Mont Saint Michele.  Miriam, you were right, it's real!  Not a great picture of it.  Just google it people.  You won't be disappointed. It is magical.

Our walk down the hill in Paris.

So I forgot to rotate the picture.  John looks like James Woods lol.

awwwwww

I couldn't sop laughing when John had to pose and everyone was watching.

sacre-couer

Notice all the tiny people bellow???   Uh yeah, that's because we CLIMBED so dang high! lol

Not a great shot but I believe I was gasping for breathe when I took it.  Okay, this was monday  we went to Montmartre like I said.  It's the hill in Paris and at the top of that hill is a cathedral, Sacre-Coeur.  We went through the church, sat for most of mass and walked outside.  We saw a sign outside with an arrow pointing down some stairs into like a basement that said "Crypt".  Sounded cool, so we went for it.  After purchasing a ticket to go DOWN to the crypt we went through a little wooden door that they told us to go through.  There, my nightmare began.  We walked straight up a tiny, narrow spiral staircase that would NOT end!!!!  I had been had, dooped!!!  No warning, no nothing!  We walked straight up 1000 steps!  Take a brake you  say?  Noooo people behind us, no place to stop.....  No crypt just stairs.  When we finally reached the top we were at the top of the cathedral on the top of the hill in Paris with the most fabulous view!  Pictures ensued....  When we went down another spiral staircase, at the bottom it entered into the crypt.  Those French, making us Americans excercize!

Looking through the stained glass window into the bay at Mont Saint Michele.

Okay, so it's hard to understand what I'm saying in my video  I'll explain.  That was part of our lunch today just outside of mon saint michele.  It was an omlette and it was filled with raw whipped eggs. EEEEEWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!

What 27 U.S. dollars worth of coke looks like!  No Joke!!!

Well, we're back at our hotel for the night and we are exhausted!  I wrote last night about our adventures for the day and it got deleted.  Typing on this lap top is driving me crazy!  I'm not going to write a lot but I will post some pictures.  Enjoy!  P.S.  Emily, this is how I write you back honey.  I love you, kids!

So I'm sitting here in the dark bored out of my mind!  John is asleep still.  Seems I'm the early bird in Paris lol.  Emily asked me to post more pictures and believe it or not we haven't been taking much pictures.  Last time we were here 2 years ago we took something like 2000 pictures.  John (in my opinion) was overly preoccupied with taking photos.  This trip we only brought one little camera.  We've really got the place documented from our last trip here.  You should have seen all the huge camera bags we lugged everywhere!  So now, it only occurs to us to take a photo when we see something or someone particularly strange. Camera bag freedom feels good!

So today we are planning on going up to the hill in Paris called Montmartre (sp?)  It's one of my favorite parts of the city.  It's where all the artists live and work on the streets.  Lots of interesting eccentric people.  The architecture is also quite old.  It looks like a mideveil (sp) village. Should be fun.  Tomorrow we have decided to go to Mont Saint-Michel.  It's a few hours outside of Paris.  We'll take a bus to get there.  I've wanted to go there since I was a little girl and got in a fight with my best friend Miriam about weather or not it was real (she had a picture of what looked to me to be a floating castle).  I just couldn't believe a place that magical looking really existed and that SHE had actually been there (I would have already known about it myself if it were true) lol.  I hope you're reading this Miriam!!  so now I get to see for myself.  The fight can finally be resolved.  

W e spent some time today on the avenue des champs elysees.  We mostly strolled and went into a few shops.  We spent quite a bit of time in Sephora one of my favs.  Poor John, it's completely hair, make up and body.  One of the sales ladies convinced me to try some hair extensions (okay, so it didn't take much convincing).  So I sat in her little chair and let her work her magic putting in very long blonde extensions.  I was quite popular with the other customers.  They were all very interested in the beautification that was happening with my hair.  After they were all in she then curled each piece.  I was well on my way to my Paris Hilton or Lindsey Lohan look.  John was sitting waiting patiently the whole time.  So when my new look was complete I examined myself in the mirror and I look absolutely ridiculous!!!!!  So then I had to walk around like that for a couple of hours! lol So sad.... so lame.  They're out now lol.

So many interesting characters in Paris.  This guy was playing his tiny piano on wheels at the flea market we went to today.  It's so strange I saw this guy on u tube like two weeks ago. lol no joke.  He was actually selling cd's and we bought one!  The ONLY thing we bought at the flea market.  For those of you that know us well, that's a big deal lol.

