GREECE: Day 1

So, to be honest, day 1 is the flight from Salt Lake to Paris, then Paris to Athens, then to the hotel. We met our group at the airport at 3pm MDT (11pm Athens time), after saying good-bye to our kids at Dave & Robyn's house. Lyssa was sad, but Trey was too excited to play with cousins to be sad. :) We made it through security and onto the plane to take off at 6pm.

Here is a picture of TJay & Ky at the beginning of a 10 hour plane ride (they didn't look this chipper in Paris). The chicken dinner was pretty tasty, the movies were alright (although my sound system didn't work) and it got dark enough and late enough that we slept - however uncomfortably. At one point, TJay & KY switched seats so T was by the window and Ky was laying on her Daddy.

Kylie got a fantastic photo of the Alps! They are amazing to see from the air! So many mountains so high and so close together. It was a truly magnificent sight. I'm so happy we were by the window so we could look down on the gorgeous snow capped wonder of nature. This is us on our 2nd plane from Paris to Athens. It was a smaller plane and we all were able to sit by each other. Pretty tired at this point, but very excited. We are now officially in Europe!

Then we got off the plane at the Charles DeGaulle airport, ran through the entire airport (got frisked yet again - Ky & I got frisked in each airport) and then walked outside - yes, I walked on French soil and breathed in the air. As far as I'm concerned, I was in France! And we got onto another plane to fly for 3 hours to Athens (this is 11am Paris and noon in Athens - 4 am in Utah).

So, as we flew away from Paris, we got pictures of the Eiffel Tower - it's the tall thing in the background. That is as close as we got to touring Paris on this trip. Bummer. It was pretty cool to see it from the airplane. Some day I'll have to go up close to see it.

Then we got to Athens, met our guide - Christiane and rode to our hotel in Glyfada. We unpacked, ate and went to bed. It was a long & exciting first day.

Quick Check In

TJay says he hates it when people blog that they should blog more. So, sweetie, don't read any more! It's been almost a year - and what a year! I stopped blogging because I couldn't talk about what was going on with work - and it was stressful & all-consuming. Then I just got out of the habit. So, long story short: Summer was awesome! We went to California & Lake Tahoe and saw family and Mickey Mouse - and the ocean (LOVE IT!). Mom only took 1 three day class this summer and played with the kids. We finished our basement! woo hoo! Now the girls have their own "wing" with bedrooms & a bathroom literally made for a girl (or two). We painted Trey's room & got him a car bed for his "cars" themed room. Happy guy now has his own bathroom (no girlie mess in there).

School began at Odyssey: Ky in 8th, Lyss & I in 5th, Trey in 1st. Dad's company got bought out by Visa, so he switched companies for the 2nd time without moving his desk. :) Crazy ensued and Mom got a new job as a Reading Specialist at another school, so she, Trey & Lyss went to a new school after Thanksgiving. Ky stayed at Odyssey for her final 8th grade year with her friends. Crazy, crazy time.

Dad got a new job in December. He now works for Imagine Learning which produces reading/english programs for kids & schools. He LOVES it there!!

Christmas was spent at home doing fun activities for the entire week after Christmas (Dad had the week off too). We had a great time and got a lot of gifts to prepare to go to Greece (in March - Dad, Mom & KY).

Now it's February and mom & dad both love our jobs. I am now the lead teacher in the language arts department and crazy reigns, but loving it. I am taking a reading class to get my reading endorsement, so I'm back in school. I think school & learning new things is my addiction of choice. The kids are all happy at their respective schools. We are blessed to have kind, happy, smart children!

Tomorrow I sign Ky up for high school, yes, she will be in 9th grade! She begins HS racqetball team practice in April (after we get home from Greece - yes, I'm excited). She played doubles with her dad in the UVU racquetball tournament. The college men were suprised when they found out she was 14. They ended up being impressed after playing her.

There is the update for now. Maybe I'll post more, maybe I won't. Didn't do a Christmas card/letter this year, too crazy. So, consider this blog your card! :)