I seem to remember (and document) the big events in our lives - birthdays, holidays, job changes... But what I want to remember is the little things - the way David and I hold hands, the way Karsten looks with his hands behind his head without a care in the world, Skyla's giggle, and Sierra's ability to block the world when she's reading. So here's to what I want to remember the most... the little moments of our lives that equal a much bigger picture.
 |
| Chateau Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley |
 |
| Mont St. Michel |
 |
| Castle across from our hotel |
 |
| Rocky beach of Nice |
 |
| Beach across from our hotel in St. Maxime |
The town of Arronmanches where we stayed- D-Day's Gold Beach   |
| One of the most moving places in the world - the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Over 9000 men are buried here. |
 |
| Walking along Omaha Beach |
 |
| A crater (one of many) left from WWII bombing |
 |
| A field where a key battle was fought which was re-enacted in the Band of Brothers series |
 |
| These coastal towns along the D-day beaches were amazingly picturesque. My husband who has watched all the WWII movies out there, and read all the books, was in absolute heaven to be actually viewing the areas where D-day happened. We hiked along the beaches, peered over the cliffs at Pointe Du Hoc, toured the cathedral of St. Mere Eglise, and climbed into the German bunkers dotting this beautiful countryside. So weird that this peaceful countryside was war torn 65 years ago. And so wonderful that we got to be the good guys who saved the day. Our two days in this area was a somber reality of war and a moving experience of heroism and patriotism. |
 |
| Hello Seine River. I love your bridges and the way you run through this city that is the most amazing city ever. EVER. |
 |
| Hello stained glass of St. Chapelle. I was blown away. |
 |
| Hello Moulin Rouge which I know because of one of my favorite movies. |
 |
| Hello Arc de Triomphe. You were surprisingly massive with the most crazy traffic round-about I have ever seen! |
 |
| Hello Louve with your pictures that are bigger than my house. |
 |
| Hello teeny cars that would not even have enough room to lug my suitcase around. |
 |
| Hello mounds and mounds of the most delicious ice cream. |
 |
| Hello pastry stores that are on every corner and I love them more than a love for a food is even possible... |
 |
| Hello bread. Oh hello wonderful bread made in France that tastes so much better than it does here. What is your secret? |
 |
| Hello sugar. David hasn't had you for a while. |
 | |||||
| Hello crepes that were the yummiest, most delicious crepes I have ever tasted and it makes me cry thinking that I will not have that taste in my mouth again for a very long time and even one day is too long. |
In Alaska, April showers do not bring May flowers. April showers might be rain, snow, or hail. All the snow is melting, it's brown and muddy, and just plain ugly! Only this little guy seems to have found the beauty in it all. He finally wised up and realized his rain boots were not cutting it on puddles that went up to his knees. So he got his waders on and played for hours outside. 
Lots of people in Alaska go to Hawaii for spring break. And when I say lots, I mean half the state. So I'll admit - I was feeling a little bitter looking at all the snow. Until I remembered I had 12 leis. I bought them a long time ago knowing that someday I would need them. How happy I was to realize now was the moment! It was all the inspiration I needed. 
