Our First Week In Paris

I am not sure I could even begin to blog about what our family has learned and experienced in our first week in Paris! From the cultural things like learning to eat with our fork in the left and knife in the right to parking in very small tight parking places, learning many new French words, observing cultural things and enjoying tasty foods like pastries, coffee, and French bread.

A few fun high lights:

-Natalie thought the VERY small sink in the Bradford's bathroom was super cute and wanted one in our house!

-Soon after we got to the Eiffel Tower Natalie had to go potty. So we went searching for restrooms only to discover there small "restrooms" that you go down under the city to use. There is a small charge to use these toilets. We decided it was a fancy port-a-potty restroom that was actually clean...and worth the change!

-Parking seems to be a matter of seeing a spot and taking it. Even if you park on the opposite side of the street in the wrong direction. If your car will fit, take it! Stephen's truck would have never fit down some of these amazingly small streets. And Stephen is getting really good at zipping in and out of the round-a-bouts and tight corners. I plan to stick to my "back seat driving" and give him directions a little bit longer!

-We have explored Saint-Germain-en-Laye. This is the district that we are looking for an apartment in, mainly because of its location to the bus stops and RER (train system) to the center of Paris, but also because so many internationals live in the area. What an incredible opportunity we have as a family to live in a area where God has brought the people of the world to live so close together! We have also observed that there are many students in this district and we are excited about the opportunity to reach out to them.

On Sunday, we attended our first core meeting! It was so great to finally meet the team members that we had been facebooking, hearing about, and praying for this past year or so. We had our team, plus a few other people from the city that want to join the core group and help begin the church. What an amazing morning it was! Natalie jumped right in and loved playing with her new friends and Landon enjoyed all the attention he was receiving!

We are excited about all the new things that are ahead for our family in the coming weeks and months! Below I have posted some pictures from our first week. Enjoy!

1. Natalie at the Eiffel Tower- she was SO excited to see it!!
2. Stephen and Natalie enjoying a baguette

3. City Street

4. View of Saint Germain

5. Natalie & Stephen in front of the Chateau de Saint-Germain. Yes, Natalie was excited to see a real castle, and wanted to know where the princess and her carriage was!
6. Landon and I looking out over La Defense (business part of Paris). The Eiffel tower is just to the right, but did not come out clear in the picture.
7. Stephen demonstrating the very small parking space in the parking garage. Its important to line up just right as we found out today, so that you don't hit the brick walls that divide each space.

8 & 9. Eiffel Tower pictures

10. Flower shop in Saint Germain

Dance Me Daddy

A month ago I purchased the book Dance Me Daddy for Natalie. Her and Stephen have been reading it every night. It has now become her favorite book. We often hear her quoting the book but the other night she read it from memorization- the whole book. Today I asked her to read it to me and I got it on video.

so enjoy Dance Me Daddy, read by Natalie.

Where did my summer go?

Summer has just flown by, like I am sure it has for everyone! We have spent many days traveling, visiting with family & friends, and speaking at churches.
The kids are both growing and getting the opportunity to experience new places, sights and even foods! Natalie has tried and loved shrimp and salmon, while Landon is learning to like his veggies!
Here a a few pictures from our summer so far!

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Happy 6 month Birthday Landon!

Landon~

6 months ago today I was waiting for your arrival!  Waiting to see your tiny toes and beautiful smile!  I can't imagine my life without you in it!  You have brought so much joy to our family and I can't wait to see what the future holds for you and how much you will grow!  

Love you lots!  Happy 6 month birthday!

Mommy

new favorite food

French bread sliced thin, warmed + Nutella spread on top + sliced strawberries = just about the best thing I have ever tasted!

Try it tonight!  You just can't have one slice!

It's official...

I think that at 3 1/2 years old Natalie has FINALLY gotten the hang of going on the potty! Yeah! Tonight, after playing outside with sidewalk chalk, we decided to go get ice cream. So we went inside, made one final trip to the bathroom, before going on our first outing in big girl undies. We loaded up in the car and drove to our favorite place for ice cream (the spotted cow- if you're ever in Adrian this is a must). We waited in the incredibly long line, got our ice cream and began eating. Two licks into mine and "splat", mine ends up on the ground! After waiting in line again for another cone, we finish and head home! As we were pulling in the driveway I declared "it's official"! Natalie is a big girl!

We may have some accidents here and there, but I think she has got it down. This is the hardest thing I think I have ever had to do in my life and I'm just doing the training! So now I'm taking volunteers to train Landon when the time comes... anyone up for the challenge?

Disney Trip

Disney was fantastic! I am so glad we were able to take the kids!

Natalie's favorite parts were "seeing the princesses, the castle and watching Tinker Bell fly from the castle and fireworks". She also loved riding the roller coaster(in Mickey's Toon Town). Without Stephen prompting her, sitting in the front car, she immediately put her hands in the air, and loved every minute of it! She was mesmerized by the parades and shows. And loved seeing all the characters!

Landon had a great time too! He is so easy going. He enjoyed the bright colors, smells and sounds! He rode his first ride- The Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride in Magic Kingdom! It's in the dark and actually has a bit of a down hill drop. His eyes were huge but he never cried!

Hope you enjoy seeing the pictures! Oh, and have a MAGICAL day!

Natalie seeing the castle

for the first time!

Landon on his first ride...

look at his eyes!

Natalie and daddy

enjoying the parade!

Landon catching a nap

during the day in his stroller.

Landon's first time swimming!

Natalie with Cinderella!

Natalie in her princess crown.

So cute!

Stephen enjoying one of his

MANY shrimp from

Ohana Polynesian Restaurant.
Our family at the

Magic Kingdom after the fireworks!