Grade 3 & Grade 12

The morning after returning home from Europe, Summer had her first day of 3rd Grade!  She was excited and a little nervous.  She was thrilled that her best friend Reese would be in her class, and it turned out that a few of her other friends from last year were in there too (Adam & Oliver).  She has a seasoned teacher (Mrs. Woodard) who gives out "Kokanee Cash" which Summer thinks is just fantastic.  I think it's going to be a great year.

Tyson started his last day of high school a day later with his "senior sunrise".  I am not sure how he is a senior already...and I'm not ready for him to graduate.  I hope we can just stretch this year as long and slow as possible.

First day of Kindergarten

Tyson's school was featured on the news and Tyson made it on...even looking at the camera:)

Summer Traditions

It seems like some traditions just happen by accident, while some are very much intentional. Here's a couple fun summer traditions that someone else plans and I just get to be invited:) 

Mariner's Game

I never plan to go to a Mariner's game, but each year it seems one of my friends (Laura) plans it and invites us along.  This year we had a HUGE group...I think she bought more than 50 tickets.  So fun!  Even though I don't plan this, I would be sad if we didn't get to a Mariner's game before the summer is through.  

Jetty Island

Our friends who plan our annual Jetty Island trip (Mullins) moved to Arizona this past December, so I was sure this tradition was over.  Well, turns out they came to visit Labor Day weekend and planned a Jetty Island trip...and hopefully they will keep doing it every year!  The weather didn't cooperate this year.  I didn't even wear a swimsuit...there was even about half an hour where it actually rained and we contemplated leaving.  But I'm glad we stuck it out because it turned out to be a great day...even if it was a little cold.  Summer was sick, Kya had to work, and Tyson didn't have any friends going, so it was just Mike and I who went this year.  Kind of sad.

I am grateful for friends who plan such fun events...and that they invite us along. 

Paris--finishing off strong

We definitely didn't have enough time in Paris!

Bakery Breakfast every morning (we did this in London too--I would highly recommend it:))

New Restaurant every night (we really had no choice on this one haha--except we did go to The Spaghetti House in London twice, maybe because Summer had a crush on the waiter;))

Summer is holding up the knife I used to break her out of the bathroom that she got locked in during dinner--eek!  

The verdict = my crepes are better

Shopping along the River Seine (why didn't I buy a painting???)

Notre Dame is still under construction, so no great pictures!  It is supposed to open 2024.

The Louvre (some of us were too tired)

Arc de Triomphe--Tyson was dragged to this one

Pont Des Arts--the locks are only on the poles now...not quite as cute

Our loyal McDonald's employee had to try McDonald's in France (not pictured)

Our loyal McDonald's customer (Pictured)

Verdict = not as good as USA

One last trip on the Metro

We made it all the way to the airport, but then we couldn't get through the gate because we had the wrong tickets!  Apparently we were supposed to buy the $30 tickets instead of the $3 ones.  Oops.  

Goodbye Europe!  Thanks for the memories:)  Hopefully we'll be back!

Paris--The Eiffel Tower

The most iconic monument in Europe, right?!  The Eiffel Tower did not disappoint.  Amazing, magnificent and enormous!  It felt like a dream being there in person...and to be there with our whole family was just extra special.  

We had to see it during the day...

And of course, at night!!!

And even from across the river:)

Paris--The Palace of Versailles

 When looking for a hotel in Paris, we looked for cheap and close (to all the good stuff)...not necessarily the "Paris" experience.  Thus our "modern/game" themed hotel haha.

The bunk beds were like cupboards on the wall that you could close up and have your own little room.  Summer absolutely LOVED it...the older kids not quite as much 

(I think they all hit their head on it at some point)

Our first official day in Paris, we took a bus out to the Palace of Versailles...this was one of our very favorite days! One nice thing about the metro in Paris, is they have someone working at the ticket booth who can help you know what tickets you need to get where you want to go.  

Waiting in line to get it!

The painting on the ceiling was my favorite

So many HUGE paintings

There was a hallway of giant stone statues

Okay maybe the hall of windows was my absolute favorite--holy cow

Then the grounds...just breathtaking 

We rented golf carts so we could see more of the grounds (and by this point in the trip our feet were dead).  Best decision EVER!  So fun...the golf carts also commentated what we were seeing and stopped if you got too far off the path--genius!

There were so many gorgeous fountains

Can I just stay here forever?!

We saw a cute pizza place on our way into the palace, but then I'm not sure that was the same one we found on our way out, but this one was delicious!  Our first time ordering from an all French menu:)