Palace of Versailles

The French really know how to put on breakfast.  We were so spoiled with fresh french pasteries
Fresly squeezed orange juice yogurts and fresh fruit cups.  YUMMM

Bastianclan ready to dig into this amazing breakfast. 

See how flakey the pastries are.  YUMMM  

Brooklyn, Chandler, and Kayden at the gates of  the Palace of Versalilles

I can not believe how long this line was.  We got to the Palace 1 1/2 hours before it opened and this is how long the line
already was.  Wow!  

My cute family hanging out in line, we waited about 30 minutes before we could explore the Palace of Versailles.

Kayden, Brookyn and Chandler at the Golden Gate of Versailles. 

This was the view just after we went through security and
entered the Courtyard of Versailles.  

It's hard to beleive that the palace of Versailles started out as a "Hunting Lodge".  It wasn't until King Louis XIV
became King he transformed this hunting Lodge into the Amazing Palace we all know.  King Louis spared no expense.  It took 50 years to build the palace.  Wow

Bastianclan in front of the Palace of Versailles.  I was so surprised we got such a beautiful pictures.  There were so many people there.  I can't believe the courtyard was not filled with people. (I guess it pays to be early!)

The Royal Chapel (Holy Chapel) was Two-Stories.
The top was for the Royal family and important people of the court. The bottom was for the rest of the congregation. Exploring the Palace was truly a 360 degree experience you had to look all around
up and down and all around.  There was exquisite artwork,marble walls, and gold in every direction. 

They had just massive halls, Sculptures, and Chandeliers all throughout the Palace. 

The kids are on the Grand staircase headed to the State Rooms. 

Beautiful Marble Floor. 

Louise XIV (1638-1715)

Marie-Therese Reine De France (1638-1683)

Beautiful Grand Staircase. 

I was blown away with the detail in the statues.  This was just a hat and the feather.  It's remarkable. 

Massive halls and Paintings. 

Kayden loved this statue he wanted me to take a picture of the lion. 

The palace had Enormous Canopied Beds, and beautiful chandeliers. 

Jeremy and I headed into the Hall of Mirrors.

The Hall of Mirros functioned as a passageway giving access to the Kings Apartment.

24 Chandeliers are hung in the Hall of Mirrors. 

Our Baby Turns 12

It really is hard to believe our baby is 12.  No more primary aged kids for us.  All three of my kids are now in the youth program. I really wish I could freeze time and stop Chandler from growing up. Chandler, loves football, he likes pokemon, He loves Flat hats, He is a Tenderfoot in scouts. His favorite color is Green. Of course he loves Legos.

I was super excited for Chandler's Theme this year.
We did a Lego theme and I had a lot of fun making lots of Paper Legos for Chan's door.

Chan's Lego Table

Brooklyn made this super cute Lego Sign.  We all came up with a Lego quote to go on his paper.

Lego Happy Birthday Banner.

Here is Chandler's awesome door.  It's too bad you can't see the 3D effect on his door.
I love it!!  His door reads, "Everything is Awesome Chandler is 12"

I love capturing his face as he opens his gifts.

I think he is super excited. 

Chandler was finding out where he was going for his 12th Birthday Trip. 

This is what he did when he found out he was going on a weekend trip to...
 LEGO LAND.
He was so excited, just a weekend with Mom and Dad.

Chandler wanted to go to Vapiano for dinner.  

His very own Carbonaria and Coke.   

I made a cute chocolate Lego Cake.

Chandler used his new Fidget spinner to blow out his candles.
Happy Happy Birthday Sweet Chandler.  We love you so much. 

Paris Temple Open House

We love to see the Temple.
We feel extremely blessed to be able to attend the Paris France Open house.

After a 4 1/2 hour drive and checking into our hotel we all got
changed and ready for our 7:00pm viewing of the temple.

There is always time to stop and smell the roses. 

Kayden, Brooklyn and Chandler in front of the Paris, France Temple.

The temple is on a busy main street in France.  So there is not a lot of space in front of the temple.
But I love how the Temple matches the architect of Paris.  This temple fits right into it's surroundings. 

Kayden, Brooklyn, and Chandler, learning all about Temples and why they are important and why we build them

Bastianclan and the Temple De Paris.

Inside the temple featured floral pattern motifs
based on local plants and floral designs from Claude Monet's work.
Lots of cornflowers, lilacs, hollyhocks, and several types of lilies. It was breathtaking.

The blue and green stained glass throughout the temple was just amazing.
I wanted to just sit on the stairs and look up to the massive stained glass skylight

Look how cool this lamp is in the garden.

I loved every single detail. 

More etched glass.

French gardens

Loved the etched glass and all the flowers throughout the temple.

This stained glass is in the visitor's center for all to enjoy.
Isn't it beautiful?

The Gardens has a couple fountains as well.
I'm so blessed to be married to this man for All Eternity.
What a lucky Girl I am. 

Kayden (17) at the Paris, France Temple.

Brooklyn (14) At the Paris, Temple.

Chandler (12) At The Paris Temple.

Holiness to the Lord,
House of the Lord. 

April 2017 is when we go to go inside the Temple.

Bastianclan in front of the Marble replica of Thorvaldsen's Christus statue.
It was crafted in Rome, Italy.
I love my family and I'm so happy we are Sealed for Time and All Eternity.

To get more information and to see the inside of the temple go to this Video
See the video here.