Summer Time

What?  Summer is half way through!
Weekend BBQ post family swim has become the norm.

 Chex Mix post swim is now a staple

Ryan is our resident maid.

 My herbs and flowers take two daily doses of watering each day -- but their blooms are worth it.

Summer 2006

I stumbled on this gem today.  Maisie is one, and Andy is three.  What a pair.

Copa America

Our friends invited us to the Copa America game: USA vs. Columbia 3rd place match.  We just about melted walking in the 115* through the parking lot.  But, we had a grand time.

 My big belly -- 23 weeks.

 Handsome profile.

Father's Day

This magestic father of ours sure makes our world turn.  We pray for him everyday, and depend on him every moment.  He rarely stops to do something for himself and always has someone else in mind.  We sure are blessed beyond mesure.  And, he sure loves his wife and seven kids.

Today hit me with a ton of bricks.  This is my first father's day without my father.  I barely functioned -- well, I just wasn't very patient or nice, and I cried most of the day.  I walked around feeling lonely and I missed my Daddy as much as the first day his died.   But nice Austin understood without a complaint.  Of course I made him lovely meals, and he is planning on returning all the gifts we got him, but we both do those things everyday. 

Maddie is 7!

Maddie is 7!  Her birthday gifts were perfect -- a new bike with gears so that she can ride up the hill with the big kids.  

 Her new tea set from Grandma B. is almost like Maisie's so the boys helped me create and morning brunch.

 We spent the afternoon in the pool.  Maddie promised she would swim without her floatie on her birthday, and she was really successful.

 Maddie found a recipe for "Strawberry Dream Cake" in my magazine, and we made it together.  It really was a dream to eat, and I have never had any frosting that is more delicious (the base in heavy whipping cream and marscapone cheese).

 Here she is being sung to.

We love Maddie because she is soft and kind.  She likes routine and loves being independent.  She laughs easliy and loves often.

Paris Part II

The Orsay Museum was another favorite.  All my art history facts came into play.

Degas

 Van Gough

 Here's the Pont de Arts -- love locks.

 We ate the best lunch at Angelina Cafe.  He had a smoked salmon bagel.

 I never drink hot chocolate -- the exception is a cup from Paris.

 I had eggs benedict.

 We found our way to Mont Marte.

 Sacre Coeur held breaktaking views of the city.  And lots of people drinking.  Hilarious.

 Arc de Triumphe.

 Champ Elysee.

 The evening Eiffel Tower Tour was a romatic highlight.

 Views from the second tier.

 Street food is way better in Paris.

A quiet Sunday at church.  I came to know what I already knew -- French is a language I don't understand, but the promptings of the spirit is a language I am continuing to master daily.

 We rode the Big Bus in Paris, and fell asleep on for over an hour in the rain storm.  We were on the open deck, but slept well anyway.

 Freshly squeezed orange juice and fresh pastries bid us farewell.

One last picture of my handsome boy as we ready our journey home again.  What a time we had!  Delicious companion, sites, food and love.  Hopefully we make it back to Europe in 10 years, and Meg can babysit all the youngers!

Paris Part I

We arrived in Paris and were immediately lost, so it took us a bit to get our bearings.

 First night, though, we took a cooking class and ate a three course meal with Cerrol, our chef.

 Seine River looking toward Norte Dame.

 Sortie means exit.  That was special.  People on the subway in Paris were way more stinky.

 These strawberries were pretty much the best I have ever eaten.

We paid $3 an apple.

 The Musee Rodin.  My favorite statue -- "The Kiss."

 "The Thinker"

 Our time inside Notre Dame was crowded, and we didn't take the steps to the top.  I was surprised that so much light came in.

 The chapel at San Chappel was by far my favorite church -- the stained glass windows were mesmerizing.

Off the the Louvre to find Mona.

 These were my favorite furniture.  I hope Austin can make me one.

 The evening streets were enchanting, we heard the buskers serenading the lovers and we stopped to take it all in.  Evening found us back watching the Copa Europa.

Versailles was impressive.

 I think I should paint our pool gates gold.

 We got lost in the gardens, well he knew where we were, but I just followed.

 Apollo's grotto.

 No wonder the heads of the royality were chopped off, this place was way lavish.

 Hall of Mirrors.  I got design ideas for my new kitchen.