lakes and the littles took a swim (in undies) which looked so fun, so we decided to go back again so the olders could swim too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8bC386U4fGsSBmi9HTvFbz-Z8RsJ77AwtbpsQhWd3y_60fURMKXaJbeOWymlFBKo5hag8k8AV789z2-uO7Q3sN_WWglZ8t7QBhtnAHdahTDpwBSRbCc6p0Kr5FIJrBBIdRcFF6eXJD8Nq6B8OiKV6Wfpgk93sqOu1umG8-W2Fn1S2eowrccc7km5YEQ-/s3088/IMG_1263.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm8bC386U4fGsSBmi9HTvFbz-Z8RsJ77AwtbpsQhWd3y_60fURMKXaJbeOWymlFBKo5hag8k8AV789z2-uO7Q3sN_WWglZ8t7QBhtnAHdahTDpwBSRbCc6p0Kr5FIJrBBIdRcFF6eXJD8Nq6B8OiKV6Wfpgk93sqOu1umG8-W2Fn1S2eowrccc7km5YEQ-/w480-h640/IMG_1263.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>We saw some neat birds and enjoyed the magnificent water which was cold but, oh, so refreshing. Who cares when you're surrounded by this? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7oCdOGFFjV5pPXzpA_RLKsTYxwkK3bng6gNAX96UNWc07n7gEn6eMJAlKpJDXKpUs4tupfX_VoOlJoxDTmWCc6kBp8LyEHPccc_RwXKDkRlJbaTTVdQV_fDI-OceaKMx_FWJ46girGhhNKh9k0tjW6I5_OhGUlTgptOSLLyLpvSlZleOGkYsYgCer1xY/s4032/IMG_1265.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7oCdOGFFjV5pPXzpA_RLKsTYxwkK3bng6gNAX96UNWc07n7gEn6eMJAlKpJDXKpUs4tupfX_VoOlJoxDTmWCc6kBp8LyEHPccc_RwXKDkRlJbaTTVdQV_fDI-OceaKMx_FWJ46girGhhNKh9k0tjW6I5_OhGUlTgptOSLLyLpvSlZleOGkYsYgCer1xY/w640-h480/IMG_1265.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were warn out and needed some food, so McDonalds! We had to try the Swiss version which turned out to be just as delicious as in France, but a tad bit more money. Jess enjoyed the Raclette sandwich, which was a Swiss special. Plus, apple soda came in the kids meals. I mean, how can you not like this place?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8FGDaZGZzFwgSUnj5R_THHjrm7zj6vbiY3K_f1tTb9Ik-aUVjH64Vi_eJ7k7nwG1n3GBEuJoyHDuEdtZbk-Rn41QaRk2CMesv7N1RsSYU-RQu_J9yvLVEnxCk5rjejD-xMl5_258uXcxHvkGGA90gW7FgrbaGBdoPWYMXsp7926poJbskQPRrUq9l3Xa/s4032/IMG_1268.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8FGDaZGZzFwgSUnj5R_THHjrm7zj6vbiY3K_f1tTb9Ik-aUVjH64Vi_eJ7k7nwG1n3GBEuJoyHDuEdtZbk-Rn41QaRk2CMesv7N1RsSYU-RQu_J9yvLVEnxCk5rjejD-xMl5_258uXcxHvkGGA90gW7FgrbaGBdoPWYMXsp7926poJbskQPRrUq9l3Xa/w640-h480/IMG_1268.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We drove through the town of Kandersteg daily, and it was always so beautiful.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WM4ZBDB9VTqCnIHDwoA51BVSdatfWHekIJCN5ogWoGXwvyyI_Z3XpV-42QVRi2Sg_-WOnE10K4GGxH-gffbhSluuZsoDRsAnKvtHFhBauDvD_20WpXf_M3ARpRBIoWmpvKSuTdPTXLR_xZuY76OuNA7qNmRKJ_Kr1aWeEJHTrAioyN7ysAG1DTFCEzEl/s4032/IMG_1253.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WM4ZBDB9VTqCnIHDwoA51BVSdatfWHekIJCN5ogWoGXwvyyI_Z3XpV-42QVRi2Sg_-WOnE10K4GGxH-gffbhSluuZsoDRsAnKvtHFhBauDvD_20WpXf_M3ARpRBIoWmpvKSuTdPTXLR_xZuY76OuNA7qNmRKJ_Kr1aWeEJHTrAioyN7ysAG1DTFCEzEl/w480-h640/IMG_1253.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The following day, we stayed in Kandersteg and hiked the Oeschinensee mountain.We tackled the hike and stayed focused with lots of crackers and gummies and positive talk all the way up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUsMWikO_zC9da18vHtG6aq3Y7rln5ZEyCpvzKgjDsRteMl06mtSppYPBblzN4d94hQn2Aa2WGLKJYG06vYepqhyphenhypheneFqdCIek_KJoHUUc4a3-Ey7iz9E7eubvswigO-ORmZbKCBEj5jlwycOlMQkdalk0XK5hVuMmUuMv3aP2KT_dPwaFtTY6lBLz6axEd/s4032/IMG_1078.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUsMWikO_zC9da18vHtG6aq3Y7rln5ZEyCpvzKgjDsRteMl06mtSppYPBblzN4d94hQn2Aa2WGLKJYG06vYepqhyphenhypheneFqdCIek_KJoHUUc4a3-Ey7iz9E7eubvswigO-ORmZbKCBEj5jlwycOlMQkdalk0XK5hVuMmUuMv3aP2KT_dPwaFtTY6lBLz6axEd/w640-h480/IMG_1078.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>At the top, we were rewarded with this lake and more amazing views!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTDQ1OY5t0hh21DF_OoR1hxRkWgMJ4qwFogm_ACklNY5-zY1ptrcnMr8sl-nBZt4XXyeQenNqvyzjHoES7QFIEp-uGTilRqjDRSnaY4zXRdGsS72oSeN9jYfIGNE4q2d7p50qzwIuMN-KNTe5XtaajE5JaMixH4pScxYouxdShHMIi533-6XLyixU06Vl/s3971/IMG_1090.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3022" data-original-width="3971" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTDQ1OY5t0hh21DF_OoR1hxRkWgMJ4qwFogm_ACklNY5-zY1ptrcnMr8sl-nBZt4XXyeQenNqvyzjHoES7QFIEp-uGTilRqjDRSnaY4zXRdGsS72oSeN9jYfIGNE4q2d7p50qzwIuMN-KNTe5XtaajE5JaMixH4pScxYouxdShHMIi533-6XLyixU06Vl/w640-h488/IMG_1090.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We also had the reward of ice cream and then riding the alpine coaster, which was the funnest part of the day, as far as the kids were concerned. They have been trained on the alpine slides of Snowbird and Park City so were ahead of the curve of most people taking to the slide. They wanted to go faster than anyone else. Ha!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bpHyLKAghfSNe1e7gkHRW89c25upR_hHvBKaDe4bOcHEB7wB69jXx1YAbiT6WRdGipN2WVnxHMC7VJApJ0as0Y-tNC_HhIUfPIjcnJG_NAPxEHDGS4upyXlXwqmSrEKstj5QMwJcq3f2MM9i41QDQrp18hGfobK6Phve0qj-8li8YiDcaBSmHpfd0TiE/s4032/IMG_1099.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9bpHyLKAghfSNe1e7gkHRW89c25upR_hHvBKaDe4bOcHEB7wB69jXx1YAbiT6WRdGipN2WVnxHMC7VJApJ0as0Y-tNC_HhIUfPIjcnJG_NAPxEHDGS4upyXlXwqmSrEKstj5QMwJcq3f2MM9i41QDQrp18hGfobK6Phve0qj-8li8YiDcaBSmHpfd0TiE/w480-h640/IMG_1099.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We decided to take the trip down on the Gondola. At 30 CHF, it was a bit pricey, but it was a welcome ride. Beauty all around and a lot of fun, plus we had an aerial view of cows on the steep mountains grazing like it was no big deal. Those Swiss cows sure have it good.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdrS_0aBOUhfzt-8D1TvJIy5Y8iCo0M42gAXsfjKQEZgyXZ_ZdOzC7Bt1Uv3HVubnNdQMVrAnMZ7D7-NRNh7FFFyVzeAFjWXkcu26Gx1wwYYAecU_C_ho4NCHJGb0uzcv3jvoA9tj5Z9mcsUUkusdTJnrLcArMpUPDoZzJpdor-o7J114nkKBuvMRDQ1q/s4032/IMG_1102.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdrS_0aBOUhfzt-8D1TvJIy5Y8iCo0M42gAXsfjKQEZgyXZ_ZdOzC7Bt1Uv3HVubnNdQMVrAnMZ7D7-NRNh7FFFyVzeAFjWXkcu26Gx1wwYYAecU_C_ho4NCHJGb0uzcv3jvoA9tj5Z9mcsUUkusdTJnrLcArMpUPDoZzJpdor-o7J114nkKBuvMRDQ1q/w640-h480/IMG_1102.jpeg" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdrS_0aBOUhfzt-8D1TvJIy5Y8iCo0M42gAXsfjKQEZgyXZ_ZdOzC7Bt1Uv3HVubnNdQMVrAnMZ7D7-NRNh7FFFyVzeAFjWXkcu26Gx1wwYYAecU_C_ho4NCHJGb0uzcv3jvoA9tj5Z9mcsUUkusdTJnrLcArMpUPDoZzJpdor-o7J114nkKBuvMRDQ1q/s4032/IMG_1102.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUs1TOqJtXod9B1U69AiMzot5q2V_hzETZakzTayFzJxlgVeHzMZi0F3ShMyLScsXjVuDhh8KrC424JwKu7ulgk38peuq95JC1nvrDjYO1EXiuoBKWFgzf7SCvv7yIYrBtuiXfLR3KBvB9MHhbnPcAN7oBaiQTVdWN13pxAN6SJf5WMcRWNqka-Ep3x-e/s4032/IMG_1101.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUs1TOqJtXod9B1U69AiMzot5q2V_hzETZakzTayFzJxlgVeHzMZi0F3ShMyLScsXjVuDhh8KrC424JwKu7ulgk38peuq95JC1nvrDjYO1EXiuoBKWFgzf7SCvv7yIYrBtuiXfLR3KBvB9MHhbnPcAN7oBaiQTVdWN13pxAN6SJf5WMcRWNqka-Ep3x-e/w640-h480/IMG_1101.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Another stop we made during this week was to the castle in Thun. Another town in the valley. This was a cool museum and historic spot. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9BF372zz0ttXDqadOEskzOzYqT0h-FO0jSBthsNJk-bSOvG5mcF7OpU2BK9JJ-siBAy1Q6j4_zQ8_eR7APdIENU7SKu3yQkDXwf0j-udn3da5-40AuGK19fcI0oAePl86vIQJ5346MV8c2Hg2EEegwKkyWM2U-SRCUPlHYIfYyi-G-SO_0ttMjwL5bjB/s4032/IMG_1070.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp9BF372zz0ttXDqadOEskzOzYqT0h-FO0jSBthsNJk-bSOvG5mcF7OpU2BK9JJ-siBAy1Q6j4_zQ8_eR7APdIENU7SKu3yQkDXwf0j-udn3da5-40AuGK19fcI0oAePl86vIQJ5346MV8c2Hg2EEegwKkyWM2U-SRCUPlHYIfYyi-G-SO_0ttMjwL5bjB/w480-h640/IMG_1070.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>At the top, the kids got to dress up as knights and battle each other on wooden horses. They also had a fun quiz game that they completed for a prize at the end. Ansel was totally into it. And again, I loved the views from the top! I couldn't get enough of the views.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbfr-9B6yDWS22Rv0ytGaGLVNd8LKpki-Sys7GPBPQnrQJEiT3LcenlI9LLXurWzScp2SaTGWof4DhuHor5XB1I0GnBCpc_yzbRSLDY-n-lhtri07if06KMtrQZ615_o3oVcAC_Hcpe_cq9_uVEwYtTcKoScnvUdVyLar4gJL88r4vo28bhbq_uG5hWtm/s4032/IMG_1065.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIbfr-9B6yDWS22Rv0ytGaGLVNd8LKpki-Sys7GPBPQnrQJEiT3LcenlI9LLXurWzScp2SaTGWof4DhuHor5XB1I0GnBCpc_yzbRSLDY-n-lhtri07if06KMtrQZ615_o3oVcAC_Hcpe_cq9_uVEwYtTcKoScnvUdVyLar4gJL88r4vo28bhbq_uG5hWtm/w480-h640/IMG_1065.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The kids enjoyed the fresh water fountains all over Switzerland. They couldn't quite believe that you could drink the water that was constantly running from these spouts. It's one of my favorite things in Switzerland (and I saw it a few times in France too), fresh water for all, at all times, and in most places.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbPTyB0Ew6xMUAnD-mZBp6ESa_PBc7W5zKOCvJdzv08Gpi-wlAe0CTUPbSiuO7575AwDcQKdBEJNccZVPj2hoDyg5uBxsDFZqhFdBKTeEtSCbhssoWqXbzu_8eYxMLTFibmztNPg7ofU_kBjRsr4mmbgcmfb6XlOP8ltP5wm51Vobhw_AbrgyYYOSYjN_/s4032/IMG_1053.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbPTyB0Ew6xMUAnD-mZBp6ESa_PBc7W5zKOCvJdzv08Gpi-wlAe0CTUPbSiuO7575AwDcQKdBEJNccZVPj2hoDyg5uBxsDFZqhFdBKTeEtSCbhssoWqXbzu_8eYxMLTFibmztNPg7ofU_kBjRsr4mmbgcmfb6XlOP8ltP5wm51Vobhw_AbrgyYYOSYjN_/w480-h640/IMG_1053.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here's one more shot of a perfect day, in a perfect spot, in Interlaken; a place situated between two turquoise lakes surrounded by towering mountains and green hills with cows and chalets. Maybe it's the beauty, the combination of nature, the fact that my ancestors come from this place. I don't know, but I sure love Switzerland.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZlMTPi47xrmmIkcwcqBkOkBOJ6RFrvhanx-fz4GPO4mhfkTFQhjl4XR0OflME2_sL-Uh-gqVefjeE5Cb835ifzv3GfaTulSqSdmNVj5R55a4TSwZBEY94Bt84KBD6xaN_ZbFygVXqW1QUWSGRT5SQlLr7DLDW7UsqSqqgZzqSlGAsggrxxpMaa0-u8m4/s4032/IMG_1041.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZlMTPi47xrmmIkcwcqBkOkBOJ6RFrvhanx-fz4GPO4mhfkTFQhjl4XR0OflME2_sL-Uh-gqVefjeE5Cb835ifzv3GfaTulSqSdmNVj5R55a4TSwZBEY94Bt84KBD6xaN_ZbFygVXqW1QUWSGRT5SQlLr7DLDW7UsqSqqgZzqSlGAsggrxxpMaa0-u8m4/w640-h480/IMG_1041.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p> Next up: Grindlewald and Lauterbrunnen.</p></div></div></div></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-33495140853114135242023-12-14T20:29:00.000-05:002023-12-14T20:29:00.385-05:00Suisse<p>From France we headed off to Switzerland. It was an 8 hour drive, so we decided to break it up a bit. We stopped in Dijon, France and stayed in a motel room with 6 bunk beds, a fan for AC, and one bathroom and a shower. It was roughing it, so to speak, and I think it was good for the kids. I remember staying in an airport hotel when traveling back from Europe when I was a teenager. We were sleeping on the floor and it wasn't great, but it made me stronger! In truth, I think Ian thought this place wasn't bad at all.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyItA7-UcKDkkQlbppka2xTfjKXrOOtwJ_OjoeHqvO0blkDACMYhSR6HwD4EPCXU0KI0dzif-vxECsZH-NuJMn-lrumw3nwYgU8uM0GtL1fCtVIViYJjsSorsY3l0j-ni4ReNhalmnU_J92AjQQDfWwNwVOlIfBe-fBFGQfH5Ty694SAGGPquvFdcx9jG/s4032/IMG_0954.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyItA7-UcKDkkQlbppka2xTfjKXrOOtwJ_OjoeHqvO0blkDACMYhSR6HwD4EPCXU0KI0dzif-vxECsZH-NuJMn-lrumw3nwYgU8uM0GtL1fCtVIViYJjsSorsY3l0j-ni4ReNhalmnU_J92AjQQDfWwNwVOlIfBe-fBFGQfH5Ty694SAGGPquvFdcx9jG/w640-h480/IMG_0954.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We arrived in the evening, but needed to stretch our legs, so we walked around the industrial part of Dijon for a bit and found an IKEA and a McDonalds. There is truly comfort in what you know, and this wasn't more apparent than when we visited McDonalds. We went to the fast food joint in Europe four times during the trip, and that was three more times than we've been to the restaurant this whole year in the states. Ha! Below, Ian is showing us that in France, McDonald's offers nectarines. Delicious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRBpgTywurXI36wALFnputLnsP5gcKdwfOAKwrC0UpT9cjdLcMT72Etjb_MHC1UD8h2Cu98vAhUA66JQ4TSbF4SzmSIeNC8jX2ZX-UmqAGtBGov6kU569346hQh2t8Fyz3M8MQnisEhw0Q7dT2iljBB4QEMepncb_0Nl4WE3zjM8EZH5VDLMIoQFkqBBL/w640-h480/71338652320__A1BEE311-FE21-4410-BEDE-082CB74DF14C.jpeg" style="text-align: center;" width="640" /></div></div><div><br /></div>We drove through a city where a stage of the Tour de France was held. This was so neat to see. Jess was in cyclist heaven. We'll have to get him in France during the Tour sometime.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUglll1dj4Eb22VkOXQIycdwah2pfx5By8HNspdkrcZgP3ONJLpK9P-V-gbdWa3uhq1DITWjWHXgoRLwfDm5GDbj6DPfT7AE98_gUKDUzUenU8d2pONF4Wq19weBTYUjUjj3TmyOYW-UJOAyELI5XwLa2YIvFN25rHp-CoX2p_Ag3Hqi_OcxycOBGimCI/s4032/IMG_0958.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUglll1dj4Eb22VkOXQIycdwah2pfx5By8HNspdkrcZgP3ONJLpK9P-V-gbdWa3uhq1DITWjWHXgoRLwfDm5GDbj6DPfT7AE98_gUKDUzUenU8d2pONF4Wq19weBTYUjUjj3TmyOYW-UJOAyELI5XwLa2YIvFN25rHp-CoX2p_Ag3Hqi_OcxycOBGimCI/w480-h640/IMG_0958.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Our first stop in Switzerland was the Bern, Temple. My family tried to find this place when I was a teenager and we could not find it using physical maps. Turns out the temple isn't really in Bern, but rather in Zollikofen, a suburb of Bern. Maybe that's why it was so difficult to find, but thanks to GPS and smartphones we got there in a jiffy. This was a great stop!</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaoZz6V5bZ_wVw_4szrshQ8I-2tinSsf0cXIKVzxUIfe0Ea-1TuhS0tCvBGQEPQGRH4dcQDQcDMbXTv2Py07G7uV4wPhCWR92UkJnu6nqhBIw_VLoNyG_2jtX4kAiR7aW4Wab_itZuRVtmOBMeoYxXSNrUkK3s64fbQ9BQxAmBRRQ2xSYD-awyXpLoOsL/s4032/IMG_0960.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdaoZz6V5bZ_wVw_4szrshQ8I-2tinSsf0cXIKVzxUIfe0Ea-1TuhS0tCvBGQEPQGRH4dcQDQcDMbXTv2Py07G7uV4wPhCWR92UkJnu6nqhBIw_VLoNyG_2jtX4kAiR7aW4Wab_itZuRVtmOBMeoYxXSNrUkK3s64fbQ9BQxAmBRRQ2xSYD-awyXpLoOsL/w480-h640/IMG_0960.