Bonjour!

Our Trip to Paris

We Arrived Friday night last week pretty late.  We stayed at a 4 star hotel I booked through price line and it was AWESOME!  We were on the 23rd floor with a view of the Eiffel tower and the arc de triumph.  The room was very nice as well.


This is the View from our room


Here is Anna ready to start our trip!




  On Saturday, we spent some time relaxing walked around the mall that was connected to our hotel (the metro was also connected to our hotel as well!)  We grabbed some breakfast and headed into town.  We went to Notre Dam and the Sacre Cœur  I loved the Sacre Cœur one the most.  It was beautiful.  Anna walked at least 3/4 of the way up herself (with a little help for balance).


Notre Dam





The stairs



Anna walking to the top!



On Sunday we went to church and then headed to the grounds outside of the Louvre to see the tour.  We had to wait quite a while but Anna made everyone's wait very enjoyable.  She had a ton of admirers and was acting rather adorable, (like usual) because of it.  The riders came into town and passed so quickly!  Then we walked to down to another part of the course and got to see them pass about 5 more times (if you don't know they ride around the Louvre and the arc de triumph 9 times, so it’s a nice place to see everything because they keep passing buy.  Lance Armstrong came in 3rd and his team captain Contador came in 1st.  A Brit won the stage for the day, so people here are pretty happy about that.  After the Tour we walked around for a bit and then headed back to the hotel. 

On the way to church

A little picnic after church

Waiting for the tour

The Tour

End the long day with the BEST bath EVER!

On Monday we went shopping at a French version of walmart and bought loads of supplies. We were out shopping for a long time and I had the feeling that we should go to the Louvre before shopping, but we stuck with our original plan. 
Ready to go shopping! Show me the toys!

The Grand Arch near the shopping center

Lunch after shopping

We didn't get back to the hotel until about 4:00 and then decided to just wait on the Louvre  At about 4:40 I remembered that the Louvre was closed on Tuesdays!  So we got ready again and rushed down town to get to the Louvre at 5:30 in time to rush to the Mona Lisa and appreciate the art as we ran by.  We didn't get to see much.

ANOTHER TRAIN RIDE! Our dash to the Louvre

The Mona Lisa

We tried to get over to the Egyptian exhibit they let me in then, closed it on Drew, so I turned around and did the noble thing and stayed with my family. 

Our picture outside the Egyptiain Exhibit, a blur just like the whole ordeal!
But, hey, we are going to see the real thing in January so, no big deal, we will make sure to get better pictures then!

Anna fell asleep the second we got to the museum and woke up in the gift shop on our way out. 
Anna still sleeping!

When we left the Louvre is when we went to get hot chocolate at Angelina's. Which is world famous (apparently) the best Hot Chocolate I've ever had. They make it from Cocao from all over the world. 6 euro a cup, but totally worth it! 


Then we rode on the ferris wheel over looking the Louvre it was pretty neat. Much more relaxing than rushing to the Louvre.



  We walked around for a bit and then Drew asked what I thought about heading walking to the arc de triumph.  My feet were completely sore, so of course I said yes. 

We stopped for a crepe along the way, it turned out to be more of Anna's crepe, but we each got 2 bites. It was an applesauce filled and delicious!



It is quite a hike!  But we made it down there and went to the top, I felt very triumphant. 


Dancing on the way into the Arc

arch-fall


arch-nofall



On top of the Arc


arch-top

I ended up falling and hurting my ankle at coming out of the toilet at the top the the arch, so I was kind of limping the whole way back to the hotel.  I knew it wasn't a bad injury and the next morning it felt fine again (I was so lucky!). 

Our last day there we went to the Eiffel Tower. 
Its not as big as you might think (J/K)

Wow that takes forever!  Anna was not happy by the time we finally went up, but she did settle down for the view which she enjoyed. 
The family at the top!

Of course the first thing she tried to do was to hang her feed through the bars.  The bars are just far enough apart that she could slip through them if she did it just right so she was not happy when I wouldn't let her do that.  After the tower we headed on a cruise down the seine. 


But Anna had a lot of fun running through the chairs, we stayed on the inside of the boat because is was a bit too sunny and hot above deck for us, we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves (except for a little spanish boy that Anna loved playing with!)


