Our first anniversary!

David and I got to celebrate our first anniversary in Paris. (I know, this is over a month late!) After all the family time, we stayed another day by ourselves to celebrate in France. We booked a dinner cruise ride on the Seine, which was really neat! Unfortunately it was raining so everything was overcast and chilly but still so fun to eat amazing food while seeing the sites. 

It has been an amazing year and we were just so excited to have a romantic night to celebrate! I love this boy so much and I am so glad that he's mine forever. 

^^ I snapped a picture of the professional photographer's photo...whoops ;)

Mont st. Michel

This rock/island/mountain is the coolest place! We drove over the day after the Normandy beaches and had the best time. It is a tiny town built on a rock right on the coast. When the tide goes down in the day, it is accessible and apparently inaccessible when the tide rises at night. We went and toured around the abbey on top of the town, and we didn't have to pay thanks to some town strikes. After that we walked around and looked through the shops, and then we had to head back to Paris. It was short but very sweet! 

Normandy!!

After Paris we rented a car with my brother in law, Andrew, and drove up to Normandy. We went straight to the American Memorial and Omaha Beach. It was such an incredible experience. We were blown away at the sacrifice these young boys gave for people they never knew. We were there 2 days after the 69th anniversary of the D-Day invasions so there were still a ton of flowers and memorials given to remember those who lost their lives. Also, it was very cold and windy which made me realize how miserable and hard this was for so many of these men. What a humbling experience. 

After the beaches and American Memorial, we headed to Point du Hoc. This was where 200 army rangers climbed and scaled the cliff walls from the ocean to attack the German military. The land is broken and disturbed by bombs, a forever reminder of the blood sacrificed here. It was amazing! The German bunkers were also left partially intact, which was fun to climb around in/on. It was also the windiest place! 

^^directing traffic...haha

^^it said "do not climb on"

Next stop, Paris!

We were so excited to go to France! We took a train from London to Paris, the Chunnel, which was really neat. The whole ear popping thing? Happened to me. It's cool to say I have taken a train under the ocean. 

Once we got to Paris we checked into our hotel and then walked around. It included walking by Notre Dame, and then to the Gaykery (really a gay bakery called le gay choc). They have delicious breads and pastries that my sister discovered on her study abroad. That followed with a bus ride and walk to the Eiffel Tower! We didn't want to pay to go up so just laid in the grass until the sun went down. We also walked across the river and were quite entertained by some street performers. The night ended with a river cruise on the Seine. A perfect day to start in Paris. 

^^crepes, yum! 

The next day was packed. We went to Notre Dame, the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, the Orangerie, the Arc d'Triumph all while walking the whole city. We were exhausted by the end to say the least. 

^first time seeing Mona

The third day we went to Versailles. It was spectacular and a warm, sunny day! The line to get into the house was huge and took forever, but afterwards we had lunch and rented bikes to ride around the gardens in. The bikes are awesome and I highly recommend it to anyone going to Versailles! 

^^how cute is my sister, Aimee! 

Cheers! Vacation stage #3 to London!

After California we flew to England! My sister and her family are living there this year so we decided to go and visit. It was the perfect excuse to get over to Europe and we loved our time there with my family! 

Our first stop was London! Some highlights include: Highclere Castle (aka Downton Abbey), Hyde Park, Harrods, the Harry Potter studio tour, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Borough Market, and much more! 

We then rented cars and drove to Stonehenge and Bath! We then spent two nights staying at a bed & breakfast in the Cotswolds. The next stops included Stratford upon Avon, Gadfield Elm Chapel, Bourton on the Water, Blenheim Palace and Oxford. 

England is so amazing! I was so excited to go back and show David where I studied abroad! We loved it and were so excited for France!