Sophia's birthday cupcakes

Just a little video of the birthday girl with her cupcakes. She could hardly keep her hands off them! Enjoy!!

Sophia & the cupcakes
Video sent by moyamz

Azay-le-Rideau

So an interesting thing to keep in mind when visiting some of the chateaux in France, they close between 12:30 & 2pm, so the workers can have a proper lunch. Makes it a bit difficult if you are a visitor, but one of those cultural things you just have to deal with.

We dropped Brehan off at the train station in the morning so he could hop back to Paris, and we went to one of the more intimate chateau, Azay-le-Rideau, and village. It was amazing because the grounds of the chateau were huge, quiet, and intimate all at the same time, but it was in the middle of the village.

And you could see how the chateau basically supported the rest of the village thru the years. Indentured servants, serfdom, slavery, however you want to call it; it is a fascinating period to look at now. It was an amazingly creative period in the world, and you can still see the beauty in the artists creations...

Chambord continued...

The center spire on top of the spiral staircase.

Moya, Troy and Sophia on the roof of Chambord.

The view toward one of the surrounding canals.

Brehan on the roof of Chambord.

A windblown Sophia at the base of the chateau.

Chambord

Brehan, Nana, Sophia & Moya in the grounds of Chambord.

Troy, Sophia, Moya & Nana in front of Chambord.

Sophia & Brehan making angels with their legs in the rocks against the chateau walls.

The tri-color flying above the entrance.

The Chateau of Chambord, the largest in the Loire, was our introduction to chateau life and it is amazing! over 400 rooms, and 360 fireplaces to keep it warm because it was a winter hunting lodge for the Royal family. There were only 80 rooms open to see, and that was plenty!
It was such a beautiful day we were able to go out on the terraces & walk all over the roof. The chimneys are so elaborate, one guidebook even described it as an over-crowded chess board.

Sophia was great, was able to run thru all of the rooms, and up the stairs. It was crazy...

Nana & Brehan in Paris

After anticipating Nana's visit to Paris for over a month now (Nana's coming, then it's my birthday, and I get BALLOONS and PRESENTS!) Nana finally arrived to much fanfare, and lots of dancing. Then before we really woke up this morning, Uncle Brehan arrived as well. We spent a beautiful day wandering around Trocadero, and over to the Rodin Museum where we ran in circles around the garden, and sat in the window overlooking the House of Invalides... Mom & Brehan were able to enjoy the sculpture...

When only Nana will do...

Nana, and only Nana
Video sent by moyamz

Crossing Bridges at the Park

Bridge at the play park
Video sent by moyamz

So Long, Farewell

Sophia LOVES the Sound of Music. Definately a future Salzburger in the making...

So Long, Farewell
Video sent by moyamz

Running with the Waves

This video is actually from last September when we were in Athens, but I just figured out how to put video on the blog, so rather than making you go back & figure out where the new posts are, I will just add them in random order.
(Just click on the photo)

Enjoy!

Running at the Temple of Poseidon
Video sent by moyamz

More finger paining

Finger Painting
Video sent by moyamz