Sam's baptism

We are proud of Sam and his choice to get baptized.  It was so special to share the day with Mimzy and Pop Pop.  He also got to get baptized on the same day as one of his best friends, Tommy Fernelius.  It is pretty special to say he was baptized in Germany.  It is a day we will all remember. 

 

                                 Tommy gave Sam a candy bar leis

Idar Oberstein Gem Mine

Idar Oberstein is a pretty cool village with a gem mine.  They hide gems in a field and let the kids find them.  You can also pay as an adult and go mining for real.   Sam wanted to do this before his baptism.  He has really liked learning about rocks and gems. (We will have to introduce him to Uncle Cal and Aunt Joyce).  

After we took a tour in a mine and saw some large amethysts and gems that looked like a raw steak.  We hope to come back to this village and tour the cathedral in a mountain.  

Dinosaur Park

A trip to visit us is not complete without a stop at the Dinosaur Park.  We love it here in the fall when it is decorated with pumpkins.   Mimzy and Pop Pop brought the kids back here while Ryan and I were in Israel.  

Musee d'Orsay

 We had limited time in Paris and Mom and Dad wanted to dip into the Musee d'Orsay for some culture. My parents have given me an appreciation of art, especially the impressionist and post-impressionist artists.  I loved admiring them as they took in Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso, among others.  

Sacre Coeur

 It was so sweet to walk the streets of Paris again with my parents.  It has been 30 plus years since the last time.  We remembered details about what it was like when we were at Sacre Coeur as a family.  Brady and McKay got portraits done.  Brady wanted a caricature while McKay wanted a portrait (she was only 4 but didn't want to be silly, just pretty).   Artists still crowd the base of the cathedral selling their skills.