Bria is 2

On May 15th we celebrated Bria's second birthday. We are still in shock that she is 2 but she has certainly kept us on our toes these past 2 years.  Here are a few of the things that we love about this fiery 2 year old:

She loves her big brother Jacob ("teacup") more than anything. They are best friends. 

She has a contagious laugh.

She loves any and all animals, and is usually carrying around several stuffed animals. 

 Always hanging out with her favorite dog "CeeCee" (Casey).

She is adventurous and a risk-taker...

But also extremely accident prone.

She's a mama's girl...

But loves spending time with her Daddy.

She is fiercely independent. 

 "Bria can we have the map?"

"No, I've got this covered." 

Her legs have one speed, 1000mph.

And her mommy and daddy love her to the moon and back. Happy Birthday sweet girl! 

For her birthday we celebrated with friends at one of our favorite playgrounds. The weather was perfect for a Zoo themed party.  

Easter in Normandy Part 2

After a moving day at the Normandy beaches, we celebrated Easter at the chateau with an Easter Egg hunt.

 A little sibling love on Easter morning. 

 Or maybe not! 

Ringing the bell in the chapel at the Chateau. 

 Not a bad spot for an egg hunt, I don't think next year will measure up.

 Ready to find those eggs. 

After the egg hunt we spent the rest of Easter at Mont St. Michel. It was a little chilly and rainy, but still so beautiful and worth the trip. It seemed a fitting locale on Easter as it is one of the top four pilgrimage sites in Christendom. If you are wondering why in the world someone would build a massive abbey on an island, the answer is in A.D. 708 the bishop of Avranches heard the voice of Archangel Michael telling him to "build here, and build high," and "If you build it..they will come." And so they did. I guess we know where Kevin Costner gets his material.

There is a single street on the island that leads up to the breathtaking abbey. Mont St. Michel is surrounded by a huge mudflat where you still see people venturing out in bare feet.

 View of the island from the mainland. 

 Walking across the causeway to get there. 

 Lots and lots of stairs to climb to get to the abbey. Bria insisted on walking the whole thing herself, which was good because it is not very stroller friendly. 

 View from the top of the abbey.

 After visiting the abbey Jacob decided to retire the pirate sword and be a medieval knight instead. 

 The tides around Mont St. Michel rise above 50 feet, making them the largest and most dangerous in Europe.

A final picture at the Chateau de Ragny on our last morning. We absolutely loved our stay there and can't wait to go back some day. 

 I think the owner had had a few too many Calvados when he took a real sword off the wall and gave it to Jacob to play with.

Our last stop was in Bayeux to see the Tapestry. This is a picture of the Bayeux Cathedral.

I know I say this about every trip, but this really was a memorable and emotional visit. We hope to take the kids back when they are older and realize the significance of the area.