A couple of weekends ago we went to Paris for the day.  We wanted to go and have breakfast under the Eiffel Tower, because really - how often do you get to do that?  Plus W. hasn't been to Paris yet, so we needed to do that.  We got croissants and pain au chocolate and attempted to stay warm.  The kids then spotted a playground, or two and we let them play, since really a 2.5 hour drive needs to be rewarded.  We strolled down Rue Cler and found the lovely light next to a flower shop, then we searched  for macaroons and E. had to pick the pink while W. picked out brown (thankfully we found some chocolate ones and not the coffee ones).  We then did our normal "American" things like go to Starbucks and Chipotle.  Then the kids were ready to go home so we packed up the car and navigated our way through the terrifying roundabout of the Arc de Triomphe. It was a lovely day and we have so many memories from it.  I'm so grateful for my lovely family and the opportunities that we have.

In August we decided to drive an hour from our house to visit this beautiful Abbey that was founded in the 12th Century.  The kids ran through the ruins as I looked for pockets of light.  It was a gorgeous backdrop and hopefully I will be able to get to the rest of the pictures to edit them soon.  Life is hectic right now and having family days like these make it a bit better and allow me a chance to breathe. 

Fall is my favorite time of year (although if you asked me how I felt about spring I would definitely say it is pretty close to my favorite season when the flowers and trees are in bloom).  I love the colors of fall, and the fact that the leaves are falling so that the trees can go to sleep makes me happy (and if you know me and my napping habits you would understand why).
Every year for the last three years we have gone apple picking.  Apple picking for our family means, of course, picture taking time and the apples become the props.  We go for a lovely morning drive and wander around the u-pick orchard and get apples.  E had thrown up the night before so we almost decided to postpone the event.  I am so glad we didn't as the morning was lovely and although she wasn't feeling 100% E still had fun.  W was in a funny mood and had so many expressions and so much excitement about the apples. Some of my favorite pictures are from these trips and they are memories that I will always cherish.  We were also able to get enough apples for an apple crisp and an apple pie - and with these pictures I call the event a success.