Ensemble en France- Together in France

March 7, 2008

Waiting at the train staion to head to Paris to hook up with the rest of the group.

Grandpa and the boys on the train.

Oakley's first train ride in France.

While we were on the train Mark picked up Mom, Patti, Shaun, Monica, North and Travis at the airport. The plan is to all meet at the Eiffel Tower.

Stamps in the passpports for the SJT family.

The first of many-right North?

Uncle Shaun quizzes Sophie on her french.

Holy Cow!! Aunt Patti looks amazing, we can hardly believe it. We are so excited that everyone is here together.

Oh, the moment has arrived- North is really here!

Lots of hugs and welcomes. I still can't believe that all my brothers, parents, 2 sister in laws, a niece and nephew are here with us. What a time we will have!

Part of the group climbed the stairs to the top. If you ever want to work on leg strengh, just come to Paris and visit each momument and climb all the stairs.

Annie delivered her report at the top of the Tour. Did you know that it has been painted 17 times, every 7 years and it takes 60 tons of paint, a team of 25 men 1 year to complete it. The next painting is scheduled for this year. Thanks for the great info Annie.

Thanks to Kristen's new camera I can give you a view from the top.

Building great cousin memories.

Fun Uncle Travis even wrestles on the Eiffel Tower.

Well, here we are, all 15 of us.

Did you ever think you would see this? Isn't it great!
We can't help it, it's in the air.
Jesse once again doing her business with the street vendors, such a little business woman. Everyone got their treasures to take home for friends.

Ymm, a delicious French lunch, right here on the streets of Paris.
Taking the subway to the next attraction.

What a guy, North helps us keep track of all the kids.

Walking and talking through the streets was one of the best parts of the day for me

You can see this photo in the next GQ.

Walking along the Seine on our way to Notre Dame.
Annie & Oakley- you are so darn cute!

Before entering Notre Dame, we heard Dallas' report on this landmark. He taught us that the gargyoles were drainpipes. Before raingutters were used the water would run off the church and out the mouths of the crazy creatures.

More great photos by Kristen and Brandon.
I love this picture-Shaun and North at Notre Dame.
After the church, they made their way to the Arc de Triomphe.

Kristen captured a few of the buildings along the busy streets of Paris.
I took some of the kids and we headed home on the train, when we arrived the car and everyone else was still in Paris, so we got to show North what it's really like here-you just walk home. After a full day of walking in Paris he really got his feel of the French life.
Patti rests on the couch, I hope she didn't think we were trying to kill by hauling her all through Paris, and walking home from the train. The trick of being a great hostess is totally wearing out your guests until they are very tired and very hungry so no matter what you feed them they think it is wonderful! So I might say we had a wonderful meal of dinner crepes when everyone arrived at the house.
For dessert we had Gallette des Roi. I bought a few in January (which is when the French eat this cake) and froze them so we could share this new traditon with the family.
Sophie finally found her first feve in her piece.
Shaun was the second king of the night.
What a fantastic, fun, exciting, busy, tiring,memory filled day we all had.