Versaille- Day 13

 Another beautiful morning in paradise!  We are on our way to Versaille.  I got a lot of mixed reviews about Versaille but was still so excited to see it after reading all my books and watching Marie Antoinette recently.

 Took us 2 hours to figure out how to pay for train tickets.  The machine wouldn't take our credit cards and none of the banks were open.  Mom and I wandered the streets trying to buy things to collect change.  Finally a nice Frenchman helped by using his credit card.  Who said French people are rude??

 The entrance-- all of that is real gold!  Found out that its actually the back of the palace.  The real entrance is the side with the gardens.

 Chapel that King Louis built to worship in every morning.   He was the most self righteous king I have even seen.  He truly thought he was a god and that the purpose of life was to indulge yourself in whatever you please.  Amazing how one person can think so highly of himself.

 Paintings were breathtaking

 More statues of Louis...

 Famous Hall of Mirrors

 Queens bedroom-- I always thought it was crazy that the public was allowed to watch her give birth.

 My favorite painting!  Napoleon crowning his love Josephine as empress

 overlooking the massive backyard

 We had the most fantastic weather that day--cool enough to not get all sweaty riding bikes but just warm enough under the sun.  It was truly magical riding around the expansive gardens.  Seriously you cant wrap your mind around how big it was.

 Marie Antoinettes gardens

 The kings private little get a way on his property just in case he got bored staying at the main house.    It was still massive and amazing. Doesn't Shannon look so cute in her new French jacket and scarf??

 Best hot chocolate Ive ever had, thank you Shannon Beckstrand for the tip!  It was super think super rich dark chocolate.  yum

Love how Chad and I are twinners!!  next time Im seriously going to pack some cuter clothes and more than 1 jacket.  

 The best part was walking around Marie A. little pretend village.  It was right out of a fairy tale.  This was just one of the many cute little buildings. 

 Sorry Shannon- I had to get at least one of your crazy face pictures in!  This is how she looks 90% of the time in pictures...the other 10% like a super model

 There was a working farm and garden in her little pretend village.  I bet she had some fun times with her children.

 ok mom lets make sure your hair isnt flat...

 perfect

 strike a pose

 The other end of the man made lake

 we are so graceful--both shannon and I slipped right after these pictures.  Im not posting those

 the "side"garden
Overall impression---VERSAILLE ROCKED!  one of the best things we saw on our trip.  The palace and gardens are so mind blowing, its worth any crowds or trouble getting our there.  We went on a thursday morning and the crowds werent bad at all.  Bikes are a must too.

 That night we celebrated our last night in Paris with more BREAD!

 The two loves of my life--Chad and chocolate

 In front of our restaurant Villa Spicy

 This was a typical scene on the trip--- Shannon trying to beg dad for something, in this case, makeup

 Had to post a picture to remember how Chad and Dad spent the whole trip "car watching"

Remembering our hotel room-- we watched lots and lots of soccer and did our laundry in the bathtub.

I'll always remember my workout session with Shanny after eating 10 lbs of food.  We had our own private dance party.  

In front of the hotel for the last time. As much as a missed the kiddos, It was so nice to have so much time alone with Chad.  It felt like when we were first married.  Now I just love him 10x more.

Flea market, Orsay,St Chapelle, St. Germain- Day 12

One of my moms good friends had a friend living here in Paris.  She took us to a fun flea market close to the Eiffel tower.  Since there are no Targets or super markets, people buy fresh all of the time.  I guess I would to if I had this out my doorstep.  Despite being in Paris, we got the most amazing Lebanese food.  All the sisters also snagged cute leather hand bags.

while the girls shop, this is what dad does to entertain himself

It only took forever but Shannon finally decided on this cute leather jacket.

trying to be a true frenchman

Our first try on riding the bus!  It was scary.

You saw this all of the time--makes me soooo nervous because cars are flying by every which direction.

The oh so famous Orsay Museum that houses the most beautiful impressionistic art.  Too bad most of the paintings were of nude women.  We walked through quickly....

now that is what I call a piece of art!

oops

One of my favorite things in Paris-- the Sainte-Chapelle built in the 1200s. Pictures once again just don't show how breathtaking the stain glass is.  There are more than 1000 different biblical scenes shown.  It was built to house supposed the "crown of thorns".

You can always count on mom asking you to stop every 2 seconds to take a picture!  Dont you just love her parisian outfit?

Now this felt like Paris...loved this section of town--off St. Germain on the left bank--beautiful shops, cafes, colors, smells.  The weather was perfect...until we decided to split from the guys who took the umbrellas while we got soaked.  It would usually rain every evening for 30-45 min just to make everything look new and shiny.  The city is SOO clean and safe- totally surprised me.

Best ice cream ever.  Shannon got one before dinner and one after dinner I believe.  They shaped the ice cream like a rose. so cute!

Our friends the Beckstrands(he served his mission here) recommended this amazing cafe famous for their steak.  Although a bit spendy, it was well worth it!  The sauce and mash potatoes were fantastic.

Romantic strolls at sunset....where's chad??  oh yeah, taking ALL the pictures.  good job babe

We decided to brave the subway!  Everyone was like--ugh american tourists..get off!
on a side note--- I love how we all are progressively getting fatter in every picture.  worth every pound.