Hello Paris

We woke up and started packing. Turns out 10am is the check out time. We said our goodbyes to the cousins and forced them to stare into the sun for a group shot. This was the best we could do. 

We stopped for one last photo in the fields of Champagne. 

We had to drop off our rental car once we got to Paris. This was no small feat. Do you see the tiny red rectangle on the "P" sign. Turns out it says Avis. 

Once the car was safely returned, we set off to find some food. Here's a picture of Kai enjoying his Croque. 

More goofballs in the restaurant. 

We saw camels and ostriches through the gates of the zoo. 

Took a break from walking to sit for a minute and enjoy the view of Notre Dame. 

Our continued trek along the Seine. 

We are looking down from our apartment to the courtyard. 

Our home for the next few days. 

Tiny kitchen, but all we need. 

Life is good. 

Todd went to evening mass at Notre Dame while the kids and I unpacked and started a new puzzle. Then I put Anni to bath and bed while Todd and the older two went for a walk around Paris. Kai came back saying Paris was the most amazing city. Though he did recognize it's the only big city that we've let him stroll the streets late at night. They ran into several dance parties and Kai said he got his groove on.  What a night. 

Last day in Crugny

It was quite a rainy cool day today. We spent some time hiking around but relaxed most of the day. 

In the morning we had special hot chocolate from Belgium. 

While the boys went on one last shopping trip, the kids and Maria and I went on a walk up to visit the cows and collect snails.  

Anni and I turned back early to try to get the laundry moving along. Unfortunately right after we got home it began to downpour. Maria and all the other kids came home sopping wet. But they had snail shells and flowers with them and huge smiles on their faces. 

More loom bands were created. 

In the evening I went for a walk around the fields of Crugny by myself, the rains had passed and there was a lovely clean smell in the air. 

It's our last night in this lovely home

and village. 

Versailles

6:15 seems awfully early when on vacation, but up we got so that we could be to Versailles when the gates opened. 

Here's Louis XIV, who turned what was originally a hunting lodge into the opulent palace of Versailles. 

Turns out the lines are still quite long even when you get there early. And the French don't really have a handle on how to keep queues organized, but after an hour or so, we made it in. 

We started in the main palace state rooms. 

This is the hall of mirrors, where the treaty of Versailles was signed to end WWI. 

I believe this is the Queen's room. It was a bit of a sea of humanity that pushed us through the rooms. I lost Maija and Todd at one point, but thanks to technology, we were able to reconvene. 

Then we made it outside. 

Then we rented a cart because the grounds are massive. We were only supposed to have 4 people in the cart, but we managed to be sneaky and hop in and out as needed. Kai was a bit concerned about this, we tend to be rule followers. It was a bit humorous to see his concern. 

There were really long walks between gardens, fountains and palaces. 

We ventured over to Marie Antoinette's hamlet. This was absolutely the kids' favorite. 

Our kids would like to live on a farm. In fact Anni asked if perhaps it could be our next house, because she is convinced we will never live in Portland again and that we will just be on vacation forever. 

This is within what we've dubbed the umbrella tree. 

Goofballs waiting for Todd and Maija to return the cart. 

We were all a bit tired out by the end of it, but what a fun day.