Monday, February 13, 2012

Happy New Year 2012!



New Year's Eve was celebrated by going to the see Hugo Cabret with friends that live part-time in Paris, eating Chinese take-out with a dessert of clafoutis and a meringue concoction of some sort and watching the Eiffel Tower light up at the stroke of midnight! Going to the Eiffel Tower was Carmela's request and so at 11:30 or so we set out planning to walk but got lucky and found a cab. It was chaos but we managed to skirt most of it, witnessed the great tower lighting up and then headed home, this time on foot. An efficient and appropriate ending to a celebratory day.



Delicious clafoutis, changed my whole impression of this well-known peasant dessert 





Our dedicated traveller at midnight


  



Not a bad place to start the new year.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

J'ai 16 ans!


Happy Birthday Nico! We celebrated him yesterday and still shaking my head in disbelief. Sixteen years ago -- wow, can't quite believe it. Love this boy (old and new version)! More to come on this one.... 



Saturday, February 11, 2012

Gabriel's Walk through Paris


The day started in Luxembourg, 29 December 2011. Gabriel turns 14 -- wow, can't believe it! We made Dutch Babies, because Gabe loves them and had all our other birthday breakfast favorites, bacon, juice and fruit, the garland was hung, the candles lit and presents neatly packaged and placed at the head of the table. Time to celebrate!













From birthday breakfast we caught the 12 noon TGV to Paris. Good thing we showed up early because our tickets gave us trouble, so much so that we were poised to jump on the train the minute we saw Jorrit sprinting up the stairs. Thankfully we made it with a few minutes to spare. Gabriel donned his new birthday jacket, ready to walk Paris, Gabe-style.




He's walkin'


The pesterer


Gabriel walks Paris with the paparazzi close at hand



A door to admire, mistletoe beauty






Family lunch




More walking


More sights



Happy mother



On our way to Happy Birthday Dinner







Oysters for mom and dad


Lobster for the kids


A great birthday dinner, grandma would approve




Reflections of a birthday boy


Proud parents


Paris Brest as birthday dessert


Or lava cake


Or house made ice cream, Gabe's choice

Happy Birthday dear Gabriel -- you walk it well!