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We ventured off to the city of Bern right after. The historic downtown was very cool, including this very old clock that had moving parts and was fun to listen to and watch.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iHOGvnluJm_-twWF57TsfcPkJMfRE461eBIIcMWQPr8dHxix8NwIVfNkof6clZ-is-KN8DzQYWE1YiUmPHqe0FwAmsFRJPvjr0dplEF5spWvI2ghmhYVsn-UOv7mhyphenhyphenOzYsWTMCtpDiM9vuBtdIr5FELYPv7ZoO9U58iL1xvNN7urYpbuNivd42rvDauH/s4032/IMG_0973.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iHOGvnluJm_-twWF57TsfcPkJMfRE461eBIIcMWQPr8dHxix8NwIVfNkof6clZ-is-KN8DzQYWE1YiUmPHqe0FwAmsFRJPvjr0dplEF5spWvI2ghmhYVsn-UOv7mhyphenhyphenOzYsWTMCtpDiM9vuBtdIr5FELYPv7ZoO9U58iL1xvNN7urYpbuNivd42rvDauH/w480-h640/IMG_0973.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We walked through the streets and visited a church.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHacmm1Zd1sLrLUTUiJNk8RfveqkWvo17loc0UtMX1wsuWAjYDhyz7xF-RGMQmoHSPAP-NZHYaFCjlcnpil6s6gbOQwTEuKoSGKezuHFETfQBuevb8NBJNwNc5YDpdPmJSB-Gq7nk45Eui_3wL7J8aAP1FIiL6v-jlEhWfL5Yxu4y1X9jz_5e0GaeYqUtj/s4032/IMG_0979.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHacmm1Zd1sLrLUTUiJNk8RfveqkWvo17loc0UtMX1wsuWAjYDhyz7xF-RGMQmoHSPAP-NZHYaFCjlcnpil6s6gbOQwTEuKoSGKezuHFETfQBuevb8NBJNwNc5YDpdPmJSB-Gq7nk45Eui_3wL7J8aAP1FIiL6v-jlEhWfL5Yxu4y1X9jz_5e0GaeYqUtj/w480-h640/IMG_0979.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>After lunch, we took a walk and looked at the river and peered at the bears that are kept in the city. The views were spectacular. The water was beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGBxZUtOOUFzujLHejn7TxVZB2infN52nDPP396bpECyA1nAdq3055-hAw_HfZVElGqbyZloItqim94OqeiUdTl3IIpCtJn52Imm5S81WSt6AFLmNjlKbjtJhwGQY8YPdPusHHsQhJrZnmqLm3D_p07sn_qIuuUJ6FX8QeyVEJRGC8BJVSqvdOZv1m2tG/s4032/IMG_0986.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGBxZUtOOUFzujLHejn7TxVZB2infN52nDPP396bpECyA1nAdq3055-hAw_HfZVElGqbyZloItqim94OqeiUdTl3IIpCtJn52Imm5S81WSt6AFLmNjlKbjtJhwGQY8YPdPusHHsQhJrZnmqLm3D_p07sn_qIuuUJ6FX8QeyVEJRGC8BJVSqvdOZv1m2tG/w640-h480/IMG_0986.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The river was going pretty fast. We watched as people jumped in and traveled with the current as they floated along. I seriously would have done this had we not had two younger kiddos with us who aren't strong swimmers. Instead, we walked down and dipped our heads in.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBbreJydwAtQQ1qxdlTDsz766fH1OSU5YQet0We9PtYMNR3HGptL3trEwamNUH_znHEI15vDhPBgS93y6ONSC1wt94ga1u0XkXOD6COUt4cLvkWaszO9say8_NwTf6N8wSwpCtiGm1YSUf7i9lEu40hXmop4KKnyZleSJPwVghnvdK0lfQO60e_hOXKB0/s4032/IMG_0990.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBbreJydwAtQQ1qxdlTDsz766fH1OSU5YQet0We9PtYMNR3HGptL3trEwamNUH_znHEI15vDhPBgS93y6ONSC1wt94ga1u0XkXOD6COUt4cLvkWaszO9say8_NwTf6N8wSwpCtiGm1YSUf7i9lEu40hXmop4KKnyZleSJPwVghnvdK0lfQO60e_hOXKB0/w480-h640/IMG_0990.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Attached to our Bern hotel was a mall. One evening, I went with Ian and Elsie to the mall. It was wild to see Switzerland prices vs. France prices. Needless to say, Switzerland is expensive! Still, they had these fun photo-op spots that the kids loved. Here, Elsie poses with the posies display. Fun!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i6jR1ouE2Ri1VmhhbiL6UOTmLiKsdXEsP4JVmCjALZmy6CD07GZV7uCJilFvAbgXwcz78jTuFAF42YNPqx7-L8n5rIctUdjngPjzsn40fhzQdWsOUig-kMDVmFiw4BHm7Qd-ACYbahV5Rw7A1vsQZytrYkolXsX4OH97tLj2JSZjw-wlD40PdDGxNLjD/s4032/IMG_0998.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i6jR1ouE2Ri1VmhhbiL6UOTmLiKsdXEsP4JVmCjALZmy6CD07GZV7uCJilFvAbgXwcz78jTuFAF42YNPqx7-L8n5rIctUdjngPjzsn40fhzQdWsOUig-kMDVmFiw4BHm7Qd-ACYbahV5Rw7A1vsQZytrYkolXsX4OH97tLj2JSZjw-wlD40PdDGxNLjD/w640-h480/IMG_0998.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We visited the Bernisches Historisches Museum/Einstein Museum. It was free that day too (thanks free museum Tuesdays!) and very well done. The information there is given in German, French, and English. Traveling in Europe truly made me want to be bilingual, no wait, trilingual.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw1SepAGjtFewUMlUCyXiqXPcsuGhOx1ykGsG8KoLF-glWim6ULH6y0S3cVVfxZyS-ez9D2SD_2fgpfeGW2BFrp-r47ixlJ3TUgnB78XxPL94B0tMU5mZuebMEjX-raVd9smVI8KG0v2mxpAn4Gzefi0-51qO8sV5nY-5Ypeqr3bcdXLDz_yT4GiPnoEQ/s4032/IMG_1005.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOw1SepAGjtFewUMlUCyXiqXPcsuGhOx1ykGsG8KoLF-glWim6ULH6y0S3cVVfxZyS-ez9D2SD_2fgpfeGW2BFrp-r47ixlJ3TUgnB78XxPL94B0tMU5mZuebMEjX-raVd9smVI8KG0v2mxpAn4Gzefi0-51qO8sV5nY-5Ypeqr3bcdXLDz_yT4GiPnoEQ/w640-h480/IMG_1005.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We finished off our visit to Bern on a nature walk and then back to the river. Then we took off to drive for another 2ish hours to the alps via Interlaken.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYxkeadTiBT4glxO3GTcSZ4VKjRk4825Tq7092-wQlXBB_rbyyRu8T1iZJVTx8msxtSEVdPO4jQxDop82hXoxebnfXdWHWaoK46m61_GmPKF6t620s6KDjiMnwQxeMgGR8Wt54CEddCf9IB1Dw9RMKShfNaaXrj483nzXhZCtVp4jS3fyeC3LQv2Vh6ed/s4032/IMG_1015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcYxkeadTiBT4glxO3GTcSZ4VKjRk4825Tq7092-wQlXBB_rbyyRu8T1iZJVTx8msxtSEVdPO4jQxDop82hXoxebnfXdWHWaoK46m61_GmPKF6t620s6KDjiMnwQxeMgGR8Wt54CEddCf9IB1Dw9RMKShfNaaXrj483nzXhZCtVp4jS3fyeC3LQv2Vh6ed/w640-h480/IMG_1015.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Next up: Interlaken and Kandersteg.</p></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-49707539596693807332023-11-20T19:04:00.004-05:002023-11-20T19:09:03.309-05:00More in Northern France<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After some heavy historical sites, we decided to head to some beach towns. Honfleur was a neat stop. The town was much cooler than the windy beach. It was busy here, and I had to be really cool, calm, and collected while driving. Have you seen<i> Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part I</i> when the GPS guides Tom Cruise over a mountain to meet a train? This is how I felt when Apple GPS took me on all the back roads where it was crazy to be driving. Still, it did get us to see some of the less traveled roads and I guess that was fun. . . sometimes, so we changed to Google Maps and it was a lot better. Honfleur and Etretat were the hardest spots to drive in because they were full of tourists and I got yelled at once when I had to do a five point turn. Luckily, I hadn't the foggiest notion of what they were saying, so I finished the fifth and final turn and went on my merry way as did the motorbike and Audi that I had inconvenienced. But I digress, onto Honfleur.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once we were there, it was a neat spot, especially all of those buildings lined up! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WgaukB1vsm0j2ZgB61IrftZrgdjEEspGADAFzRhyphenhyphenlw1KrK5i4uJPFDNXKeUIkYBE4mMCvXq_0oC9vhgq-A3TuvZ1pxt23ba83kWlj3aDKHqyoXcsvdRy_azcGnvC70Y6TuHvP3PpfwGcRYmQmiTRqdxwiaC-INiW13mXFBvPAHfApDrutkbG4I4dknUc/s4032/IMG_0886.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WgaukB1vsm0j2ZgB61IrftZrgdjEEspGADAFzRhyphenhyphenlw1KrK5i4uJPFDNXKeUIkYBE4mMCvXq_0oC9vhgq-A3TuvZ1pxt23ba83kWlj3aDKHqyoXcsvdRy_azcGnvC70Y6TuHvP3PpfwGcRYmQmiTRqdxwiaC-INiW13mXFBvPAHfApDrutkbG4I4dknUc/w640-h480/IMG_0886.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: center;">This place was one of Elsie's favorites because of the double decker carousel. I must admit, it really was quite the sight to see. There is something magical about carousels, don't you think? Or is it just Elsie and me?</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi3a2TbNVAC_zEmQz3Wv1snyNnXgB07pU0J1kqQZhXEqCSebdi1Wek2_-XMVmmpZSyBXl4vwNMKyfEDyJFcWuLuyKfP8B8W3mMLKSVFdyoNNOoQ-ZHgNQ0MyvCIlzv3eNvoElV07hkUZn4lQLWfhLOEMim6p7nelLJGLMRrcqeFLY9iTfdXT94q32rHh0/s4032/IMG_0893.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDi3a2TbNVAC_zEmQz3Wv1snyNnXgB07pU0J1kqQZhXEqCSebdi1Wek2_-XMVmmpZSyBXl4vwNMKyfEDyJFcWuLuyKfP8B8W3mMLKSVFdyoNNOoQ-ZHgNQ0MyvCIlzv3eNvoElV07hkUZn4lQLWfhLOEMim6p7nelLJGLMRrcqeFLY9iTfdXT94q32rHh0/w640-h480/IMG_0893.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We got in our Ferris Wheel fix too, and the views were incredible! Afterward, we ate at a very good Galette (a buckwheat crepe that is usually filled with savory offerings and, dare I say it, better than a crepe) place in Honfleur that was probably my favorite meal in France. I spoke a little, horribly pronounced French here, which made me feel dumb and proud of myself all at the same time. Ha!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7zWusKbwkIlw5OLRpC0Mr2CZmXfNiMs2FSl12bTREOMslKzjpP3jxergS06_PqpP81BoLnYRRPzIp37Jof9lzF8GSWZefg6dDSYmE-UaEcp5WUzPrzPD8bQE9jyhT_VqyrM5t-zWM8_iXmXu7RaXmSMgXNgcdWFkg5hpn9sdwY6tyBXayDrfdbvBu24Q/s4032/IMG_0896.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7zWusKbwkIlw5OLRpC0Mr2CZmXfNiMs2FSl12bTREOMslKzjpP3jxergS06_PqpP81BoLnYRRPzIp37Jof9lzF8GSWZefg6dDSYmE-UaEcp5WUzPrzPD8bQE9jyhT_VqyrM5t-zWM8_iXmXu7RaXmSMgXNgcdWFkg5hpn9sdwY6tyBXayDrfdbvBu24Q/w640-h480/IMG_0896.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Then we were off to Etreat, a beautiful spot on the northeast coast of France. Here the boys stand at the edge of the cliffs with rock formations on the right and a golf course on the left.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9DTsnK3_pLN0DA2RuHUd97yu24xWX0waHEEQzPkKaDTKKUTOzfsjC7NMbr8gliVms3fIpy-U_nUQzXjRKiHNGc7rRcyxmV6Mw8_4WvEFnDUB1Z-Fwcbeq26xV0kMHzjgBGLgh3fgYXx8tLrLAEL7dxpbaa0oMfIHoqiXciNrvm9hCyD-ub2cp_Co9hPj/s4032/IMG_0909.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9DTsnK3_pLN0DA2RuHUd97yu24xWX0waHEEQzPkKaDTKKUTOzfsjC7NMbr8gliVms3fIpy-U_nUQzXjRKiHNGc7rRcyxmV6Mw8_4WvEFnDUB1Z-Fwcbeq26xV0kMHzjgBGLgh3fgYXx8tLrLAEL7dxpbaa0oMfIHoqiXciNrvm9hCyD-ub2cp_Co9hPj/w640-h480/IMG_0909.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We then went down to the very rocky, but smooth rocky, beach. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQBqCGEfjOwEtaUnz7wHV5Td0wkPdUAEJaOuq3-PaihFZBWBkMil-1GpWzEHDZzGDTkWKbVYkYVJjL6KBmI_7e92lDlTrUJqKf8QXmcRfCQe6l91SaXtMzD9eJeB4s3hU6iQJCy6dttQi0Gt32KVM4Y4NFhh3A1va8eE6PRYHUAFH-4Zfc9GyRyU_8rSe/s4032/IMG_0913.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQBqCGEfjOwEtaUnz7wHV5Td0wkPdUAEJaOuq3-PaihFZBWBkMil-1GpWzEHDZzGDTkWKbVYkYVJjL6KBmI_7e92lDlTrUJqKf8QXmcRfCQe6l91SaXtMzD9eJeB4s3hU6iQJCy6dttQi0Gt32KVM4Y4NFhh3A1va8eE6PRYHUAFH-4Zfc9GyRyU_8rSe/w640-h480/IMG_0913.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>And then stopped at the playground. It was fun to see the younger kiddos play with the French kiddos.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXj3DnNXl6aa49gA7rgniEttpeJysMc4QPPE30lH6UdXKCw0R8YPjBjtPM_LAcA0Cgg_oPcEGpyPhiEHtqW5ZLJoDz8RV_73GlYQDBGA7FKodUctLFJ0t6D_Ta6oPx_OtS3NerrMtQuIqEh2cV7D6pXx5RJPSZ88s3FNfy6QmXckTjXkpndBMZoj4V3r_/s4032/IMG_0933.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXj3DnNXl6aa49gA7rgniEttpeJysMc4QPPE30lH6UdXKCw0R8YPjBjtPM_LAcA0Cgg_oPcEGpyPhiEHtqW5ZLJoDz8RV_73GlYQDBGA7FKodUctLFJ0t6D_Ta6oPx_OtS3NerrMtQuIqEh2cV7D6pXx5RJPSZ88s3FNfy6QmXckTjXkpndBMZoj4V3r_/w640-h480/IMG_0933.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>Here the older kids are, relaxing at our Airbnb, which was down this very long, very narrow road, only wide enough for one car. It was an adventure every time we went back and forth. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V1FhwmeckzRJhWm3iAsu1XFskbr__0qs3Ctqq7t9WCYiXs319R6WnBClD7hHkKzUIsiKKjPe4usp-IQIUlj05YUxnR2pq-blfi-Oct1WPEjETU0X_7-FFu1LP0bAhJLkAfYSSs27gaTtk7doVWhAdxz4Nfb19IxxcG860-3ztVsjLGftnBtWNGYgmLLr/s4032/IMG_0947.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V1FhwmeckzRJhWm3iAsu1XFskbr__0qs3Ctqq7t9WCYiXs319R6WnBClD7hHkKzUIsiKKjPe4usp-IQIUlj05YUxnR2pq-blfi-Oct1WPEjETU0X_7-FFu1LP0bAhJLkAfYSSs27gaTtk7doVWhAdxz4Nfb19IxxcG860-3ztVsjLGftnBtWNGYgmLLr/w640-h480/IMG_0947.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This place was a fun stop and it felt like we were really living in the country. There was only one other (very grand) house on this same road so it was very secluded. We walked near the creek and picked blackberries in the afternoons. It was like the double decker carousel, magical.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYM9HjnJ9iowiaDbfTSnQTcKPM9MMHL4m63gqex_8ra3418CeVlmqwNxYnQtWqlbVXpZYbKJIvjA2oyIuzr9QrqKQKrOaZnklFktwXmnRlRmH2mMdlN7nn4EE3VoyjPHYeHVOHf7L0a5zCRqgWHFk7TBYG08wRuJAuCHG5Z9mbz5cd04JGkR9DfT_H5rZ/s4032/IMG_0952.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYM9HjnJ9iowiaDbfTSnQTcKPM9MMHL4m63gqex_8ra3418CeVlmqwNxYnQtWqlbVXpZYbKJIvjA2oyIuzr9QrqKQKrOaZnklFktwXmnRlRmH2mMdlN7nn4EE3VoyjPHYeHVOHf7L0a5zCRqgWHFk7TBYG08wRuJAuCHG5Z9mbz5cd04JGkR9DfT_H5rZ/w640-h480/IMG_0952.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Up next, a stop at a very cheap hotel and then onto Switzerland!<p></p></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-9140504060166664512023-11-06T19:50:00.005-05:002023-12-20T20:09:24.727-05:00Sabbatical begins in Normandy<p>A month off work? Heck yeah! And with that, our whole fam was off to France and then to Switzerland. It was quite a trip, one I will never forget. And with that, I'll share some of our memories. </p><p>We took off for France and arrived at the Paris Airport. That place is HUGE and busy and neat all at the same time. As you can see, the boys were happy to be there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlwZ2TLFgCl3ATsuSWvm67r3MH2dvzGZqz33uVhXlO9-gmsw-pyhahL1TGq8Y-MZYNfXgfe2Y1qdemO4mL-XBjoHihkOYmYvqTWQkjjVqEy3foij2w9CQMoGgXZyI_C0MS-ojMrNhM0LLi0Rfz6KYf71opvkB-wj26wrt03dIO7hdflIhDUmhbp2VKtzb/s4032/IMG_0418.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlwZ2TLFgCl3ATsuSWvm67r3MH2dvzGZqz33uVhXlO9-gmsw-pyhahL1TGq8Y-MZYNfXgfe2Y1qdemO4mL-XBjoHihkOYmYvqTWQkjjVqEy3foij2w9CQMoGgXZyI_C0MS-ojMrNhM0LLi0Rfz6KYf71opvkB-wj26wrt03dIO7hdflIhDUmhbp2VKtzb/w480-h640/IMG_0418.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Getting through customs was a bear! Still, we got to talk to a nice family from Paris who gave us insights into the city. Finally, we were so happy to get our rental car (yes to the VW Touran!) and we were off. <i>This is the part of the blog post where I give a huge shoutout to traveling with a smart phone. Everything is so easy! I remember traveling in Europe when I was a high schooler, and reading the map and getting to places was the most difficult part. I was so glad to have that GPS (and all of the things)!