Christmas in France 2015

We lit a candle for Lizzy.  She is always with us in thoughts and spirit.  

Strausborg, France town center-  Christmas Market

Strausborg, France

Church in Paris

Brandon the elf followed us to France! Keepin an eye on everyone.

Selestai, France-  Home to the first Christmas tree in 1521

Christmas Market, Strausborg

Highspeed train to Paris-  Wow that was FAST.

Christmas Tree Dance

Strausborg  Christmas Market,
Christmas Eve 2015
France

The night is still
Darkness in France.
Yet love is present
At this Christmas tree dance

Traditions rich,
Christmas bells ring.
The village honors
the birth of a King.

Our family celebrates
Christmas this year
Thinking of Lizzy
Oh how I miss her still.

Darkness runs deep
These midwinter nights
Yet the sun still reaches us
With each morning light.

A Savior is born,
To teach Peace to the world
Reminding us of our baby Girl.

Peace on Earth,
Goodwill to men.
May the year ahead
Be filled with Light and Zen.
HLC

 —

Mona Lisa, The Louvre

The kids LOVED the Louvre.....
okay, by "loved" I mean Elias played with slinkys, and
Ruby Catherine ran around saying "Mom, I see pornography"!
Can you see the fun and excitement over Mona Lisa?

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci that has been described as "the best known, the most visited, the most written about, the most sung about, the most parodied work of art in the world". 

This was our view from the walk back to the hotel.  The kids really did love Eiffel Tower.
RubyCatherine learned to Ice Skate- in the rink on level 2- 
Don't tell anyone she is from Minnesota where we have rinks year round on every corner.