The French Adventure: Spring Break

It was a little different than the ones in the U.S. in that there was NO one manning the children and they were responsible for moving their own carabiners from wire to wire!! No waivers signed, no nets - wow. This place wouldn't last 10 minutes in the U.S. without a lawsuit!! I happen to agree with the U.S. on this one! BUT the boys had a great time. Lucas's mom and I were standing underneath the boys the whole time!!

Then we started the second week with a long anticipated visit from our friends, the Boutons.

Here they are at the Atlanta airport with suitcases full of American products! Woohoo!

William, Toni, and Banks

And here are the boys reuniting at the Clermont- Ferrand airport over football cards

After a little nap, we took them to a nearby park to keep them awake!

Soccer with Dad

The first day we took them to a crepes restaurant. They had crepes and a local specialty, called Truffade, which is basically potatoes and cheese!

Then we walked around town a bit and were so blessed to have Toni and her amazing photography skills the whole week. Most of the following pics were taken by her! (you'll be able to tell which ones!!!)

The next day we went up to the top of a nearby mountain made of volcanic rock, called Puy de Dome. It was a gorgeous, clear day, and we could see for miles. There were paragliders everywhere!

On the train on the way to the top

The view from the top

My heart could burst at this picture

It was chilly up there but so beautiful

The boys having lunch at McDonalds- Europe only uses free range, antibiotic-free chicken at their McDonalds!! So the boys had to try it! It was a hit!

That night the boys decided to be very brave eaters and tried frog legs!! They were so adventurous!

Our last day in Clermont- we went to my favorite junk store and found Toni some treasures and then the boys had a baguette fight in the courtyard!

Toni was so sweet to do a French photo shoot for us - we have loved the pics she has taken of us over the years so much!

This time was no exception!

The next day we got on the train for Paris

First stop in Paris...

This must be the French pronunciation of Toni!

The metro station

Our one full day in Paris was full of iconic Paris stops.

Stop 1- the Louvre

Egyptian artifacts- the guys were really interested in seeing the mummies!

The Mona Lisa- Toni read us info about her as we waited in line- I had no idea she wasn't really famous until she was stolen!

Beautiful paintings were everywhere. We probably saw 10% of the whole museum. It is huge and so impressive!

Banks touching the top of the pyramid! :)

And Toni holding it up with just her hands! :)

Next stop - lunch at Frenchie to Go

We are never going to have our days this documented in pictures again! What a treat!

Stop 3- Love Locks Bridge

Banks and William writing on their locks

Then they threw the keys in the Seine and we were off for hot chocolate at Cafe Angelina- I think it was a little too rich!

Stop 4 The Eiffel Tower

After the photo op, we climbed it!!!

It was A LOT of steps!!!

But what a view!!

By the time we got down it was getting dark and Toni was able to get this last shot as we headed back to the hotel

What an amazing day!

The next morning we were up bright and early to take them to the airport. A crew from our church in Greenville had a layover from their Kenya trip in Paris on the same day at the same time!! What a treat to see some friends!

Laura Roe, Joceyln Renfrow, and Trecy Watson- what a joy to see them!

One last goodbye! BOO!

Then one last Starbucks for Mègane (my French name)

And back on the train after a wonderful week together!!