First stamp in her passport

Eloise took her first flight to go to England to visit GraMoM and Grandpa Seelinger for Christmas. She had absolutely no problems with the air pressure on take-off and landing. However, she screamed her head off just as we boarded the plane (while everyone walked by) because she was very very tired and she hates to be cuddled to fall asleep. She would much rather just be put into her crib. Many Christmas pictures to follow soon!

Check out my curls

Trip to Geneva to visit the Muellers

The Muellers, our best friends in Paris, were recently relocated to a small village called Prangins that is just outside of Geneva, Switzerland. We took a train down there to visit for a long weekend. It was wonderful to be together again and the babies had fun checking each other out too.

Eloise taking a spin in Analise's toy

On Sunday morning, we drove into Geneva to watch an annual swimming event in the lake! The water temp was about 4 degrees celsius and the air was -2 degrees. The swimmers went in groups all dressed up and/or decorated themselves for the 125 meter swim. Completely crazy!! We were all bundled up and absolutely freezing just watching them.

Afterwards, we strolled through the town of Geneva....stopping for lunch and shopping at a Christmas market, watching skiers on a small slope that was temporarily built in the city, and drinking hot chocolate at a cafe.

These two pictures are of Lake Geneva while walking through the small village, Rolle, where Daniel's office is.

We drove up into the mountains to a small ski village called St. Cergue for lunch. Everything was covered with snow and I made sure to hit Alan with a snowball =)

we baked and decorated Christmas cookies

Eloise traveled very well. Here she is completely passed out on the train

we're cute

bedtime

Eloise is getting into a night/nap time routine to calm down and go to sleep. We put her in her sleepsack, turn on the white noise, and sing a couple of rounds of 'you are my sunshine. She also loves to snuggle with her little lamb.

it's finally time to decorate

We bought our first little Christmas tree. In America, everyone would call it a "Charlie Brown" tree, but in Paris it's a pretty typical size for an apartment. Grandma Hagle mailed us some ornaments which Eloise thought were very tasty!

ride 'em cowgirl

Can you tell who is having the most fun here???

Happy Birthday Alan

Monday was Alan's 25th birthday! We started with birthday pancakes and gifts and then I convinced him to skip class and go out for lunch. I found an American restaurant that served a Philly Cheesesteak! We spent the afternoon strolling up the Champs Elysees Christmas markets and then headed home to put the babe to bed and had a West Wing marathon. Great day!

Little Parisian

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Happy Thanksgiving

We were invited over to the Riggs' apartment for dinner. They are a family from church with 3 small kids. Their oldest, MacKenzie (4), loved Eloise and had fun holding here. The meal was delicious and unfortunately squeezed in between classes for Alan.

emily and randy came to visit

I thought I was going to the airport to pick up my good friend, Emily, BUT instead I got my friend Randy too!! They've kept the surprise from me for many many months...and I had NO CLUE! The next picture is of Emily eating a nutella and banana crepe on the bus.

we hit lots of touristy spot including lunch at one of my favorite cafes near Notre Dame. Below is a picture of the bread line at our favorite bakery in the neighborhood just before lunch on Sunday. Randy and Emily quickly became fans of this place too. I can't even begin to explain how cold and windy it was standing there.

Eloise's adorable outfit was a baby gift from Randy

Sacre Coeur

The babe was quite a trooper being hauled all over the city and even in the snow one day!

This is the Christmas decorations of one of the huge and fancy department stores, Gallaries Lafayette

We spent a day starting at the Arc de Triumph and shopped our way down the Champs Elysees. There was a Christmas market set up along the bottom of the avenue with crafts, gifts, traditional french food and hot wine.

Randy drooling over all the delicious baked goods in La Duree

The Eifel Tower is blue for 6 months while France is the president of the European Union. There is a ring of gold stars on the other side of the tower to make it look like the EU flag.

We went out to dinner at our favorite brasserie near our apartment for a french classic of steak and fries. delicious.

Yummy

Eloise is just starting to grasp onto things and chew. The little bunny attached to a tiny blanket is an official french "doudou" that was given to her by my french conversation partner, Pascale.

big and puffy

Eloise is all cozy this winter in her new big, puffy suit. Alan and I were joking that her arms looked like big lobster claws as she waved them around. Thanks Bryce and Fonda for the gift!

Kofi comes to town

Former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, came to speak at a conference that Alan got to attend. This shot is of a few of Alan's classmates with him after the event.

say "CHEESE"

Kofi was joking around with the professional photograper and said, "I think it's my turn to take some pictures now," as he took the guy's camera and made him pose for a change.