Sunday, May 18th

 We spent Sunday morning walking to the middle of town for fresh baked pastries for breakfast.  The kids wanted to ride the pig, the symbol of the town of Wittlich where Lance and Lana live. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon then went to church for AWANA at 3:00  We dropped off Elli and Liam then went grocery shopping on base then back for church at 4:00.  Elli enjoyed being with Liam in his class and even helped a new little girl with her lesson.

 After church, we went to an abbey to have dinner.  It was a beautiful setting.  Another family joined as well.  The kids all enjoyed playing together.

 The abbey was beautiful and we all happened to match, so why not take a family pic?

 We were only able to see into this one part of the chapel.  It was bright and beautiful.

 There was some play equipment there and Liam and Lilly looked so cute.

 Little monkeys.

 Liam loves to climb and couldn't wait to show me how high he could go.

 Ell was excited to have a friend to play with that was her own age.  Little cousins and a little brother for two weeks was a lot for this social butterfly:)

 Having fun with new friends and cousins.

 Family picture before heading out.

 Lance drove up the side of one of the mountains where there were vineyards.  Actually, there were vineyards on every hillside we could see in this area.  Wittlich is the city below.

The lighting was great for these shots.  It was a really fun day. We are liking Germany.  For dinner we had delicious white asparagus soup and schnitzel with white asparagus on the side.  (white asparagus is special in this area)

Arriving at Lance and Lana's Saturday Night

 Lana had a birthday gift waiting for Elli.  She was excited to get it and Liam was excited to give it to her!

I love these moments.  Spending time with my nieces and nephews is wonderful, especially when I do not get to see them very often.  I got to read all these kids a bedtime story.  Elli slept in the bottom bunk, Liam on top, Lilli at the foot of the beds in a pack'n'play.  Micah had his own room.  Night, night.

Saturday, May 17th, Leaving Paris by way of Reims

 This was actually my favorite part of our Europe trip, outside of being with family.  Can you see the beauty of this cathedral?

 Look at the size of these doors.  This is not an illusion; the doors are actually gigantic.

 We found someone to take our picture in front of this beautiful cathedral.

 Micah in the car on the way to Reims.  Courtesy of Elli.

 So very pretty.  Amazing how every detail is intricately designed.

 Not just pillars.  There were decorations on each aspect though worn with time.

 We walked around the outside a bit for some more pictures.

 We actually ate lunch right here on this side of the cathedral.  It was awesome to eat right there.

I know you are all amazed too.

Friday in Paris (again out of order)

 We really wanted to go to Mount Sacre Coeur since it was our favorite place our first time in Paris. Elli wasn't a fan of all the steps.  Neither were Brent or I since we had to carry Micah!

 It really is beautiful though.

 We enjoyed a concert of live music outside the church.

 And then of course some ice cream in a park.  Micah is still not really eating so the ice cream was for his benefit:)

 We had matching braids this day. Brent had to help me a bit with it.

 Just before our trek back down the steps.

 This time we actually got to go in the Opera House.  It was so pretty.

 Check out the "Waiting room" before the parties.  (and the little guy in the middle of the floor)

 I love these adorable kids.  They were really excited to look over the balcony and see the city of Paris.  Cool view for sure.

 And this guy was there too.

 Elli REALLY wanted me to buy this ballet stuff for her.  It was very expensive or I might have considered.

 Next stop was the Palace of Versailles. It really is spectacular.

 Micah was so exhausted.  He is so heavy though.

 Elli was not that impressed with the hall of mirrors.  I guess she didn't "get" the marvel of the size of the windows and the exact match to the mirrors.

 One of the beds in the women's sleeping chambers.

 Some of these paintings decorating the walls had more square footage than the house I grew up in as a child.  That is incredible!

 Micah and Elli loved throwing stones into the "wally."

Brent wanted a picture of me with the statue.

 Micah was jamming to the live music at Sacre Coeur.

 Love the looks of this city.

 One of the balconies in the Opera House.

 Little ballerina.

 Elli thought this chair was so cool.

 Hehehe, little Micah.  There were several of these along the walk to the Palace of Versailles.

 Sweet Elli

 Crazy Brent.

 Loved this one too

 Waiting in a long line to get into the Palace.

 My arms needed a break from carrying the sleeping baby so Brent took over.

 After another busy day in Paris, Brent and Elli went back out for the light show at the Eiffel Tower.

 She was truly loving this.  I think it was because she had Brent to herself AND she got to see the Eiffel Tower again.

 So pretty from the park across the way.

Elli was given some Eiffel Tower key chains by a very nice man when we purchased a souveneir.  However, she left them at the restaurant and was very sad about it. So, she kept seeing these shops selling them and wanted more.  She also saw some men selling hem on the streets.  So, when she went back to the Eiffel Tower at night, there were lots of street vendors.  She and Brent talked those guys down quite a bit and she got some key chains and two more towers!  Brent is a bit of a sucker sometimes:)