Hill Country Holiday

While in Texas, we had the privilege of visiting my grandmother in Wimberley. I LOVE Wimberley: I spent my summers there as a child; I took friends to visit throughout high school and college; I got married there, and I have loved the two chances I've had to take my son to enjoy it.

For some reason, I only got the camera out one day while we were there... But I got a few wonderful photos in the process. Despite the 100+ degree temperatures throughout most of August, there was a slight cool front over Labor Day weekend, allowing for some fun time outside. We visited the playground at my grandmother's church (which, conveniently, is right down the street and a REALLY cool playground!).

This fabulous playground had a ton of shade and lawn chairs and benches for parents (and grandparents!)...

Plus, we were the only ones there, so we got to join Oliver on the equipment: walking back and forth across the bridge...

Sliding down the fireman's pole:

And going down the slide:

Perfect morning. That afternoon, we went down to the river. Oliver fell in love with my parents' dogs during this Texas trip, and he especially enjoyed watching them run by the river and swim. The lab has been swimming here for quite a few years:

The Irish Setter is the real enthusiast, though:

And even the French bulldog got into this time:

Since the river was so low (which means high bacteria count) due to the drought, we refrained from swimming ourselves, but look how much my boys enjoyed being there anyway!

That evening, we went out for Mexican food. You really can't go wrong with Texas hill country atmosphere and good ole greasy Mexican food. The place came complete with saddle out front:

And Mariachi cutout:

Just one of the fabulous days we spent in Wimberley. Thank you, Nana, for having us!

Home Visit: H-town!

In August, we joined the max exodus out of Paris and got to go back to the good ole US of A! After 9 months away, I was SO ready for some Chick-Fil-A and Tex Mex!! Most importantly, we got to spend some wonderful time with family and friends...

Although he only slept for about an hour and a half out of the 11-hour plane right, he kept a GREAT attitude:

And poor, jet-lagged kid that he was, he still had a great time at Nana and Grandpa's house. He loved his little rocking chair:

His rocking horse:

Nana's drum:

And the piano lessons from Grandpa Steve:

As you can see from the previous photo, the Paxtons came to visit for a weekend... And we had a wonderful time. Their last night in town, we went to a Hibachi grill restaurant, hoping that the show would keep him entertained. He didn't know what to do with the flying rice or the flaming onions:

But he really enjoyed the sticky rice:

And we tried a group photo, but it was tough to keep Oliver's attention by that point:

After the Paxtons left, Oliver continued to enjoy his North American stay. He helped Nana in the kitchen:

He took a trip to Kemah:

He visited Firehouse Subs and sported the hat to prove it:

And he modeled his longer hair for the world to see (including the Alfalfa spike after his bath):

I think his favorite person was Uncle Richard, and not just because of the potato chips:

And just before Chris headed back to Paris, we took some very special photos for my sake. My parents are about to tear down their home and rebuild... the home I was born and raised in... the home I lived in my whole life. So, for my sake, we got some pics of my sweet boy in front of the house before it goes:

And that's the short version... But it will have to do. Thank you to all our family and friends who made our visit so special!

Pere Lachaise Revisited

Although I visited Pere Lachaise cemetery with Keeley last year, Chris had never been. So Chris, Oliver, and I visited back in August in our attempt to see every inch of Paris before we leave. We followed a similar path as our first visit, but the weather was gorgeous, so I couldn't help but snap some pictures. We started with the crematorium:

Then got distracted by some gorgeous flowers and a busy little bee:

We wandered the aisles, admiring the moss-covered mausoleums:

We had to pay a visit, of course, to Rossini's grave... all the while singing the William Tell Overture, to be sure:

And then we got to visit a space in Paris that neither of us had seen - Buttes-Chaumont Parc. The park is incredible; the entire thing is made up of steep hills, providing fabulous lounging lawns:

We had a little snack:

Enjoyed the nice weather:

And headed home. Another successful Saturday in Paris!

The Lookout

"Le Guetteur" or "The Lookout" is an exciting new French film currently in production. It is being directed by some famous Italian director, and it is supposed to come out next year. MOST importantly, the bank heist scene was filmed in August just below our window!!!

All of these photos were taken from my bedroom window. Seriously, it was that close.

