Parlez-vous français? Nein.

Last weekend the Jamesons (and the Quinns) invaded France.  It may never be the same again lol.  (Side note, the Quinns are a super nice family from Arizona that we met one our first weekends here.  Their kids are very close in age to Erin & Ryan, go to school with them and the four of them get along great.  Steph & Brian aren’t too bad either, lol.  Great drinking buddies!) 

 

Anyway, the kids were all off school Thursday for Tag der Deutschen Einheit or The Day of German Unity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Unity_Day).  They also had off Friday, making a nice four day weekend for Paris.  We left after work and school on Wednesday and drove to our apartment.  I won’t go into too much detail, just know that we made it out alive and there are very few pictures if any of the apartment (you all know how rare that is for me). 

 

Thursday morning we hit the ground running.  We met up with the Quinn’s at Notre Dame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris) and did the tour.  The lines weren’t too bad since it was a Thursday morning. We brought Erin & Ryan’s scooters to Paris with us.  That was great!  They were quick and easy to fold up and gave the kids something to do while we were looking around. 

This scene was recreated multiple times all over Paris...Ryan and his friend whooping on each other.

 

After Notre Dame we took a water taxi around Paris.  It stopped at all the main sights, but the girls couldn’t get to the Eiffel Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower) fast enough. 

 

The Dads grabbed a few bottles of wine and we all relaxed on the Eiffel Tower lawn while the kids played on the playground.  Then we decided to take a quick swing by The Louvre (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Louvre) to see how the lines were there.  Only about 10 minute wait but it was closing in an hour and half.  Let’s be honest, if you think 4 kids between the ages of 6 and 9 are going to let us have a leisurely stroll through the halls of The Louvre, you are delusional.  Get in, see the Mona Lisa, and get out without any major security issues, that’s the goal.  Needless to say, we made it.  They even let us check in the scooters.  (I don’t know why they didn’t want us to just take them in the museum?)  We did manage to find the Mona Lisa.  The kids weren’t impressed, but at least they can say that they saw it.

 

 **New Pic** Doing his best sculpture impression

 

Brian and Stephanie had a great apartment just off a farmers market.  Very cool and within walking distance of the Arc de Triumph.

 

Friday morning we were back up and at it again.  We headed directly to a great playground (highly suggested by Erin & Ryan’s Mahon cousins) in Jardin du Luxembourg (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_du_Luxembourg). 

 

After some lunch, it was time to hike it to the top of Arc de Triumph (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc_de_Triomphe).  Yes, even Mike made it to the top.  It is truly amazing how big and solid it is, with some amazing details inside and out. 

 

 

Ryan and Mike, as you can see, were wearing their Bucco gear.  As we were all trying to decide how best to cross the 7 or so lane round about (run it vs. use the underground walkway) a man came up to me and said that he was also from Pittsburgh and “Where are you going to watch the game tonight?”  He told me about a Canadian bar that shows all American sports.  I only had to mention it to Mike once, and we were quickly on our way to “The Great Canadian”  (Celine Dion?, Michael J. Fox?, Alanis Morissette?, Kiefer Sutherland?, Mike’s Aunt Diane?, **new addition to to the Canadian list...Dave Smith**, I could go on…)  Anyway, it was an awesome bar.  And they had Coors Light bottles, so it’s a win in my book.  Throw in some nachos, quesadillas and buffalo chicken sandwiches and it was near perfect.  Ryan and Mike were in their glory watching the Pirate game.  It was literally on 10 TVs and I think we were the only ones watching. 

The Pirate victory led to a late night trip to the Eiffel Tower.  The girls had no idea it was going to sparkle!  They were so excited!

Saturday we were scheduled at 2PM to go up in the Eiffel Tower.  Mike volunteered to stay below and watch our picnic for us (and he had an hour or so of uninterrupted Kingdom Rush time, his & Ryan’s newest game) (and he’s petrified of heights).  Honestly, I was a little nervous myself.  When we got to second floor and I realized that we were less than half way up, I was really nervous.   But we made it.  Erin & Ryan loved it too!

 

After our picnic we headed back into town for some dinner then to see the Lourve at night.  Breathtaking!  Another few bottles of wine passed around and our Paris vacation drew to a close. 

Sea Shipment has arrived, Bonn, and Movie Park

Sorry it has been so long since I last posted.  I've had an entire household to unpack!  Our shipment arrived Wednesday, September 11th.  The rental furniture company was supposed to arrive to take their stuff at 8.  They arrived at 715.  Love German promptness!  Luckily we were mostly ready for them. 

They movers did take as much of the boxes and packaging back with them that we could get to while they were here.  They also said that they will come back to pick up the rest.  There is ALOT of packaging. 

 

As of right now we are 95% unpacked.  That does not include the boxes that aren't being unpacked, or the garage I guess.  Last area to be unpacked will be my scrapbooking/crafting room.  Can't wait!  The only minor problem was getting our mattress to the 3rd floor, they had to hoist it up out of the backyard thought the porch door!  (No, I didn't get a picture, I'm bitter.)

