Normandy - Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery

Normandy was some place that we have wanted to go for a very long time. It is so hard to imagine what happened there on D-day and yet so important to never forget. I felt  a a pit in my stomach just being there and seeing it with my own eyes. We were able to pay our respects and also to remind ourselves of how very fortunate we are thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of those before us.

A monument overlooking Omaha Beach

The little Villages were changed forever

2400 Americans lost on this beach alone on D-day. Today, the water and beach seemed so calm and still.

These Men sacrificed their lives..."to preserve freedom, systems of self-government" - so important to remember History and learn from it!

The American Cemetery - 9,387 Americans rest in peace here - they never made it home.

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The air traffic in the sky amazed me - so many planes going so many places

 

Paris

Both Mia and Camden wanted to go back to Paris this summer, so we had a fun time exploring the city (and yes this time we brought our dog too - ha ha!). It was actually nice not to feel rushed running to different sites and museums. We just kind of meandered around and it was really enjoyable!

Love Locks (so cool - even if they ruin the bridges!)

We couldn't resist!

...just missing B! :-(

The Louvre (behind the gate)

Four fifths of my heart!

Mia was super excited to go into this shop that was featured on a show

 that she liked.

Kiwi was such a great trooper, but we had to find little stops each day for her to rest

Paris!

 

Misc. travels…

We have had lots of great trips over the last few months - Maine (twice), South Carolina (twice), Canada, Boston, and Washington DC. It has been so much fun visiting with family and friends, sightseeing, and exploring! Here is another photo dump of our adventures...

Ok - this is just a random picture from Maine, but I couldn't resist posting (this was a little guy getting "tub time" at one of the shops we went to :-))

After a few years of not being able to go to Canada (because of Covid), it was so nice to explore my parents...

Just a random cute picture of my dog :-)

and another one of her in the snow...

Beautiful Maine!

The fire is so nice!

We spent Christmas with the whole family (including Bailey, Logan, and Max) in Hilton Head - such a gift!

We walked a big chunk of the Freedom Trail in Boston

Mia in Florida

Mia at the Cheers Bar in Boston

Painting with Bailey, Logan, and Mia! Do you have a favorite? Ha ha! ;-)

Quincy Market in Boston

The Boston Common

The Supreme Court in DC

Quoddy Light House in Lubec, Maine

And the lighthouse on Campobello Island in Canada 

The Bay of Fundy has one of the largest tidal changes in the World! These rocks get covered up when the tide changes.

A reminder of how much we will miss the pizza in Italy!

At the Washington Monument

and The National Zoo

Over the Dolomites in Italy

More from Painting night, hosted by Bailey and Logan :-)

Campobello Island

Mia said that Maine at Christmas time reminded her of a Hallmark Movie :-)

Beautiful Florida Sunset!

B and L

Frankenstein, Germany

Our Capitol Tour

Capitol Tour

Picnic on Campobello Island! :-)

Capitol Tour

Another picture flying over the Dolomites- amazing!

 

Campobello Island, Canada

Christmas Morning beach walk in our Pajamas on beautiful Hilton Head Island

Sam Adams Grave in Boston

Great Falls, Virginia

Beautiful Moon over the water in Hilton Head

So wonderful to all be back together (if even for a short time!!)

 

College tours

It is so crazy to me that our youngest is looking at Universities! We had a great time visiting schools with one of her very best friends. Who knows what the future holds, but it is really fun (and to be real, also a little stressful) to think about!