France Trip details.

WOW!
What a trip! I can honestly say, that seven months ago, I NEVER would have thought that I would EVER visit any part of Europe, let alone Paris! We had an amazing week and 1/2, but are glad to be home.
I've decided to give some detail from our trip, and if nothing else, provide myself some journaling for this vacation.

We arrived late Saturday afternoon at our villa outside of Paris in Marne-le-valle. A very small and quaint french town. How quaint you ask??? Well, we could barely drive our car down the main street there, AND there was a baker that drove her little cart/ van down the town almost every morning selling bread. Our final day there we finally caught her and enjoyed the most amazing croissants EVER! mmmmm.. . . .
Anyhoo, we checked into our villa, and finally told the kids that we were 10 minutes away from Disneyland, and that THAT was one of the main reasons behind our visit. (I posted the video of it below, in case you're interested). We headed over to the park, after eating dinner in the villa. We bought annual passes, and it took a little bit of time, but we still had time to ride "It's a Small World" and a few other rides the first night.
The next day, we were at the park the ENTIRE day! Timmy had discovered the Buzz Lightyear ride the night before and was convinced NOTHING could be better. It worked great as a ride for him and I when Paul and the older kids wanted to go on more intense rides (or at least rides with height restrictions). And seeing as how I'm quite pregnant, I couldn't really do all those anyways.
Paul and the older three all went on space mountain. Though, I will now admit, that I kind of tricked Isaac and Breanna into going. THey had NO IDEA it was such an intense roller coaster, and DEFINITELY did not anticipate going upside down. They weren't the biggest fans, but Adam luckily, enjoyed it, and became Dad's roller coaster buddy.
I won't give you a re-cap of every ride and show, don't worry. To sum up Disney, we ended up going there six days! (not whole days: 3 full days, and 3 halfs). It was enough so that between all of us, we went on EVERY ride and saw EVERY show they had in the two parks (Disneyland Paris, and Walt Disney Studios)! My feet were rebelling a lot by the last day (very tired soles :-)
For the most part, the park wasn't that busy. It's actually low-tourist season, so the parked closed by 7 most nights. We packed in lunch or made dinner after getting home most nights, but did go to a character lunch at one of the restuarants. The kids loved having Disney characters coming and saying hi while they ate their lunch. (food = not so great. Oh well)
Disney is quite magical with things they do though. Timmy was SO excited to meet Buzz Lightyear, and we had waited in a line so he could do JUST THAT. While we waited, he could not take his eyes off of him. When it was our turn, the older kids stayed back so that Tim could meet Buzz by himself (with Mom), but the kid totally got star-struck/ shy/ stage fright/ or whatever you want to call it. He buried his head in my shoulder and in turn, Buzz dropped his head and went and stood with his head against the wall (to act sad too). It was too cute. The other kids came over, and by the time our turn was up (less than 1-2 minutes) Buzz had Timmy laughing and giving him high fives. It was great.
I couldn't help but chuckle a little with how rude people were about shoving thier kids in the front of the lines at Disney though. And there definitely is not as much understanding of personal space (they Stand RIGHT next to you, even if there's room not to). But I can't tell you what nationality did it the most, there were MANY represented.
Some of the kids highlights (favorites) from Disney were "Buzz Lightyear" ride, (Tim and I did it 7 times), Autotopia (you drive your own car), Rock and Roller Coaster (Adam LOVED), and we loved the stunt show at the Studios park. The parade was pretty cool too.
On Monday, the 17th, we decided to take a day trip up to Normandy (northern France). Our map and GPS told us that it would take about 2 1/2 to 3 hours, but the GPS lies!!!!! ;-) She didn't tell us that she would take us through downtown Paris highways AND construction. eww eww EWWW~ Way worse than ANY city driving we experienced in the states. (even Chicago). It was scary. Motorcycles especially, don't have traffic laws like cars there (evidently), and were weaving in and out of the car lanes, and squeezing through spots that we didn't think were possible, going REALLY fast. Paul thought he'd see a wreck more than once. (we didn't though).

