The last couple weeks of our summer we spent on family vacation and a work conference for Neal in France. We drove to Paris. We left on August 16 & arrived in Paris on the 17th. We went into Paris to see the Eiffel Tower that evening. The kids were not too thrilled with all the walking we had to do to get to the Eiffel Tower. We got there in time to see it in the daylight & then lit up at night.
On the 18th we headed to Disneyland Paris for the remainder of the week. We had fun going to the parks and just being together. Josiah's favorite ride was the Start Tours ride. Miriam wasn't tall enough to ride it, so Neal & I took turns taking Josiah. He rode it 7 times while we were there! Miriam loved the teacups & the carousel, but her favorite part of Disney was the Frozen Sing-a-long show. She went 4 times including once in French. :) This summer Disneyland Paris was all about Elsa & Anna. Everyday they had a welcome parade for Elsa & Anna. Frozen souvenirs were everywhere. Miriam was in heaven. :)
The second week in France we drove to Clermont-Ferrand for a work conference that Neal went to. We enjoyed getting to see the area. The city is located at the base of an old volcano. It has a "black" cathedral at the center of the city. It looks black from a distance because it was built with lava stone. We went to the top of the volcano one day. Another day we went inside the cathedral. It was beautiful.
When we got home from our trip we had a week before school started. We got in another beach day before school started. So far the kids are adjusting fairly well to being back in school. :)
Grandpa's train!
Tractor ride
Father's Day
Playing with cousins
Trampoline fun!
We celebrated Neal's birthday early because he was in Russia on his actual birthday & the kids & I were still in the U.S.
Josiah & Eli (the boys)
Omaha Zoo
Cousins at the Omaha Zoo
Hannah giving Josiah a ride on her 4-wheeler
Josiah & Miriam enjoyed swim time while we were at Papa's
Miriam, Mimi, & Josiah
Miriam's turn for a 4-wheeler ride
Beach day with my mom at the beach in Barcelona
Neal & I got to get a date night in while my mom was here.
Lunch in Sant Cugat with Grandma
On top of Tibidabo in Barcelona
Cathedral on Tibidabo
Inside the cathedral on Tibidabo
Tibidabo
Tibidabo
We got 1 more beach day in while Grandma was here. We found a new beach that is a lot less crowded than the one in Barcelona!
Grandma & Miriam modeling their cupcake jammies
Eiffel Tower & the river
After the twinkle lights turned on
Josiah in front of the Lego Store at Disney
Balloon ride outside the New York Hotel at Disney
Robin & Miriam in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Welcome Parade for Elsa & Anna
Miriam watching the parade
Josiah & Olaf
Watching the Frozen Sing-a-long show
Frozen Sing-a-long show
On the Slinky Dog ride
Cars ride
Josiah & Miriam on the Cars ride
Slinky Dog ride
Inside Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Alice in Wonderland's Labyrinth
Dumbo Ride
Dumbo ride
We stayed at the Santa Fe Hotel which had a Cars theme. The kids were pretty excited about it!
Robin got to sneak away & ride the RC Racer ride.
Downtown Disney Studios theme park
Stunt show
Lightning McQueen made an appearance at the stunt show!
Josiah in front of the entrance to the Star Tours ride
Sleeping Beauty's Castle lit up. We were waiting for the laser show & fireworks.
Waiting in line to ride the Star Tours ride
We found Darth Vader in our room!
Miriam got new Frozen doll sets
Character Parade
Miriam waving at Mickey & Minnie
Josiah & C3-PO
Miriam on the carousel
Miriam & Mommy on the Teacup ride
We stayed in the Lightning McQueen section of rooms at our hotel.
Miriam with Olaf & Sven
Darth Vader got in our car!
Miriam & Josiah found some fountains to play in while we were at Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Sheep grazing on the top of Puy de Dôme (volcano)
Josiah checking out the view
Family photo on top of the volcano
The "Black" Cathedral is at the center of the city in the middle of the picture.
Ancient Roman temple ruins to the god Mercury. It is at the top of the volcano.
Train we took to get to the top.
Puy de Dôme
Black Cathedral
Inside the cathedral
Square near the cathedral
Practicing their snorkel skills
Josiah snorkeling
the Green Ninja!
Miriam ran to the store with daddy & got to sit with Hello Kitty
Our last beach day before school started
First Day of school
Miriam P4
Josiah
P5 (Kindergarten)