We were pretty wasted and hungry by this point, but I didn't want to get food near the Eiffel tower figuring it would be very expensive.  Our last stop of the day the the Jardin de Luxembourg.  So we got on a train and headed down there.  Apparent we got on the wrong train, so at the next stop we switched.  The train we got on the second time turned out to be an express train that also didn't stop at our stop but instead took us a half hour outside of Paris!  Then we got off the find the correct train, the platform said the train we were on was the correct train, he asked a man who had stayed on it.  The man showed him his badge (he worked for the trains) we asked him if it went to the our stop and he made a phone call and said yes it does.  Then people outside of the train convinced us he was wrong and that we were on the wrong platform etc.  So, we ended up getting off the train, then a lady ran up to us and said no, it is the right train, so we got back on it again!  We should have just trusted the man, because it took us right to our stop.  We found the first place that was opened and sat down for our big meal!  It was delicious! 


Then we walked around the gardens which were beautiful. 


We watched some people play some kind of game where you throw balls at another ball.  It was interesting.  I wanted to buy a few pictures of the Sacre Coeur so we ran down to Notre Dam because there were a lot of gift shops there.  They all had pictures of tons of other places but none of that one!  On the way there, we saw this shop and thought you might enjoy it,
Middle of Paris, who knew how popular the Redskins were!

I was pretty disappointed that we couldn't find the picture.  It was 8:30 by this point and many of the shops were closing.  So, Drew said that we could go back to the Sacre Coeur and see if the shops there were opened.  We rushed over there and much to my delight they were!  We were able to get the pictures and a shirt for me and one for Boca (Anna).  We also got to see them close the church for the night.  We had made it that close!  Then we walked down to the metro which was really crowded because they had just closed the church grounds.  We got some delicious ice cream and waited for a few trains to pass.  I was SOOOO happy that we were able to do everything we wanted to do on our trip! 


Anna decided to relax and catch up on a bit of reading after our adventures.


We took a cab to the Eurostar the next morning, which proved to be a much better way to travel than the airplane at least for Anna.  Much less of a hassle and much more to look at.  It is a really nice train.  Anna did great on the trip.  She lost it when we got on the train from Leeds to Harrogate.  Which is when we broke out the big guns and gave her  a lolly pop.  I had one two.  She lost it again when she decided she wanted to have two, we wouldn't let her, we are only so nice.  Your mom picked us and the train station.  And that was that!  We got Anna a cute little French hat and scarf so she is pretty stylin.  you would be proud.

Officially a Toddler

I would Say that Saturday, Anna officially became a toddler.  It happened on the way to the park.  Anna decided she didn't need to hold onto fingers as she has need to in the past



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When we got to the park she wanted to go straight onto the big swings!

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When she was on them she wanted to pump her legs like the other kids, but we wouldn't let her

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Even though she likes the big swings she still enjoys the baby swings sometimes too, although in this clip she is "finished"

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She also has an amazing ability to hang. She can beat both Drew and I. She is really strong, don't worry, when she drops, she isn't even upset. She is tough!

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Here she is crawling through a tube

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Here she is going down the slide right after she went through the tube

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Daddy is holding her and spining on the "mushroom"

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She is having a go on the seesaw

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Riding on daddy's shoulders on the way home!

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She really is such a big girl!

Our Anniversary

Our anniversary was a fabulous day!  We started off the day with a huge breakfast (made by Drew).



Then we went as a family to Anna's baby signing class and then to buy Anna some new shoes for our later outing.



Anna decided to help out by pushing her stroller as we walked through town



Then we headed home so Anna could take a nap before we headed out again.  After her nap, we went to Brimham Rocks, we had not been there since last year when Anna was just a couple of months old.



Anna has become more adventurous since that time, she did some climbing while were there.













Daddy also did some climbing while we were there.



We also enjoyed a picnic while we were at Brimham rocks.  After Brimham rocks, we came home and visited the park.  Then we went off back into town for a stroll through Valley Gardens.  Then we went to Betty's Tea Room for a light dinner.





Finally, we went home, Anna went to bed and Drew and I celebrated the rest of our Anniversary with some sparkling juice, and a love letter Kim wrote for Drew.

Animal Farm

A few weeks ago we went to the animal farm.  Anna had a concerned look on her face the whole time.  But she did seem interested, just very cautious.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

 

 



In the same farm that the animals were there was tractor ride and a sand pit as well!



 

Please notice that in none of these pictures does Anna have a full smile.  She looks like she is considering a smile in the picture where she is with the turtle, but, she decided against it.  She just wanted to take everything in.  Even with the tractor and the sand pit.  All in all I think she learned a lot, she may even enjoy animals one day.  And hey, she was willing to help me feed the calf so that's got to count for something right?