BUT, SIX hours later we FINALLY arrived up by Normandy. By that time, the places we wanted to visit were only open for two more hours. BUT, it was still amazing and very interesting. We visited Omaha Beach. THE OMAHA BEACH! This was also the first time our kids had EVER seen the ocean and gotten to get close to real waves too. It was such a beautiful place and I couldn't help but be in awe of all the soldiers that never got to realize the beauty or peacefulness that was there. We walked to the American Military cemetary right by the beach, and were there as they retired the colors for the day (took down the flag). It was so humbling to see people stop and show respect as the flag was lowered. I was especially proud to be standing by my soldier husband, standing at attention, and know that THIS is what we fight for. He represents that flag and in a very short time will understand it even more than I ever can.
It was so amazing to be on that piece of historical land and think of the sacrifices that were made to make it the beautiful peaceful place it is today.
We planned our route home to AVOID Paris highways entirely, but alas, did not anticipate CONSTRUCTION again (on a different section of highway), and it took another five hours to get home. UGH! BUT, it was still worth it. (Just don't EVER drive in Paris).
OH, and rest stops in France. . . . .well, let's just say, I TOTALLY missed good American outhouses. Seriously! THe rest stops are NASTY! They don't provide toilet paper (which we prepared for) or water or soap (we prepared for that too), OR a seat. . . . (NOT prepared for THAT) Even the girls bathroom was JUST a hole in the ground. . . .SERIOUSLY??!?!??! EWWWW! (I took a picture. hee hee).
The kids took one look and said "Uh, we can WAIT!" That made us chuckle a little.

On Wednesday, we took the metro (subway/ train) into downtown Paris. I love their train system. It's funny that their system was so much easier to understand IN FRENCH than the system in Seattle (in English) was to me last year. But really, it was great. We arrived downtown, and went on a four hour walking tour of the main sites of Paris with an american tour guide. IT was wonderful. We saw the Eiffel Tower, the ARc de Triumphe, The Louvre, the Militare Academie, more museums I can't pronounce, the tomb where Napolean Bonaparte is buried, and Notre Dame.
We got to stop part way and eat at an amazing french cafe too. Ham crepes, and creme brulee. SOOOO good! (Even the kids liked it all). After the tour, we took a boat tour down the Seine and saw the same things, from the water this time. It was beautiful and unreal that we had just walked ALL THAT WAY (I think 4 or 5 miles). We ended up seeing the Eiffel Tower from 4 angles. Foot, car, train ,and boat. And I was so glad that I got to see this truly beautiful side of Paris (cause after the driving a couple days before, I was NOT too happy about the place)
I have to say the boat was probably my favorite part. It was so enjoyable. And Natalee spotted a nude sunbather "That man is wearing his BIRTHDAY SUIT!" ha ha. Paul and I laughed over her observance and nonchalance about it. We ended that day with french ice cream and sorbet. mmmmm.. . . . (Yes, Lydia likes good food :-), then were able to catch another hour at Disney before heading back to the villa.
Friday we checked out of the villa, headed back to Disney for a half day (the kids got to choose their favorite ride), and then went to Vogelweh (by Ramstein The next day, I needed an easy day (standing and walking that much in one week wore this preganant girl OUT), so we slept in and looked around Ramstein (the closest to an american mall here), and even enjoyed American food at the Chili's restuarant on base.
The next day, we added another country to the ones we have visited, and went to Luxembourg. We visited the military museum there, which was incredible. And then General Patton's museum, and then the American Military Cemetary by the Ardennes Forest (where the Battle of the Bulge took place). It was incredible, too! I can't get over the awe I feel when I stand on a piece of land that was a key factor in a piece of history. It is there that General Patton is buried as well. We even met an older gentleman from Michigan there, that asked Paul if he was military. When Paul said yes, the man got teary eyed and thanked him over and over for his sacrifice for our freedom. It was quite humbling and emotional.
Later, as they were getting ready to retire the colors (take down the flags) over the cemetary for the day, Paul asked if he could participate and was told that he and Adam and Isaac could do it. What an awesome experience. It was such an honor to know that they were showing honor to OUR flag over hallowed ground. Ground that MANY gave their lives on in honor of that flag and freedom. The boys felt it was an amazing experiece as well, and we couldn't imagine a better end to a great week.
OH, AND Paul got to feel the baby move for the first time that night TOO! I was laying down, and she was kicking like crazy and I put Paul's hand over it, and she kicked three times. It was so special that he got to connect with his newest little girl before he leaves (we were hoping that would happen)
After arriving home from our France trip, we went swimming at a local pool one day, and to Flossenburg Concentration Camp another. I have mixed feeling about the concentration camps. I think it is SOOO great to visit and learn, and for my kids to do so too, but I find it so emotional draining. I couldn't handle standing in the crematorium there.
I kept commenting to Paul what a different feel it was to be at the concentration camp vs. the Military cemetaries and sites. Both had had many lives taken. But one instance it was completely sinister, and those affected had absolutely NO CHOICE. The other came from men who had been willing to sacrifice thier lives (if the case needed to be) for the cause of freedom. The military sites felt peaceful and sacred, the camps, almost eerie. Walking at the Military sites, I felt so proud of what our country and others had done. Walking at the camps, I just felt sadness from what was done.
Strange to have such contrasting feelings.
It's been a great time with our family. These memories will last us many many years to come. :-)
Life is Good.