D'Orsay and the Arc de Triumph

by Amy

Another great day. We were really tired last night so we slept in this morning and took our time getting ready. We arrived at the D'Orsay museum around 11. It was amazing. We all liked it better then the Louvre. It's smaller and is home to many famous painters like Monet, Renoir, Van Gough and Degas. The building was a train station at one time and beautiful on the inside and out.

Afterwards we came home to check our email. We were supposed to meet up with some friends but that is postponed until tomorrow night. So instead we decided to go to the Arc de Triumph.

We took the stairs to the top and loved looking at all the traffic.

There are no lanes and no lights around the monument and it was hilarious watching all the cars!

See the bike rider in the middle? It's like a death sentence! We were certain that we would see a accident but we didn't. After we came down the looooong flight of stairs it was almost dark. I'm glad we got to see it when the sun went down. It was beautiful.

Tomorrow our plan is to go SHOPPING and then to meet up with our friends. Only two days left and we plan to make the most of it.

A.M.S.T.E.R.D.A.M.!!!!

by Ang

Today was Amsterdam. We almost missed our train. You know those scenes in movies where the people are running through the airport (or in our case, the train station) to get there in time? That was us this morning. We made it to the metro in plenty of time, but the first metro was late. Then, the second metro stopped in the middle of it's route, with no explanation. ?? So we finally got to Gare du Nord (the big train station) and RAN to our Thayls train to Amsterdam. And we made it!

We all LOVED Amsterdam. It is a crazy city, but so beautiful. We seen thousands of bikes. Thousands. They have entire parking garages just for bikes. That is the main mode of transportation for people. We stayed out of their way, because they don't stop, especially for tourists.

The first thing we did was go to Anne Frank's house where she hid with her family for 3 years. We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside, but here is the outside:

It was amazing, because so many of the rooms are still in tact just the way they were when the family hid, the creeking floors, the dark walls and room darkening curtains, etc. The pictures she hung on her wall were still there. We seen the place where her dad had marked the heights of her and her sister. And of course, the actual diary.

Then we took a canal bus tour of the city. The houses and architecture are so beautiful and different from anything I've seen...

The rest of our day was spent walking around the beautiful city.

Men in kilts:

While we were on the platform to head back home, we heard the announcement that our trian from Amsterdam to Paris had been cancelled, so we had to get on another one and switch trains in Rotterdam (also in the Netherlands). It ended up being all right though. We met a group of high school boys from Italy and one of them was sitting with us and he wanted to practice his English, so the train ride went fast from Amsterdam to Brussels (where all of the kids got off). It was interesting.

I'm off to bed now - it's after midnight. Megan and Amy are in bed already and waiting for me to shut the light out.

More tomorrow!

Another Perfect Day

by Amy

This morning we took a train to Torcy and went to a French Congregation. We didn't understand anything but it was beautiful just the same.

Afterwards we went over to Megan's uncle's house. We had a five course french dinner. Everything was wonderful!

We came back to Paris around 6 and found a cute little resturant to eat. A little boy there was studying English in school so his dad made him sit with us so he could practice. It was so fun!

Then we headed to the Eiffel Tower so we could see it at night all lit up. It did not disappoint. Simply breathtaking.

Tomorrow we have to leave Paris at 6am for Amsterdam so we better get to bed. Bon nuit!

Versailles

by Ang


Today we went to Versailles. It was pretty cold and our feet and bodies were aching from so much walking, but it was still so beautiful.

Okay, I'm having problems uploading more pictures for some reason. I might try to later - I'm not sure what the problem is!

Anyways, we took the train this morning to Versailles, where we toured the palace and grounds. We returned to Paris around 2:00 p.m. We ate at an Italian restaurant near Notre Dame for lunch and had incredible chocolate mousse for dessert. After that we strolled up and down Rue Cler, which is a market street one block from our apartment. We got crepes and some pastries for breakfast tomorow morning.

We are actually getting ready for bed right now - we only got 3-4 hours of sleep last night and we want to be alert for the rest of our trip!

More tomorrow...

Aching Feet but Happy Hearts

By Amy & Ang

(The entrance to the Louvre)

We had a big day today! First up was the Louvre. It was incredibly huge. We focused on seeing the famous stuff and left it at that.

(no caption needed)

(Venus de Milo)





(one of the many gorgeous hallways)

After that we took the metro to Sacre Coeur in Montemarte. It is the highest point in Paris and you can see most of the city from there.

(Sacre Coeur or "Sacred Heart")

(Ang and Amy overlooking the city)

Next up we met some realitives of our friend at a little french resturant. The food was incredible. Our favorite part was dessert!

(tarte au pomme or "apple pie")

Tomorrow is Versailles. Expectations are high and we have heard we will not be disappointed.

There Are No Words

by Ang

Actually, there are a lot of words. But it's just impossible to describe.

We had a full day today. After we were picked up at the airport and got settled in our apartment, we had some lunch at a cafe nearby. Then we walked along the Seine river until we came to the Pont Neuf bridge, where we took a one hour boat cruise up and down the river. After that was cafe au lait and then to the market and bakery for some fruit and croissants. It was a perfect day!

We are all exhausted, since we've been up for about 30 hours now and are getting ready for bed. Tomorrow we are going to the Louvre in the morning and we're not sure what we're going to do in the afternoon.

