Well we haven’t had Internet for a week with traveling to see the family and now we are on our last day with wifi and the blog app won’t load the photos?! Very frustrating but I promise to finish and update in the next few days when I have a computer again.

Will post again ASAP!

Ben and I headed to the bakery this morning to give my family a nice French welcoming complete with fresh bread and croissants. I love ordering at a traditional bakery in Paris, probably because I can order in French (numbers and baked goods are my specialty) but also because it’s tradition and walking around with a baguette in your bag is the ultimate way to feel like a local.

We planned to meet everyone by the Notre Dame metro exit except there were two so Ben and I split up and waited by one on each end of the street. There is something so exciting about searching for familiar faces in the crowded streets of a foreign city. Also, we left it all by chance, with no cell phones we put technology aside and hoped we’d find one another. Finally Ben spotted them and we all greeted each other amidst the busy Parisians and street vendors.

We all walked back to the apartment and talked about our travels over a brunch. After settled in and getting a head start before their jetlag set in we were off to explore the streets of Paris. We walked through the park and over to the Arc de Triumphed. Beautiful views, for it being Donny and Ben’s first time here it’s exciting to see their reactions to things. We ended the night with an early dinner - enjoying our first croque monsieur (grilled cheese with ham) and nutella crepe of the trip!

More of Paris tomorrow!

love, Bobbie + Ben

Neither of us have been away from our families on Christmas. It’s nice to start new traditions but it’s a good feeling to be away from the old ones and appreciate them so much more. We went for a walk this morning and to a few markets that were open. There was quite the line coming out of Notre Dame, so many people out and about. Christmas cheer can be seen in any language.

I made a traditional American breakfast and a stew for later that day. We watched Home Alone and Scrooge on the iPad. It was such a calming and relaxing holiday for us, though strangely we do miss the chaos. Can’t wait til next year.

My mom, dad, sister and brother-in-law all get here tomorrow! We are over the moon excited!

Hope everyone has a great day/week with their loved ones.

love, Bobbie + Ben

I can hear the bells of Notre Dame right now and hymns being sung inside the service. They are showing it on screen outside and we can see it from our apartment. There’s something very surreal about it all.

Missing our families and friends terribly, but feeling very much in the holiday spirit after decorating a bit and listening to some Christmas music. Off to make some food for the Mr. and I.

Hope everyone has a great Christmas Eve!

love, Bobbie + Ben