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb9tbavPNbc-iGJ1Mu_hnGq4kL2SXA2be9v_9lo6bxmNQQN1NzvHdHEpAssrUS2b_G7CPSUSc8waVoWxwDQ9tMxRfb7RlmxOiZqBbLZcHEK4tyW6NzBAABdD4xQqE8r21aJXTIV5gIEuJGm9vSJw-PWFHpMXR4Bh347j4IivzRA915oGn6l7zWxJtYrfC/s4032/IMG_0420.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNb9tbavPNbc-iGJ1Mu_hnGq4kL2SXA2be9v_9lo6bxmNQQN1NzvHdHEpAssrUS2b_G7CPSUSc8waVoWxwDQ9tMxRfb7RlmxOiZqBbLZcHEK4tyW6NzBAABdD4xQqE8r21aJXTIV5gIEuJGm9vSJw-PWFHpMXR4Bh347j4IivzRA915oGn6l7zWxJtYrfC/w480-h640/IMG_0420.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>To stave off any jet lag, we visiting Giverny, Monet's home and gardens. This place was amazing! I loved it. The kids were tired (see Oliver's face below), but they managed. Ha!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EUAxyUGd-RNuM8liqp68D9zq2pTHJISA1hIsV-cOgK-NJ45Ribw8a0yinLijIzcYGbfnTPboiwtomlm3lKEx3w671ed5xaiTctfb9F2EQoPgRZS5MiQfWSEqptnqGdd0uHYzscbe-ycuj7rBSXIacRSUXjB5LdLTPWMGQ_JNCOC8zgsYIfi367PLyai_/s4032/IMG_0450.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EUAxyUGd-RNuM8liqp68D9zq2pTHJISA1hIsV-cOgK-NJ45Ribw8a0yinLijIzcYGbfnTPboiwtomlm3lKEx3w671ed5xaiTctfb9F2EQoPgRZS5MiQfWSEqptnqGdd0uHYzscbe-ycuj7rBSXIacRSUXjB5LdLTPWMGQ_JNCOC8zgsYIfi367PLyai_/w640-h480/IMG_0450.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We stopped at our airbnb in Giverny. It was an artist's home and so cool with lots of kid toys and books (in French!). We loved relaxing at home after a long day of travel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5jLLwhgq1V4gZNWaX1QuxSFpziAOjOdI02TXB6fBYH6X2JnGyofiyFm-xv9oSh2zeuttI6xp7kooMnPNJD5ozo5XjRp9ZwqzArNDXvC6bxlEZvuBYfw9JcXQT9WTJpMxKsfCM9bmhqA9qBEvbIrAPkYIKTKiBLgH8D3pTz1RVvWdLBzYMK3mTV1b8FLI/s3088/IMG_0606.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5jLLwhgq1V4gZNWaX1QuxSFpziAOjOdI02TXB6fBYH6X2JnGyofiyFm-xv9oSh2zeuttI6xp7kooMnPNJD5ozo5XjRp9ZwqzArNDXvC6bxlEZvuBYfw9JcXQT9WTJpMxKsfCM9bmhqA9qBEvbIrAPkYIKTKiBLgH8D3pTz1RVvWdLBzYMK3mTV1b8FLI/w480-h640/IMG_0606.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The next day, we visited the Chateau de Guyon, a castle build into limestone caves. This place was awesome! I have 50+ photos on my camera roll from here, but I told myself I could only use two photos of each stop in this summary, so here's one from the front gate.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNcTWis9Do7XGSGhmwoN9-6HVwCFgxL22Y06WwS3CoxjKNSHpvRm38s2kucnKAwV7W20WG99ib2LKCW9MiqZbZlxrrzGLJFpsSB0c4-PGuxbOXXzuKKr6YMw6rB8ewAchuoq-cvIxgd2pAGHsoIRslN2WcjMg01byuWYvCtGFNUGyDjgZXJBZx2aBY5hl/s4032/IMG_0484.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNcTWis9Do7XGSGhmwoN9-6HVwCFgxL22Y06WwS3CoxjKNSHpvRm38s2kucnKAwV7W20WG99ib2LKCW9MiqZbZlxrrzGLJFpsSB0c4-PGuxbOXXzuKKr6YMw6rB8ewAchuoq-cvIxgd2pAGHsoIRslN2WcjMg01byuWYvCtGFNUGyDjgZXJBZx2aBY5hl/w480-h640/IMG_0484.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And here's another photo from the keep at the very top of the castle. The views were magnificent! Of all the things we did in France, this was one of my favorites. I should note, this stop was not on our schedule but Jess found it and we decided to make a day of it. I am so glad we did! <i>Another travel note: make sure to put some flexibility in your traveling. You'll find some gems this way.</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5q-JWEa-Os5ohGYGrR_mYGPnOJB2GxbXYC1bnytOhM01mtVdx_71zhz-thglps4KkynZ6DXBSRckUoKgE88ZJfIz2etBsIGhdsvJjirPCWPX2KiEDXVCeBIBUBwXKjcCMnnmt_Fh5NU7r5AbN1HTgvYCWN4tr6vgL41V1juA_jCxdabGcnxweD_J-DIR1/s4032/IMG_0520.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5q-JWEa-Os5ohGYGrR_mYGPnOJB2GxbXYC1bnytOhM01mtVdx_71zhz-thglps4KkynZ6DXBSRckUoKgE88ZJfIz2etBsIGhdsvJjirPCWPX2KiEDXVCeBIBUBwXKjcCMnnmt_Fh5NU7r5AbN1HTgvYCWN4tr6vgL41V1juA_jCxdabGcnxweD_J-DIR1/w480-h640/IMG_0520.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next day, we went to Le Mont Saint Michel, a place I've wanted to see for many years. This is an abbey built on an island off the coast of Normandy. When the tide goes out, you can walk there. When it comes in, it's surrounded by water. This place was busy but it was still amazing. The views. The history. <i>So here's another travel note: try not to go to Europe in July or August. Popular spots are very busy. But really, who are we kidding? If you want to take your kids on a month trip, it's going to have to be in the summer. Amiright?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt0Eh5KMMQt8nuvxK1PGGPRjoMEFGwtqbzuuY59FpaeFpwtI75RIrylrVHspcROXF-jC536qsAQpFNHoKVufd7s-gyg7ILfDlLEucOde8gMSead9oJfjEJEBqKX4SqQoOrtxHKvwZk-oXwIUuewuRuSZCFfZ9XIhjJgDzh7UWRkaSOa-8V8S20fNE5rHE/s4032/IMG_0611.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt0Eh5KMMQt8nuvxK1PGGPRjoMEFGwtqbzuuY59FpaeFpwtI75RIrylrVHspcROXF-jC536qsAQpFNHoKVufd7s-gyg7ILfDlLEucOde8gMSead9oJfjEJEBqKX4SqQoOrtxHKvwZk-oXwIUuewuRuSZCFfZ9XIhjJgDzh7UWRkaSOa-8V8S20fNE5rHE/w640-h480/IMG_0611.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We went on a tour of the Abbey and it was pretty magnificent. It's pretty crazy to think of all the sweat and toil that went into building such a place. We wanted to go to a famous omelet stop in the little town, but the restaurant was filled and the creperie was full too, so we had baguette sandwiches and sodas. Not too bad. As the vacation went on, I came to love those baguette sandwiches.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwv7nqG_9dW4ot4aMexRBAtBz9cPeg18s0eZZFOZVsMHNQoupnDMEIT0l0iPnXaK5ymJSvry4Vkcq2l4Dv6oB9RdOeKIfdYEtgWht44dUs_TqfdijnNCCjp2ggePe1KXkc-9JiPPSfFgwY0qLK3G7M5FNl8KZ97b9jI0qt37he-6EUTvz6_TjVjUUml8k/s4032/IMG_0665.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwv7nqG_9dW4ot4aMexRBAtBz9cPeg18s0eZZFOZVsMHNQoupnDMEIT0l0iPnXaK5ymJSvry4Vkcq2l4Dv6oB9RdOeKIfdYEtgWht44dUs_TqfdijnNCCjp2ggePe1KXkc-9JiPPSfFgwY0qLK3G7M5FNl8KZ97b9jI0qt37he-6EUTvz6_TjVjUUml8k/w480-h640/IMG_0665.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The following day we headed up to the beaches of Normandy. Of course, these spots are well known for the D-Day attack on German fortifications in France. It was very surreal to be in a place of past intense fighting on a beautiful sunny day in August. The younger kids wanted to build sand castles. The older kids took it in. Jess really loved these spots. The photo below was at Omaha Beach.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijahDnw3wh3dsLo1XyAM8D-rCBp1S6Cy0cVbWjcfCCK8G454f8A5RSBrHn5di_cdbv1WS4nA-2woHykjXh_vXD-G2AECpHLhA8xXg0fgoy2V5P-L-x7npMXHHWnCw6UOYtspbB_KLqGDHAw6S4r7M6CMw94assd8d0v00WB4jnnbvWPoQeQ1mrAjMDThbz/s4032/IMG_0753.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijahDnw3wh3dsLo1XyAM8D-rCBp1S6Cy0cVbWjcfCCK8G454f8A5RSBrHn5di_cdbv1WS4nA-2woHykjXh_vXD-G2AECpHLhA8xXg0fgoy2V5P-L-x7npMXHHWnCw6UOYtspbB_KLqGDHAw6S4r7M6CMw94assd8d0v00WB4jnnbvWPoQeQ1mrAjMDThbz/w480-h640/IMG_0753.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Below is a photo of Jess is at Point du Hoc, the area where army rangers had to climb up the steep cliff wall to attack the strongholds of the German Army. This spot was new to me. I'd never heard of this part of the mission in regards to D-Day. The things these men did were unbelievable.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9opdrLxwrxS6ME6w45E5l_rSl52M7dKcPPemZp6mQlq6TrQsHBdTUXfc9e6KdsRVH7aUZP8qGDjNzeDYpLXAXE5LBYfq52wSIlETzspQ6gZez3i6qsnat-OPg0ia1m2Nu4AQavGTCchIA7_n7_FSDmbHGuyJgCJWlIY4E0zEET6iIMGFTL1ZSGXE8EMwP/s3088/IMG_0789.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9opdrLxwrxS6ME6w45E5l_rSl52M7dKcPPemZp6mQlq6TrQsHBdTUXfc9e6KdsRVH7aUZP8qGDjNzeDYpLXAXE5LBYfq52wSIlETzspQ6gZez3i6qsnat-OPg0ia1m2Nu4AQavGTCchIA7_n7_FSDmbHGuyJgCJWlIY4E0zEET6iIMGFTL1ZSGXE8EMwP/w480-h640/IMG_0789.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Another shot on Point du Hoc. At this site, you can still see the craters from dropped bombs and damage from bullets. If you are ever doing a trip to the World War II sites, I would recommend a stop here. From there we went to the American Cemetery in Normandy. A site to behold and worth a visit for sure.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8ISWsLUu-kqnyMfBExrXYYFae8x9I3D32xOkrXrxo1_8I1kfzNCY0hAjtbo9NSoeH_bFK3a8_3Kp6gW2qnnbTn2FQv2k0jetW5R8Am7LOU2PgDtzOQu6bSwMvB6r8vhIm502VnqC5iGJ5UE7UqeaF2lz-ORR_SPbxlxsk1xMDx3NybopD3mvzd1kJVig/s4032/IMG_0800.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8ISWsLUu-kqnyMfBExrXYYFae8x9I3D32xOkrXrxo1_8I1kfzNCY0hAjtbo9NSoeH_bFK3a8_3Kp6gW2qnnbTn2FQv2k0jetW5R8Am7LOU2PgDtzOQu6bSwMvB6r8vhIm502VnqC5iGJ5UE7UqeaF2lz-ORR_SPbxlxsk1xMDx3NybopD3mvzd1kJVig/w640-h480/IMG_0800.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>While the kids went to the Overlord Museum, I stayed in the car with Elsie because she was exhausted. Ha! A day full of several stops + jet lag = sleeping in totally awkward positions.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RRg-SYu8uXcy3Jmur4xWVHEiy7Oo_XTCMlmftE45-bSEqsnjJwvIi6nL7UZwMsWSryxu33WWOyiuK7ZRvazdk5qrs6L5ZeoRdFnOPA9shVGosOT7wIzW1atE0swBOqJLSaYA1xrg9ctyYYBiPkhOVABdVHm88v1mCDLneMpIv3f2G3sqItKOHDST9jOv/s4032/IMG_0818.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RRg-SYu8uXcy3Jmur4xWVHEiy7Oo_XTCMlmftE45-bSEqsnjJwvIi6nL7UZwMsWSryxu33WWOyiuK7ZRvazdk5qrs6L5ZeoRdFnOPA9shVGosOT7wIzW1atE0swBOqJLSaYA1xrg9ctyYYBiPkhOVABdVHm88v1mCDLneMpIv3f2G3sqItKOHDST9jOv/w480-h640/IMG_0818.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The next day we stopped at Ste. Mere Elise, or the church by the sea. It was at this church that a paratrooper's parachute was caught on the bell tower. He was only able to get down because another soldier spotted him. As such, there is a mannequin of the paratrooper on the church and the Airborne Museum is right across the street. This was a great stop too! <i>A note to the fellow traveler...don't eat at the spots directly by the sites. You may be really hungry, but take a walk down a street or two and go there. Better food, better prices. We figured this out the hard way here. The croquet Monsieur was the worst we had, but the ice cream down the street was the best!</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRrm2Z3pv7jadJY0G81co41uJdrALPG216QHaKHsdcLgKKcwDzA4rDzYUVrJAudHVUl-g2K-MHJuBE1Bb5aCEZmY8UlzoKg3wqSPEbxCPA9kLw6ASn4wPS38xaw2q50EMzhoaMwpi0e_MhYc5Z0G5ilgEsyua7jdCrtg3fipiOnDkrYWubzbSmrZ3oJBG/s4032/IMG_0842.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRrm2Z3pv7jadJY0G81co41uJdrALPG216QHaKHsdcLgKKcwDzA4rDzYUVrJAudHVUl-g2K-MHJuBE1Bb5aCEZmY8UlzoKg3wqSPEbxCPA9kLw6ASn4wPS38xaw2q50EMzhoaMwpi0e_MhYc5Z0G5ilgEsyua7jdCrtg3fipiOnDkrYWubzbSmrZ3oJBG/w640-h480/IMG_0842.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>We wrapped up our WWII visits with at stop at Utah Beach. At this stop, Ian lost a tooth (see him pointing to it below)! We came away very grateful for the freedoms we enjoy and the beautiful place the military liberated on the days following the D-Day attack.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBBH72Zvfc_AUK5XRjNsgMJKLhCF9L8E_-WOZZ8OrQarFFcdVUZuvGoLi4jw9-jGGILH5-pTondYSjNLI9JwM3iiSo4HOhTarZIpGrMkwij5DtqbtxvdocU4gdnIoS7y41k5ZBLG8yqLegBx8eVQJJEUO7lZ9nggaqV1Frpil_ptzjlZHjtN1qr4hyphenhyphennHz/s4032/IMG_0874.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBBH72Zvfc_AUK5XRjNsgMJKLhCF9L8E_-WOZZ8OrQarFFcdVUZuvGoLi4jw9-jGGILH5-pTondYSjNLI9JwM3iiSo4HOhTarZIpGrMkwij5DtqbtxvdocU4gdnIoS7y41k5ZBLG8yqLegBx8eVQJJEUO7lZ9nggaqV1Frpil_ptzjlZHjtN1qr4hyphenhyphennHz/w640-h480/IMG_0874.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop: Honfleur and Etretat...</div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-6519676001122876722023-11-02T13:25:00.003-04:002023-11-02T13:25:40.512-04:00What kids say...<p>Yesterday, Ian came home with a cold. He came through the door with malaise but he still wanted to go play and therefore asked, "Can you give me some medicine so I can get going?" To which I replied, "You'd better stay home from friends' houses today and rest." Finally, when evening came, I wanted to give him some medicine to help him sleep better. Within 15 minutes he responded, "This medicine is amazing. My throat feels better, my head feels better, and I have so much energy!"</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba2p1112CAw309vuDpJXx7ax3GB5vq3xzxyhgTnBnA9ZvAFoWTVdty5vwfGIGX-6tfRvMMtBhs_Pclcwu4ksQUEM9AAzsqmp0Nnl04MGXmiKWk9JMmn7I5finZXPyMnxTL515K6h5JnUiYKgFXMV5ZG6DuZKYydq70LoN9tZkIBPp4Rsi81mPjFOjYipe/s4032/IMG_1302.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhba2p1112CAw309vuDpJXx7ax3GB5vq3xzxyhgTnBnA9ZvAFoWTVdty5vwfGIGX-6tfRvMMtBhs_Pclcwu4ksQUEM9AAzsqmp0Nnl04MGXmiKWk9JMmn7I5finZXPyMnxTL515K6h5JnUiYKgFXMV5ZG6DuZKYydq70LoN9tZkIBPp4Rsi81mPjFOjYipe/w400-h300/IMG_1302.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Elsie came with us to the podiatrist for Ian's foot appointment. He's dealing with a small thorn piece that is stuck in the ball of his foot. Anyhow, I was explaining that we were at the foot doctor and that it was a different place than the pediatrician. Later that afternoon, Elsie was feeling a scratch on her chin that was irritating. She then said, "Mom, I think I need to go to the chin doctor."</p><p>And with that, we stand by ibuprofen and are on the lookout for a chin doctor.</p>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-66147489264232889202023-10-03T22:47:00.003-04:002023-10-03T22:48:03.427-04:00Sgt Pepper's Family Reunion<p>Nothing screams family reunion like a reunion t-shirt! This time it was designed by a nephew based on the Beatles Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It was fun to take a look at the design and find each member of the family.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1oA0uVGnsthWnI5MgE1F_BtEMema1u_jErF2kVLXIzCaKU5xhrk4P-IYTwOb6xAnXdlXbQBnl6slAWaVGZmCZ03225M4r9LCXcNj5JT5nCHMQH7q8IdsAe3EL1Jk1ivYN3dslodSI4ocZxn1TaoKLyF2b9NVpJaYFVCdYHOt1GuLfSJqYRq1S5CD8ma0/s3877/IMG_2328.