Paris - the Grand Finale!

Well, since just one picture is worth a thousand words, we figured we would best describe our time in Paris with these photos. We had a wonderful time! Spent 2 nights in a hotel in the city (my aunt and uncle live in the suburbs so it was easy access to the city for us to do it this way.) Hope you enjoy these pictures even just a fraction of how much we enjoyed the City of Lights! Thankful to the Lord for beautiful weather and safety throughout our time here, as well! We count it a work of the Lord that we have not had ANY pick-pockets or dramatic events while on this 3-week tour of Europe! God is indeed our protector!

Kelly and Kim waiting for the train into Paris from Aunt Barb and Uncle Harold's town

Arrived in the city on Bastille Day - July 14 - there were military parades all over the place!

Arch of the Triumph - built by Napoleon Bonapart to commemorate his victory against Germany - We have found out the French hold a pretty strong dislike toward Germay.... even today!

We climbed to the top of the Arch for a GRAND view of Paris! wowza! We just loved this!

(no caption needed)

(so... this guy got in the way as we were CLEARLY ready to take a picture and all i could do is make this face.... HA!)

There it is! One for mom's fridge!

Work it, Kelly! - this is a picture of Kelly - not of the Eiffel tower... in case you were wondering :)

Ok people... Bastille Day = ENORMOUS crowds! Music, concerts, dancing, drinking, and lots of cops! I tell you.... this was a bit crazy!

... and more people!

...we decided to get away from the crowds and take a stroll along the Seine River

...And stumbled upon this little church. You may have heart of it - "Notre Dame" - it was absolutely beautiful! Kelly and I both agree it was our favorite church along this European tour. There's another view of the church below - we saw it on our bike tour of paris.

In front of Chateau Versailles - a monstrosity of marble and gold if we ever saw one! Build by King Louis XIV this was a truly overwhelming thing to behold!

Who does all the cleaning, I want to know!

A garden on the Versailles grounds

Later we went back to the city and to the Eiffel Tower.. again :) this is from directly underneath.

We also went to the Louvre - and probably set a record - in and out in 20 minutes. We have a museum pass and all I wanted to see was the Mona Lisa (which we did!) and get some pictures here.

More Eiffel - Sarah Mikan, this picture is for you! I'm wearing your flower! (love!)

We took a REALLY fun bike tour our last night in Paris. GREAT way to see the city and it was SO fun! Also included a boat cruise! - and it was all in English! yay!

on a bike in Paris!

Another View of Notre Dame from the river this time - notice the Gothic architecture! I finally know what flying buttresses are!

More bike tour at the Louvre

Boat tour of Paris - yay for "Fat Tire Bike Tours" - they are awesome!

ready to get on the train to come back to my aunt and uncles.....

Then realized this was our last train ride in Europe... Doesn't Kelly have a cute sad face? I, however don't know how to be cute and sad at the same time.... especially when I'm truly sad.

Wow! What a whirlwind! We are still spinning with sights, sounds, smells and experiences of this trip! Cant wait to write more and post more! We fly back on Monday so thanks for your prayers for safe and uneventful travel. The Lord has been indeed very good to us and we are so thankful for this time! He has shown us much about his character and about his goodness and also He has reminded us that he is not limited by language, border, people group, possessions, money, time, or anything in all this world! So many more lessons to be learned.... I know I'm looking forward to being home though :) I'm also thankful that I have a life in Christ and people who I love that I look forward to coming home to! That's all for now...