We always see weird vehicles in Europe.

Paris!!!

Okay, so we are finally here!  Such a super long couple of days.  Or  day, I'm not sure lol.  It's after  midnight here in Paris so that makes it Nine hours earlier back home in Oregon on saturday.  We left our house at 4:30am friday morning.  We tried to stay up today (we arrived in Paris saturday morning local time) but only made it until 2pm lol.  Now I'm awake and I can't sleep!  Just like home. lol  We didn't do a lot today.  We got our Metro tickets and mostly walked around.  We did discover a free little museum at some ancient roman baths and a church from  ages. I still have haven't figured out exactly where we were yet lol.  I did buy a book there though so I can figure it out.  Most things are in French even in the museums with so many English speaking visitors.  The gardens outside of the church were SO beautiful.  Very English actually.  That was what drew us into the museum.  

Okay, I can't write anymore!  I had a bunch written here and my computer deleted it, more than once..... grrrrrrrrrr

Oh the shame...

That's my boy!  Chocolate and marker fun!!!   Notice his toe nails . So funny.

The Birthday Princess

More Birthday Pictures

Pretty darn impressive!  That's my sister-in-law Amandas' Handy work.  SO amazing.  She made this little cake for Sophies first birthday.  We had a little party with family at my mom and dads house last night.  Sophie was so cute.  She danced when we all sang happy birthday to her.

Okay, I hate allergies!!!!  I'm a whiner I know but I have to vent sometimes.  Tonight John and I went to see Leatherheads (rent it) and I had the worst attack yet.  These junipers are killing me!  I went to the doctor yesterday and she gave me some nasal spray and that helps for THAT but not my eyes.  It all kinda makes me wish that it would get really cold again (it doesn't seem to be as bad when it's cold).  Not sure if that would make a difference at this point.  I don't know how it all works but I need some relief.  Hopefully I won't have allergies in Paris.  I shouldn't, I think it's just the junipers here.  On to Paris, yes Paris *sigh*  Just one more week.  Next friday we are on our way.  I'm so excited but I'm getting pretty sad about leaving Sophie.  She will be one on Sunday (our Anniversary).  I know she will be well taken care of and loved but the poor little thing won't know where her mamma went.  I'm going to miss my baby.   She is so cute.  She stands by herself now and when she does she gets SO excited and pleased with herself.  She looks around at everybody to see their reaction.  We all give her a great reaction.  When she falls she claps her hands and says "yeeeeeaaaaaah".  So cute.  The big thing that she is constantly saying is "hi".  She waves her little fingers and says "hi" to everyone she sees.  She's learned some naughty tricks from Jack now too.  In the past he has pushed her over, scratched her and what not so now if he gets close to her (even if he's being nice) she starts beating on him.  It's funny.  She's not really hurting him (yet) but Jack screams and yells "fifi's heetin me!!!"  This of course just encourages her to do it more.  I know, I know It's funny now but.....  

Jack and Michelle.

Another picture from last summer.  We spent 5 weeks in Carlsbad last summer.  We stayed in Johns grandparents guest house on Highland Dr. which made it so nice.  I had Katherine with me to help as well.  So we just never wanted to leave with Michelle home and feeling pretty good that whole time.  So glad we did.  We had a great time with family esp. Michelle.  The blonde in the picture is our Jack (named after Johns' Grandpa Casler).  The other little guy is my nephew Brandons (Wendys' son) little boy Sean.  Yes, I'm a great Aunt (in every sense).