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3877" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1oA0uVGnsthWnI5MgE1F_BtEMema1u_jErF2kVLXIzCaKU5xhrk4P-IYTwOb6xAnXdlXbQBnl6slAWaVGZmCZ03225M4r9LCXcNj5JT5nCHMQH7q8IdsAe3EL1Jk1ivYN3dslodSI4ocZxn1TaoKLyF2b9NVpJaYFVCdYHOt1GuLfSJqYRq1S5CD8ma0/s320/IMG_2328.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We loved the beach and all of the kids were big enough to help with all the gear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z91UBeIdScbiC2lNZDVMrOwY0mkErfUs-7qGFpj-ZCXOgiePvgVF9QKkeCk7eaZ0VrXdXCroo0cygXamRS2RLIKH_ROxQo3HpHGNhivy3y1L41LMke5ue2o1EO0cFsqZyUpsJrcSHq2avIxwYwd0iC6Iar476HCXjK22KGMShPvDQ_qv3XkAj8rsP8aN/s4032/IMG_2244.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-z91UBeIdScbiC2lNZDVMrOwY0mkErfUs-7qGFpj-ZCXOgiePvgVF9QKkeCk7eaZ0VrXdXCroo0cygXamRS2RLIKH_ROxQo3HpHGNhivy3y1L41LMke5ue2o1EO0cFsqZyUpsJrcSHq2avIxwYwd0iC6Iar476HCXjK22KGMShPvDQ_qv3XkAj8rsP8aN/s320/IMG_2244.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The sand creations were superb.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dIPqxkybIcxQiGZtqYLAbMKJ9mxO8iPSCF77bHj55Dv78plSTezhGZWxgszr7dtvOK6pU1JhIGmveYU00wMhPcz9xdk1hFnAhm52WbGh-U8OAJoZuKWhey9WqqLS3TZ-S2Z2iLVFzSLBJ6e5vOddW5sDOOZze3wSkGALBSKMz2l1Q5uUA32c5RLPCzEv/s4032/IMG_0315.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dIPqxkybIcxQiGZtqYLAbMKJ9mxO8iPSCF77bHj55Dv78plSTezhGZWxgszr7dtvOK6pU1JhIGmveYU00wMhPcz9xdk1hFnAhm52WbGh-U8OAJoZuKWhey9WqqLS3TZ-S2Z2iLVFzSLBJ6e5vOddW5sDOOZze3wSkGALBSKMz2l1Q5uUA32c5RLPCzEv/s320/IMG_0315.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNrviNvpzSSYueOLJ-HYDJzy8T3C5PE95M0hW2YIq-Hf4SMHop1Srp0ySRaWcXTw2e3JUP63NbkvcIQLz78xlkq72i-5XSk_4oAqEHntzJ5Jnltn5XJVzWaEDmMRW3L4KtlTHNSTRdI5y4VYGqTOrjRSxqZaS2Ty0vKWvOw6AdL5xDVjZ7IgCtqGXtODR/s4032/IMG_2313.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNrviNvpzSSYueOLJ-HYDJzy8T3C5PE95M0hW2YIq-Hf4SMHop1Srp0ySRaWcXTw2e3JUP63NbkvcIQLz78xlkq72i-5XSk_4oAqEHntzJ5Jnltn5XJVzWaEDmMRW3L4KtlTHNSTRdI5y4VYGqTOrjRSxqZaS2Ty0vKWvOw6AdL5xDVjZ7IgCtqGXtODR/s320/IMG_2313.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div>And the naps were as usual. I feel like I've had a kiddo fall asleep in my lap for the past 5 family reunions.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6csqO_B_ka62px2QESzBEQHfVFULYfROXuEnuE7MYaJboy9OGYa4IxTlIBbo5R6sBtJzl0AZ-CPXdxIrlWPHw9ptrq3ijUNEYWHfsbgt_6H1sazGijuJbF3JrmbBFE3nwXKlgGk4acPoQwTXD2vriQOIFZgP_2sRkBPZ8AlGDeFM1K-HFc19-criMXpLw/s3088/IMG_2258.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6csqO_B_ka62px2QESzBEQHfVFULYfROXuEnuE7MYaJboy9OGYa4IxTlIBbo5R6sBtJzl0AZ-CPXdxIrlWPHw9ptrq3ijUNEYWHfsbgt_6H1sazGijuJbF3JrmbBFE3nwXKlgGk4acPoQwTXD2vriQOIFZgP_2sRkBPZ8AlGDeFM1K-HFc19-criMXpLw/s320/IMG_2258.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">My dad was wearing my mom's old sunglasses at the beach. Apparently, he found them in her car many years back and they were in good shape. Not being one to waste a good thing and enjoy the memory (nor care about fashion too much), he took to wearing them. Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8ql24YflxEfk-PGCbGWtMahk1Ui-8LKOITGXmk2Bzp6SMNp62D7H-NbFT1ZZypGBHM_PhLVWIENrClHRyahmgvA5ieE_gOCaZzAE-_9v91hzRr9aiWRfpzMnGyUl6qOoLnTYagddcRe-2BT5q-Xt96ppLB-FcquifNIocz5KuysegWMLKNAmx7J3C5yb/s4032/IMG_2256.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8ql24YflxEfk-PGCbGWtMahk1Ui-8LKOITGXmk2Bzp6SMNp62D7H-NbFT1ZZypGBHM_PhLVWIENrClHRyahmgvA5ieE_gOCaZzAE-_9v91hzRr9aiWRfpzMnGyUl6qOoLnTYagddcRe-2BT5q-Xt96ppLB-FcquifNIocz5KuysegWMLKNAmx7J3C5yb/s320/IMG_2256.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oliver gets a really sandy face.</div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeg1slnyF-qz324EsVKhTrNAlcsjsfYOQcwYUhHTwGAb6TSBj2Yh2hB_I15_e0Bhyphenhyphen7doR5-n0gix4SFvlZjoTSjVHzpzK5TrQO9c5CJEBSC5fTO-uYSqGUpDetv1GmX93oh-6Iu-v-YcjmarOEZUd9GYnqQpYbqA_h4PAPWfN-Ra8Jy9eU5DtA9UHhKxD/s1029/IMG_0392.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeg1slnyF-qz324EsVKhTrNAlcsjsfYOQcwYUhHTwGAb6TSBj2Yh2hB_I15_e0Bhyphenhyphen7doR5-n0gix4SFvlZjoTSjVHzpzK5TrQO9c5CJEBSC5fTO-uYSqGUpDetv1GmX93oh-6Iu-v-YcjmarOEZUd9GYnqQpYbqA_h4PAPWfN-Ra8Jy9eU5DtA9UHhKxD/s1029/IMG_0392.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5LaPkqhyAQbmU6eCcp7wLv65I-w8H4br1GzbH0tlIHIAILssBqYHdWLs9NRUs34SZ3J3_FjGPI3ciQ99Bf88L9vsv7O2E8PAhCCTZJZ1b6ke-G9epamKxXxB-r7mEvaEdgDHgVnRm4isyYdTv1Wc05mxunK5rtZ217NzvjMrWRApsDlOr05ysEBt1P8Z/s4032/IMG_2287.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA5LaPkqhyAQbmU6eCcp7wLv65I-w8H4br1GzbH0tlIHIAILssBqYHdWLs9NRUs34SZ3J3_FjGPI3ciQ99Bf88L9vsv7O2E8PAhCCTZJZ1b6ke-G9epamKxXxB-r7mEvaEdgDHgVnRm4isyYdTv1Wc05mxunK5rtZ217NzvjMrWRApsDlOr05ysEBt1P8Z/s320/IMG_2287.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div>There was a lot of good conversation on the beach. This gathering of the minds is one of my favorite things about the reunion. We talk for hours, and then we do it again the next day. There is no end to what we can talk about and the topics are many and varied.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukkV2Yq8cTh-sJbMhYEStI-o8JucanYzhj_TDFXMKyxO7d25qDfGDW0Wq-lktbqHYmZ3CsUEAFlxhLaeZ93TryDBtwa-RH25ie8BhDcyUTBpMdGWP3BBBM8yknLD9WUwjo7Z4VOoHC0k4Bvs13DYYfBXwKSxMLuGkqKUgACyzXdclHw5MdrNPpZHI0Lms/s4032/IMG_2315.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukkV2Yq8cTh-sJbMhYEStI-o8JucanYzhj_TDFXMKyxO7d25qDfGDW0Wq-lktbqHYmZ3CsUEAFlxhLaeZ93TryDBtwa-RH25ie8BhDcyUTBpMdGWP3BBBM8yknLD9WUwjo7Z4VOoHC0k4Bvs13DYYfBXwKSxMLuGkqKUgACyzXdclHw5MdrNPpZHI0Lms/s320/IMG_2315.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Elsie had thee curliest hair in California. That humidity does wonders to her hair. One morning she woke up like this. The wave in front, holding her hair out of her eyes?!? I mean, come on.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRHw0jcJSy7cFaiDFuNbNwKH4xuWo3JIM3C9XyNifZNuDG0seRL26TmpWSOauQiOABTNzja5SZ09sUEDip3aTs50CvsZP0hpmL3lUroDr-NaLYLRFRbpn5W5kfSh9s9KvaD7m-Ua9oQDB30Yrs7HY8jjS0UANas9IgTc1d3KTykCV4k-MfYU_96pAVA6/s4032/IMG_2290.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRHw0jcJSy7cFaiDFuNbNwKH4xuWo3JIM3C9XyNifZNuDG0seRL26TmpWSOauQiOABTNzja5SZ09sUEDip3aTs50CvsZP0hpmL3lUroDr-NaLYLRFRbpn5W5kfSh9s9KvaD7m-Ua9oQDB30Yrs7HY8jjS0UANas9IgTc1d3KTykCV4k-MfYU_96pAVA6/s320/IMG_2290.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to Legoland as well. In the photo below, take a look at Jess and Elsie. They are sitting next to each other and doing the exact same thing! I can't believe Elsie was putting her hands up. Everyone was a fan of the Coastersaurus!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="1029" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeg1slnyF-qz324EsVKhTrNAlcsjsfYOQcwYUhHTwGAb6TSBj2Yh2hB_I15_e0Bhyphenhyphen7doR5-n0gix4SFvlZjoTSjVHzpzK5TrQO9c5CJEBSC5fTO-uYSqGUpDetv1GmX93oh-6Iu-v-YcjmarOEZUd9GYnqQpYbqA_h4PAPWfN-Ra8Jy9eU5DtA9UHhKxD/s320/IMG_0392.jpeg" width="320" /></div><br />Ansel, Ian, and Elsie are at a great age to go to Legoland. Ian was fascinated by the mini town built of Legos.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrFKWLauWtDkcx2YMewPSl5eIeL4AJLb8peQccIJwQG2yaLuzjDRXjSFaEA7A0Bs_P2S3LYmSDql9eL_V2nhAN0PtHUMfg1vIknhw0P8nSWAm6ALE1kl_m4sl4oHwEBRGaHSu6GVrydxZN7fH96NJppyZh9FjYRb6kgeEOdc3eDeDS2-AlvkE0FAOKw2T/s4032/IMG_2267.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrFKWLauWtDkcx2YMewPSl5eIeL4AJLb8peQccIJwQG2yaLuzjDRXjSFaEA7A0Bs_P2S3LYmSDql9eL_V2nhAN0PtHUMfg1vIknhw0P8nSWAm6ALE1kl_m4sl4oHwEBRGaHSu6GVrydxZN7fH96NJppyZh9FjYRb6kgeEOdc3eDeDS2-AlvkE0FAOKw2T/s320/IMG_2267.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>And, well, Ansel likes any chance he can go on a ride.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0ZHXnoRH3az_m3W7VlPBiRCK7xCCfINgWfRMHNmFt6Z18HBvVrJhI4MRuRmuJvvYvd1Suv6-54RtMDoaosJUkQWhwcqNO_jsSyhPWd81G7lV0A1Wb_AoqMqt6tN8Ly5Fmp5qM1gOXCyLpJMK6RpURF3_eDO-QvGO11UFwMYQIib5q7u9SWT3wtGB67Me/s4032/IMG_2278.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0ZHXnoRH3az_m3W7VlPBiRCK7xCCfINgWfRMHNmFt6Z18HBvVrJhI4MRuRmuJvvYvd1Suv6-54RtMDoaosJUkQWhwcqNO_jsSyhPWd81G7lV0A1Wb_AoqMqt6tN8Ly5Fmp5qM1gOXCyLpJMK6RpURF3_eDO-QvGO11UFwMYQIib5q7u9SWT3wtGB67Me/s320/IMG_2278.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Can you tell we had fun? So much fun! There were absolutely no lonely hearts during our reunion. Huzzah!ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-65409138301723900592023-09-12T15:18:00.001-04:002023-09-12T15:18:18.958-04:00So many things to shareThere are many things I’d like to post to the blog (since it is currently my form of journaling, including but not limited to:<div>- our trip to Europe (France and Switzerland, beautiful!), </div><div>- Ian’s birthday (and his natural tendency to eat a Keto diet, ha!), </div><div>- Elsie’s first day of preschool (and her love for dance class), </div><div>- Ansel’s melting jolly ranchers in the microwave and glass-blowing it into shapes (plus soccer!), and </div><div>- Oliver’s sailing (and starting high school!). </div><div>- Plus, Jess does a 100 mile bike race less than a year after being in the hospital (miracle!) and </div><div>- our summer stops where we made many memories (St. George, Oceanside, Bear Lake, heck…Lagoon!). </div><div>- And we don’t want to forget school starting and tennis fun and all the things that make this season a season I am so very grateful for. </div><div><br></div><div>I can’t figure out why my photos are not being saved to my blog. You see, it seems that every time I post something new, more photos disappear. I’m sure it’s due to the fact that the memory in my Google account is seriously waning, and I’m way too cheap to subscribe to a monthly fee. So I need to figure out what’s next. More in that later. </div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-18455632915845021782023-06-21T15:22:00.001-04:002023-10-03T21:09:15.109-04:00From the mouth of a three year oldWhen talking about going on a HUGE playground slide: “When I become a boy, I’ll go down the big slide.” Hopefully, we’ve cleared up that misunderstanding. <div><br /></div><div>When looking at the HUGE Ferris Wheel at Lagoon: “Look, it’s the Holy Ghost!” Again, hopefully, we’ve cleared up that misunderstanding. </div><div><br /></div><div>After being asked why she was placing a foot long piece of yarn in her nose and letting some hang out: “Because, I’m a doctor!” I’m at a loss on this one. </div><div><br /></div><div>And one last thing, I’m using Duolingo to learn some French and Elsie really is the best at repeating the phrases she hears coming from the app. Tres bien!</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVan93W-FeOIBcKmMKtaW_-4xUV09g-ThqS4G5R3HDZqfg-Fbcnpn2QP0kMtIz5pqNnKT7_3D0r3dt9QJdL6bG9wFTmmGBC-WqOIkmZPI_Nnre2gn4Gm8xTmLNyXLF3DE-YK923ibov7uPCkBDD1FFzAimWAAge5yjXDfzOKGUr_OiTTnBdsFgv7Fflhs/s4032/IMG_0372.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVan93W-FeOIBcKmMKtaW_-4xUV09g-ThqS4G5R3HDZqfg-Fbcnpn2QP0kMtIz5pqNnKT7_3D0r3dt9QJdL6bG9wFTmmGBC-WqOIkmZPI_Nnre2gn4Gm8xTmLNyXLF3DE-YK923ibov7uPCkBDD1FFzAimWAAge5yjXDfzOKGUr_OiTTnBdsFgv7Fflhs/s320/IMG_0372.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-91616724749375778682023-06-09T16:00:00.001-04:002023-10-03T21:06:55.328-04:00End of the year wrap upUm, it’s summer already. Wow! There was a whirlwind at the end of the school year and lots of activities for the final days of school and then we were onto the next thing. So let’s take a moment to remember those times because they were big!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr17gJdlaoYTBVSp8aWVlQsOSLMF4KUMcqVeB8dqwV-SQXSbGrd3uSOnHNUw7D46Os5ZpTeEcwZGilM-xzncOfj2nFoIFVns4NXceNmQbyumbslTNOs0ATsJXPlMY0e9cWj2sWq5pLRyU3dUCXhnsOV6K5tPG45rrMhmlyM2lAgbm7pMg6lZoyYzPfFOt/s3088/IMG_1679.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXr17gJdlaoYTBVSp8aWVlQsOSLMF4KUMcqVeB8dqwV-SQXSbGrd3uSOnHNUw7D46Os5ZpTeEcwZGilM-xzncOfj2nFoIFVns4NXceNmQbyumbslTNOs0ATsJXPlMY0e9cWj2sWq5pLRyU3dUCXhnsOV6K5tPG45rrMhmlyM2lAgbm7pMg6lZoyYzPfFOt/s320/IMG_1679.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />We were able to enjoy some beautiful hikes, one being a quick jaunt up to Temple Quarry. The water was the highest we have ever seen!<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39XreKTtQ6CabETaC7hJ-gpKqeS7AhyphenhyphenrmCyIZRVWg47uh5CXFYaNCMKajTcu_SgAnnSR6PMgXof28eAIi3hs_fGU9c2XrO1zlWtVIoVdclkiP73lyTgvQnxq_dVRIhVw3g2_bejLf7OEuqyAZLSk8BCPzTi4-e5HZSvF1t_gJ2RS0AiaUkQlujQI06Y73/s3088/IMG_0066.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39XreKTtQ6CabETaC7hJ-gpKqeS7AhyphenhyphenrmCyIZRVWg47uh5CXFYaNCMKajTcu_SgAnnSR6PMgXof28eAIi3hs_fGU9c2XrO1zlWtVIoVdclkiP73lyTgvQnxq_dVRIhVw3g2_bejLf7OEuqyAZLSk8BCPzTi4-e5HZSvF1t_gJ2RS0AiaUkQlujQI06Y73/s320/IMG_0066.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Ian had an end-of-year program. The teachers made a cute video of the kids describing the things they loved about Kindergarten. Ian said, “recess and reading and making new friends and brain boosters.” It was a great year for him!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvw8aQI8MBoKHG_OFF5vZl9y4rTiGxQ0YcMS7qE0nzsej4s5sad0iHK_1CpcUTZT9DjLygW3yqUrL0r4r3LPOIKEWfduFYvpJ4RRkMILWfRb1o7GDJROeVwPKjmVsx883SIP6vyZ7A3fZIpEnb5csp4tvjENghsmzLndP1sdD5yPVFVB7vYExY3d3zXm1/s1792/IMG_1980.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="828" data-original-width="1792" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvw8aQI8MBoKHG_OFF5vZl9y4rTiGxQ0YcMS7qE0nzsej4s5sad0iHK_1CpcUTZT9DjLygW3yqUrL0r4r3LPOIKEWfduFYvpJ4RRkMILWfRb1o7GDJROeVwPKjmVsx883SIP6vyZ7A3fZIpEnb5csp4tvjENghsmzLndP1sdD5yPVFVB7vYExY3d3zXm1/s320/IMG_1980.png" width="320" /></a></div>Ansel received his Bachelors Degree in a fourth grade program called the University of Learning. He did projects on piano, soccer, and cooking. Way to go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaWeNU8uxS3rbqyZUhrCwtAw8E5kJeNRXZ5EXG8SYTDidL7S2GKSlsEu__Nb6E9DvDAbtPRlLQ-_JUf1O2EcKFRlwnB8F1JNoDm2aj4s99J1nnMw8o-WLvQV1Ysb-Z_5asK0BFY75l58pruhzDAKWsb1oFP6u_MNj-30TP31Jt1sCC6azsjQPaPJahFbg/s4032/IMG_1880.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaWeNU8uxS3rbqyZUhrCwtAw8E5kJeNRXZ5EXG8SYTDidL7S2GKSlsEu__Nb6E9DvDAbtPRlLQ-_JUf1O2EcKFRlwnB8F1JNoDm2aj4s99J1nnMw8o-WLvQV1Ysb-Z_5asK0BFY75l58pruhzDAKWsb1oFP6u_MNj-30TP31Jt1sCC6azsjQPaPJahFbg/s320/IMG_1880.