Jon and Sarah's Visit

Since you can't pick your family, isn't it a double blessing when you enjoy them? And, even better, when you enjoy their spouses?? Jonathan, my cousin, and I are about the same age, so we've always been friends. But I have to say, Jon, I'm enjoying you even more with Sarah around. :-)

Anyway, they got to visit a few weeks ago. While their trip involved intense Paris sight-seeing, we (Chris, me, and Oliver) only tagged along for part of it. Those parts, however, were a blast. We had the privilege of meeting Sarah's aunt and her friend, Billie (a fellow Texan residing in Paris!) for some flea market shopping and a walk through beautiful George Brassens Park:

Afterward, Billie invited to her apartment for a "snack"... I call this more of a feast!

That afternoon, we went to the Opera area:

To visitPrintemps Department Store:

From whose rooftop terrace we gave Jon and Sarah the arial tour of Paris:

And took some other fun photos:

We walked from there all the way to Les Halles...

In that area, we saw two particularly entertaining store fronts. One with a dress made from wine bottle labels:

And one with dead rats:

Yes, this exterminator decorates his window with stuffed rats from the sewers under Les Halles, circa 1925:

Ah, Paris...

On another day, Oliver and I were able to join Jon and Sarah for a trip from Place de la Concorde:

Through the Tuleries Gardens:

Where we stopped for lunch (and Sarah was a TOTAL natural with Oliver, for the record!):

And on to the Louvre:

Where Sarah spotted her future living-room fireplace:

And Jon and Oli decided to impersonate Sennacherib of Assyria and his pet lion:

It was especially fun because Oliver was so much older and more interested than his first trip to the Louvre:

And made a good prop for pictures:

As Oliver decided he was hungry, he and I left for Angelina's while Jon and Sarah visited Napoleon III's apartments at the Louvre, where Sarah took some stunning pictures:

After which they joined us at Angelina's for some fabulous pastries and hot chocolate:

Beautiful flowers, architecture, art, and food - who could ask for a better day??

Back at home, we had a ton of fun, too. Jon was a pro with the little man:

And we had the privilege of having Sarah's aunt and her friend Billie to dinner. I must say, it was GOOD: rosemary potatoes, beef tenderloin, zucchini gratin, french bread, and good wine. Oh, and though I missed them in the picture, a killer blue cheese bacon dip and a fabulous homemade cheesecake. I LOVE having an excuse to cook and (better yet) eat yummy food:

You'll have to try the zucchini gratin (made with goat cheese and heavy cream... sinful...):

All in all, a fabulous trip. Thanks for coming, guys. We love you!!