The 2009 New Year's Eve blue moon as seen from Neuchâtel. It's a cloudy night, but they parted just enough to let the moon peek through.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Happy New Year!
The 2009 New Year's Eve blue moon as seen from Neuchâtel. It's a cloudy night, but they parted just enough to let the moon peek through.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Arc de Triomphe
Our last day in Paris and yes, we did go a top the Arc. This Arc is truly a monument. It is big and impressive. And the views from up top are expansive.The arc was approved by Napoleon in 1805 to honor France's armies and victories. The Arc's intent changed a little over time and was finally completed in 1836. We bought a gift shop book that explains its history and the artwork adorning it. It is very interesting.
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After the Arc we had lunch and then headed for the train station and the trip back to Neuchâtel. We had a good time in Paris. It is a great city to visit.Monday, December 28, 2009
Science museum
We went to the Science Museum today. The part we visited was much like the kids section in Cincy; in some ways better and in some ways not. Since it is a busy place the ticket price was a time frame rather than unlimited admittance. Parker's favorite part was the water section and Payton's was the construction zone.
Our developing pattern was staying up late and sleeping in. We got to the museum mid-day and after we were done it was nap time - for all of us. We headed back to the hotel to rest before heading out again later in the evening.
We walked to and under the Arc de Triomphe but didn't go in it. The ticket line was long. Though our weather was nice it was still cold after dark. It would have been cold topside so we decided to try the Arc again tomorrow. Instead we continued walking down Champs-Elysées.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées between the Arc de Triomphe and Franklin D. Roosevelt is a shopping mecca. It's 8 lanes of heavy traffic flanked on each side with very wide sidewalks. It's a showcase of who is who in retailing. You quickly see why the movies portray people going shopping in Paris.
At the lower part of the avenue it is flanked by parks and greenways. Here they had booths setup selling Christmas trinkets, souvenirs, food and drink - a real Christmas bizarre. Payton and I rode a roller coaster, but at the end we didn't ride the ferris wheel.
By now Kathleen was getting cold, Payton was doing okay with his Nutella covered waffle and Parker was snug as a bug in a rug sitting in his fleece lined cocoon. I was cool but my flannel lined jeans kept me pretty warm. Our night was done and we headed underground once again to take the Metro home.
Our developing pattern was staying up late and sleeping in. We got to the museum mid-day and after we were done it was nap time - for all of us. We headed back to the hotel to rest before heading out again later in the evening.We walked to and under the Arc de Triomphe but didn't go in it. The ticket line was long. Though our weather was nice it was still cold after dark. It would have been cold topside so we decided to try the Arc again tomorrow. Instead we continued walking down Champs-Elysées.
Avenue des Champs-Elysées between the Arc de Triomphe and Franklin D. Roosevelt is a shopping mecca. It's 8 lanes of heavy traffic flanked on each side with very wide sidewalks. It's a showcase of who is who in retailing. You quickly see why the movies portray people going shopping in Paris.
At the lower part of the avenue it is flanked by parks and greenways. Here they had booths setup selling Christmas trinkets, souvenirs, food and drink - a real Christmas bizarre. Payton and I rode a roller coaster, but at the end we didn't ride the ferris wheel.
By now Kathleen was getting cold, Payton was doing okay with his Nutella covered waffle and Parker was snug as a bug in a rug sitting in his fleece lined cocoon. I was cool but my flannel lined jeans kept me pretty warm. Our night was done and we headed underground once again to take the Metro home.Sunday, December 27, 2009
Walking with Dinosaurs
I woke up late in the morning today. So late that the family had already been to breakfast. I was tired from yesterday. We were all rested and ready to see some dinosaurs. We headed for the Metro.
Today at 3 o'clock we had tickets for the Walking with Dinosaurs show. We had bought tickets online months ago when we saw a TV commercial for it. We thought Payton would really like seeing it and us too. We purchased 'best seats available' and we got row 24 tickets. We found our section and started walking down the stairs, down, down, down until we were at what I would call row 1. Row 24 was the first row. Holly cow we got the Bob Uecher seats down on the front row!