We'll post more tomorrow!

(here's a picture we took - roughly one block from our apartment)

We Are In Dallas!

By Amy & Ang

(Ang, our dad & Amy)



Our flight to Dallas went smoothly and now we are waiting for our flight to Paris. It's nice to stretch and eat before our 9 1/2 hour flight to France. My dad happened to be on the same flight as we were. He has already left for San Diego. We have about two hours left to wait. The next time we post we will be in the City of Lights!

Somebody Pinch Me

By Amy

Can you believe it?!?! I can't. We leave tomorrow. It still hasn't really hit me yet. I've been dreaming of this for so long and now it's really happening. I would never, ever imagned when I was little that one day I would be going to Paris. I just can't stop smiling. I keep waiting for something to go wrong. But so far so good and I am almost ready. I really hope that my computer will work over there and we can blog everyday. I think my sis knows how to download video from our camera's so we should be able to do that to. If for some reason we meet a snag we will have a whole lot to say when we come back. Everyone take care and Bon Voyage!

Inheritance

by Ang

I inherited a few things from each of my Grandmothers. From my late maternal Grandma I inherited my love for animals. Also, she used to roll her towels and washcloths up. I’ve started doing this lately with my washcloths and it makes me think of her every time I look at them. I miss her.

From my paternal grandma, I inherited my looks and also my need to carry a large purse, stuffed full. When I was a little kid I remember not even being able to lift her purse because it was so heavy. Grandma always had EVERYTHING in that bag. She was always prepared. She was helping me out at a garage sale a few years back and something broke and she whipped out superglue from her purse. Superglue! I was starting to pack my Paris purse last night and discovered that I am JUST like her. No, I won’t have superglue in my bag, but I will have just about everything else. Most likely we won’t need half of the stuff in there, but I like to be prepared. Just like Grandma!

This will most likely be my last post before we leave. Amy will probably post again, and we will both post Thursday night (which will be Thursday early afternoon for you). I will be busy packing and getting last minute stuff done from now right up until we leave.

Au revior! Voyez-vous de Paris!

EUROS!!!

By Amy

I do believe that this is the most beautiful money that I have seen. Or maybe it's just what it represents. Either way, I can't wait to spend it! The boys are at a car show so I have the house to myself. Trying to get stuff done and packed!!

Ode to Soap & Glory

by Ang

I mentioned my love for Soap & Glory products at the end of my last post.

Here they are:

Looks average, right? Let's take a closer look though.

Here's the Slimwear firming cream:

And some closer looks:

"a plethora of slightly - padded people". I love it!

But this one is my favorite. It's my latest purchase and I just used it for the first time tonight. I smell very orangy.

And now a closer look:

And my personal favorite:

Why can't all products be this fun? If you're ever bored and need a laugh just go to Target and read the Soap & Glory products.

P.S. - I have 17 million things to do, and instead I blog about my favorite line of bath & body products. No wonder I'm stressed!

Random Thoughts

by Ang

There wasn’t one specific thing that stuck out in my head today to blog about, so I thought I would just jot down a few things going through my mind:

**It’s a gray day today. I love it. I love clouds and rain. We’re supposed to get thunderstorms Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

**I had a good meeting with two of the guys I work with today (one is kind of my boss). We were brainstorming on a new project and I came prepared and even had handouts of the screenshots of the new system we’re going to be working with. I think they were impressed. Especially because they weren’t prepared at all. After the meeting we were talking about Paris and they told me I should get a beret. I told them I was going to wear white tennis shoes and a fanny pack and we had a good laugh.

**After Amy’s post yesterday about her Paris pile, I thought I would get all of my Paris stuff out. I’ve been accumulating for months. I’m embarrassed to say that this isn’t everything. Yikes.

**My nephew is sick. I hope he gets better SOON!!!! I sent him some balloons. Hopefully they will brighten up his day.

**Last night I paid all of my bills and scheduled online payments for the ones that will be due when I’m gone. It’s a good feeling! I wanted to get more done, but that was on the top of my list.

**My sister ordered some euros from the bank. I can’t wait to put some in my wallet!!

**I am in love with Soap & Glory products. It’s a UK company, but you can find the products at Target. I love their Great Shakes Hand Cream, Righteous Butter, Slimwear Body Cream, and Girligo Body Moisturizing Mist. My latest purchase was the Clean of England body wash. I haven’t tried it yet, but plan to tonight. I love the names, the packaging and most of all, the product.
http://www.soapandglorycosmetics.com/

All right I’ll stop now that I’ve put everyone to sleep with my random thoughts. Have a great weekend!

Panic Attack

By Amy


I came home for lunch today to clean up a bit and switch the laundry. I decided to look in my "things to take to Paris" bag to see how full it was. This was it......









I thought for sure that I had more stuff in there then that. I have some serious work to do this weekend.

What Women Can Do

By Amy

After months of planning, women can turn this............

Into this...........

And this............

And this............

My honey was at the kitchen table doing some work so I got my laptop and joined him. I was making a sign to direct people to the party room. I kept going back and forth with fonts and size and if I wanted the letters in black or color. I think he got a little frustrated with all my mumblings so he left the room. When he came back he slapped something on the table.

Can you tell which sign is mine? (: