I was a widow this past week, it has been happening more lately so I decided to take a trip. I talked to Nancy Martin and she was kind enough to let my kids and I crash and her place for a few days. It worked out great for both of us, her husband was also out of town. On the way to their house that kids and I stopped in Philadelphia. We were able to see Constitution Hall and the Liberty Bell. I don't think the kids realized what they were seeing but it was fun for me to see again.
The kids played together the whole trip and enjoyed seeing each other again. We also went to a fun playground, and outlet mall (as well as that can be done with 7 kids in tow).

View of Independence Hall







Girls at the Liberty Bell

Backyard sprinkler fun

Awesome park near the Martin's home

Summer of Field Trips

I had promised the girls that we would take a field trip a week this summer. We started off to a slow start but have had some fun filled weeks. Two weeks ago I took them to a petting farm/nursery rhyme park. It was reminiscent of our days in Fresno and Rodeing park. The day was so hot and humid day, we started early and ended early. Thank heavens for air conditioning and swimming pools.

Samantha loved riding the pony. All three girls asked when we could go back to the ranch at Panguitch, UT.

All grins!

At the top of the rainbow slide.

Samantha and Madison posing with the crooked old man

Ode to the fat boy!

I am always laughing about things my kids say, this last week has been no exception. Samantha was looking through a scrapbook that I had made. It had pictures of Rob and I when we were living in San Francisco, no kids, no worries, working couple, eating out all the time! Samantha came to a picture and stopped for a minute. She then asked, "Mom, can boys be pregnant?"
"No honey," I answered. There have been so many pregnancy questions lately that I paid no attention.
"Mom, dad looks really fat in this picture! Why does Dad look so fat?"
I told her that was before he liked to ride his bike and exercise.
"Why would you marry a fat boy mommy?"
Oh the frankness of a 6 year old. It is often refreshing to live with my little ones. There is no hiding or holding back, which most of the time is a good thing. They tell you how it is. Anyway, Rob has lost a lot of weight over the years thank you to a mistress that sits in the garage, even on the cold nights. He has really been keeping it off lately, thanks to $4 gallon gas he has been riding into/home from work everyday. Thanks to Samantha for keeping things in perspective she will tell you how it is.

4th of July!

We began with our traditional 4th of July bike ride. The neighboring community hosts a short bike parade and then ends at a park with snacks and entertainment. The girls love decorating their bikes and seeing all their friends from school.

Rain threatened to change our evening plans. I have always wanted to see the fireworks in D.C. I decided this was the year to go. The kids are old enough to stay up late and we do not yet have a little one to worry about. We metroed into the Capital and proceeded though security and bag check. Samantha from past experience said, "if we were at the White House we would not have to be standing in this line." Bless national park police, they just don't measure up to my daughters expectations. While waiting in the security line the rain began. We pulled out our umbrellas and rain jackets. Once through line we then looked for a grassy spot to spread our blankets and watch the PBS concert and find a good viewing spot to watch the fireworks exploded over the Washington monument. We found our spot pulled out the picnic and enjoyed sitting on the lawn talking, playing and eating. At least two more storms came through that night. By the third rain the girls were playing/dancing in the rain not caring if they were wet. Watching the fireworks in Washington D.C. was so cool and something I have always wanted to see.

Two nights later we had our own firework/lighting bug show in our backyard. We were constantly reminded by Samantha that fireworks are illegal in MD, oops. When the police car came down the street with his spot light on we decided it was a good time to put them away until another time.

Bonjour!

I was able to take my dream trip this last month to Paris, France! Oh I almost forgot the side trip to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Rob had a work assignment in Ljulbjana, I have always wanted to visit Europe but wasn't sure Slovenia was for me. A week after Rob received the Ljubljana assignment he found out he would head to Paris afterwards. Sign my up! Wonderful friends watched the kids and I was boarding a plane to Europe! It was such a fun, relaxing, wonderful trip. Where to next?



View of a church in Ljubljana, there are churches everywhere. This is one that caught my eye. Ljubljana is east of Italy, considered eastern Europe. Lots of Italian influence including pizza and gelato, yumm.




A castle Rob and I walked around. This was in Bled, a little resort town about 45 minutes for Ljubljana. It was perched on top of a mountain with beautiful views of the town below.





View of apartments/cafes in Ljubljana. This area was about 5 minutes walking from our hotel. The European soccer competition was going on while in Europe. Every evening all the locals would spill out onto the streets watching to game at the cafes. You buy dinner and the table was yours for the evening.

Stairs I climbed to reach the top of yet another castle.

View from the corner street, hotel was right next door. What a sight! Welcome to Paris. I was proud of my solo traveling accomplishments. I flew from home to Ljubljana. Three days later flew into CDG airport (Paris), bought tickets and boarded a train, transferred to Metro, walked to hotel. Not sure I would make it but I did! Didn't even get mugged in the process.


View of the Arc de Triomphe. Rob was so happy to stand where the Tour de France ends their race every year. Maybe we can make it back next time to watch the tour ride through.

One of the columns on the Arc, it is so big to walk around

Arc de Triomphe

View of the Eiffel tower looking up. We made it to the top of the tower and watched the sun set at 10:30 p.m.!


Side view of the Notre Dame cathedral

View of Paris, atop the Notre Dame Cathedral

Arch at the Notre Dame

View at Musee' de Orsay looking at Montramarte

Artists painting at Montramarte, all I could think of was how much Madison would have enjoyed this part of the tour.

Sacred Heart cathedral at the top of Montramarte hill. The hill is so steep to climb that there are stairs to walk up or a people mover. My knees by this point of the trip choose the people mover!

This was my favorite church of the trip. If you go to Paris you have to visit here!! Sainte-Chapelle, jewel of the 13th century architecture with a wonderful collection of stained-glass. Each stained-glass section told a story from the Bible. The pictures do not do this chapel justice.

Another pic of Sainte-Chapelle


What trip would not be complete without a picture of Moulin Rouge

Pastries, can we just say heaven. I am not sure I can live with American bread. The French know how to do breads!

A cute little French street!

Stinky, molded, smelly cheese. Rob and I walked into a few cheese shops and had to hold our noses. I enjoy my fair share of cheeses but these were a little much. Especially considering my nausea level on this trip, I will pass for now.