Man this show was great. I couldn't understand a word of it - it being in French, but you could tell what the show was about. The dinosaurs where all life size and very, very life like. It was so cool. We wondered if Parker would get scared, but he sat and watched wide eyed too. All the dinosaurs were great, but good ol' T-Rex took the cake. This show has been in various cities in the USA for a couple of years and will be into 2011. If this show comes your way, do go see it. It is amazing.After the show it was back on the Metro and we headed for the Opera area where we had dinner. Where you may wonder? Why at Pizza Hut. And it was pretty good. The pan pizza crust was just as good as in the USA. Parker slept almost through dinner, but woke in time to eat what we saved for him. After dinner we walked towards the Louvre (stopping at a Starbucks) and then walked up the Avenue des Champs-Elysées. There was lots to see; lights in all the trees, a huge ferris wheel, a Christmas bizarre. Tomorrow we are off to the Science museum and on the way home we'll go back to Champs-Elysées area and partake in a thing or two. One thing on the agenda is taking in the view from atop the Arc de Triomphe.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Arrived in Paris today
Today the TGV zoomed us to Paris. The purpose of our trip was to see the European Tour of Walking With Dinosaurs. Besides seeing the show we'll stay a few days and check out a few sites too.
We checked into our hotel around 3 PM. We stayed in the Neuilly-sur-Sienne area in the northeast of Paris. There wasn't much daylight left so our plan for the day was to go see Répliques de la Statue de la Liberté (replica of the Statue of Liberty). It is located on the man-made island of Île des Cygnes (Isle of the Swans) in the River Siene. It faces west towards Lady Liberty in New York. Since it is at the end of the island and facing westerly, you have to be on (or in) the river to see it real well. Otherwise you are at its base looking straight up at it. Still, it was pretty cool to see.
By now it was dark. It was cold, but warmer by about 5° than Switzerland - maybe the upper 30s. We went under again to take the Metro home. Our hotel isn't right next to a Metro station. Instead it is surrounded by 3 stations, but each is a short walk. After getting off the Metro and before walking home we stopped for dinner.
We ate at Le restaurant de l'Entrecôte. Kathleen had eaten here on a business trip to Paris a few months ago. No menu. All they served was sliced up steak and french fries; though you could choose between medium and well done. We got there before they were open for dinner - a little before seven. By the time we got in and seated Parker was turning into a wild animal. Nothing we did was settling him. By the time dinner was served his transformation was complete. He was screaming and squirming so much we had to lock him down in his stroller. He wouldn't drink milk. He threw french fries on the floor. I gave him a piece of steak and he started chowin' down. The boy likes steak! We were happy he quieted down and I'm sure the other guests were too - especially the people sitting next to us. He just kept eating steak and refusing anything but steak. He must have eaten 3 or 4 oz. It started out rough, but we were able to finish dinner in peace.
With dinner over we walked home to our hotel. We had put some miles on our dogs and we were pretty tired. We went to bed anticipating tomorrow and the big show.
We checked into our hotel around 3 PM. We stayed in the Neuilly-sur-Sienne area in the northeast of Paris. There wasn't much daylight left so our plan for the day was to go see Répliques de la Statue de la Liberté (replica of the Statue of Liberty). It is located on the man-made island of Île des Cygnes (Isle of the Swans) in the River Siene. It faces west towards Lady Liberty in New York. Since it is at the end of the island and facing westerly, you have to be on (or in) the river to see it real well. Otherwise you are at its base looking straight up at it. Still, it was pretty cool to see.
Répliques de la Statue de la LibertéBy now it was dark. It was cold, but warmer by about 5° than Switzerland - maybe the upper 30s. We went under again to take the Metro home. Our hotel isn't right next to a Metro station. Instead it is surrounded by 3 stations, but each is a short walk. After getting off the Metro and before walking home we stopped for dinner.