First, they put a false "bank" front on the building (which normally has no red or gold accents):

Then, they shot lots of blanks and screeched lots of tires as plain-clothes policemen skidded up in front of the getaway car and blocked in the masked robber:

Then they did it again, and again, and again. Seriously. They must have filmed the exact same scene a million times... Gunshots and all. The noise drew quite a crowd of onlookers:

The gunshot scenes went on for several days. Then the car crash scenes begin. I have no idea how they managed to re-film cars crashing multiple times, much less multiple days... But they did. One crash happened directly below me. Then it happened again. And again. During Ollie's nap, of course:

I complain, but it was rather exciting to know it was all taking place just below us. We passed the movie trucks and trailers parked on our street for a couple of weeks before they finished the filming and cleared out... Needless to say, we will have to get a copy, even if it is in French.

Speaking of films on our street, though, if you'd like to see our apartment, you can join Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in "Rush Hour 3" for a car chase scene. The building in the left fore-ground as the clip opens is our apartment. The glass-front building at 0:05 is the same one that was turned into the bank for "Le Guetteur," and at that view, our apartment on immediately on the right of the screen. Most of the rest of the scene takes place in our little bitty neighborhood. How famous are we?!?!?!

Disneyland!

My first trip to Disneyland was about two months ago... sad, I know. I have to admit, though, that I still enjoyed it. Our friends, the Meiers, have season passes to Disneyland Paris, which is just a short train ride from the city, and they invited us and another family to go. Though I've never been to Disneyland or -world in the US, I'm told that many of the rides and features are the same. To be honest, I just know that we had fun, and that's all that matters!

Oliver was clueless as to what he was about to experience, but he seemed excited nonetheless:

Blaine, on the other hand, knew exactly where we were headed, and he couldn't wait:

I have to give kudos to Disneyland Paris; it really was exquisitely done: all the rides, rest areas, restaurants, etc. were spectacular:

We had to get a photo in front of the castle, of course, though Oliver clearly didn't care:

And just as we were leaving the Disneyland Park to visit Disney Studios, we found King Louis! I was THRILLED, as The Jungle Book is one of my all-time favorites. Oliver, on the other hand, was NOT. This is the only photo we got where he's not burying his head into my shoulder... I didn't even know Chris had the camera ready, obviously!

In Disney Studios, there were several rides for the little ones. Oliver's first experience was the Cars ride, and he loved it:

We then headed over to some Toy Story rides and had to catch a photo with the giant Buzz Lightyear who guarded the entrance:

Oliver eagerly agreed to try the next ride, the Slinky Dog:

Which he also enjoyed:

While I can't say that the whole day was perfect (as my early pregnancy caused some unpleasant moments), I can definitely pronounce it a success. The kids had fun and didn't totally melt down; the parents enjoyed a few adult rides and great conversation with each other; the slightly rainy weather kept it from being too hot and even lessened the crowds a bit, and I for one wanted to go back. I hope we can before we leave!

Oliver: 14 Months

Well, as you all now know, pregnancy is what's been going on with us lately... And, as many of you know, pregnancy and I do not get along very well. That said, I welcome any prayers you can spare for me: that I might survive, yes, but more than that, that I might have joy, peace, and strength to love my husband and son as I should during this time. Thank you in advance!

That said, I am determined not to let this blog slip away. We have been very busy these last few months, and I have many things to share. For now, I will give you just a couple of photos of my sweet boy (who, I hope, will continue to get monthly updates at least until little brother or sister is born! After that, no promises).

14 months was great for us. As I mentioned in the Nice post, he began walking at 14 months, giving us a new variety of excitement and challenges. In light of those changes, we finally put child locks on several cabinets in the apartment, and Oliver was quick to help with the power tools:

Some things did not change, though, as he still adores his drumsticks... A feel another musician in the family for sure!

One very exciting new advancement, though, was our no-longer bald child! It's not much, and it's VERY blonde, but he's finally got some hair! Just to prove it to the grandparents, I took some photos one morning right after he woke up, complete with bed-head and sleepy eyes:

I did finally get a smile out of him, at least!

Really, 14 months was so fun. I think walking is the best thing Oliver has done so far... it entertains him far more than anything I can come up with! Just before he turned 15 months, we visited the US, so I have much to share from that trip coming up. In the meantime, let me just say how thankful I am for this little bundle of joy!