Anna's Birthday Party

Anna's birthday party started out by greeting our guests.  In attendance at the party were Fiona, Kieran, and Ewan Steers, our neighbors Alice and Tony, and Grandma and Grandpa Mudgett, and of course Mommy, Daddy, and Anna.

 

Anna was ready to greet her guests with her party hat on

 

We had tons of decorations

 



We started off by unfortunately having to move our tables from outside into the living room as it started to rain.  Then we had a feast!  We had bbq chicken taco salad for the adults and tacos for the kids.  Anna got her favorite shredded cheese and re-fried beans.  Next, we had some time to chat and play

 

after which Anna opened some of her gifts.

 



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She received all kinds of great gifts including a handmade quilt from Grandma Mudgett, a tea set, a glowing bouncy eyeball, her very own set of keys and cutlery, and a great toy.  She also received several great outfits, a swim suit, sippy cup, CD and DVD.  The neighbor down the street saw her decorations for her party and even brought her a card!  And her friend from two doors down got her a book.  What a great day!

Then it was followed by delicious strawberry short cake

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And Finally we had to say goodbye.   But, we didn't open all the gifts yet, there is no reason why the a birthday has to end just because the party is over, right?

Happy Birthday to You!

As per the tradition started by Denise...

Dear Anna (at one)

We cannot believe it has been an entire year since you were born! We love watching you each day as you learn and grow. Your personality is coming out so much! We love you more than you could possibly know or understand (well, maybe you will one day, with your own children!).

You Love to eat Strawberries. It is really hard to call it eating as you are the only person I have ever seen that can actually drink strawberries whole, it is a site to behold. You also love to eat anything on mommy's plate, even if you have the same food on your own high chair tray! You really love it when you get to eat a pear (I give the whole thing to go you and let you go at it!)

You are becoming very brave and outgoing. You will now go to anyone who interests you. You LOVE other children. You don't shout to get attention, instead you try to get peoples attention by smiling and laughing! I have never seen such a brilliant way to do it, and boy does it get results!

Daddy gave you the nickname of Boca which has stuck as so many of your other nicknames have come and gone. He used to worry that you didn't know Anna was your name because we called you Boca so much! But you do know your name and no matter what we call you, we love you sooo much!

We go to swimming lessons once a week, which you absolutely love! You love the songs and especially the water! The first time you went under the water you were a little less than 6 months old. To this day, you have never once cried going under the water. You can push yourself off the side of the pool from sitting and are prepared to hold your breathe and go under the water! What a clever girl you are! After swimming every week we take a moment to sit and have a digestive biscuit before we head home. It is a great tradition!

You also love to go to baby signing. They sing so many songs it is great time! You get to be tossed in the air which is one of your favorite things as well whenever they sing the “Hokey Cokey” or “the Grand Ole' Duke of York.” You learned your first sign when you were 8 months old. You started signing “want”. Then you learned the sign for nursing. You know how to sign finished now as well. You are just starting to sign sleep as well. What a quick learner you are!

Some of your favorite toys are your train that your aunt Emily gave you for Christmas last year. It has balls that go around and it plays music. It also drives around the room. Your favorite book is an animal book that Grandma Helen got you for Christmas as well.

You love to go outside and get very excited when we put on your pink crocks and put you on the ground and let you hold our fingers and walk! You love to go to the park and your favorite part is the the baby swings. You don't get scared to go high (the higher the better) we know when you want to go higher because as the swing slows down that is when you stop smiling, when you go really high is when we get a laugh! You start to cry in protest when we try to take you out.

One of favorite games to play are peepbo (peak-a-boo) behind your sun hat. You just started playing one day when we were in the car. I was sitting next to you and next thing I knew you had begun playing it. You would hide behind your had for quite a while before popping out too! You played for at least 15 minutes the first time. We had a great time! You also love to play chase Daddy. In fact, you love to do anything with daddy, he has the best games! Every day we sing “I'm so glad when daddy comes home” when he arrives home from work or when we pick him up from the bus stop. We always pick him up whenever we can and the bus driver loves to see us there as well! She says that it is such a great way to come home! We wait for daddy because we don't want to wait one extra minute before we get to see him. The first thing you do everyday when you see him smile, get very excited, reach for him, and take his lanyard and work ID right off of him!