We ate at Le restaurant de l'Entrecôte. Kathleen had eaten here on a business trip to Paris a few months ago. No menu. All they served was sliced up steak and french fries; though you could choose between medium and well done. We got there before they were open for dinner - a little before seven. By the time we got in and seated Parker was turning into a wild animal. Nothing we did was settling him. By the time dinner was served his transformation was complete. He was screaming and squirming so much we had to lock him down in his stroller. He wouldn't drink milk. He threw french fries on the floor. I gave him a piece of steak and he started chowin' down. The boy likes steak! We were happy he quieted down and I'm sure the other guests were too - especially the people sitting next to us. He just kept eating steak and refusing anything but steak. He must have eaten 3 or 4 oz. It started out rough, but we were able to finish dinner in peace.
With dinner over we walked home to our hotel. We had put some miles on our dogs and we were pretty tired. We went to bed anticipating tomorrow and the big show.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Scenes from Christmas morning
The kids woke to a nice Christmas morning. Not quite a white one, but there is some white stuff here and there. Parker quickly snatched up the uneaten portion of Santa's cookie and nibbled on it all morning.
The boy's having to wait to open presents from Santa until after pictures are taken.
Payton had asked Santa for Transformers. Santa obliged, but he also gave him some books and other things. Parker got his own tool kit and books too.
Kathleen is liking her new Sterlinks bracelet. And Parker is still nibbling on Santa's cookie.
Christmas was pretty good around here. We hope your Christmas was nice too.
Oh, and here is the present that Santa forgot. Kathleen 'found it outside'. Apparently this is sort of a Dolan tradition from Kathleen's childhood.
The boy's having to wait to open presents from Santa until after pictures are taken.
Payton had asked Santa for Transformers. Santa obliged, but he also gave him some books and other things. Parker got his own tool kit and books too.
Kathleen is liking her new Sterlinks bracelet. And Parker is still nibbling on Santa's cookie.
Christmas was pretty good around here. We hope your Christmas was nice too.Oh, and here is the present that Santa forgot. Kathleen 'found it outside'. Apparently this is sort of a Dolan tradition from Kathleen's childhood.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Getting ready for Christmas
Mama Mi she cookedAll day a nice dinner
The boys played inside
On this cold day of winter
The boys played inside
On this cold day of winter
The Tree is all covered
And lit to shine bright
Awaiting the visit
From Santa this night
Excitement fills Payton
He behaves at his best
Gets carried away at times
Our patience he does test
Sleep time is near
The family is fed
Hugs and kisses are shared
And it is off to bed
Bells ring and they ding
Dreamy thoughts wisp about
Santa is coming
Awake and shout...
Merry Christmas to All!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Our Christmas tree
We have a nice little tree thanks to Kathleen and Payton. We hauled one of our little trees back from the big house to use here in Switzerland. It's a pre-lit tree, but without decorations. Kathleen had the idea for her and Payton to make some. And some they did. Except for a string of candy all the decorations are cut out from paper. They did a great job and the tree looks really nice.Yesterday the kids played a little out on the patio. Our snow is a dry snow and doesn't pack well. There isn't enough yet anyway to try to make a snowman. We're expecting more snow this coming week. Hopefully we'll get enough for snowmen and sledging.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
First morning back
Today is our first morning back from the USA. The boys are still asleep - going on 12 hours now. They are wiped out from the trip home. It is about 27° and is snowing. The ground currently has an opaque covering of snow. I don't know how much snow we'll get, but up in the mountains it is probably snowing pretty good. Maybe we'll go sledging this weekend.
We enjoyed our time back in the USA. We had planned only 3 weeks, but ended up staying a little over 4. We delayed our return twice due to dental problems for me. I was scheduled to get a crown, but then had to get a root canal first. It wasn't healing properly. Ahh the wonders of modern medicine. Drugs fixed me right up and on the morning we flew back I was finally able to get my crown put on.