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>On the third to last day of school, he and his buddies ceremoniously burned his Wonders book (the guide the school uses for writing practice) because it was something they loathed. Ha! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbqgeFgALfUKgAj56PJkypI-dqOMmadq1Uo-6ua6DpH2WX_M6N3NiOunPWgHvFyUILcU7ZpijSBMJdEc6zzmiUH2HNYu9OXKxKuPsmHlObEdJiz8wKpiqz4mI52iYzB-mfgWfhosQTQ_JjidL5_4wvCW4q3eywr9K4I8xxGxBY34AML5jyGh1onuSUjtk/s4032/IMG_1848.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZbqgeFgALfUKgAj56PJkypI-dqOMmadq1Uo-6ua6DpH2WX_M6N3NiOunPWgHvFyUILcU7ZpijSBMJdEc6zzmiUH2HNYu9OXKxKuPsmHlObEdJiz8wKpiqz4mI52iYzB-mfgWfhosQTQ_JjidL5_4wvCW4q3eywr9K4I8xxGxBY34AML5jyGh1onuSUjtk/s320/IMG_1848.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Oliver had a birthday party with his friends at Top Golf. He and his buddies are hilarious. His last few days of middle school were good. He’s happy with his experience and ready for high school. Yowza!</div><div><br /></div><div>Elsie finished her year of tumbling. She loved wearing her leotards. She really enjoyed the class and doing it her little friends.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeOyhgUi1lQQVgxAAMJeKK4HAot9cWDYW0SNgeTkkRzDmCAKdOOS5wud5cnywMFlXj719KT6ubweaHMSFKk1pqlFU14zSpuELCoVp9fhYusC9KaBRAGAdJLcuGCPfZRdK2vaQzQKrbAtNGICuhIRIjqg8AakqZT_gjrCiUar8d4f087uqxQck_Q1ZHgT9/s4032/IMG_2211.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeeOyhgUi1lQQVgxAAMJeKK4HAot9cWDYW0SNgeTkkRzDmCAKdOOS5wud5cnywMFlXj719KT6ubweaHMSFKk1pqlFU14zSpuELCoVp9fhYusC9KaBRAGAdJLcuGCPfZRdK2vaQzQKrbAtNGICuhIRIjqg8AakqZT_gjrCiUar8d4f087uqxQck_Q1ZHgT9/s320/IMG_2211.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>We had our neighborhood end-of-year party. It was a good time full of BBQ, bounce houses, face painting (Elsie with her buddy), 9-square, and lots of good conversation with neighbors young and old. <br /><br /><br />Jess and I went on a helicopter ride over the Wasatch mountains. We flew around our house later on during the ride and Oliver waved up at us. Taking a ride in a helicopter has been on my bucket list and Jess made it happen. Wahoo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX32xpioBxqdT1mQoFp7NmnE163tIrHB03mU417utgawSHGEerDr_FMN_eRbTSUwm89bkjuw6dGqFsKJNMaF-wq-qdNLsawyL0xhugQ1EWE8cWHa1vxlLCy_dsPSrZlzz-o7JbYNnING_vwkHs005YC-uWpxPPvKmWuBop3uryaDIFw7u_nG1ZqmoazzN/s3088/IMG_1828.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX32xpioBxqdT1mQoFp7NmnE163tIrHB03mU417utgawSHGEerDr_FMN_eRbTSUwm89bkjuw6dGqFsKJNMaF-wq-qdNLsawyL0xhugQ1EWE8cWHa1vxlLCy_dsPSrZlzz-o7JbYNnING_vwkHs005YC-uWpxPPvKmWuBop3uryaDIFw7u_nG1ZqmoazzN/s320/IMG_1828.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div>The creek near our house continues to rise and fall as the snow melts. Even though our neighborhood has prepped for flooding (sandbags galore!), the weather is cooperating and it looks like we should be clear. It’s crazy to see it this high!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3boxezOP4hDNWBr2eLvuVIjOEZn5LIYHvnU6J1ld214vFSmi_dXBMC2AUWvcchM9uRpFgZkWdoOkQlLpktHj2y7iUEIoD3PyJij2uUjzCa_s8AJDbLyeRxqTLR0HlTqF1hsenopLuFG5O7ChMQ692lKt3RkzPQZSbbl5oeWNIXzTfbGykj3Y4u5dwbb47/s4032/IMG_1920.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3boxezOP4hDNWBr2eLvuVIjOEZn5LIYHvnU6J1ld214vFSmi_dXBMC2AUWvcchM9uRpFgZkWdoOkQlLpktHj2y7iUEIoD3PyJij2uUjzCa_s8AJDbLyeRxqTLR0HlTqF1hsenopLuFG5O7ChMQ692lKt3RkzPQZSbbl5oeWNIXzTfbGykj3Y4u5dwbb47/s320/IMG_1920.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We visited the Great Salt Lake because Oliver did a report on it and wanted to check water levels. He found that it has risen with the snow melt (yes!!)! Plus, the temperature was perfect and there was a breeze so there was no stinky smell. He and Ansel swam (and floated) in the water. None of us came prepared with swimming suits so the younger kids didn’t get to go out. Next time! </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TT3WP_Wm2YN4fYVziteZQMepHSrMeQRz8ZmB_6Kz24pbqqqcHBf2m8oUEYOdFv2xtSdNJG8_eWy9qNCKPawrg_owQ9EbO_s9bjF5MRBN1UYhFsdHpqZKIHJZggd91kILQUTDgACnjOc1N9acMM2Saq3e7KJb-pQiq9OX-G1UDbLK8tiWGo7clMg6y2DH/s4032/IMG_0077.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TT3WP_Wm2YN4fYVziteZQMepHSrMeQRz8ZmB_6Kz24pbqqqcHBf2m8oUEYOdFv2xtSdNJG8_eWy9qNCKPawrg_owQ9EbO_s9bjF5MRBN1UYhFsdHpqZKIHJZggd91kILQUTDgACnjOc1N9acMM2Saq3e7KJb-pQiq9OX-G1UDbLK8tiWGo7clMg6y2DH/s320/IMG_0077.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>After being out of school for only a couple of days, we were off to St. George with our friends and neighbors. We had a great time playing with buddies and chatting with pals. Always such a great time. We also spent time with family. My sister’s family was down there at the same time and we went to Sand Hollow Reservoir together. My brother-in-law loves the Flite Board and let me give it a try. So fun!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYyS9AjauXd-8tXKZ5oek5TjFAtUfaJWBNrM1y_xQPu3leW_klQOHQPgXPMDN20moFFtggApr3YqAVwDmRqZ0xcbn9QhxSZ4_ycdufX96pcqKfOdPbRywuqDaC-15W98D9r2xZFdROGJBrAUzjZIX35-3Uffl1neMLNr1CNS0_-3Y2qrVoMURcEF292b3/s2048/IMG_6538.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYyS9AjauXd-8tXKZ5oek5TjFAtUfaJWBNrM1y_xQPu3leW_klQOHQPgXPMDN20moFFtggApr3YqAVwDmRqZ0xcbn9QhxSZ4_ycdufX96pcqKfOdPbRywuqDaC-15W98D9r2xZFdROGJBrAUzjZIX35-3Uffl1neMLNr1CNS0_-3Y2qrVoMURcEF292b3/s320/IMG_6538.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now onto the rest of summer. Today I drove to swim lessons and picked up Ian from camp. Oliver’s off at a service camp with his cousin. Tomorrow we’re headed to Lagoon. And then onto the next thing and the next. Hopefully, in the (good) whirlwind of it all, the kids are making memories. <br /></div></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-75869375102977169662023-05-16T14:28:00.001-04:002023-10-03T20:55:42.430-04:00Wild ThingThis here is our Wild Thing, our Elsie. Her hair rivals what mine looked like as a kid. My mom called me “Lion Lady” when I was young. Elsie has now taken on the title. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-79MVe4rGOqzVGMrMxBR73aPclh944qIVU8M0NOV6NjSDLabH5PZ3behBR9Lx9z8RlwOrF34Zyr5G6GXMWrewQ6xJ8gFLs2VZ0ztJI7ic5sSxWDbWxZdhmqlQc0V5x9yWYlXeczUT9P7aaJwX0IXeNNGJyCmaACWm4d4BllDlAtYNYSBCVz_5F_P2CHw_/s4032/IMG_0213.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-79MVe4rGOqzVGMrMxBR73aPclh944qIVU8M0NOV6NjSDLabH5PZ3behBR9Lx9z8RlwOrF34Zyr5G6GXMWrewQ6xJ8gFLs2VZ0ztJI7ic5sSxWDbWxZdhmqlQc0V5x9yWYlXeczUT9P7aaJwX0IXeNNGJyCmaACWm4d4BllDlAtYNYSBCVz_5F_P2CHw_/s320/IMG_0213.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She’s often busy drawing and painting, even on herself. </div><div><br />She loves a good playgroup activity, especially when it involves riding a unicorn. <br /></div><div><br />She’s often seen with another wild thing, an Ian one.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfcvfUYPNeG-YoaW0fcN8Zg68y00Ajxnnq84hPxBPEzHf3vkBlO_rQRuaeaA96SDdLF1R1Hu4Mxxa7-awJjQECehtnmafc28XQ9wDRNGbZqdVxCCOWd9VpuXgPbppakwqtwkUX362t8vN8WK22zJrPwe0xA0zEy3ae3oS0S-AqDgEYlkEw6tpiEUuWsB5/s4032/IMG_0323.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfcvfUYPNeG-YoaW0fcN8Zg68y00Ajxnnq84hPxBPEzHf3vkBlO_rQRuaeaA96SDdLF1R1Hu4Mxxa7-awJjQECehtnmafc28XQ9wDRNGbZqdVxCCOWd9VpuXgPbppakwqtwkUX362t8vN8WK22zJrPwe0xA0zEy3ae3oS0S-AqDgEYlkEw6tpiEUuWsB5/s320/IMG_0323.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />She eats chicken wings and all kinds of things. She loves to run around nakey and dance. </div><div><br />She can be very civilized at times. </div><div><br />But most of the time, she’s a wild thing. </div><br /><br />ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-77678883350324387462023-05-10T09:37:00.001-04:002023-10-03T20:52:47.857-04:00Good Communication Growing up, I feel like I had good communication with my parents. I’d talk with my mom a lot and when chances arose, I’d talk with my dad too. Some subjects we never touched on because we had no reason too, others probably could have been talked about but we never got there. The truth is, my parents made an effort, and that’s what was important. <div><br />Going out to eat and talking was a frequent activity I did with my mom and siblings during my teenage years. Sitting at the counter or on the porch having discussions with my siblings happened often. At current family dinners, 10 conversations are happening at once and it fills my soul with goodness. I don’t know what it is, but the power of a good talk really recharges me. </div><div><br /></div><div>My family likes to talk, Jess will attest to that (ha!), and I think it both stems from our desire and love for the art of conversation but also by the way our parents nourished that art. This I am trying to do with my own little family. </div><div><br />One such night we started talking about a YouTuber whose channel contained sub-par food reviews. We talked about his delivery, the camera work, his hat choice, which led to us questioning how such a person could have so many subscribers. The conversation wasn’t about anything of huge importance, but everyone was involved (even Elsie was trying!) and we came together on something so we can come together on bigger things in the future. </div><div><br /></div><div>I read a quote recently by James E. Faust that read, “Parents spend a lifetime seeking to establish and maintain good communications with each of their children.” This stuck out to me for a couple of reasons, 1) good communication has to be worked on constantly and 2) each child is going to have a different style of communication that parents must come to discover and then nourish. Jess and I talk about these different styles often and sometimes we have to adjust based on behaviors, either those of our child(ren)’s or our’s. </div><div><br />Hopefully, there is good communication within the family, it will spread to good communication within the community. This is my hope for my children as they grow up and work with others. </div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-49210493032150253372023-05-04T18:18:00.002-04:002023-10-03T20:52:25.688-04:00Santa CatalinaTo celebrate a big birthday for Jess’s dad, we set off to California. Riding in the shuttle + plane + Uber + boat to get to Catalina Island was half the fun. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQUTSYGjgvq2LBUq53__lsfyQ5ygpl_8CNvOanouYznRKabBFYCaLsEzZRX9NBGOR5WTJlItTrpBoi-dlrecengEQMqaPb7Vfih3aT_9KAJnlXvaPRDt-FIO7Tiye3X8PKBlcpxA1x99yzudDytif_2NgZDmjfUkORDyuh6P8Z3Y31RsFY6hwhVJA-ZzX/s4032/IMG_9882.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQUTSYGjgvq2LBUq53__lsfyQ5ygpl_8CNvOanouYznRKabBFYCaLsEzZRX9NBGOR5WTJlItTrpBoi-dlrecengEQMqaPb7Vfih3aT_9KAJnlXvaPRDt-FIO7Tiye3X8PKBlcpxA1x99yzudDytif_2NgZDmjfUkORDyuh6P8Z3Y31RsFY6hwhVJA-ZzX/s320/IMG_9882.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />But first, we got to Long Beach a day early and enjoyed some activities. Unbeknownst to me, Long Beach is more of a port city and is not bursting with tourist stuff. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0XaIKaXsEgWq7F3bz4_KW9PB1JnmuEO5JDDcrkNdWxP0tsRCJKWxCk0RkXsYquWY9MoSre_HJ5E6kZMKZjcPwF7FebYpoaZAI7tWrHWrCcRDg2wcXEzsDa1Xm-YjwY3RfwPF4zzPcqrcnIb9vK3A0MUv75649x9Inf0D0h9FC1g0trEDiX2otVcDFf8k/s4032/IMG_9901.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0XaIKaXsEgWq7F3bz4_KW9PB1JnmuEO5JDDcrkNdWxP0tsRCJKWxCk0RkXsYquWY9MoSre_HJ5E6kZMKZjcPwF7FebYpoaZAI7tWrHWrCcRDg2wcXEzsDa1Xm-YjwY3RfwPF4zzPcqrcnIb9vK3A0MUv75649x9Inf0D0h9FC1g0trEDiX2otVcDFf8k/s320/IMG_9901.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Still, we found some things to do, like riding in Swan Boats (where we spotted a Great Blue Heron):</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH6Ndsc0woCzgFUqjHBDwnIjUNih0pxQ4WcweoPSQURYewHigUfcn1xPLzTExwlk-LP5kdgP5dZoa_ryctl2USz2CqebS24_4s85CBQa4s4QN3hrsWhRvWbDZ86A_TpE8pRFJxW6GHPzICKpb18OMbzxw2I48obUWHGCFzcXozH8DTljhGtR4T2iXLsIB/s4032/IMG_9881.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguH6Ndsc0woCzgFUqjHBDwnIjUNih0pxQ4WcweoPSQURYewHigUfcn1xPLzTExwlk-LP5kdgP5dZoa_ryctl2USz2CqebS24_4s85CBQa4s4QN3hrsWhRvWbDZ86A_TpE8pRFJxW6GHPzICKpb18OMbzxw2I48obUWHGCFzcXozH8DTljhGtR4T2iXLsIB/s320/IMG_9881.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>and visiting Queen Mary (a boat bigger and faster than the Titanic). </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWHWp6tFZRSU36CcEdOldK44WtsgyKgxzBX3UuKv0R6LVVGyM5y_5XXinyFwGirhGeKG52UBslvAx1CmH45YHw_50_lg3KreBtqII3ac3-hLK2PFV6JVDUtQvuZA3uASQJ0T4vhV6a8OGX2nQeO-n5JIXKtVps5Ie-9u0JucTgpAV_P6QrAbL5W3ay5yo/s4032/IMG_9921.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWHWp6tFZRSU36CcEdOldK44WtsgyKgxzBX3UuKv0R6LVVGyM5y_5XXinyFwGirhGeKG52UBslvAx1CmH45YHw_50_lg3KreBtqII3ac3-hLK2PFV6JVDUtQvuZA3uASQJ0T4vhV6a8OGX2nQeO-n5JIXKtVps5Ie-9u0JucTgpAV_P6QrAbL5W3ay5yo/s320/IMG_9921.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We also found an old, abandoned shopping area across the street that gave off Disney vibes. Then we happened upon these trees made of styrofoam. Um, what? Apologies if these tree characters haunt your dreams tonight. And apologies if you were really looking forward to going to Long Beach sometime in the future and now you’re not so pumped. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvzyNxeItLifO1fsIpQ4425QVgqWbrp8jn7kjbmkLkvu2DudsTMECkq5XBvc40RIv3vAgZ4VPFMMCZB1jiZehYNFjxHKwIzEbX_4sUwvpd2VAq-nHZ71GcbzZcdSbTcwH8GyPa4kHw1yHPB1t78-Eokq-Gg67q6FWhzga_vMvzBu5s4Z1lwxXvjVWLW95/s4032/IMG_9927.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvzyNxeItLifO1fsIpQ4425QVgqWbrp8jn7kjbmkLkvu2DudsTMECkq5XBvc40RIv3vAgZ4VPFMMCZB1jiZehYNFjxHKwIzEbX_4sUwvpd2VAq-nHZ71GcbzZcdSbTcwH8GyPa4kHw1yHPB1t78-Eokq-Gg67q6FWhzga_vMvzBu5s4Z1lwxXvjVWLW95/s320/IMG_9927.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br />Back to Catalina, we got on the ferry and arrived. We made our way to the hotel. We had ice cream and seafood. We rented golf carts and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the island. The views were stunning. </div><div>We spent time at the beach too. It was a brisk 65 degrees, but this did not stop the kiddos from enjoying the sand and the sea. