Last play date with Ava Lou

We are not the only family moving out of Paris this month. As is the norm during the summers in the Ex-pat community there is a lot of movement and our friends Kevin & Rachel (and their kids Ava Lou & Julien) are moving to South Africa. Today Sophia & Ava Lou (or Lou Lou as she also calls her) had their last play date together until next summer when we will all be in Seattle at the same time. (hopefully!)

More Summer

Playing in the Hydranga - looking for golf balls.

With her Seany
Rides from Daddy.
Trying to get Sean to give her a ride as well.
Baseball in the yard.

Summer photos

Peeking out of the castle window
Tough little Liam with a tatoo!
kissey kissey
A typical boys reaction
Playing with the dads.

Night photos...

Troy & I went for a walk along the Seine after a party on a barge the other night & decided to take a few photos with the tower in the background, with the hope that someone would offer to take one of the 2 of us together.

Troy with the tower from the river's edge.

Moya with the tower from the pedestrian bridge known for picnics on warm evenings...

The two of us with.... Nothing. Dark, black river with a couple of lights. Thanks lady.

10 years ago this weekend...

I still remember where I was. And I can't believe that this tunnel is right by our home here in Paris.

Above the tunnel is a replica of the flame from the statue of liberty, given from the US to France in honor of our "close and special" friendship.

However, if you were to ask most people who visit the flame, they assume it is the memorial to Princess Diana. In the past 10 years it has been the site of many spontaneous memorials to Diana, Princess of Wales, but this weekend it was covered in flowers.

Future Choir Girl

One of Sophia’s most favorite places is the sanctuary of the American Cathedral in Paris. She has explored almost all of the nooks & crannies, and one of her favorite things to do is laps around it after mass.

This past Sunday, after doing her laps, Sophia found a quiet pew, and decided to sing. Quietly at first, then with growing confidence she moved out of the pew into the center aisle and proceeded to “read” the music from the service book. Definitely a future little choir girl…

Saturday Market

Playtime with Constance & Alexandra

Last week we went to Kate & Constance's house for a morning coffee/playtime with Jennifer & Alexandra, which went relatively well considering we were trying to keep a 3-1/2 year old, 18 mo old, and 11 mo old entertained enough to actually have a conversation in the background!
I'm afraid we caused complete chaos at their house. But it was a fun time and it was great to re-connect after the rentre.

Back to the Paris parks

We arrived back in Paris before the grand "Rentre" coming up this weekend, and were able to take some time to enjoy a quiet afternoon at one of our favorite parks. Sophia has been going to this park since we moved to Paris, and it is amazing to see her confidence grow with every year.

This day, she had the spinner all to herself... (usually you have to be cautious of children & their various body parts flying everywhere within a 2 foot radius).

Paris - last month 001
Video sent by moyamz

Future Salzburgers at the Lucky Lab

We spent a great Saturday afternoon lunch at the Lucky Lab in Portland on our way back from San Francisco. Thanks to all of the Salzburgers that could make it, and we missed the rest of you. As it was I think there were 11 kids there ~ amazing how much noise they can all make!

We sat outside with the dogs, and watched the kiddies run, as the guys kept them from running out into the parking lot.

As we drove back to Seattle, Sophia kept talking about her "new best friends." Brings a tear to my beer...