Sacre Coeur

A few days ago Tyler and I took the Metro up to Montmartre, which is an area on a 130 meter high hill that looks over the entire city of Paris, France. On top of the hill is a beautiful church named Sacre Coeur. It was built from 1875-1914. The view is stunning!

Then we walked around the area and came across Place du Tertre. It is basically a town square with artists all over. We found some amazing works of art.





Some paintings we really liked.

It was amazing how many artists were in this town square. If you are ever in Paris and want to buy a painting- this is a great place to go. Artists like Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet all painted at this location at one point or another.

Paris Weather!

It is Sunday morning, about 42 degrees outside and a clear sky. Another amazing day!

My idea of a Perfect Day!

Today has been one of those days I wish would never end. Tyler's weekends are Friday and Saturday. So today (Friday) we woke up around 9:00 a.m., opened all the windows and doors in our flat to feel the cool breeze, read, went on a long walk around the Latin Quarter, made a yummy lunch (Tyler made an awesome fruit salad), we went on a long bike ride around the Champs Elysees and now we are home resting. Today's high is in the upper 60's with a clear sky. It is heavenly!

Remembering my Grandmother today!

Today my sweet Grandmother will be buried in Houston, Texas. She lived a long and happy life, but we know she is so much happier now in Heaven. Below is her obituary from the Houston Chronicle.
MARY ALICE REID SCHINDLER, 91, beloved wife, devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. Mary Alice was born January 22, 1918 in Temple, Texas to Denna May Griffin Reid and John Edward Reid, but grew up and lived most of her early life with her parents, sisters and brothers in Houston, Texas where she met and married a handsome young man named Raymond G. Schindler and they were married shortly thereafter. Mary Alice Schindler is predeceased by her husband of 58 years. Raymond Schindler, and grandson, Blake Raymond Hawk. She is survived by her devoted children: Suzanne Brown and husband, Tim Brown, Sherry Hawk, and Paris Schindler; sister: Joanna Parish, by six grandchildren: Tiffani Brown Jinks and husband Brian Jinks, Allyson Brown Schrauff and husband Bill Schrauff, Laura Brown, Cole Schindler, Scott Schindler, and Catherine Schindler Renaudin and husband Tyler Renaudin, two great grandchildren: Barrett Jinks and Preston Jinks, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members and friends. Mary Alice's passion was her family. She also enjoyed dancing, tennis and spending time with the love of her life, her husband. Mary Alice is a member of First United Methodist Church. She was also a member of River Oaks Country Club. A private service and entombment will be in the Memorial Oaks Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association , or to a charity of your choice

Our Visitors

Luke and Sarah Allen and my brother Cole came to visit and we had an amazing time with them. On their first day I went on a bike tour with them with Tyler's company so that they could get a good orientation of the city and then we sat out on the Champ de Mars (the park in front of the Eiffel Tower) and had a picnic for dinner. It was the perfect way to start out time in Paris. The next two days, Tyler was off of work so we did a lot of biking. The first day, we took them through our favorite parts of Paris, off the beaten path from the regular tourist spots. If you are looking at a map of Paris we rode from the Eiffel Tower all the way out to the top right of the city limits and back down, it was incredible. The second day we took them to Versailles. We got a huge picnic and ate it along the Grand Canal in Marie Antoinette's favorite picnic spot. I think that was everyone's favorite day, although we were attacked by a swarm of bees during lunch. We ate some great food every night and really enjoyed having friends and family in town. On Luke and Sarah's last night, we went to Le Grand Colbert, where they filmed Something's Gotta Give, and then had drinks at the Buddah Bar.

We can't wait for our next visitors!



Cole was so sweet and brought Tyler his early birthday gift- a Baby Taylor Travel Guitar. Tyler is SO excited about it!

Luke and Tyler were hot so they thought it would be cute and Euro to roll there jeans up.

Inception

Over the past week or so we have noticed lots of trucks and construction on the back side of our apartment. And the past 2 mornings we have been awakened by loud trucks. So last night we finally figured it out- there is a movie being filmed. Last night we were walking through the set, where they had several fake fruit stands, book stands, and cafes set up and Tyler spoke with a security guard who told us that it was new action movie with Leonardo DiCaprio and it was called Oliver's Arrow. It is directed by Christopher Nolan who also directed The Dark Night, Batman Begins and many others. The actors are Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon- Levitt, Ellen Page and several others. We went home and found this: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1375666/. It tells you that Oliver's Arrow is the alias that the new movie is going under and the real title is Inception. Apparently, Christopher Nolan always has an alias name for his movies until they are finished filming.

Sarah, Luke and I all saw Leo and Ellen shooting a scene this morning! They were sitting in a cafe having coffee chatting.

We can stand on our balcony and see and hear them setting it all up and filming. Really neat! Also, they have a tent set up on the street in front of our apartment for the cast to come eat their meals.

Visitors!

We are so excited about our visitors- Luke and Sarah Allen as well as my brother Cole! They all arrive on Thursday morning. We can't wait to show them a good time in Paris! Have a great week!

Trip to Annecy!

Annecy is in the Northern part of the French Alps, and is called the Venice of the Savoie region because it is a medieval town dissected by small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy, which is the cleanest lake in Europe and is an incredible light blue color. I have to say, the town reminded me a lot of Colorado.

Tyler and I just relaxed, laid out, went on the water in a paddle boat, swam, ate amazing food, and walked around to all the shops. It was a perfect little getaway!


Tyler getting the map ready.




The flowers in Annecy were unreal!




Like my pink and turquoise sunglasses? :)


Just amazing!










Mini sailors. They were so cute learning how to sail.


The water was so clear- never seen anything like it. Can you tell how excited I was?!




The Palace that we stopped by to have a cocktail.


We were so excited about our "not-so-frozen" Pina Colada and Tequila Sunrise! If you know anything about Europe- they do not use ice- so your drinks are cold- just never frozen.


Right before our amazing dinner!

Bastille Day!

Bastille Day is July 14th and is the French 4th of July, when they rebelled against the Royalty and overthrew the King and Queen. We met some friends in the Champ de Mars, the park in front of the Eiffel Tower and had a giant picnic. Around 10:30 pm the fireworks started along with an amazing light show. It was the 120th anniversary of the Eiffel Tower and there were huge projectors on the Eiffel Tower with computer generated images giving the history all through the years with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop. It was the most incredible fireworks show I have ever seen.

Trip to London!

On July 8th Tyler and I went on a 4 day trip/ business trip to London. I loved that city! I can't explain how great it was to hear everyone speak English and have all the signs and menu's in English. I couldn't stop smiling. Below are some pictures of the places we went. I also made it over to Harrods- which is an amazing place. Huge and SUPER expensive! I had fun just looking around, but wouldn't dare buy anything there.


Taking the Chunnel from Paris to London!


Fat Tire Bike Tour London!


Mebane Family in rain gear- Caroline was sound asleep.


Buckingham Palace!


Kensington Palace! This is where Princess Diana lived until she died.