We remodeled our basement while there. During week one I put down a nice 'wood' Pergo laminate floor. It is a huge improvement over the carpet. We had one bedroom carpeted, but otherwise the entire basement has the laminate floor. Week two was Thanksgiving and we spent that with the Dolan clan on Hilton Head Island. This is always a good retreat. We had planned to paint the basement in week 3, but realized the job was to big for us to complete on time. We did the smart thing and hired it out. Had we left as originally scheduled the basement remodel would have stopped here. The extra week allowed me to install the IKEA kitchen cabinets. Not all the parts necessary were in stock. I'd say the remodel is about 95% done. Four cabinet doors, dishwasher, sink, fasten down the countertops, and install the shoe molding around the floor perimeter and it is all done.
Parker loves pushing buttons now. He has become very adept at spotting buttons and instinctively reaches out to press them. The Prez better not leave the football lying around in Parker's presence.
At Hilton Head we had a gathering of 21 at Grandpa and Grandma Dolan's. The icing on the cake would have been Kathleen letting me drive home a '68 Firebird we looked at down there.
This year we may have started a new tradition for ourselves. The drive to Hilton Head is a long one. This year we stopped in Charlotte and stayed overnight at the Great Wolf Lodge. Since it is winter time it is great fun to play in their indoor water park. And best of all, cousins live in the Charlotte area and can come to the park with us! Payton likes this best of all.
The whole time back in the USA I had only one hamburger - from Red Robin. Can you believe it? We had Dewey's pizza three times, the ribs are still great at Texas Roadhouse and we ate way too many Oreo cookies! Gosh those cookies are good.
This morning I am already missing two things from back home; our garbage disposal and our trash compactor. Oh well, time to head off to the store to restock the shelves here.
We enjoyed our time back in the USA. We had planned only 3 weeks, but ended up staying a little over 4. We delayed our return twice due to dental problems for me. I was scheduled to get a crown, but then had to get a root canal first. It wasn't healing properly. Ahh the wonders of modern medicine. Drugs fixed me right up and on the morning we flew back I was finally able to get my crown put on.
We remodeled our basement while there. During week one I put down a nice 'wood' Pergo laminate floor. It is a huge improvement over the carpet. We had one bedroom carpeted, but otherwise the entire basement has the laminate floor. Week two was Thanksgiving and we spent that with the Dolan clan on Hilton Head Island. This is always a good retreat. We had planned to paint the basement in week 3, but realized the job was to big for us to complete on time. We did the smart thing and hired it out. Had we left as originally scheduled the basement remodel would have stopped here. The extra week allowed me to install the IKEA kitchen cabinets. Not all the parts necessary were in stock. I'd say the remodel is about 95% done. Four cabinet doors, dishwasher, sink, fasten down the countertops, and install the shoe molding around the floor perimeter and it is all done.
Parker loves pushing buttons now. He has become very adept at spotting buttons and instinctively reaches out to press them. The Prez better not leave the football lying around in Parker's presence.
At Hilton Head we had a gathering of 21 at Grandpa and Grandma Dolan's. The icing on the cake would have been Kathleen letting me drive home a '68 Firebird we looked at down there.This year we may have started a new tradition for ourselves. The drive to Hilton Head is a long one. This year we stopped in Charlotte and stayed overnight at the Great Wolf Lodge. Since it is winter time it is great fun to play in their indoor water park. And best of all, cousins live in the Charlotte area and can come to the park with us! Payton likes this best of all.
The whole time back in the USA I had only one hamburger - from Red Robin. Can you believe it? We had Dewey's pizza three times, the ribs are still great at Texas Roadhouse and we ate way too many Oreo cookies! Gosh those cookies are good.
This morning I am already missing two things from back home; our garbage disposal and our trash compactor. Oh well, time to head off to the store to restock the shelves here.
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