Sweet 16

16 years married!  It's been an amazing adventure!  I'm so grateful to have such a great partner in this ride of life.  We were able to celebrate with a weekend away sans enfants.  We swapped childcare with our dear friends the Stephensons, they took our kids for a weekend and we took their kids the following weekend.  It was a win win win all around.  Not only did all the parents get a fun couples weekend away, but the kids had a blast together both weekends.  Can't say enough how grateful we are for this family's friendship.  They have enriched our lives in so many ways.  

 With the kids safely deposited at the Stephensons, we took off for Paris for a long weekend.  What a dream to celebrate our anniversary in the city of lights, the city that has always held a special place in my heart.  It's where some of my life's dreams have come true, and more dreams were born.  We have been to Paris together before, more than once, but never alone.  This was a special treat.  

We were lucky enough to enjoy mostly great weather the entire weekend.  It was the perfect wintry Paris scene.  We spent most of our time wandering, walking along the Seine, visiting a few favourite neighbourhoods and landmarks.  And most of all consuming all manner of divine French food.  

While I was distracted taking photos my cute husband snuck around the corner to procure us this lock to affix to Pont des Arts, the famous Parisian bridge upon which countless lovers have proclaimed their love and devotion by attaching their own lovelocks.    

I really never tire of seeing this structure.  It still gives me the same thrill it did all those years ago when I saw it for the first time and screamed aloud.  (Only now I don't actually scream aloud!) 

Pastries and fresh baguettes sur les quais for breakfast, don't mind if I do! 

In another sweet gesture my wonderful husband took me up this giant ferris wheel for a panoramic ride.  I have known about La Roue de Paris for a while, and have always wanted to ride it.  Being up high is not one of Scott's favourite experiences, so it was extra thoughtful of him to do this for me.  

The Shard

We were supposed to ascend the Shard, the tallest building in the UK (and momentarily the tallest building in Europe), last spring.  But my bout with mono usurped those plans.  We finally got around to using the tickets over the holiday break.  We were joined by some of our favourite friends and had a great day out.  It was a blustery day mixed with a bit of rain, but we were lucky enough to be spared the worst while at the summit.

 The views were pretty spectacular over London!

 All the kids

 Our lovely friends

 Trevon's Kindergarten teacher turned friend!

14

Dallin is 14!  With a full year of teenage parenting under our belts, this teenage gig all feels very legit.  To celebrate Dallin again had a group of friends over for a pizza party followed by a trip to the cinema for a movie night out with friends.  I didn't get any photos of this night, sadly, but we did get some photos of our family celebrations the next day.  

 Breakfast with the birthday boy

 Birthday cake fit for a superstar cross country runner!

London Fog

Remembering

The sun came out today after a few very soggy, grey days.  It seemed poetically timed in honour of Remembrance Day.  As we stood for two minutes of silence this morning with the uplifting warmth of the sun streaming through the windows, I couldn't help but be filled with overwhelming gratitude for those who have sacrificed their lives in the quest of freedom, both in this land and in nations the world over.  To those who have paid our way, there are not words sufficient enough to say thank you.  There is a special place in heaven for you, and we are forever in your debt.  

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet - rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields.

- Moina Michael