You love your mum as well. You enjoy seeing what she is doing at all times. You love to help vacuum, wash the dishes, and clean the doors or baseboards. You also love to help with the laundry (which most of the time consists of taking the dirty clothes out of the washing machine or throwing the clean clothes on the floor). When you are playing you always come over for hugs and cuddles and when its time to go to bed, no one will do but “mama.” When you get sad she is the one you seek after as well! You sure make her feel important and loved!

You have some friends that you like to spend time with. You love going to see our neighbors Alice and Tony who always bring out a white bowl with a few treats in it for you (usually some biscuits!) We go and see them about once a week, or once a fortnight at the least. They are great fun to play with. You also love playing with Fiona, who was the only person who you would let watch you when you went through your separation anxiety from about 4 months to 9 months old. You still love it when she plays with you and babysits you. You also love playing with her Kids. Keiran can always make you laugh! Ewan is great fun as well.

Recently, it has come to our attention that you might be quite a “girly girl”. We bought you a sun hat for the summer and at first you always took it off your head. Now you keep it on (unless you need it to play peepbo) and love to look at it in the mirror. You also used to take your headbands off right away when I put them on. Then, I showed you how you looked with it on in the mirror and now instead of taking it off you just reach up and proudly touch it (although sometimes you do still take it off, you try to put it back on as well!). We recently also found it necessary to purchase some shoes for you. You have a pair of pink crocks and a pair of white church shoes. You love to play with them. You also like it when they go on your feet (although I suspect this is mostly due to the fact that it means we will be going outside rather than for a fashion statement.) The last clue you have as to your possible blooming love for accessories is that we just bought you a pair of sunglasses. You love to put them on. You always touch your nose once they are on, get a huge grin and start sniffing through your nose, it is very adorable. You love to look in the mirror with them on.

A few weeks ago you took your first steps! Yell on your way to toddler hood. You don't actually walk too often without a lot of encouragement. You prefer crawling for the time being. Walking is still a bit scary. But you are doing very well, you can walk about 10-15 steps in a row! Very impressive!

Your are gorgeous and people even stop mommy on the street to tell her. They warn us to watch out when grow up because you are going to be quite the looker! We think you are adorable and so do many other people!

When you were only a couple months old, we would take turns feeding you in the middle of the night. Mommy would nurse you to sleep then you would wake up around 1am and daddy would take you downstairs, give you a bottle and you both would sleep in a recliner. Often, both of you would fall asleep before you finished the bottle! It always makes daddy so happy when you would snuggle up with him. He loves it when you would fall asleep with him.

If you were ever sleeping in the bed and woke up before daddy, you would pat him on the head until he got up! You were just too excited to start the day and play with us!

We love you so much. You are such a wonderful blessing in our life. We are always very grateful to Heavenly Father for sending you to us.

Anna, we love you so much and always will. We want you to know we will love you no matter what and that you can always come to us for help. We are so excited to get to know you even more as you grow and develop and we really look forward to seeing your personality blossom over the next year.

Happy Birthday Anna!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy!

   Anna in the Hospital

   Anna on her blessing day

    Our American Girl

   Larger than life in Holland

   In the Tulips of Keukenhoff Gardens



 One of her most favorite activities!

I also wanted to remind everyone of this film, its one of our favorite memories...

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Homeless...um, I mean one home less

Today was THE day.  Our house in Maryland is finally sold to some awesome buyers buy the way!  Our friends who had been living in the house told us how great they were when they met and I really wanted them to get the house because they really seem to like it for all the same reasons we do.  I do have kind of mixed feelings.  It was a great experience while we were there and we learned a lot.  It was really neat to live in a home that was 100 years old and to be part of the history in such a cool area.  And now the house is in fabulous shape too!  I sure wish I could have lived there when it was finished.  But, that being said,  we are so grateful for the blessing of selling the house!  This means that we are almost completely out of debt.  We have a few more things to take care of, but by October, we will be there!

In other news...we are going to Paris!!!  I know, not out of debt and going to Paris!  But, hey!  We came out here in large part to travel and we are celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary, going to see the Tour de France, staying in an awesome hotel that we got on Priceline, and doing all the Paris stuff.  We are VERY excited!  What better way to celebrate an anniversary than to spend it in the most romantic place on earth (well, we are going 4 weeks after our anniversary, but close enough!)

Needless to say, today has been a blessed day.  We are offering many prayers of gratitude.  Also, stay tuned for another post tomorrow, Its Anna's birthday!!!!!