Thinking of Paris....

In honor of Bastille Day I'm posting a few of my favorite photos from Paris.   It has been over 10 years since my trip,  I never thought I would stay away so long.  I'm hopeful I will visit there again soon, especially considering I have a child who is obsessed with the place!

I stayed near Sacré-Cœur and went by it a couple times a day.  Most mornings I would start my day with a ham and cheese crepe and cafe creme at a little place right on the corner. 

steps near Sacré-Cœur 

The Eiffel Tower was every bit as amazing as I had imagined it would be.  My first up-close look at the tower happened at night,  I stopped in the street and marveled.

Wouldn't you love to live here??

This Irish pub became my home away from home.  I know it seems corny to frequent an Irish bar in Paris but...I did.   I spent my days visiting museums, monuments, wandering from one neighborhood to another.  But at the end of a long day is was nice to go to a place where I could speak English, even the French were willing to speak English when in the pub.  So, I ended most of my days by having a nightcap here before heading back to my hostel.  In just a couple weeks I became a "regular", so much so, that they threw me a 'goodbye party' when I left Paris!

Corcoran's - Place de Clichy

And a couple more pics of the tower....just because...

'til next time...

Trip to Williamsburg...

We took the kids to Williamsburg for a few days this fall.  It was kind of strange headed off on "vacation" when our lives were in such turmoil but we had booked this trip before Peter was out of work so it didn't make sense to let it go to waste.

The first day we were there it poured rain.  One of those soaked-to-the-skin kind of rains, parts of the area got over 10 inches of rain that day, many areas were flooded. We tried to tour some buildings but we mainly ended up taking shelter in buildings for extended periods of time. Pretty soon we were miserably wet and decided to head back to the hotel where we changed into dry clothes and began the process of trying to dry out jeans with a hair dryer!
Over the next couple days we explored the town in between rain storms.  This was the first time Wythe was able to go into the Wythe house.  The tour guide spent a little time telling him how George Wythe taught his students and showed him some of the materials he would have used.

The Wythe House

Wythe in the gardens of the Wythe House

Ainsley in the gardens of the Wythe House

W&A in the gardens at the Governors Palace

Wythe got to see a carriage bearing the crest of George Wythe, it is stored in the carriage house at the Governors Palace.  Both kids were much more interested in standing on the carriage block than touring the Palace so we never made it inside for the tour. The gardens are impressive and more fun anyway! 

After all the rain there were many opportunities to play in water, a good portion of our time was spent floating leaves down the drains.

And jumping into the seemingly endless amount of puddles......  Now, I am normally do not mind my kids playing in puddles.  But the puddles in Colonial Williamsburg are a little different than your average city puddle.  Mainly because the roads are full of horse droppings so the puddles are basically liquid manure.  After your children have splashed in the puddles for awhile they reek of manure!  That was interesting to try and wash their shoes and clothes in the hotel sink!

For awhile they were having fun running and jumping in the same puddle to see who could do the best splash.  At one point they both jumped into a very little puddle, cracked their skulls together and crashed to the pavement.  Lots of wailing ensued, so much so, that General George Washington rode his horse over to check on them.  Having the big man on horseback talking to them actually just made them cry harder, General Washington deciding it would be easier to command his army than to calm down my children, turned and rode back to his men. 

W & A at the Capitol

huge tree in the courtyard of the Capitol

W & A burning off some energy before touring the Capitol

One of the nice benefits of Williamsburg is that they offer this free babysitting service while the parents go to dinner, excellent amenity!

Wythe wanted to see mom in the stocks, Ainsley wasn't amused, she was very upset and attempted to release me before we could even pose for a picture. 

stunning flowers in many of the gardens

Wythe refers to Williamsburg as "my town" and frequently tells us that when he grows up he is going to be the "boss of this town".  Must be nice to have your career path decided by age six......

Wythe, in front of "his store" in "his town"

And a few more pictures....just because....

'til next time...

Photo summary of trip to Georgia (with a few captions)

Last month we took a trip to Georgia for a family reunion. We were celebrating a wedding, graduation, retirement and lots of birthdays. It was a fun, crazy busy time, too many things to write about but here a few pictures from our trip. 

Sumter, South Carolina - visiting some old friends. Wythe, being a good guest by relocating the sand to the back porch. It is a way to remember us when we are gone. 

Wythe enjoying seeing his friend again.

The three stooges reunited.

Miss Ainsley trying out the pensive look.

Ainsley and her friend at Swan Lake.

Checking out the turtles...

Athens, Georgia - Ainsley in front of a beautiful courtyard at a stunning house. 

"Wythe, do not push your sister in the river!"

This house was absolutely beautiful. The courtyard and gardens were amazing! In my dreams I will one day have this view out of my bedroom window.

Wythe, already having too much vacation.

I want this statue. 

Taking Wythe on a quiet time walk, one of many.  But the scenery was lovely!

Peter having one last moment with the Rightmyer Cup. Sometimes it is so hard to say goodbye!

Peter, relinquishing the Rightmyer Cup to his nephew, the tournament champion and new cup holder.

Wythe getting some billiard tips from his cousin.

Wythe and his first cousin-once-removed. You can tell by their hair they are related. 

Wythe, enjoying a treat from Starbucks before the wedding. 

Ainsley, fueling up for the wedding. 

All but one of the first cousins. 

T, getting his picture taken with some of the girls.

T with his parents, wishing he was back with the girls!

My sister-in-law, no party is complete without her,  and Mr. Bowtie, whom we all adopted into the family. 

A few of the cousins...

Ainsley playing cars with one of her cousins.

Wythe and his cousin. 

The newlyweds, my sister-in-law and her new groom. 

Ainsley with a couple of her aunts. 

This is what you do in the south...sittin' on the porch.

On our way home we stopped in Wytheville, Virginia. We wanted to get some pictures there, for obvious reasons, but there really isn't much to the town. It was the birthplace of First Lady Edith Wilson, other than that it is a small town with very little to see. 

The giant pencil is a landmark...

Skeeter's "World Famous" hot dogs. Supposedly the hot dogs were rated some of the best in the country by Rachael Ray. 

Sorry buddy, we know it isn't all that impressive. But don't worry, you weren't named after the town.

This is another landmark...

Now, you've seen Wytheville, VA.

We stopped in Lexington for lunch, this plaque would have applied to Wytheville.  Don't worry Wytheville, at least we like the name of your town!

'til next time...