La France est magnifique! (day 1)

Bonjour! We have returned from our whirlwind tour of France and are SO happy to be home. Reality is a little bit biting...our Christmas tree is still up in its golden glory, our mantel still has the Willow Tree nativity set up, our banister is wound up in garland, and our lights are dripping with rainwater outside the front door. Oh well, maybe it will all get put away before Valentine's...just maybe.

Onward to France!

Day 1: Sarah picked us up at the airport and lead us via rail to Paris, where we visited Notre Dame, which provided us refuge from the wet weather. A boy choir was practicing inside, and it made the whole experience so ethereal and magestic. You couldn't help but feel closer to God in the cathedral. I was constantly reminded about how talented the masons were who created this building; it is such a work of art! It made me eager to dig into the book Pillars of the Earth, when I get home. Alas, I looked high and low, but no sight of the hunchback or Esmerelda. After our lunch, we boarded the train to Sarah's hometown, Clermont-Ferrand. After checking in to our hotel, we had a delicious French-style dinner at Sarah's apartment. What a tiring but adventurous and delicious day!

Lunch: Aaron's salmon tartine & delicious fries

Lunch: I had to get French onion soup!
So yummy.

Dinner: Sarah purchased an authentic "King's Cake"
for us to eat for dessert. SO. good.

Next: Touring & eating in Clermont with Sarah!