So I don't know if anyones really reading these and I guess it doesn't matter.  It's a nice way, I think to keep a record of our family life, for us.  Today was the first real warm day of the year.  It was so nice.  Almost too hot (for me).  I like it at right about 70.  It got up to 85 in Bend today.  It was snowing last week.  So crazy.  THe warm weather has made my allergies flare up.  I really hate these allergies I get every spring.  It's like a bad cold that just won't go away. I spent most of my day (it seemed) running kids everywhere.  John and Christopher went to Salem for a paintballing tournament so it was just me and the four kids.  Emily had her cousins Brooke and Sariah here.  I took them to get their nails done.  Something I told Emily I would do for them for babysitting.  The kids had clogging today as well.  Emily loves her clogging class and is getting really good at it.  I struggle to get Branson to go every week.  He just wants to stay home and play with all the neighborhood kids.  Once he's there he seems to like it though.  He's really cute dancing. I ran  numerous other errands as well, but it would be boring to write about everything.   Tonight John broke down on his way home from Salem.  He was in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.  He had 2 other men with him and they had to wait about 3 hours for one of the guys' wife to get there.  I had to arrange a tow back to Bend.  That took some doing since I couldn't tell them what the nearest cross street was.  JOhn and Christopher just got home.  Poor guys.  We don't know what's wrong with Hummer..... So I went back to blonde yesterday.  I've been dying my hair dark brown for over a year now.  I think I like the blonde better.  I dunno, I just get bored with my hair and like to switch it up.   Well, I should get to bed.  Church comes early...

Be sure to check out the "old posts" at the end of the page.  They're not really "old"  I've just put too much up the last few days to fit on one page!

Just another Birthday picture from last year.

So sweet.  Michelle holding my little Sophia Michelle.  Michelle was so pleased with the name.  We are too!

I just love this one of her at the Padres game last summer.  She's so happy.

This picture touches my heart.  This is my beautiful niece Michelle (Wendys' daughter) who passed away back in Oct. from Leukemia.  Whenever she was hospitalized she would be  in a pediatric hospital.  Whenever she would hear little ones crying she would go to them and comfort and love them.  She couldn't bare to know that little ones were suffering like she was.  Her darkest hours often became hours full of light and love in the service of others.  This little down syndrome boy had leukemia like Michelle.  She spent lots of time with him, making them both feel better.  She is forever an example to our family of Christ like love.  We love you Michelle!

Such a goofball.  Christopher just turned 15 last friday.  He is a fun kid and good to his younger siblings.  That's not to say that he and Emily don't have the occasional fight.  Okay, so maybe "occasional" is wishful thinking on my part.  A mom can hope.  He does love his family a lot and practically worships his dad.  Whatever his dad is doing is what Christopher wants to be doing.  He is very musically gifted playing 5 or 6 instruments well.  It's fun for John and I to watch him develop his talents.  Oh, and I swear those pants aren't high waters!

This is our Emily.  She will be 13 in November and is well on her way to being a teenager in every sense of the word.  She is a huge help to me and loves our two babies Sophie and Jack.  We sometimes call her our family conscience because she notices and is quick to point out when someone is doing something wrong.  This includes her mom and dad.  I tell all the kids to make sure that they get a good education so that they can afford all the therapy that they'll need someday.  I kid I kid....

A sweet picture that I took last fall before church.  With my Primary calling the Bishop asked John to keep Sophia with him during classes on sundays so that it wouldn't distract the kids.  I have tried to get John to take a little one to priesthood to no avail for yeeeaaaarrrrs.  Now he takes Sophie every sunday after sacrament meeting and he LOVES it!!!  It's become their special time together and he even tries to match his ties to her dresses.  No joke, check out the picture!!

I'm so excited.  Katherine is coming on the 24th to watch the kids for us while John and I are in Paris.  Yes, we're going to Paris!  I'm way excited about that too of course.  We love love love Katherine!  The kids are really excited to get to spend some time with her.  Katherine (my sister Susans' daughter) was our nanny last summer and fall (in case you didn't already know).  She was such a lifesaver for me and we became really close too.  I just wish that I was going to actually be able to spend time with her.   But Paris is calling....

I love this picture.  I was trying to take pictures of Sophie and Jack just had to steal the show.  Notice the scratches on her little nose.  Jacks handy work.

What a difference a year makes.. Sophie was so tiny.

Okay, so I've figured out how to upload pictures and I can't stop!  I love this picture of Branson that Wendy took of him last summer on his Birthday.  I miss the long hair.....

Another one.

What can I say?...  Okay she's pretty darn cute!  We love our "Fifi".  It was so cold and the wind was blowing when we took this picture.  She still laughed when I acted goofy for her.  She has such a sweet disposition we are all enjoying her so much.  I can't believe that she will be one in a couple of weeks!   

It's nearly impossible to get a good picture of all 5 kids!  We made an attempt on Easter Sunday.  We took this in my inlaws new backyard.  The bench the kids are sitting on is actually an antique church pew which I thought was fitting.