10 Years Ago...

Kristel sent this pic of these cuties 10 years ago today.

All but one are the babies of the family and in just a few weeks they'll be 

high school seniors.

We need to recreate this one. And have a mom reunion.

Three missionary homecomings today so we were running from one church to the next, 

then to three homes for hugs and food. Inspiring in a very exhausting day.

Marty and Lizzie were headed back to Denver this evening, 

but got bumped to the tune of 40,000 miles credit EACH!

 

Utah Enduro

Utah Enduro Race today -- Nick's first!

Six hours of total race time -- three drivers per car, each driving one hour stints.

Me and Mom, Lizzie and Marty drove out to the track to watch.

The race started at 6:00 p.m. and we'd get to see Nick's start, race, and finish in the Mustang

and Dan's start -- taking the second stint -- in the Audi.

Nick's car broke down last week so they had to substitute the Mustang.

It's a great car, only problem is the gas gauge doesn't work so they had to guess at how long their gas would last. Unfortunately, they were about a half lap too short and Nick had to be towed in to end his first stint.

BUT, he had so much fun driving, he was completely unruffled by the hiccup.

The race ended at midnight, although Nick's ended at 10:30 because the clutch burned out.

But in spite of the car not being fit for such a long race and breaking down early,

Dan said when Nick finished he was on Cloud... 25!

His second stint needed fuel after 45 minutes, but he wanted to go back out so he raced for an hour and a half straight, which is super intense. He did admit that after that second finish he was hammered.

In Dan's car, the first driver was hit by a Porsche cutting too close and they lost a couple laps because of it. Another car cut in on Dan as he was trying to pass and pushed him off the road, but Dan recovered quickly without any contact. They were a half lap off of podium.

Next week another Enduro in Denver. Nick's going to be a fourth driver in Dan and Corey's car. 

I love that they're having so much fun doing a sport together.

Baby Shower

Baby shower for Lizzie and "Baby Girl Shaeffer" today!

Her sisters planned the party, made the cutest decorations and delicious food.

We just got to enjoy everyone coming over and helped set up.

Grandma loved using the balloon pump!

Lizzie's older sister, Jackie, is so artistic and talented (runs in the family)!

I only ate about 100 of these cookies.

Sheree and the girls were there, Morgan, Katie, Grandma Nancy, Gram and Kristin.

Lizzies mom, and sisters, Grandma and lots of cousins.

Lots of neighbors and friends from her growing up ward.

(Who were all so complimentary of Lizzie and also Marty whom they've gotten to know.)

(I'm not sure if I used "whom" correctly, 

but I think it's the first I've ever used it in a sentence, so its staying.)

A few best friends and their moms were also there and 

Marty's friends wives (who are now Lizzie's friends)

and a couple of their moms -- including Thomas' mom who I had never met before! 

She was delightful!

We had tables on the grass in the shade so we could eat and open presents in 

relative comfort even though temps were upwards of 90*.

After everyone went home, we organized the haul of baby clothes by size on the kitchen table.

We admired the teeny tiny diapers and Marty practiced his diaper skills 

(also a first time?) on the bear stuffed animal.

Then he even indulged us by reading the Hungry Caterpillar in Japanese!

Its starting to feel real!

Baby Shopping

While Dan and Nick were practicing for the Enduro today,
I ran some errands, including buying an outfit (or two!) for the new baby.
Oh boy, (or should I say, "girl"), there are so many cute baby clothes! 

Early Bird

 For the next few days I'm really going to enjoy being a morning person! 
I got so much done when I started at 4:30 a.m.!

Every cup we owned, including the goblets and giant clear mugs were in the sink when we got home yesterday. Chris cleaned up some last night, but not that many cups fit in the dishwasher when you don't unload the clean dishes first.  (Eyes rolling way, way back.)

By 10:00 a.m. I had three loads of laundry washed and put away, worked out with weights and took a walk, dishes unloaded and loaded and unloaded again and even IRONED! Listened to several inspiring podcasts, paid the bills, made some phone calls, freshened up the mantle and counter decorations and ordered more comforters for Pagosa. (Will it ever end?)

By the way, the bugs weren't bed bugs in Pagosa!
They're swallow bugs, which look nearly identical to bed bugs and which make a lot more sense because of all the swallows making nests in every eave. 

The good news is if they go home with you, they won't procreate 

and infest because they can't without their host (the swallow). 
The bad news is it looks like this may be a regular issue. 
The exterminator is going to put up netting to deter their nest making next summer. 
We'll see how well it works. 

Finding a temporary home for these oils from Aix-en-Provence on the mantle until I can have them framed.

Jet Lag

We are home. We are exhausted but trying to stay awake until 9:30. Maybe 9:00.

Dan and Nick both worked out. I looked through the mail. 

Felt like enough of a workout for me.

But seriously, tho. Should we?

 

Last Day in Paris

Last Day picture overload! 

Heard Angelina's had the best hot chocolate and brunch.

We didn't have a reservation, but no worries, you can wait in line for 45 minutes.

And let me tell you, it was worth it. 

Brunch: hot chocolate, croissants & pan au chocolat, oj or green drink, baguette w/ jam, avocado toast, french toast. You have NEVER had french toast this good before. 

And I have to wonder if I've ever ate this much bread in one sitting before? 

Walked off breakfast getting to Sainte Chappelle to see the beautiful stained glass windows.

The boys wanted to go back to the hotel, work out and nap.

They were travelled out and felt like they'd seen a lot of Paris the day before.

They weren't wrong. So we sent them back to the hotel in an Uber and Dan and I made plans for the rest of the afternoon while walking past the Notre Dame (under construction after the fire)

and through Ile Saint Louis. 

Stopped at a real estate office to inquire about apartment rentals for a few months. I mean, why not? 

We decided to rent bikes (same app as the one we downloaded in Norway!) 

to get to Sacre Ceour which was such a great way to get around!

Not underground in the subway, more fun than a taxi and quicker than walking.

(Although I do miss hearing the subway lady say "Cha, DeGa." So catchy.)

Decided we need to come back and spend some time in this garden some day.

Probably the summer we live here. Seriously, I want to live here for a few months. 

(Actually maybe it should be the fall so its not so hot.)

And we made it to Montmartre!

Dropped off the bikes while we walked around.

Walked down the hill, then rented scooters to get back to our hotel.

Had to ride double for a bit which made Dan a little nervous because I was driving.

But it was fun! Stopped at Pierre Herme for supposedly the best Macarons in all of Paris

and are bringing home two big boxes.

For our trip finale, we ate at a Michelin rated one-star restaurant, "Violon d'ingres."

The tasting menu was soo delicious, and such a treat to get a little bit of everything.

And while the pigeon was so tender and cut like butter,

it was red like prime rib which I can't stand because I feel like I'm eating human.

And not gonna lie, it haunted me for the rest of the day and several days after.

Nick, eating pigeon leg.

Sooo glad that the bartender looked quintessentially French.

After dinner, Nick and Miles were really hoping to ride a giant spinning ride at the amusement park.

Really? You want to be hurled through the air and spun upside down just after eating?

Literally stuffing ourselves? Hoped the walk through the park at sunset was enough time to digest. 

Of course, they were fine and had a blast.

Yikes!

Goodbye Paris! Goodbye sparkling Eiffel Tower!

Goodbye France and vacation!