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1soXPY_7vGvIjbef3HX_YkKRM4BW8Aj2ShwY-gREsZTY4Z7f4NmhfJ3zHz5BbKKk2iM_pdMXY2M72LcTN3zeQlyRZFNPafS2Nt-7JeihBlkiWXm7DzGjSedrUzhnM64uu-liOE7z9R5kp472I2Md2V7tTL9oDSFpSsgTKwaLE0v-SprwHunjCXTuHwejC/s4032/IMG_9953.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1soXPY_7vGvIjbef3HX_YkKRM4BW8Aj2ShwY-gREsZTY4Z7f4NmhfJ3zHz5BbKKk2iM_pdMXY2M72LcTN3zeQlyRZFNPafS2Nt-7JeihBlkiWXm7DzGjSedrUzhnM64uu-liOE7z9R5kp472I2Md2V7tTL9oDSFpSsgTKwaLE0v-SprwHunjCXTuHwejC/s320/IMG_9953.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div></div><div>It was a wonderful time! It was so nice to be with family in such a beautiful spot. One last thing, we like to call what Ian is wearing in the above photo “gym leisure” (he had gym shorts on with this sweater. With this clothing, you can go on a run to get to the nice restaurant where you have reservations. </div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-60753093298598332252023-04-24T12:02:00.002-04:002023-10-03T20:43:43.931-04:00Elsie at threeSo many good things come from a three year old, Elsie is no exception. <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtajYlvgG6rQaM_9ZxyNiuor62l0CgFvqxs0yHtaaLJ2gy6gN0dd-skZLPr8tREyicfr3b6rJoNYdystDx4_NGvbTml2LmiOKbjrA9spbfugqC848k2d5tOsaBsI-ubo1grBbEzveNJ07Ki8qvUtDzVRKIE-Uw5j6hq8R9FZF3w23JR4PuycMkmRXlSH7/s4032/IMG_9849.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWtajYlvgG6rQaM_9ZxyNiuor62l0CgFvqxs0yHtaaLJ2gy6gN0dd-skZLPr8tREyicfr3b6rJoNYdystDx4_NGvbTml2LmiOKbjrA9spbfugqC848k2d5tOsaBsI-ubo1grBbEzveNJ07Ki8qvUtDzVRKIE-Uw5j6hq8R9FZF3w23JR4PuycMkmRXlSH7/s320/IMG_9849.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>When something is not matching her timetable, she says, “It’s taking for a long time!”</div><div><br /></div><div>She loves to comb her baby doll’s hair. </div><div><br /></div><div>She can play outside and pretend or ride her scooter (or strider bike) forever, still, she always wants to play with her buddies. </div><div><br /></div><div>She loves to paint. </div><div><br /></div><div>She calls a piggy back ride a “piggy ride” and elastics for hair “pony elastics.”</div><div><br /></div><div>She always says she needs three of everything because “I’m three!” Three slices of apple, three pieces of candy, three doughnuts!?!</div><div><br /></div><div>When she wants me to hold her she says, “Can I hold ya?”</div><div><br /></div><div>And when she says she’s not tired, she most certainly is. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueCnWGcomuepWkb3GQN18jr2VGVGfhl53RJxI39dCTC0gRnFcCm0cPlnGMbqSJR7oc9ohSJxUzULggrkm_MkL_ixEv8MhHPvC9jB4f4SoAxFE9Y_dk8D3DxmkrmDUM_omcrPKVO4inPRQEbSCpHN3dpDb-Ta6wRHIjtOMGyNtyOzfEkQ8QEJksHnmckBb/s4032/IMG_0119.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueCnWGcomuepWkb3GQN18jr2VGVGfhl53RJxI39dCTC0gRnFcCm0cPlnGMbqSJR7oc9ohSJxUzULggrkm_MkL_ixEv8MhHPvC9jB4f4SoAxFE9Y_dk8D3DxmkrmDUM_omcrPKVO4inPRQEbSCpHN3dpDb-Ta6wRHIjtOMGyNtyOzfEkQ8QEJksHnmckBb/s320/IMG_0119.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Being three takes a lot of energy. ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-68086691280352886822023-04-17T20:39:00.001-04:002023-10-03T20:44:12.297-04:00Easter down southEaster this year was surrounded by snow, General Conference, and Spring Break. As such, we didn’t have our usual neighborhood Easter Egg hunt, but we still had a few hunts. One was at Grandma’s house. She has the best yard for such a thing. Such fun was being had, so it’s the usually story, no pics. We had another hunt was down in St. George where we spent Spring Break. <div><br /></div><div>Ian had lots of excitement.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzLNze-GlTUDLayMRW_UBLEefps2E1HPEjwThFMlaZDdyxsdtCMPQ2gO4sIxIoaAYmaPIRc6xrbchdy2vhWgzo0F51aOl7Dzon29ODoNhcWgCUnimVoXQ96mWHklddjqKSehFwubSwk8p61hJ2ecmPsM8ERyuPT31-0vAOigOr38IoTcjJsGM6Pl8nP-3/s4032/IMG_1466.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxzLNze-GlTUDLayMRW_UBLEefps2E1HPEjwThFMlaZDdyxsdtCMPQ2gO4sIxIoaAYmaPIRc6xrbchdy2vhWgzo0F51aOl7Dzon29ODoNhcWgCUnimVoXQ96mWHklddjqKSehFwubSwk8p61hJ2ecmPsM8ERyuPT31-0vAOigOr38IoTcjJsGM6Pl8nP-3/s320/IMG_1466.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Elsie got all the eggs that cousins passed up. She took the hunt slow while the other kids were running around at high speeds. The excitement was certainly there. And then the kids counted eggs and traded candy, while all the teenagers asked them to share their candy. Ha!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ds-D8PQCHEqPW3IRBaCAwDIxgm9OJreSpJBrBFN0YvWkejqHCW1VHjC66egv_YioA-v7y1MOh9Rtvh4eTOk-4PQeVcC8_mkGcm6Xj12K2ObkN7ZWUw4JSlzbiZc4mHa8ixmhgteM4vRtmI9ix4QyuHKKRNcvdifeAOcDP-nxfFePXSsLbv5_1wpUtrv3/s4032/IMG_1476.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ds-D8PQCHEqPW3IRBaCAwDIxgm9OJreSpJBrBFN0YvWkejqHCW1VHjC66egv_YioA-v7y1MOh9Rtvh4eTOk-4PQeVcC8_mkGcm6Xj12K2ObkN7ZWUw4JSlzbiZc4mHa8ixmhgteM4vRtmI9ix4QyuHKKRNcvdifeAOcDP-nxfFePXSsLbv5_1wpUtrv3/s320/IMG_1476.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>We did some other things during the break. We hiked Gunlock Falls (which was crowded like no other), and had lunch in a wash. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1B2b4utc6Vgm_qWnwAVZH5IqvC_3j-FJm9V0Qtx7iIn1TBoUIpFnQm3hOYN7ppaT0ELNoLKWVVENk4fEXipNxoy8Xxo5VsWVgRTFQV9ApfjM38aacwgPQXpagCYDFmArFokf9zgF0Wg8niJ8eAZe_Xz1lmJvbCLINAmd05zCqaypDO8I9paf4DnDgC0a/s2879/IMG_9434.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2159" data-original-width="2879" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1B2b4utc6Vgm_qWnwAVZH5IqvC_3j-FJm9V0Qtx7iIn1TBoUIpFnQm3hOYN7ppaT0ELNoLKWVVENk4fEXipNxoy8Xxo5VsWVgRTFQV9ApfjM38aacwgPQXpagCYDFmArFokf9zgF0Wg8niJ8eAZe_Xz1lmJvbCLINAmd05zCqaypDO8I9paf4DnDgC0a/s320/IMG_9434.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>We swam, paddle boarded, and played tennis. We made food and enjoyed conversation. We relaxed. Ahh! Balm for the soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>A week later, we took part in the egg launch. A tradition my brothers came up with many years ago. Here, Elsie gets help from an older cousin. The eggs fly across the field and one of these guys tries to catch one. It’s a lot of fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWRZjvv33ZnnwAai3KvIFzFK0tHQXjrg9T-N71ZhB0pcPtR5wB4EpNbvpd9wm0LvaAqyPcjAhv4ernfK75H3c2cf6KNnfR66eo0jdAUaC7RScMqxiUysm0YuhpQWIh3lhCtIqYlpxlCKL1lcHW-2zj-DA483159DyzMVqlwf9qvakXUqzy94SXylilQwh/s4032/IMG_1547.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWRZjvv33ZnnwAai3KvIFzFK0tHQXjrg9T-N71ZhB0pcPtR5wB4EpNbvpd9wm0LvaAqyPcjAhv4ernfK75H3c2cf6KNnfR66eo0jdAUaC7RScMqxiUysm0YuhpQWIh3lhCtIqYlpxlCKL1lcHW-2zj-DA483159DyzMVqlwf9qvakXUqzy94SXylilQwh/s320/IMG_1547.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>For many weeks now, I’ve focused a lot on the idea that God and Jesus Christ are the source of peace. Amongst all the fun, my thoughts continued to circle upon that idea and the celebration of Easter emphasized it for me even more so. </div></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-65966514399188731692023-03-27T20:20:00.001-04:002023-03-27T20:20:29.391-04:00When you oldest and youngest……use the same piece of paper. You get this:<div><img id="id_8965_2a43_8029_91ca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/m6OKcbZRSxb6FO2zX_cWno9kyrFgsptXN3Vl_Bh4iDzdy-gNnMxJanJ62OqcPhMgUxs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Oliver with math homework and Elsie with some creature doodling. Gotta love it!<br><br></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-27340062784763833222023-03-08T09:37:00.001-05:002023-03-08T10:46:47.837-05:00Winter birthdaysAnsel had a birthday! He’s in the double digits now. Whoa! How’d we get here? He wanted Legos for his birthday and to eat at Royal India for some delicious curry, tikka masala, and saag. <div><img id="id_2618_ec05_16c5_19fc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fu-wYyo0Fz_FPe6NYkI91FIdKlLPlqyV7kFyb7pF-6Q0C1l06ik22gJpfD7KtDMRps4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Plus, he got a mango lassi this time. All the kids were jealous, but he was willing to share. Good kid. </div><div><img id="id_ff69_406f_c681_f1b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ojQcrlstmWKUHq6pqj7N6BPoKCrgditpUJftGeg0_ofBEV-CFAG5tshcb82HM7EduIw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Then there was Elsie’s birthday. She’s three! She didn’t really care where she went to eat, she just wanted to know if there would be stickers. Ha! She’s great at getting those three fingers up. </div><div><img id="id_dee1_9432_7b80_c601" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iJsoZWHvlkMSP_LXf7ahBlLA2vHul5vY-6PO28MpjgHQh_4-zkS2cuuFA5JNdUgwqJ4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>She blew out the candles with much aplomb. </div><div><img id="id_4202_6e69_d7d4_94af" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X6VhaVaZXTz9sGZHSgM28QpQg_FT8lbUVmB_BdoHfevhNgSvPRKnmSB7L3WetIlT-Oc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>This family of mine sure is fun to celebrate with. </div><div><img id="id_75f1_ca5_dae1_c472" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jTRqeLACle9O0N9BCMYuYFq0o0v6FGdNFV5ja9jdLfwADaG-Aku9vQkpwxn8ptIpKf8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-29541794795649973172023-02-23T18:45:00.001-05:002023-10-03T20:44:23.249-04:00Arches in the coldIt ain’t that bad. In fact, it’s actually quite nice, especially when the weather is sunny and in the 40s. Beautiful scenery, less crowds, and not as much sweat 😉 . <div><br></div><div>Here Ansel takes a photo of Jess under the oh so wonderful and iconic Delicate Arch against the snow-capped mountains. We each took turns holding Elsie along the hike, but Jess did the majority of it, including the icy parts (hence the lack of photos. Plus, the icy parts were no joke). I continue to be amazed at this man’s fortitude and strength. <br><div><img id="id_4cf6_bfd3_693b_437e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/y_cZ2uBp_iTgw1abMmdi0gWrh2aRUlKGZULGvj0Ui9330BC_V8Dw4m6p_BSbIwTnzdU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>The group up top enjoying the view. It was a tad bit windy, but look at that blue sky!</div></div><div><img id="id_cc86_6a7_21a0_cbdd" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zekVQ0qSCXpwbBDkczcV361Wl10sB9SzrJZerhEBdDRwu-5VsoAVZgO9z61dVFKQeDk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>We did some other hikes too, near Grandstaff Canyon. This one was 5 miles round trip, and Ian was like a gazelle the whole time. </div><div><img id="id_1995_8197_4dab_68af" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4L1R_ekdyvmCTZL686tO7eGv9fSUILSLVNAmhA6dHTJkG1eZ_apfZ8f-aR7NRiiRHQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Ansel and Oliver were champs too. At one point, Ansel wanted to jump from this rock ledge to the sand. No problem, right?</div><div><img id="id_18cb_c95c_5a71_87a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/br5V80Kcd8tH7Z11Sk_o67i7Mvi5FGBYsFVmrbJBHGcNCqNDwfJbvX3ndVHPVoKp6Kc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Everyone was helping Elsie enjoy the hikes. Thanks to great cousins and an aunt and uncle!</div><div><img id="id_9ae9_35c_731d_9f80" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1t0PKGB0Khr_pLtV3HjPhH83Fe-iZ6pfhQdGOhXS_rGt6G66k8RuJiGW8Ct_4P8mpFA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>It was really something. </div><div><img id="id_9b98_ebc9_46ca_dace" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bK8rVN_nsEhiQ5-17cSxz8bKBIrWBgMsZwUrq08hL-LHryutNWm1y8iZpQvs79XwpTI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>We also headed toward Potash and hiked through the canyon. The kids climbed in what made me think of a red rock honeycomb. </div><div><img id="id_e93d_1dbe_b41b_b9b8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sbcMyFDpRWK18AA4cFTwN2uvAj0yL_DvUgSfDlTRRQDcDdX2uoCZTkDyoCHkxfIZnos" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>There were neat spots to stop at, and Elsie just loved playing in the sand. </div><div><img id="id_91b5_5490_b3e7_eb56" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5U7XKAM_2EWsM4TykqaKYwZCJBgXZnwCyf5IoFA6-xGCOERWsPGHD22YtIf7qG3O7Co" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>We saw petroglyphs too. This was called the birthing stone. See if you can guess why? And those centipede characters, why?</div><img id="id_644d_1a38_365d_9d96" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aRZXjEbo1Hl4AxGnyP63BxSMrXN-eDiWJSfxugSftfFeJ25X3hCHsBlda22Y2imCLtI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Oliver found a perfect spot to take a rest. <div><img id="id_ea24_e19a_6172_f6a1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/n2Fsz2v4G7wPyuaihTNlGDjNRdYia9gGkNyxVGTWpHk3J_HojnQjSas-NfyiJhOo2U0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>We had a great time! And with that, it’s another winter hiking trip down south. </div><div><img id="id_708c_c34b_67db_7308" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Nvmd2vmaL7yGga53aWF0q1zyTgLwr_b2aGVMeZko5lTui_4mYMJXnmxDPtVs_iYGYWg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><div><br></div></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-13587489867762123002023-02-14T20:04:00.001-05:002023-02-14T20:04:45.361-05:00So thankful for my Valentine<img id="id_38b1_ce5_a77f_49f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9ur5LOsn-WQBA0Rw05fCyPGkhUKcyrAyiC6nb9VDBkL6eyb1n2dsNvw0yM8i86bsJCo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>So much to say to say about my Valentine. Kind, funny, patient, caring, fun, supportive, present. </div><div><br></div><div>My favorite love song currently, Vance Joy’s “Missing Piece.” So good. I’m so sappy.