This has been an amazing year, with so many new things happening! It's hard to believe that so much could fit into one year. There have certainly been ups and downs, but it's all the good things stand out when I look back at the year. Whether we've been traveling together to new, exciting places, going back "home" to visit all our old friends and family, or just hanging out at home, we've made so many wonderful memories. Sometimes life gets so busy that we can hardly see the journey that we're on, because we're so caught up in the frenzy of the moment. It's nice to look back at the end of a year to see the big picture. I'm sure 2015 will be just as full, with plenty of surprises along the way. I'm so grateful to be able to stay home with Ian this coming year, to soak up every minute of his babyhood, as well as to be here when the girls get home from school. I'm looking forward to enjoying the little moments (and documenting them, of course!), and I can't wait to see what's in store for us. Below are pictures and memories from an incredible 2014. I hope you enjoy my little trip down memory lane!
^^We spent last New Year's Eve in the Rhone-Alps region so the girls could play in the snow (being from Chicago, we miss our white winters). It was a great time, with excellent sledding conditions!
^^Over Christmas break we went into Paris to go ice-skating, but it was a bit too warm, and the rink was as much water as ice, so we just got crepes and walked around instead.
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^^Date night at a little Italian place in the 16th. (La Pizzeria di Reballato - on Rue de la Pompe, just off the Place Victor Hugo)
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^^Date night at a different little Italian place in the 16th! (Bistro Romain - on the Champs Elysee, right next to the metro George V, and conveniently next door to the movie theater!)
In March we had a picnic in the Versailles gardens on a beautifully perfect day. That was also the day we found out we were going to have a baby!
When Mom came to visit in April, we did some sightseeing in the city.
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During Spring Break, Bea went to Sweden to visit a friend (her first flight by herself!), while Kevin, Serena, Mom, and I went to Avignon, Barcelona and Valencia (and the dogs came too!).
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This is the hotel we stayed at in Avignon. It had a real old-time feel to it - so charming! We couldn't help posing for a few photos.
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^^We couldn't get enough of the beach in Valencia. It was right outside the little apartment that we rented, so we were able to spend most of our time there - okay, pretty much ALL of our time!
We spent six weeks back in Illinois over the summer and packed a lot into that time! One of the highlights was a day in the city with the girls' cousins.
^^We went to see Cirque du Soleil at Navy Pier - Cirque Shanghai Warriors. It was an amazing show! Those people are SO talented!
^^Of course, no trip to Navy Pier would be complete without a ride on the ferris wheel!
Our Chicago trip also included a River cruise (look at that skyline!) and a trip to Billy Goat Tavern, another must-do when in the city. Best burgers (and grilled cheese) in the world!
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Bea's friend Laura came from France to Chicago to spend three weeks with us in the summer. They had a great time - especially at this Fourth of July celebration!
Back in France, we had a busy autumn. We moved to a new house just days after we got back from the States, the girls and Kevin started back to school, we enjoyed ourselves out and about in the city, we all went apple picking, Kevin and I went to the Passenger concert, Mom came to visit again, Serena starred in the school play, and we welcomed our new baby boy! Whew!
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Wow! What an incredible year! We are so lucky to have our families (even though they're far away), our friends, and this amazing opportunity to experience life in France. The year 2014 was full of adventures, and we made so many fantastic memories. I can't wait to see what happens in 2015! Thanks for coming along for the ride...I wish everyone a happy, healthy and exciting new year!
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