Our Trip

Its time to tell you about our great adventure traveling up from Morocco to N. Ireland. We had such a great time. While many people thought we were pretty crazy to travel for a week with two toddlers and me being 8+ months pregnant, we were so blessed during our travels. Many memories made and lots of adventures had.

We started off our trip with an overnight ferry from Melilla, Spain across to Malaga, Spain. We had a four bunk room and a great nights sleep. The boys especially liked getting to see the other boats at the port and walking around the ship.








We then had a day to goof off in Malaga and take a train up to Madrid. When we were in Madrid we spent the afternoon napping in a park. That night we took an overnight train from Madrid to Paris. We got to watch the sun rise as we scooted across country. Our room was small, but nice and the food was 5 star quality. It was a great way to travel.





When we got to Paris we stayed at a guest house outside the city. We took a day to catch our breath and then the next day headed into Paris to take in the sights. The first stop was the Louve museum, a place I have ALWAYS wanted to see. The boys (including Joey) weren't too excited about all the art, but they are so good to me and let me roam around taking it all in. It was incredible to see all those famous paintings I studied once upon a time.



The two paintings that were most impressive to see were the Mona Lisa (thats me standing as close as we could get because of all the people) and then an absolutely huge painting done by a guy named David. It is the coronation of Napoleon and shows him crowning Josephine. Seriously the largest painting I have EVER seen. Both were incredible. The Mona Lisa more because of all the people. It is crazy to think how well known that painting is and its just a little thing. Nothing overly exciting, but incredible just the same.

We left the Louve and headed to Notre Dame. It was pretty cool too.












The boys thought all the birds outside of Notre Dame were more exciting than the building itself. In fact they may have thought the birds were the highlight of Paris.








We made the customary stop at the Eiffel Tower. Joey tried to convince me to take the stairs up to the second or third level. I confess 1000+ stairs just didn't sound like my idea of a good time. Although being born on top of the Eiffel Tower would have been a pretty cool claim to fame for Baby #3!






The next day we took a small walking tour of part of the city. It was nice to window shop and see a little piece of the city that isn't overrun with tourists. We started out in front of this statue of a huge Rhino. The boys were pretty impressed.















We also stopped for some world famous homemade ice cream. It was great even though the temperature outside was around 10 degrees Celsius. (50 degrees F)
















After our two days in Paris we hoped on a train from Paris to London via the Chunnel. It was a fast and nice train. Then we caught a bus to see our good friend Tom in Leicester. We spent two nights there hanging out, eating yummy Indian take out and getting to catch up on life. Finally on Tuesday the 20th we set out on our final leg of the journey. It ended up being the longest, full of the most adventure. Unfortunately no pictures, but a few great videos I might one day figure out how to put on here. We left Leicester at 10 am and arrived in Belfast at 10 pm.

We were so glad to arrive and have had such a great time here. We are looking forward to the arrival of family sometime today and then on Tuesday, November 3rd I'll head in to hospital for the delivery of Baby #3! Can't hardly wait!

Birthdays

Before we left Morocco we decided to celebrate both Josiah's and Benson's birthdays. We knew we'd be traveling and a bit unstable for both of the boys big days, and we wanted them to get to celebrate with their friends in Morocco.

So on our last day in Morocco we had homemade pizza and two yummy cakes. It was so much fun to gather together with all our friends and eat yummy food. The boys got loads of candy and some fun trucks. I'd say it was a birthday success and a great way to spend our last night!


Everyone gathered around the table for pizza.


Josiah's "cool" bus cake. We were hoping for a Semi-truck but it came out looking more like a bus so we went for it :-)


Benson's monkey cake. He was a bit scared of the cake at first. We finally convinced him to touch it and then all was better after that.


All the "big" kids, except one. Birthdays are TOO much fun!

Home Sweet Home...for now :-)

We've made it. Safely arrived on the shores of Northern Ireland last night. It was a great trip full of adventures, loads of train rides, buses and a Ferry or two. We saw good friends, incredible sights and had lots of laughs with our little men. I really want to show you all photos of the trip, but I still need to get them on the computer. So, hopefully knowing we've arrived is enough and as soon as the details of our trip are arranged beautifully on the computer I'll send them your way!

And Away We Go!

Having tried everyday for the last 2 months to get on blogger, I was shocked when this afternoon the internet finally let me connect! I've been quickly scanning all the blogs I so love to read and now I am taking a quick moment to tell you about life. I honestly don't know if anyone even reads this anymore, but here goes just the same :-)

On Tuesday, yes this Tuesday, We begin a slightly crazy, super exciting trip up to Northern Ireland. We are finishing up our year here in Morocco, spending a month or so in N. Ireland to have Baby #3 and then hopefully arriving back in the states in time for Turkey day!!!

Since I am 36 weeks prego this week (wow, I can hardly believe that!) I am too prego to fly. So we'll be hopping on a ferry up to Spain, taking two trains up to Paris. Spending a few nights in Paris to catch our breath and to see a city I have always wanted to see. Then a train across to London via the Chunnel! A bus up to a city north of London to see a good friend, and finally another train and ferry combo until we arrive in Belfast! Whew. But wait that's not all! We'll be met by friends who will then drive us to the house we've rented for our time in Ireland! Can you believe it?! All with two toddlers and a very pregnant me!

Needless to say the boys are EXCITED. Everyday I am reminded that we'll be going on a boat and then two trains in just a few days. Josiah is often telling me that I should save some yummy food item for our trip on the train, or maybe I should make some PB and J so we'll be ready. He is too cute! Benson isn't really sure what its all about, but his brother is excited so he is too.

After we arrive in N. Ireland we'll meet with the Doctor and set up a date for a c-section so we can finally meet Baby #3. Its all pretty exciting, but kinda weird too. This trip is so big, I don't think it will really hit me until after we arrive that we're about to have another little kiddo! It will be fun to have a little "Irish" boy or girl and we've been trying to come up with some good "Irish" names. Haven't fully decided yet, but hopefully once we meet #3 we'll have one all picked out :-)

I hope to keep you better posted from here on out. Not sure what our internet connection will be like until we arrive in the States, but I will do my best :-) Anything will be better than here in Morocco! So, come on back and start reading about our crazy adventures!