Week 11 - A Luxembourgish Miracle!

It has been sunny for 5 days in a row!  A big high pressure must have moved over Europe because the weather has been awesome.  We all didn't realize how much we are dependent on the sun.  We wouldn't do well in Seattle!

This week started off with Ashton puking and having diarrhea all night long last Saturday night.  Then Kim started on Sunday, then Emilee, then Spencer and I finally got it on Thursday.  This virus was very similar to the both ends canyon virus that we got several years ago at a family party.  It was very, very painful for about 24 hours.  We were all very grateful to get it behind us.  Literally.  Jacob was the only one that escaped again.  The interesting thing is that he didn't get the both ends virus either.

The kids are doing better in school.  It takes them about 6-7 hours to complete a day of school.  They are all very thankful that they don't have to go to the technical school in Limpertsberg.

The big event this week was that we were able to travel to Paris on Saturday morning.  We got up at 5:00, left at 6:00 and got to Paris about 10:00.


Paris is definitely the biggest city the kids have visited.  It was awesome!  The weather was great, it wasn't too crowded and everything was open.

We parked at the National Library and rode the Metro to Notre Dame.  We lucked out that mass was in session.  We had to wait in a short line, but then were treated to a huge, beautiful cathedral.  We then walked around the backside of the cathedral down the Seine towards the bridge with all of the locks.  We liked the backside of the cathedral better than the front.  The flying buttresses are beautiful!

The bridge with all of the love locks is crazy!  Every square inch of fence along the bridge is covered with locks.  In fact, there are locks connected to locks.  Pretty awesome!

From there we got on the Metro and went to the Orsy museum.  We didn't go in, but got our first Parisen crepes!  They said crep - with an eh not a.  They were definitely a hit!

We then headed to the Hotel des Invalides.  It is the main military museum.  It is where Napoleon is buried.  We were about to purchase our tickets, but decided that we'd rather go there with Grandpa Cahoon when he is here.

From there we headed down to the Little Palace museum at the end of the Champs E'lysee.  It was a free museum with a lot of art and sculptures.  There were quite a few pictures and sculptures without clothes on, so the boys eyes were opened a bit!  ;)

From there we walked up the Champs E'lysee to the Arc de Triumph.  It is amazing to see all of the expensive stores that line the street.  We got Macaroons at Laduree and stopped in at Luis Vitton and saw the expensive handbags.  The kids could not believe that you can buy purse there for $10,000.  We figure the only person that we know that may actually have one of those bags are the Garrity's!  We'll have to call them and see if they actually own one!

The Arc de Triumph is the crazy, crazy round about.  The round about rules in Paris are different, so I'm really glad I wasn't driving.

From there we caught the Metro and headed to the Eiffel Tower.  We waited in line and got a small discount for Emilee being deaf!  We walked up the first two levels and then got the elevator to the top.  It was an amazing view and was actually pretty scary when you got up to the top.  Ashton said near the top on the elevator, I hope this isn't one of those rides that drops down!  We all agreed!

It is sort of surreal to think that we were in Paris at the top of the Eiffel tower as a family.  Definitely a bonus for all of the stress of moving over here.

From the tower we found a little Chinese place and had some dinner.  Ashton loved the white rice and chicken.  I think that was his favorite part of Paris.

Continuing on we took a couple Metro trains to the Sacre Coer.  It is a beautiful basilica on a hill overlooking Paris. There were thousands of people there waiting for the sunset.  Lots of people selling stuff!  We hiked up the stairs and went into the church.  We lucked out again as they were having a meeting.  The amazing thing about this basilica is that is has tons of Mosaics.  They were absolutely beautiful and huge!!!!!

As we were leaving the church we saw this guy do his show.  Absolutely the best soccer juggling skills and show I've ever seen!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpYtPn33dLU

Spencer learned a good lesson on how to say no to a street vendor.  A guy stopped him and put a string on his finger and said, "Free?"  Spencer didn't realize that the guy was going to want money when he was done.  We finally had to say that we were leaving.  Spencer felt bad, but learned a good lesson.  He must have inherited it from his Mom because she almost got ripped off buying a totally cheap purse.  Luckily I caught her before she gave him too much money for a piece of garbage!  ;)

From there we headed back to the Library and headed home about 7:20 pm.  We got home just before midnight, totally worn out.

Church was good today.  The missionaries are now down to 2 from 6.  Only one of the guys that we knew stayed.

-addition-

I forget to mention that today at Church I heard my name during one of the announcements.  There was a mix-up and they weren't supposed to ask me to talk, but that didn't get back to the bishopric.  So I spent 5 minutes, got up and gave a quick talk on Faith and why it is so important.  I believe that one of the key points in this life is to get to the point where you realize there can't be proof of anything you think you know and you have to choose to believe.  Faith then becomes key to this life and the eternities.

Tonight we are going to an interesting celebration.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buergbrennen

We are all excited to go because they said it is a huge bonfire!  On the way home from church we saw the location.  It turns out that is a huge cross!  So we're going cross burning tonight!  We'll let you know how it goes!

OK - the bonfire was over the top!  We carried torches through the town and they lit a 50 ft. cross that had Christmas trees and straw heaped on it.  Beer, Brats and a Band and we had a great Sunday evening ending to winter!  It helped that is was a beautiful night.  This happens in all of the communes (cities) across Luxembourg.  Biggest bonfire we've ever seen!

The wind turned just right to burn holes in the beer tent.  At one point they tried to throw water on it and it soaked the poor lady underneath.

Click here to see this week's pictures!

PS.  Kim noticed this morning that my new Christmas Northface Jacket now has two nice holes in it from embers.  At least I know what to ask for next Christmas!