Women in Paris

Last weekend I was able to zip down to Paris for a whopping 72 hours, for sightseeing, photography, and hanging out with Abby and Loic.
Abby and I were just two women walking down the streets of Paris. Armed with the excitedness of tourists but the confidence of locals (except for that one sketchy neighborhood), we had a blast! I couldn't stop saying how light I felt with just my camera bag, without carrying a child, a diaper bag, or pushing a stroller--talk about freedom :) We really enjoyed all the opportunities to stop and take in the scenery...and take pictures of it all, of course.

Paris Nord train station and the Thalys high-speed train:


My first attempt at photographing light trails:


At the Musee du Louvre:


Paris at night:


Just exploring. Abby and I set out to visit a scrapbook store, but when we arrived at the address we found that it had closed. And you can never have too many shots of the Eiffel Tower.


We climbed the towers of Notre Dame:


And took a few photos inside:



After lunch we visited Sacre Coeur. There are steps up to the church, but we opted to take the funicular railway up the hill and then walked down. Inside is really beautiful, but no photography is allowed. Abby bought cute little trains for the boys, which they haven't seen because I haven't cleaned off a high enough shelf yet to display them.


Sunday morning we walked to Petit Palais, which is absolutely gorgeous and completely free:


And then I came home. Abby and I have already started thinking about what we'll see the next time I come to visit...

Project 365: Week 39

I've got lots more to add to this post, but no time and no energy...had fun in Paris and hope to show off the rest of the photos soon!

Project 365: Week 38

Last week was long and tiring and I'm just glad it's over. Plus I'm looking forward to an exciting weekend (that I will, of course, post photos of next week).

I think only a few of these photos need explanation... Zach is sitting with pillows propped up around him to conceal his goldfish crackers, to buy him a little time before Gabe sees what he's got and attacks him. The one where Zach is sliding off the couch is the answer to "Why are Frank and Zach laying on the floor?" from a photo a couple weeks ago. As soon as I put everything back on the couch, he gets on the pile and slides down. Also, the photos of him with the backpack and rolling bag don't even start to convey how funny he's been the past couple of days. He saw the set at the PX and immediately started pulling it around and trying to convince us that it was his suitcase. I thought that it was a good fit and that we might even use it on our next trip. I told him that it says "Going to Grandma's" and so he's been doing laps around the couch with it saying "Going Gamma's" and "Ready go on trip." He even insisted on putting the suitcase next to his bed at naptime and night; it's his new favorite belonging (after Monkey, of course). I think we got some of it on video, so I'll see if I can post it soon.

Project 365: Week 37

Monday, September 6


Tuesday, September 7


Wednesday, September 8


Thursday, September 9
Little pizzas we tried from a magazine recipe that turned out to be really good. Store bought crusts with pesto, tomato, red onion and brie. Zach made his own with shredded cheese only.


Friday, September 10
Frank and I decided awhile ago to get nanos for running but wanted to wait and see what the new ones would be like before we ordered. Well, he went for the old model, and I pre-ordered a new one in blue (picture here).


Also, Gabe's wearing 18 month clothes now.

Saturday, September 11
We found some time to go outside and let Zach ride his bike. Little did we know that the lasagna that was cooking had overflowed the dish and the drippings were burning in the oven...we were really lucky that the smoke alarms hadn't started going off. It tasted good, though; now I just have to clean the oven...


Sunday, September 12
Oh my, I didn't realize until I just typed that date that we have less than a month 'til Gabe's birthday. Wow, time is flying. Anyway, in case you don't watch Playhouse Disney, meet Special Agent Oso and Handy Manny. I'm sure that Zach has refused to come talk to you on Skype because he is watching one of these two before bedtime.

Time for a video

or two...just a little bit of Gabe from yesterday.

Project 365: Week 36

Same stuff going on here. Cuteness beyond belief, followed by one or more mondo tantrums, and repeat. We just put the boys to bed, and I'm going up too after I post these photos...I think I've got a cold.