</div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-62380423170626055542023-02-03T15:45:00.001-05:002023-02-06T20:36:46.229-05:00Laughter from the kiddos<font face="Verdana">Laughter is the best medicine. Although this quote can’t be attributed to one person, Proverbs 17:22 is probably the first mention of health being benefit by a merry heart. I also found this interesting, from an <a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/laughter-best-medicine" id="id_a27a_97f_e8cd_7725">article in psychiatric times</a> (who knows if it’s legit, but here I go anyway), it mentions that “<span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> In the 1300s, Henri de Mondeville, a professor of surgery, propagated post-operative therapy with humor.” The article goes onto explain how humor has been used in medicine and therapy for years. Fascinating stuff. </span></font><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">Anyhow, my life abounds in the funny. I love it. I married Jess because of so many reasons, but one reason was huge - he is hilarious. My kids are hilarious too. Sometimes on purpose and sometimes just because. Case in point:</font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">Oliver and his cousin came up with a poem about people who play music out of a speaker in a backpack while skiing. It’s kind of annoying when people do that, so they came up with a poem where things don’t turn out so well for those guys. It’s about music starting an avalanche. </font></span></div><div><img id="id_2b4e_ee54_60bd_4b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pVoipPElxqRXvTBFoUaa6rGZd4h6uE6kVv2ke3ZGtwzfrtGgy1ANloDNT4wkJNDr0-U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><i style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">I heard the music, it sounded like thunder,</font></i></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><i><font face="Verdana">I didn’t realize I’d made a big blunder,</font></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><i><font face="Verdana">I turned around and I was six feet under. </font></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">Clever guys. </font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">Ansel was really stressed watching a football game the other night. Before it began, he said he didn’t care who won, but by the end, the kid couldn’t handle that the Buffalo Bills were losing. After the game, I told Ansel he needed to do something to ease the loss. He thought for a few minutes and then came up to me, “Mom,” he said, “do you want to play chess with me? I need to win something.” I had to laugh! And yes, I’m very bad at chess. I just don’t care enough to put the effort in to win. </font></span></div><div><img id="id_10f0_5bcd_6293_58fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jMknGc1JmNcgX-seNsVMhW5VxXAjj-Xf1nnG6vsZWMiAuMb-n3Y3zR5o0DscnAzY6v0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana">Ian had a runny nose and a fever. Jess was explaining to him that that was his body’s way of fighting the disease. “Your body has a virus,” Jess explained, to which Ian responded with a very surprised and shocked, “What!?!?!?!” He had no idea viruses were living on him. </font></span></div><div><img id="id_44d1_8c5b_3c82_77d9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SdZNwa3HtBz8l0HwWRYD6z0h5tSix8gLcmCSWdBzNeiriIFU2XcF2enJEJRHNH40GzA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Elsie requests Weapon of Choice” by Fatboy Slim as I’m prepping dinner nearly every night. Once I turn it in, she climbs up </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">on the work table and dances like Christopher Walken does in the music video. It’s the cutest thing. And if you want to watch a great music video, </span><a href="https://youtu.be/wCDIYvFmgW8" id="id_43d6_a034_2a18_4f1a">check it out</a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">. </span></div><div><img id="id_d6f6_1fe9_f97_9824" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JqSKqusCZklT6EjZWQXGE6jgPqODGa0Msiqgg3jw_lB9ADc6XAib5qupEObqqapwRqI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">And this, because I think my siblings are also hilarious. My oldest brother came up with a list of rules everyone should follow for taking care of oneself and following rules of cleanliness and etiquette for Sunday. It comes in rhyme form and is so good. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Shoes unpolished are shoes demolished. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Slacks soiled are slacks spoiled. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Dress shirt, not dress dirt. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Sunday best, not Sunday messed. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">A visible trace is a risible disgrace. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Uncombed hair should ever be rare. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Confidence, not comfort. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Rumpled suit? Derisive hoot! </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">I detest what's not ironed and pressed.</font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Objectionable breath is the kiss of death. </font></i></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><font face="Verdana">Socks of white = socks of shite. </font></i></span></div><div><font face="Verdana"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-size: 17px;"><i>At least one shower every 24 hours.</i></span><span style="font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> </span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 17.600000381469727px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Hoping there is a lot of humor in your life. </span></div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-64243115348996201812023-01-25T09:36:00.001-05:002023-10-03T20:44:39.765-04:00Four weeks in the hospital Back in October, it was quite a shock as Jess suffered a surprise and very serious medical event. <div><br></div><div>It was a Wednesday afternoon when I had just sat down after putting Elsie down for a nap when I got a call from a neighbor. “Jess has had an emergency at work,” I recall him saying, “His boss is going to call you.” Apparently, this neighbor friend is a mutual acquaintance and Jess’s boss didn’t have my phone number. I quickly received the second call, Jess’s boss explained, “Jess is being attended to by the paramedics. They have a couple of questions.” The phone was passed to said paramedics and questions like “What medications has Jess been taking?” My first thought was that Jess was dehydrated. He had ridden his trainer bike that morning and was then in a rush to get to work. But then the paramedic asked “Any trauma to the brain recently? Has he been in a car accident?” The question about being in a car accident threw me off. At that point I inquired, “What is happening with Jess right now?” The answer was a bit surprising, “We are attending to him,” the paramedic responded, “He is unresponsive.” I heard the words but still didn’t quite understand the seriousness of the whole thing. The paramedics and his boss were being so clear-headed and talked so calmly that my response to Jess’s boss after the phone was passed back to him was, “Do I need to come down to see Jess?” The answer was a very certain, “Yes. Meet us at the Emergency Room.”</div><div><br></div><div>My mind jumped to timing. Kids were to be home in an hour or two. Elsie was asleep. Now what. I called my friend across the street. No answer. I woke Elsie up and we got in the car. As I was driving my friend called back. I thanked her and explained, “Jess has had a medical event at work. I’m not really sure what is happening. Can you tell Ansel and Ian that I went to visit Jess at work once carpool drops them home from school? Can you have them over to your house?” “Of course,” she answered and then added, “I hope everything is okay! Can I take Elsie?” Since I was already in the car and asking so much from her already I thanked her for the offer but declined. Maybe having Elsie would help me keep my cool. I then texted Oliver using Siri, two hands on the wheel and looking in my rear view mirror, “I went to see Dad at work. I won’t be home when you get back from school.” It seemed so matter of fact, but it had to be. I had no idea what was happening with Jess. What caused this emergency? Why today? My mind continued to race with questions when I received another call. This time, another friend from the neighborhood, “I heard something’s happening with Jess.” Wow, word got out quick. “Can I take Elsie for you?” Only minutes from the first offer I had changed my mind. No two year old needs to be at the Emergency Room when her mother sees her father experiencing medical trauma. “I’m on the road,” I responded. “I’ll meet you,” my friend quickly retorted. I did a U-turn and headed to the gas station. Within minutes she pulled up. I handed Elsie to her with profuse thanks and assurance that I’d text her with more info as it came available. </div><div><br></div><div>Jumping back into the car my mind raced. Keep calm. I repeated to myself over and over. Okay, what do I know? What do I need to be prepared for? What’s the next step? Keep calm. What caused this? What was his morning like? Where was he at work? Sounds like he had immediate care. He’s in the best hands right now. He’s getting all the attention he needs. Keep calm. During the 20+ minutes drive, Jess’s boss calls me to see how close I am. “Be there soon,” I reply. I pull up to the hospital. It’s an early afternoon on a weekday, the place is not busy. I enter the doors and see four men, all who work with Jess. “Can you explain what happened?” I say. </div><div><br></div><div>They describe to me a regular lunch hour with Jess telling a story and then, mid-sentence, his head fell back and he passed out. They said he started to have difficulty breathing so they moved him down to the ground. 911 was called. Paramedics came. There was alarm. People were cool but panicked. Chest compressions were administered. “Whoa!” I thought to myself. The faces of the four men explaining to me what went down communicated the same exact thing. Whoa. </div><div><br></div><div>I went back to see Jess in his ER bed. He was conscious. Yes! But he was hooked up to all the things. Nurses were circling. And he was doing various facial tics and looking, well, very out of it. I caught the Doc just as he was about to explain to Jess what they had determined had happened. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. He saw me in his peripheral vision, then turned to me. We introduced ourselves. He followed with “your husband has had an aneurysm burst.” More whoa, but with it, some relief. Can you believe that dear reader? I was relieved he had had an aneurysm rupture! On my drive to the ER I had imagined the worst, a brain tumor, so when I heard the news I was so grateful. His suffering would be minimal. “We’re going to send him to a bigger hospital that has a Neuro unit,” the doctor continued, “He’ll need additional care. We’re going to make some calls to see where to send him. We’ll let you know as soon as possible. We want to move quickly with this.” I felt a little like I was on an episode of E.R., NBC’s Thursday night drama of the 90s, which I watched religiously with my mom from grades 10-12, at least. But the staff was not yelling “STAT” and no paddles were being used on any chests, still, Jess’s clothes had been cut off and I talked with him as any next of kin would. “You’ve had a brain aneurysm,” I explained. Jess couldn’t find but two words in his bruised brain to respond except, “Really?” and “Weird!” As calls were made, I sat next to Jess, and explained to him this concept three, four, five times. He had no memory of one minute to the next and the facial tics continued. The nurses came in, “He’s going to be transferred to IMC in an ambulance,” they explained, “it’s faster than a life flight. You’ll follow him to meet him there. He’ll be on the fifth floor.”</div><div><br></div><div>I told Jess’s colleagues the news. Their faces still read complete and utter “whoa” as I thanked them for the good care and attention Jess received from them. They headed back to work from the ER but I hope it was only to pick up their cars. I hope they took the rest of the day off. They were shook.</div><div><br></div><div>At the hospital I parked, entered and tried to go up to the fifth floor. Sorry, the Fire Fighters informed me, elevators, all four of them, broken. I tried the stairs but to enter floor five, I’d need a staff badge. Back down to the first floor I went. I asked a volunteer, the kindest man ever, if he could help me out. He took me to the staff elevators and up I went, directly to the Neuro ICU. The elevator door opened to a place I’d become very familiar with in the coming weeks, but at the moment felt very foreign. It was quiet. There was no one around. And when a few people passed me by, they didn’t ask me what I needed or who I was with because they assumed I knew what I was doing because I had come up the staff elevator. I walked around the place. I started to hear the beeping. Low tones, high tones, medium paced, and fast paced. Some continued and some stopped. Another beep started. I found someone. “I’m trying to find Jess Theodore.” </div><div><img id="id_9ee3_564e_34e_f193" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/JPKnpjvJ5aMuipXekw_-Z-DNZuEwV-aB1l9VFwSRaoBABVrmD1pHKeS0WQ1isGvjvP4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>I entered his room and found Jess sleeping. I sat. Staff tells me they’ve done some more imaging. The doctor comes in. It was all very timely and waiting around wasn’t happening, which I am so grateful for. Jess was getting care STAT. The doctor explained, “Jess is going to have a procedure. They are going to put coils in his brain.” I had questions. The doc answered every single one. Platinum coils would be placed intravenously into the aneurysm to stop blood from entering the bulging vessel. He then explained matter-of-factly, “When aneurysms rupture, 50 percent of the people die on the spot. Of the 50 percent of the people who don’t die, 50 percent are vegetables.” Jess was in the 25 percent. Whoa.