Last Friday night the kid's school had an Oktoberfest-themed Welcome Back Party.  They actually sold beer right at the school, right at the playground.  I still can't wrap my head around it.  But wouldn't mind taking this tradition back to the USA with us!


Ryan did finally get his cast off!  He is very happy and gave it a good, long scratch when the doctor took it off.  He is playing soccer for his school, ISD, and so far has had 2 games.  He is enjoying it very much.  Game 1 was in the rain.  I didn't enjoy that so much.

Last weekend we made a day trip to Bonn, Germany.  There they have the gummy bear factory store.  No one needs this much gummy candy, but we have it. 

Bonn is the birthplace of Beethoven. 

Also, we happened upon this recreation, right in the middle of a street, of a medieval city wall and gate. 

Today, we took the kids to Movie Park.  It was a very cool amusement part about 35 minutes north of us.  We would recommend to anyone visiting us with kids.  (Have we mentioned we want people to come visit?  We are already making plans!)  Think of Disneyland, but with SpongeBob and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  The kids and Mike rode EVERYTHING.  The weather wasn't beautiful, but we were fine with it because it kept the crowds away.  We rarely stood in line for anything. 

Yes, I was very excited for this pic.  Rafael counts as a celebrity in my book!

Ryan loved the stunt show!  Bank robbers blowing things up and being tossed off buildings???  Yes, please!

Never saw a ride like this one before, pretty cool.  They have a lot of similar rides to ones in America.

 

They did the Dora Log Flume like 4 times.  But can someone PLEASE explain to me how this is supposed

to be fun?  Do any of them look like they are having fun?  I'm not a ride person, I don't get it.

Last weekend we also went to see a potential baseball team for the kids.  Yes, Erin will have to go back to baseball and she is not happy about it.  But as long as she gets to hit a ball with a bat she is ok.  Ryan is pretty excited too.  I don't know if the neighbors all appreciate Ryan's love of baseball.  He loves pitching his wiffle balls to himself in the backyard, and occasionally they land next door!  No complaints so far though. 

Cologne, Routine, and a 725th Birthday

31.08.2013 - I know you are all concerned, but yes, Mike survived his first weekend away from college football.  We were able to watch the Penn State game…so lucky me.  The Sling Box might have been our best purchase for this adventure (The Sling Box is set up at Rick & Linda’s house to their cable box.  It sends the feed from their TV to either Mike’s phone or a computer.  Also, once our TV arrives, he has a ‘sling catcher’ which will display the feed onto the TV.  Since you asked)

 Ich bin ein Berliner

 

Sunday, we took the kids to Cologne for the day.   We arrived at the Dom just in time for noon mass.  Perfect timing, unless you ask the kids.  They were “surprised” that we were going to church.  I don’t know that they liked the surprise.  Mass was 100% in German obviously, but we were able to follow along. 

 

Side note, I was very surprised when it was time to go up for Communion, the normally ordered, efficient Germans simply rush the Altar.  First come, first serve, no lines, just chaos.  Cologne was also having a triathlon, so that was interesting to see.  We were tired, so we left a lot more of Cologne to explore next time

                                      

. 

We continue to fall more and more into our new routine.  Mike started work Monday.  He has about a 45 minute drive, which is about 20 minutes longer than home.  He calculated that he walks at least 3 kilometers a day between lunch and walking to the car, so that is great.  

 

The kids and I are have been taking the train to school.  I don’t know that the fun of taking the train will wear off.  It’s relaxing, and the kids see all their friends on the way to school. 

 

We booked our flight to Italy for the kid’s fall break.  Less than €300 for the 4 of us round trip.  Can’t beat that!  Also, we have our first booked guest coming early that week.  Mike’s Aunt Diane is coming for 3 days in October!

Monday I took Ryan in to have his cast checked.  They took another x-ray and said that it needs one more week. So hopefully this Monday he will be cast-free!

I was able to pick up some sweet new cabinets cheap, so we now have some storage.  I can’t wait to fill up a good junk drawer!  They will look much better between with a bigger TV in between them!  Our real furniture and stuff comes on Wednesday. 

 

07.09.2013 - This year, Düsseldorf is celebrating their 725 anniversary.  Crazy!  They have all kinds of events going on all weekend.  Musical performances, steam engine demonstrations, people in costume, etc. all over the Altstadt.  Very cool.  Ryan particularly thought the sword fighting skit was hilarious.  I wonder how much he would have loved it if he spoke German!

 

 Who gave these kids a bow & arrow????

 Ryan nailed one!

 

 

After that, we headed down to Cologne to a party that one of Mike’s colleagues was having.  It was in a very nice park with a playground and a lake.  We met a lot of great people, so friendly.  Ryan was able to work on his soccer skills with some of the boys, while Erin worked on her Bocce ball.  Her and some of the other kids also got to take a row boat out on the lake. 

I’m gong to be honest, we took the scenic route home by taking the long, slow, WRONG train.  You win some, you loose some.  But we made it home in time for Ryan to be able to Skype with Jack so that was great.