Paris

These photos are up on facebook, too, but my mom doesn't have facebook. So it was necessary to blog about our vacay, too.  We took advantage of our sweet flying benefits and went to Paris! Cost of flight in economy: like $60. So worth it. On our first day we trekked out to the Arc de Triomphe.

 I'm generally against physical exertion or exercise of any kind, so my legs and feet were killing me for the duration of this trip. The staircase to the top of the Arc just kept going and going....

 But the view was pretty killer.

 Notre Dame. I sang songs from the Disney movie in my head the entire time we were there.

 We wanted to climb to the top here as well, but the line was CRAZY long and we didn't want to wait a few hours in order to walk up more stairs.

 So instead we climbed a bunch of stairs at Sacre Coeur. 

 The view here was also awesome.

 Katy and I took some jumping pics, but only after she biffed it in front of everyone on those stairs.

 Jumping in front of the Eiffel Tower.

 We made three trips to the Eiffel Tower. The first time we went the lines to go up to the top were long, so we decided to go early the next morning in order to beat the rush. Most of us got some bikes and cruised on over there. Best decision ever.

 This view was the best yet. But the elevator ride to the top: real scary. I had to close my eyes for part of it.

 Then we went to the Louvre. That place is so crowded.

 That night Katy, Andrew, and I biked over to the Eiffel Tower again to see it lit up at night and to see it sparkle.

 In front of the Seine.

 On our last full day we went to Versailles. It was crazy cold for most of the day, but it was easily the best part of the trip. I would live in that palace.

 Marie-Antoinette's hamlet was picture perfect.

 I excel at jumping.

Eating lunch on the steps of a cathedral.

Sightseeing is really hard and tiring. But Andrew and I flew in first class on the way home, so I guess that made up for a lot of the walking. And Paris rules. Hopefully we'll be taking some more sweet trips soon.

visitors

We've had a few visitors the past month. Amelia came here for a few days for an internship and I couldn't have been happier. We checked out some animals and the gorg gems at the Natural History Museum.

And obvs we went to Georgetown. I don't I can go two weeks without going there.

We also got to play some bananagrams.

I like it when I win at games. Here's proof I'm capable.

 Yay for our reunion! I need her to come again. Agreed, Amelia?

Nate and Jan came this last weekend to visit UVA. We went downtown to look at some of the monuments. Notice my white capris and flip flops. It's just been that hot here. Hallelujah.

We also saw the cherry blossoms.

I thought we were real good at posing for the camera. Well, some of us (me).

But then I saw this happening. Blows my skills out of the water.

Abraham Lincoln Monument. Easily one of my favs.

We checked out the National Zoo on Saturday. I'd never been to this zoo before. My verdict: it was ok. The elephants ruled, but I didn't see any polar bears. And I did not curl my hair that morning, it rained on us the whole time. Humidity does wondrous things for my hair.

Trip Home

I took three days off work to fly home to Oregon for Megan's wedding and to see my family. In true Oregon fashion it rained almost the entire time. 

 I saw a whole lot of these two kids and my stister. Kelsey likes to keep them out of the way in cupboards.

 I wanted to take a pic of my dad's new car for Andrew, but I had no idea my dad would suddenly instruct me on which angles were best. Instead of taking just one shot for a photo text, I was in the middle of a photo shoot.

 Obviously we went to Sezchuan Kitchen. I can't go home without paying a visit to the best Chinese restaurant ever.

 Everyone enjoyed it.

 At Megan's reception. She looked fantastic, as all brides should. It was so nice to go to her wedding!

 Lucy and I went and picked up a pizza together.

 She also insisted I take many pictures. This may be a family trait.

 Kelsey's kids are really good at smiling for the camera. Exhibit A: Thomas.

 Exhibit B: Lucy.

 Thomas is a believer in good hygiene and needed his hair combed and his teeth brushed.

 Dominoes! 

I had two good rounds and it all went downhill from there. Remind me not to play with my mom again.

Other things the family is good at: dancing and playing the kazoo.

(Short) Christmas Break

 We kicked off the holiday season right with a tour of beautifully decorated homes. And by beautifully decorated I mean lights that Clark Griswold would approve of. Highlights: large blow up M&M people (see bottom right corner of photo)

 Parents of my students made up for being high-maintenance by giving me a gift card tree. Nordstrom=way to my heart.

 Christmas Eve and Christmas day were spent with the Harrisons. We went with twinner outfits for Christmas church.

 See? It may have been unplanned but I always love a good matching outfit.

 Katy posing with the tree.

  But I may have been the better model.

 The whole Christmas morning gang.

 

Christmas night I flew back to OR (Andrew followed that Tuesday) to be with the Hansen family. We continued our Annual Extended Lord of the Rings Marathon on Dec. 26th. The food spread gets better every year.

Thomas made himself comfortable and found a nice cushy seat. He is a slight little thing, so Grandma may not have noticed he was even there.

I got to babysit this thing for a night. He cuddled with me and Mom for hours and it made my day.

Best event of Dec. 2011: Tate was born! He is so cute! (Props to Dane and Ash. 3 out of 3 kids are cute---not bad.) I'm dying to get myself over to Utah to see him in person.