Friends and Family Make the Holidays Special!

We were fortunate enough to have several visitors over the holidays.  We were lucky in that it kept us from being too homesick.  We loved sharing our home and city with our friends.

The first visitors we had were the Arnolds!  Katie, Carl, Amelia, and Elouise spent three days with us before heading on to Florence.  Lucky for them, they had been to Paris before so we could be much more relaxed in what we showed them.  We enjoyed our neighborhood, including our Wednesday morning market, as well as some of our favorite shops - Monoprix anyone?  We also got around very slowly via the overcrowded buses.  (Remember, the never-ending strike?)  Edy really got to sharpen her tour-guiding skills by leading the Arnold around by herself.

Katie and I smiling outside the "expensive" part of our neighborhood!

Off to the market where Will and Carl found a fish head!

My favorite French man who swears everything is "the BEST!"

So good to see the Arnolds!

Will, Amelia, Edy, Elouise

Edy and Elouise reunited in a new city!

Just getting some exercise!

I am sure this was after they both slid down the railing behind them.

I believe these are the best macaroons around!

The Champs Elysees all lit up!

Friends who wear scarves together are friends for life.

Relaxing around the Christmas tree.

Thank you Arnolds for Will's new Lego set!

Why, yes, that Christmas tree is hanging from the glass dome!

Just enjoying a little lunch on the steps of The Opera Garnier.

Eloise

Amelia

A pyramid of girls!

Two of these girls are enjoying their first Amorinos.

Katie's first flower cone!

A little light reading from Shakespeare and Company.

So many girls!

All ready for a five course French dinner!

But first, a champagne toast!

Aunt Rachel and Will

Everyone looks full - 3 courses left!

After all five courses, a facemark was in order.

We were also lucky in that Jeff's sister, Rachel, came for a few days as well.  She was more than eager to let her favorite nephew lead her around Paris.  She got quite her fill at Les Invalides, the army museum, accompanied by a trip to Five Guys on the Champs Elysees.  Edy and Will also took her to see the Christmas Market in La Defence, where they went up the Grand Arch and played a few rounds of foosball.  Rachel is always game for movies so we walked to two different theaters, while she was here, to watch the new Star Wars movie, "Rise of the Skywalker" and "Knives Out."  We were grateful she could come spend time with us.

Ready for "Rise of the Skywalker!"

Can't beat this view on the walk home from "Knives Out."

A day in La Defence!

Can you spot Will?

After about four days on our own over Christmas, we welcomed our next guests, the Tracys!  John, Amanda, Elizabeth, Noah, and John came to spend ten days with us for their first overseas family adventure! They were so patient and adventurous, even with the transit strike.  And they never were able to ride the allusive 52 bus...

Here is a  top ten list of highlights with them - in no particular order:

1.  The amazing light show at the Jardin de Plantes.
2.  Braving the height of the Eiffel Tower.  Luckily there was champagne at the top.
3.  John managing to cook a delicious dinner in our small Parisian kitchen.
4.  Chocolate body scrub with Amanda at Lush in La Marais.
5.  Girls only shopping trip = we love Zara!
6.  Boys only trip to La Mans to see the museum and the race track.
7.  Watching the Parisian New Year's Eve Celebration on TV!
8.  Endless rounds of Skip-Bo and 5 Crowns.
9.  Adult only dinner at La Gare, while the kids stayed home and watched movies.
10.  Sending kids out for endless baguettes.

Welcome to Paris Elizabeth, John, and Noah!

A second Christmas with the Tracys!

Matching R2D2 pajamas for the boys. 

Matching leisure suits for the girls!

Visiting the lock bridge and playing our favorite game of "guess where the boats will come out."

Best one yet!

The Arnold family joined us for a few days at the end of their time in Italy - Edy, Eloise, and Elizabeth.

By putting Amelia in charge of all seven kids, we were able to have an evening out.

My girls!

My favorite photo!

While some might vacation in warm, tropical places. we chose to lounge
by a pond in the Jardin de Tuileries.

Louvre!

What is best to do after the Louvre?  Why jump on trampolines!

An ocean themed light display at the Jardin de Plantes.

Finally, a photo of the kids!

While the moms went off for massages, the rest of the crew went up to Sacre Coeur.

New Year's Eve!

John made dinner for us on New Years Eve!

Happy New Year!

Dessert for the kids...

John "lighting" the dessert for the adults! 

Voila!

It's 2020!  Let's make some noise!

Love you Amanda!

With the strike, we couldn't easily get to the light show
at the Arc de Triumph, so we watched it on tv instead.

Someone needed to finish the champagne!

And the following day, the much anticipated paper airplane war!

We are about to go up there!

This is only from the second floor.

In the elevator on the way to the top floor!

Here we go!

Cheers!

Awe, these two - John and Amanda!

Girls' day! 

Palais Royal!

Elizabeth!

While the girls shopped, the boys went to Chartres and La Mans.

La Mans' trophy 

La Mans' race track

Having fun at a nearby park.

Trying the Lime scooters in the park, where there was a speed restriction.

On our way to the Chocolate Museum, we ran into this street.

Ready for all you can eat chocolate?

I know what they will be having for dessert.

A wonderful night out without the kids!

Thanks John and Amanda for joining us in Paris.

P.S.  Next time we need to remember to shut the freezer door.

P.S.S. There's the 52 bus!

When you host people for many days at at time, you really get to know them.  They also really get to see your quirks and all of your warts.  We were grateful that all the families that have visited with us have been patient, kind, and helpful.  In addition to this year being a time for just the four of us to bond, it has also been a year to share with others our new home.  We have had some great learning experiences in sharing a 72 square meter space with guests.  It has been a great way to practice compromising, patience, and listening to what others need and want.  I would have to say our kids have been exceptional at that.

Now that the holidays are over, and the guests are gone, we can't seem to gear up to our same level of adventure and exploring that we had come to know and love in 2019.  I am giving ourselves some time to recharge, sleep in, and refocus on how we want the next 5.5 months to go.  I know it will come, but taking time to rest is good too.

Thank you all for visiting, whether in person, or virtually!
Betsy