“We’re going to treat your husband as best we know how. We are looking to keep his vasospasms controlled.” Vasospasms? More questions, more answers. In brief, vessels in the brain don’t appreciate when blood has leaked into the brain tissues because, as it starts to break down, it can irritate those vessels and caused them to contract. This is vasospasming. And when this happens, blood can’t flow successfully to the brain. “We’ll wait and see how it goes,” the doctor continued after drawing me a cartoon version of a coil placement on a whiteboard, “this whole experience can be a bit of a roller coaster. Good days and bad days. 21 of them. Hopefully, there will be more good days than bad ones. I’m just telling you how it is, okay?” Doctor R. was laying it all out and I appreciated that. I didn’t want any coddling. I wanted to know what to expect. I work better in those situations. I thanked him and then I began to wait. </div><img id="id_8c1a_23bb_8a08_3942" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YFKTl-1YMEXlb8LiQiRHE7k_i1gnrNnvTfrV9MVwwEE_FJNj-3LBsYZ6tyb7_ZOubsg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Jess was wheeled out of room 523 and off to get an angiogram and have the coils placed. If this didn’t work, nurses explained, he’d have to have open-head surgery to cut the aneurysm out. My words not theirs. I didn’t want that to happen so I crossed my fingers. It would probably take 2.5 hours. <br><div><br></div><div>At about this time, people started showing up. I had called Jess’s mom, my dad, and my sister. I had texted my family. Jess’s mom his. Word spread like a wildfire. I was getting messages from everyone. Jess’s parents and brothers showed up at the hospital. My dad came. So did my sister-in-law. Our Bishop came. It was amazing, alarming, humbling, wonderful, and comforting all at the same time. It’s what I needed and I didn’t even realize it. People need people. We’re made to need each other. It’s God’s plan I think. And that day, that month, I (we) needed people and they showed up. </div><div><img id="id_5642_e2f6_bb1f_1070" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mc4iUz8yTNu9Rv1OXbElm7FAHPDFOmbW8G3t_Ifmdg6weBsUGhOAkU-AeckMG1-n60k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>The procedure was a success. “He has basically near 100 percent chance of never having an issue with this aneurysm again,” doctors assured me over the phone directly from the surgical room. “That’s wonderful!” I responded while my thoughts went off like cartwheels and back flips, fireworks and whistles. The aneurysm wouldn’t cause anymore problems! Now we had to focus on healing from the problems it did cause before the coils were placed. </div><div><br></div><div>Nurses wheeled him back into his room. He was restful. Relief for him. Thank goodness. Later that day (or was it the next?), Jess woke up with questions. “So, um, what happened?” He didn’t remember a thing. He could recall going to work that morning and heading down to lunch, but after that, zero. I explained to him the events. He was having lunch and mid-sentence, while telling a story, his head fell back and he passed out. His coworkers were confused but realized something was wrong as soon as his breathing became labored. They moved him to the ground, called 911, and all the rest was explained. This was a story we went over numerous times (and still do now!). </div><div><img id="id_906_cf43_9080_8343" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/N-dUnJPEfkmh8L906beE5rnc_3z9YxhfS2UULk0mDrEHQEkopZkiALJgaJJ7W1Rzmzc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>The next three weeks we’re filled with lots of monitoring. Jess had wires all over the place and both arms had IVs. They watched heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, breathing patterns, vasospasm risks. There were blood draws, pills to swallow, cognitive tests to pass, movement checks, ultrasounds. He was filled with very salty fluids to keep vessel pressure levels high and chances of vasospasms low. His kidneys worked through those fluids and he would quickly urinate it all out. Still, they kept pumping it through him, bag after bag. For one 24 hour period, 24 liters went in and 25 liters came out. He had over 60+ meals in the ICU and therefore, memorized the hospital menu. </div><div><br></div><div>All the while, he was getting therapy. His left leg below the knee wasn’t moving. His ankle and toes weren’t receiving signals from his brain and so the goal was to improve upon that. What’s more, his balance was off, so making sure he practiced nearly everything was key to getting back to functioning. Therapy was exceptional, and we really liked the Physical and Occupational Therapists. Nearly every single one of them had a tattoo related in some way to nature. Trees, birds, flowers, forests. These individuals liked the outdoors. So do we. We talked a lot about all the amazing things one can do in Utah. “Jess, let’s make sure we get you back to that,” they’d buoy him up. They were amazed at his strength and improvement over time. During this process, I could see how Jess’s brain would make progress. It was truly amazing to watch. One day it was 6 slow steps down the hall with the help of a hemi-walker (a cool sounding name for something not so cool looking) and a therapist. The next day, it was 10 steps with the hemi-walker. The next, let’s try a cane, forget the hemi-walker! Jess would tire out faster than I was used to seeing, and that was really the only way I knew he was working really hard. He made it look easy and he had grit. The improvements were very promising to me. Jess was a bit more guarded in his excitement, but I couldn’t help but to have hope in what I saw trending. There was improvement and it was fast. </div><div><img id="id_91b6_ea7c_1c02_97dc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pz9Xvzr6gNlc2VcRFQ7rHvS9bAEQfLkoy-FIO4NDEl9so-7DlS9ITla7gQdQVtrtcyY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Cognitively, Jess was sharp. Only once or twice did I hear him get tripped up and when he did, he corrected himself. This was a rarity in the aneurysm-bursting world and the doctors were pleasantly surprised. Speech Therapy involved therapists to come and ask him to repeat lists and solve puzzles. I’d silently try to do the mind exercises along with him. It was hard stuff and sometimes Jess recalled things better than me! “Do you want to continue with these visits?” the therapist would ask. “Sure, why not? It’s good to give my brain practice.” Early on, Jess would doze off mid-exercise. “Jess, stay with me,” the therapist would say loudly, “we’re almost done.” I’d try to help out, “Jess, she wants you to write the time 11:10 on the clock with your marker.” Jess would come out of it just enough to draw the hour and minute hand. He was so sleepy those early days. I’d come during my usual shift, 9:30-3pm (his parents had the 4-9pm shift), and we’d talk maybe 10 sentences total. As time went on, we’d talk more, laugh some. I knew Jess was feeling a lot better when we’d talk more and laugh a lot. </div><div><br></div><div>During the time in the ICU, the kids could not visit Jess because 3 out of 4 of them are under 12, and though Oliver is 13, I felt like all of them should see Jess together. After 17 days, they got to visit him for about 15 minutes in the ICU waiting room. All masked up and hospital gowned, hooked up to IVs with a brace on his leg and supported by a Physical Therapist, Jess came out to meet them. Truth be told, there was happiness but also shock from the kiddos. I can’t exactly say how they were feeling, but I could see how it was kind of hard for them to approach him at first. Things were obviously different. But then they began throwing a ball together and I think it was one of the funnest PT sessions Jess had had or ever did have during his stay.</div><div><img id="id_8425_d2b1_8cd3_e72a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VEdh74mby24SBkzr-_MlVg2U2e2zZUUNhwSb9pnCGjT6TW8ZQUE7w1PVEd0ktart4Dw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Quickly and amazingly, Jess improved. His young, athletic body was making a comeback. After 21 days, the blood had cleared out of the cranium and chances of vasospasms were nil. It was time to move to the 14th floor for acute therapy. Jess was relieved to be released from constant wires, bed alarms, and blood draws. Although those things saved his life, he began to feel quite hindered in his freedom and moving from the Neuro ICU was a refreshing change. </div><div><br></div><div>The 14th floor was again, filled with exceptional staff who were helpful beyond measure. My shift was now 9am-12:15pm (his parents now 4-8pm) and usually during that time Jess was busy with some therapy be it Physical, Occupational, or Speech. He’d walk around obstacles, complete visual exercises, or try to multitask all to challenge his brain. One evening after he’d been there a few days, I received a text. “I can move my toes,” Jess said. Five words for something so huge. I could see the hope becoming greater for Jess. </div><div></div><div><img id="id_d683_d3c6_ae7f_590a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uuri2ZHC5V2_V-vjHxUW41ueGwjb8CkMuYiqFpbH-j5X2wG6yUduXCwauC_0DTu4JjM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>The progress he made during the next seven days was exceptional. He began looking better, sounding better, making even more jokes. His recovery was right on track. He was scheduled to go home the next day after four weeks in the hospital. A walking miracle!</div><div><img id="id_42f_7717_6d16_f88e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pnsPWiXUr_dFF6vRmWUNLNyEdj_s3z0lmZVTonUHkSniu7Dao2nqVZq9y8MWPYlErug" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>At this time, Jess continues to go to outpatient therapy monthly. He walks without a brace, he has started working, and he says that sometimes he forgets about the fact that he had something so major occur to him a little over three months ago. It is surreal to him, to me.</div><div><br></div><div>Jess will learn from this experience in a different way than I so I won’t speak to that. However, what I can say from my part in it all is that life is random, but at times it’s not, and maybe that’s not for me to totally figure out. One thing I can be sure of is that God’s love resides in people. We NEED each other, and boy did I feel that during this whole thing. Jess and our family had so much support. The thought and care that people showed was amazing, overwhelming, humbling, surprising, and inspiring. It made such a difference to us. Such a difference. What’s more, when other people couldn’t be there, like during a car ride to an ER on a fall afternoon when I hadn’t a clue of what exactly was happening to my bestest of all friends, I prayed to God to help me. Help me stay calm, clear-headed, and ready to handle what’s next. And God delivered. </div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-81093982356272662172023-01-23T13:28:00.001-05:002023-01-23T13:28:24.211-05:00Ski seasonWe took to the mountains the other weekend…<div><img id="id_38c3_dd5a_1dc1_30bf" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9V5YH6HeNM54ulVs86j7bUs04b80WCje4eNZ0JSBFk9tu4OVOI-EL6-3FouK1VlAFvo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>…with cousins. It was Ian’s first time and he did great!!</div><div><img id="id_2b64_679a_6dbf_7959" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QIT0EJSuG24wd3APH-gR0axB_LFT66Si9UVf2VBqaSbOyzfeUnsB_jUYileONfwRDjQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>It was a beautiful day!</div><div><img id="id_866f_c8a_4c00_3405" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5l89BCKp0OnJHDSSaslxSIZipQaTCLnNm8W0HRQSpzrXlueMgE5ZU5U2pni0igTfc28" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>I’m so old school, I don’t have a helmet which made me feel like my dad, who, back in the day, skied in blue jeans. </div><div><br></div><div>Afterward, kids warmed up in the hot tub. </div><div><img id="id_e204_e413_682_dcb1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Npu1WcuEN80nMP-eguZvT9_TeGHKOW7jUpG4R-S1IvYJdaBy2tDQ1_ZHp1dhUjN8Fkw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;">I myself, preferred the steam shower. This was the first time I’ve ever tried such a thing, and now I’m trying to find out how to get one in my house. Wow, it warmed me to the core after a day on the slopes! </div><div><br></div><div>It’s so wonderful to make these memories.</div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2021458302744653641.post-21096863204457538882023-01-10T22:00:00.001-05:002023-01-11T08:45:25.554-05:00Ian latelyLegos are his jam. He loves the sets, but more specifically, he loves the Minifigures. We have found that he’ll ask for a big Lego set just to get the guys that come with it. What’s more, he’s creative and will make adjustments to a set. “This is a better part for this ship,” he’ll explain while showing me his changes to a Star Wars aircraft. He wants to be a Lego Builder when he grows up. “Do I have to go to college for that?” he asked me one night when taking a bath. “It’s probably a good idea,” I answered. Ha!<div><img id="id_b824_8042_9e19_f54d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nvOeilyGOFyxCj927mv42z7b0-dE_Ct3tTgbQDyuIoJi-4ncInrSXr4UzWQ8HYyVNqQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>He can play with just about everyone, from his second grade pal across the street (Ian’s a kindergartner), to his school buddies, and the four year old that stops at everyone’s house these days. He’s a fun guy to be around. </div><div><br></div><div>The kid is sensitive and cares about others. When he heard that his old Sunbeam teacher had passed away, he prayed that night, “Wish that Jim didn’t die.” The kid is sensitive and cares about others. He can tease Elsie to no end, but he’s also the brother that jumps into help at any moment and he sure can make her laugh.</div>ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05015379461856401365noreply@blogger.com0