Paris

Paris was rainy and chilly especially after being on this warm, temperate island for awhile. We went to the Louvre. When Caleb saw the pyramid from the distance he gasped. It made my day to know that he was so excited to see everything.

Nick holding up the underside of the Pyramid.

We had to see the Mona Lisa. It was a mad house in there. She had a wall all to herself.

The most exciting part of the Louvre for the boys was all of the Egyptian artifacts.

We searched for a long time to see this mummy. Nick had done a project in school about mummies and spouted out facts about them all through the exhibit.

We had to take a couple get off our feet breaks. The Louvre was on day 3 of our Paris trip and we were all exhausted.

The ceilings were all painted because it was a palace before it was a museum.

We took Flat Stanley on our adventures. This is in the subway.

We had to have some crepes.

We had a boat ride around the Seine River. We played some Rock, Paper, Scissors to keep busy.

There were amazing buildings everywhere.

A view of the Eiffel Tower from the top of the Arc de Triumphe.

Walking to the Arc down Champs-Elyssees.

We had dinner in a restaurant along Champs-Elyssees. The food was delicious.

Outside Notre Dame.

Inside the cathedral of Notre Dame. The cathedral was amazing. A women's choir started performing while we were in there. It was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

A view from the Eiffel Tower. We got there in the late afternoon and waited forever in line. When we finally got into the tower it was dusk. By the time we finished it was dark. We were able to see it in the light and the dark.

When I asked all the kids what there favorite part of Paris was they all answered the Eiffel Tower.

Warming up with some hot chocolate while waiting in the line.

Walking up to the tower.

Padlocks Bridge. Where people come to lock their love and throw away the key.

We had a great time in Paris. We could have spent a few more days to see it all, but left feeling satisfied. It was definitely a memorable way to spend our Spring Break.

Dinner Out

Curtis and I went out to a nice Portuguese restaurant with another couple. We decided to bring the camera along and showcase some of the fabulous Portuguese dishes. I know that water doesn't count, but it was what we drank.

some sausages and cheese

some delicious bread with a not so great goat cheese(Curtis said it was kept in an old shoe) and a yummy jelly

a local sausage(which kind of had a meatloaf texture) and olives....they are soooo good

some local mussels, Curtis tried this, I am too wimpy

vegetable soup

salad with oil and vinegar

my dish was a filet mignon with a prune sauce--it was buttery and rich, Curtis had grilled osterich, I am not sure why he didn't take a picture, maybe he was ready to start eating!

Curtis got some made up dessert, he picked two from the menu and halved them

my dessert was a berry tart. We are enjoying this opportunity to try new foods while here on the island.

Caleb's Baptism

Today Caleb choose to be baptised. It was a chilly, windy, gray day, but it was a beautiful baptism.

Caleb is not normally bothered by cold water. He was doing fine until he went all the way under and then the water was COLD!

He was brave and very excited to be able to be baptized in the ocean in the Azores. It will truly be a memorable day.

Our Favorite Game

When we are blessed with a particularily beautiful day and happen not to have too much to do before dinnertime, we like to play a little game. It is our adventure game.

We go to a Portuguese store and buy something we haven't tried before and go to a new spot that we haven't stopped before.

I am still amazed by the beauty of this island. We are enjoying our time here and hope for many more adventure games to come.

Caleb's Birthday Party

This year was a party year for Caleb. He chose to have a bowling birthday party. With 12 boys on the list, I thought that that would be a great idea. (This was a boy only party-according to Caleb-only Megan and I were invited. We count ourselves lucky!)

We had a great time. It was a successful birthday and hopefully one that Caleb will remember.

Caleb is 8!

Happy Birthday Caleb! You have brought us such joy through the years!!