o christmas tree

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, we set out to find our Christmas tree. Last year, we bought one at le supermarche but this year we decide to try a floral shop to avoid it being as wide as tall. This decision also meant we had to take the tree on the bus... thankfully, it wasn't too busy!

We have to agree that the tree is a lot better this year but I think it's going to have to be bagged up before we take off for the US... we are losing a lot of needles and it might be bare if we wait until we return!

thankful life

On Thanksgiving morning, my brother, dad and I headed to the Catacomb entrance. The Catacombs are unground ossuaries that hold the remains of almost 6 million people.

My brother wanted to go the last time he visited but I thought it might be a bit too tight for a semi-claustrophobic sister. Dad and I put our claustrophobia aside and joined in. Surprisingly, if you forgot that you were underground, it wasn't too bad down there!

It was worth the visit. I don't know that I would have stood in line for hours to see it, but I'm glad I got to. The visit definitely gave us something to be thankful for later that day!

atop la tour

My parents and brother made the long trip across the pond for Thanksgiving and we decided to kick off the week with a trip to the tippity top of la tour Eiffel. I'd been to the 2nd level, but never further. We climbed the 669 steps to the second level and then hopped an elevator to the top.

disneyland paris

A couple weekends ago we decided to visit Disneyland Paris with some friends... one who has a 2 year old. We figured a random November Saturday would be better than the summer but it was so busy - the line for our friends' daughter to meet the princesses was estimated at 240 minutes long SO we definitely skipped out on that! Maybe because of the new addition of Christmas decorations to the park and the arrival of Santa... but it was still fun!

After a full day, four hours of standing in line for four rides, and  the confirmation that I still hate rides, we waited around a little longer to see the light show on the castle.

It was pretty awesome, including some fireworks. We all loaded the train back to the city completely exhausted! I guess I can check "Disney" off my list of places visited since it was a first for me.

sir elton

When we went to Les Vieilles Charrues, we (or I) went solely to see Sir Elton John sing his heart out, but unfortunately that didn't happen. Luckily, he decided to make a visit to Paris and Mark snagged some tickets! He bought the tickets last May so I made sure to put it on the calendar and not forget about it on a random November Wednesday. Even with a cold, Elton John was amazing! He played for over two hours.

I was too busy being mesmerized by his piano talent to take too many photos... it was so good!

rugby football

Just because there hasn't been much activity on here doesn't mean that it's been boring around here...

Last year - wait, almost TWO years ago - when we visited Paris (the first time ever for me) because Mark got invited to a rugby match, I definitely didn't think I'd be living here or that I'd be in the same seats he was, cheering "Allez les Bleus." But I got invited to join the crew this year!

We did a little pre-game match tailgating outside the stadium. Because it was a work event, we got to sit in the fancy box seats and were invited to come early to eat and mingle. The scene definitely wasn't the same as American football tailgating but it was still a great time! And let's just clear up that there weren't any turkey legs or slices of pizza to eat... a traditional four course French dinner was served "buffet" style and champagne was flowing as fast as it was sipped.

FRACE WINS!

joyeaux anniversaire

You're never too old or candles...

which actually ended up being bougies magiques (magic candles) on accident!

Happy Birthday Mark!

bienvenue décembre