Saturday, February 8, 2014

We actually made it to Paris!

Ever since the first day we arrived in France, back in August, the kids have been asking when we were going to see the Eiffel tower.  We explained that though we were in France, the Eiffel tower was still 900 km away. We put a great deal of thought into deciding on the best way for our crew to visit Paris, since everything that we have heard of Paris told us that it really isn't a place for kids. We were starting to doubt that we were all going to make it there.  However, after things settled after Christmas, we began looking at our options. After a great deal of time spent researching, we found something perfect for us - Davy Crockett's Ranch and a visit to Disneyland Paris with a day excursion into Paris.  Davy Crockett's was a Disney hotel (comprised of hundreds of individual cabins) located about a 7 minute drive from Disney.  And being that we were in January, the slowest month of the year, we were surprised at the deal we found!  Before we could change our minds, we booked us in for 4 nights, 5 days.  The only kicker was that we needed to have a vehicle, as there was no shuttle from the Ranch to Disney, therefore......we loaded up the Touran, and headed north 900 km on our family adventure to Paris!  We arrived Thursday night, in time to head to the Park for the fireworks show (awesome, awesome, even in the pouring rain), and spent Friday enjoying the rides in the Park (13 rides to be exact.......very awesome because there were no lines).  Saturday we headed on our guided excursion, to Paris.  This tour included a bus tour through the city, a 2 hour lunch stop with free time in front of the Louvre, a 1 hour boat tour down the Seine, and a tour to the second level of the Eiffel tower (by far, the highlight!).  Sunday was a day at the Park, and then..........Monday we headed home.  Definitely a trip to remember :o)

All packed up and ready to go.

Marcus' favourite thing in the world right now is Mickey Mouse, so we were quite excited to see his reactions to Disneyland.


Our fearless leader :o)

Though the drive was long, the countryside was very cool.  This was one of many Chateau's we saw.

Arriving at Davy Crockett's Ranch.

Quick visit to the Park upon our arrival.


All were impressed with the lit up castle, even in the rain!

Getting excited......

I promised Daryl this would be the only time I asked a stranger to take our family photo.



Mathieu and Marcus trying to get the sword out of the stone.

Daryl and his princesses in the castle

Mathieu, still trying to pull out the sword.

We were all excited to see Marcus' reaction to Mickey.  So precious.

Posing with Mickey.


First time in the teacups.

Our surprise princess we got to meet was Tiana.

Marcus eating his chocolate crepe on the tour bus, headed for Paris.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Stephanie taking it in on the tour bus in Paris.

First sight of the Eiffel tower.   For the record, mommy spotted it first.

Getting closer to the l'Arc de Triomphe.

Getting closer to the Eiffel tower.

Love this picture.  Mathieu listening to the narrative, taking photos, and singing 'Oh....Champs Elysee....'

Picture says a lot.  Just got off tour bus.  lil M taking off, big M angry at something, C excited about the Eiffel Tower keychain that mom just got ripped off buying, S belly ache not allowing her to walk (thankfully it didn't last long and we were able to regroup)!

Lunch outside the Louvre.....yep, it was pretty cold.

Lil M chasing birds, as usual, however this was so many mom was very worried he was going to step on them.

'Feed the birds......'

Fun in front of the Louvre (we did not brave it and go in)

Favourite bridge over the Seine
Notre Dame Cathedral

Smallest house....can you see it?

Kids in awe over the Eiffel tower (from our seats in the boat)

S getting good at taking pictures for us.

Eiffel Tower is sooooooo big.....

Heading up in the elevator.

Checking it out.  M still very into taking photos!
Favourite picture of  Paris from the tower.

More poses.

C + tower

Big M + tower

S + tower

Lil M + tower (he just couldn't stay awake any longer).

One last pose.

Zeke + tower (this one is for Mathieu's friend Kai)

Last day at Disney Park (Gaston was a favourite.......soooo played the part well).


Goodbye Disney!


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Avignon

Avignon is a village a couple of hours northwest of Nice.  It is the home of the Palais des Papes (Popes' Palace) and the Pont d'Avignon (the Bridge of Avignon).  The palace was the seat of the Christian world in the 14th century, and is now a World Heritage site which bears the mark of the nine popes who succeeded one another there (including Benedict XII and Clement VI).   The bridge was built in the 12th century, repaired and rebuilt numerous times after being damaged from flood waters and during wars, and abandoned in the 17th century.  It now stands as a bridge that spans only halfway over the river.  You may have heard the song 'Sur le pont, d'Avignon', which has made the bridge quite famous.  We could not help but have a little sing-song and dance ourselves while on the bridge :o)


le Pont d'Avignon (by night)

D 'sur le pont, d'Avignon'
Palais des Papes

Our memorable sing-song and dance!



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Renoir Museum

The Renoir Museum is located in Cagnes-sur-Mer, just outside of Nice.  Renoir settled with his wife and three sons in the Domaine des Collettes, where he built his home in 1908.  This is the home where Renoir lived until the end of his life in 1919.  He was 78 years old.  The home is on a large piece of land in the middle of Cagnes-sur-Mer, and full of olive trees that are over 5 centuries old.  These trees are truly amazing!  Daryl, Marcus, and I made a visit one day when the kids were back at school.  I loovved it!  It was so amazing to see the views that inspired him.  I enjoyed the museum so much that we returned the following week with Stephanie, Claire, and Iris .  It was so much fun walking through with S and C, as their interest in art has increased a great deal since our arrival in France.  Here are a few photos of our visits!

Renoir's home (the museum)

View from front porch of the museum

Marcus dancing in Renoir's kitchen

Stephie and Claire in Renoir's home studio (even his wheelchair and palette were there)

S and C and I on Renoir's bedroom balcony

Daryl and Marcus in the Domaine des Collettes (the 'yard' of the house)


amazing olive trees in the 'yard'

posing in the 'yard'

girls posing in one of the olive trees

Love this one!  It is the view captured in this Renoir painting.

C teasing S with an orange (as S does not care for oranges)












Thursday, January 16, 2014

Sightseeing and bringing in the New Year with special guests!

Welcoming Grandpa Harvey with big hugs!

Visiting Tourettes sur Loup

Enjoying the view from Tourrettes sur Loup

Learning how to properly open a bottle of real Champagne, from our guest Romin (from Champagne) on New Year's Eve

Enjoying our authentic french New Year's Eve dinner (thanks Delphine :o)

Stephie opening the serpentine at midnight! Pop!

Patrick and Kelsey just leaving.....Paris bound!

Last pose with our special little Christmas tree, before taking it down


Monday, January 13, 2014

Christmas Fun!


Sprinkling the reindeer food on the driveway on Christmas Eve

Cookies, milk, and a letter requiring signature for Santa Claus

Christmas morning

Aunty Kelsey said all she wanted for Christmas from Mathieu was a hug :o)

Marcus giving his gift to Uncle Patrick

Mathieu and Daryl trying out their cross-bows


Claire's favourite present was her Monster High make-up, and she ensured all of the females in the house were well made up for the day


Waiting for our turn on the ferris wheel in Nice on Boxing Day

View of the Christmas village in Nice, from the ferris wheel

Daryl and the kids enjoying the ride in the Christmas ball (does the movie Elf come to mind?!)

Kids checking out the goods at the market in Nice

Our family on the beach in Nice

Daryl found a special treasure from the sea