On Sunday, December 28, 2008, Cody and Andrea Evans came to visit/vacation with us. We had a lot of fun with them on our Paris Vacation despite the cold.
On Monday December 29 we packed up the car and drove to the Louvre. It was a quick trip through the Louvre the main things we showed to Cody and Andrea were:
The Mona Lisa
This beautifully detailed painting, The Consecration of Napoleon
The loads of real gem stones on the crown jewels
And the luxuriously designed Napoleon III apartments.
On Tuesday December 30 we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and then headed out in the rain to see Paris. First we saw the Notre Dame. Austin kept trying to find the Hunchback and wouldn't stop asking where he was.
Justin and Cody at the Eiffel tower in the rain. Poor Erika was freezing with wet feet so we hopped onto the Red Bus Tour from here.
Austin, Justin, and Erika at the Arc de Triomphe. After this we rode at the top of the open tour bus down the Champs des Elysees. At the stop for the Alexandar III bridge we got off and enjoyed the picturesque sunset while walking across. We also walked over to see the fountains of Place de la Concorde as well as the obelisk in the center which marks the place where the condemmed were guillotined in the 1790's including Marie- Antoinette.
After climbing up quite a few stairs, we visited the beautiful Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Justin got a great photo!
Erika and Austin were very excited that these rides were by the Metro entrance and just at the time that Dad and Cody needed to look at the map.
I thought that Austin would say this was one of the best things in Paris this day, but he actually said his favorite thing was eating at the Hard Rock Cafe which is what we did right after this.
Erika and Austin got to ride the merry go round by the Eiffel Tower while Justin Photographed the tower. They had a blast!
Great photo Justin! We even got to see the sparkle lights on the tower before we left. It was very beautiful.
Wednesday, December 31 Erika and Austin had tons of fun playing hide-and-go seek in our hotel while we got packed up and ready to check out.
Ronald came to say hi when we had lunch at McDonalds in Versailles
Austin, Mom, and Erika at Versailles
The beautiful Queen's room
The Hall of Mirrors if my favorite place inside the palace
Even in the winter the gardens at Versailles are amazing
Austin and Erika had tons of fun on our trip taking pictures with their new digital cameras.
Versailles inner court
On Monday December 29 we packed up the car and drove to the Louvre. It was a quick trip through the Louvre the main things we showed to Cody and Andrea were:
The Mona Lisa
This beautifully detailed painting, The Consecration of Napoleon
The loads of real gem stones on the crown jewels
And the luxuriously designed Napoleon III apartments.On Tuesday December 30 we enjoyed breakfast at the hotel and then headed out in the rain to see Paris. First we saw the Notre Dame. Austin kept trying to find the Hunchback and wouldn't stop asking where he was.
Justin and Cody at the Eiffel tower in the rain. Poor Erika was freezing with wet feet so we hopped onto the Red Bus Tour from here.
Austin, Justin, and Erika at the Arc de Triomphe. After this we rode at the top of the open tour bus down the Champs des Elysees. At the stop for the Alexandar III bridge we got off and enjoyed the picturesque sunset while walking across. We also walked over to see the fountains of Place de la Concorde as well as the obelisk in the center which marks the place where the condemmed were guillotined in the 1790's including Marie- Antoinette.
After climbing up quite a few stairs, we visited the beautiful Sacre-Coeur Basilica. Justin got a great photo!
Erika and Austin were very excited that these rides were by the Metro entrance and just at the time that Dad and Cody needed to look at the map.
I thought that Austin would say this was one of the best things in Paris this day, but he actually said his favorite thing was eating at the Hard Rock Cafe which is what we did right after this.
Erika and Austin got to ride the merry go round by the Eiffel Tower while Justin Photographed the tower. They had a blast!
Great photo Justin! We even got to see the sparkle lights on the tower before we left. It was very beautiful.
Wednesday, December 31 Erika and Austin had tons of fun playing hide-and-go seek in our hotel while we got packed up and ready to check out.
Ronald came to say hi when we had lunch at McDonalds in Versailles
Austin, Mom, and Erika at Versailles
The beautiful Queen's room
The Hall of Mirrors if my favorite place inside the palace
Even in the winter the gardens at Versailles are amazing
Austin and Erika had tons of fun on our trip taking pictures with their new digital cameras. 
Versailles inner court
Becky, those pictures are beautiful! You all looked like you had a lot of fun! Such amazing places. Thanks for sharing. :)
Justin's picture of the Sacre Coeur is gorgeous! Glad you had fun!
Christmas in Paris--sounds like a fairytale. The pictures are stunning, you are so lucky to be creating great memories for your family!
Yay for blogs! I love yours! Thanks for being the best tour guides and hosts ever. I know we will never forget our awesome vacation with all of you! :)
Becky, wow! you guys are having some amazing experiences. you are such an awesome mom! It's so fun to see how you guys are doing and to keep in touch! Let us know if you are ever back in the USA again. Love you!