France: Come Along with Us!

Have you ever wanted to go to Europe? Well now you can. With five crazy kids and their wacky parents.

It's official. I have started recording the happenings and adventures of our latest trip to France. I'd love for you to come along, so take this as a warning OR invitation. I have started posting about the places we saw and things we did, which makes for A LOT of France. Not just 8 posts about our 8 days there; No, more like a ton of posts about what we did. Remember, this is for posterity too. So, if you'd like to join us I say - Read on! If not, check back later. Over the next several days you will see our travels. The good, the bad and the ugly. And believe me, with 5 kids in tow, some days were NOT pretty.

Frist let me admit something to you. I have not been a big fan of Paris, France. It's neat, and there are a lot of pretty things to see. But I will tell you, that when people say to me - which they often do - "Don't you just love Paris?" I always say, "Not really. There are a lot of neat historical things to see though." BUT, I guess the third time is the charm. I can truly say, without a doubt, that I absolutely love, adore, and want to live in France. Maybe not Paris itself, which I do reeaaaalllly like. But the surroundings of Paris are more my style. You'll see. I'll bet they might be your style too. I think having a car to get around in, staying in an adorable house, and seeing more of France than just Paris is what did it for me. So yes, now when someone asks me, "Don't you just love Paris?'' I will have to jump on the bandwagon and say, "Yes. I. Do!" See, Paris is just one more reason to love France.

I also decided this trip that I would try to get more people (my family) in photos. I have lots of beautiful pictures from travels in my life, but many don't have anyone in them. Some are nice this way, but anyone can buy a travel book of places to go. I wanted to start getting people in the pictures more often. So you will see some really pretty photos, with our little clan here and there through out the posts. Just sayin'...

I've started with just some roaming around Paris. Streets, wandering, and riding the metro. Which, again, with a big family can be tricky. Enjoy!

Gardens outside of the Louvre

Arc de Triumph in the background

Notre Dame

Paris is most beautiful at night.

Ralph Lauren

Dolce and Gabbana

Cartier (no idea what was going on, some kind of event)

Louis Vuitton

Many of these stores are on or near The Champs de Elysee. This is probably the most famous street in the world, or one of them. With an even more famous intersection. Twelve roads meet in one place and circle the Arc de Triumph. It's awesome. Peter was Mr. Amazing and dared to circle the Arc, a few times. This is fun place to people watch, shop, and just be out in the city at night.

Waiting for the Metro back to St. Germain Sur Morin, where we stayed.

"Chach! Look at me!" I said in a loud whisper. He is shaking his finger, No, No, No! I told the kids no talking on the Metro. People don't talk on the Paris underground system. So we really made an effort to keep them quiet. This is Chach telling ME to be quiet!

We stayed 35 minutes out of the city. So by the time we got to our stop, it was pretty empty and Giddie could be a little more wild. Here he is giving me a 'smile.'