French Riviera: Nice

   Our last day in the French Riviera was spent in Nice {a 30 minute drive from Menton}. After driving around for what seemed like forever, we found a parking garage that fit our large rental van. Aaron got us a map of the city from a hotel and we started exploring the beautiful city.

French Riviera: Monaco

    After exploring Menton Saturday morning, we took a short ten minute train ride to Monaco. I didn't know much about it until Kelsey gave me a little background info. After doing a little research on my own, I learned that Monaco is the second smallest country in the world {the first is Vatican City} and known to be a hot spot for the rich and famous.  It has the lowest poverty rate and highest number of millionaire and billionaires per capita in the world. The annual Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race is is also held there.
   So, now that you know a little background info, here is how we spent our afternoon exploring Monaco. First we had to figure our way out of the train station. It was really confusing and there were stairs everywhere. Eventually we decided to just take the boys down the stairs in their strollers and start walking. One thing we learned was not to try to cross the street outside of a crosswalk. You will get a whistle blown at you by the MANY police officers patrolling the streets. We learned that early one when Aaron tried to rush across the street to see the yachts.

See the police officers? They were everywhere!

French Riviera: Menton

   This past weekend, we went on a quick weekend getaway to the French Riviera. Our friends were planning a trip and invited us, so I convinced Aaron and he said sure! We stayed in Menton {also known as The Pearl Of France} both nights, but also visited Monaco and Nice. It was such a laid back weekend spent roaming the streets, playing on the beach, and eating delicious food. We couldn't have asked for better weather during this time of year. It was in the 50's and 60's during the day, so warm in the sun, and cooler in the shade.

 View of our hotel, Vacances Bleues Royal Minister, from the beach.

Aaron's Birthday Weekend

    I like to celebrate birthdays for longer than just one day. That's just how I am, and it drives my husband pretty crazy. He turned 28 on Thursday,10/2. Since he had to work, we starting the weekend celebration when he got off work by opening presents and going to a concert at his work {his choice}. We stayed for a couple hours, and then came home. It was fun to get out of the house and do something different in the evening besides catching up on our TV shows. Well, we did that once we got home anyways!

    Even though it was Aaron's birthday, I got an early birthday gift: sunglasses.

Charleston: Day 3

     On Monday morning, we planned on waking up early so that we could go visit a plantation. We didn't even need to bother setting an alarm because Connor kept us up almost all night. I think it was a mixture or teething, and not being at home in his own crib. We are going to be in trouble when we move because he doesn't seem to travel very well.

    We ate a small breakfast and left the hotel shortly after. The drive to the plantation was beautiful.

Charleston: Day 2

    Connor woke us up at 7 o'clock... his usual. Aaron took a shower with him to clean him up (there wasn't a tub) since he didn't get a bath the night before. He had so much fun splashing the water as it came out of the shower head. After we all got dressed, we went downstairs and ate breakfast. He started getting cranky by the end and was ready for his morning nap. He fell asleep as soon as we got in the car and started driving downtown.

       One of the things Corrie and I wanted to do was go shopping on King St. There were tons of stores, but most of them were closed or too expensive, so we just walked by.

Charleston: Day 1

    Since we have lived in North Carolina, we haven't been anywhere besides Raleigh and Charlotte. We always said we wanted to visit other places on the East Coast, but just haven't made time to go. Our friends Corrie and Matt have been stationed in Italy and just moved back to the states. They are currently in Alabama for Matt's training, so not too far from us. Corrie and I really wanted to see each other before we move, so we made plans to meet in Charleston Valentine's weekend.

    On Saturday morning, it was cold and rainy. I didn't want to get out of bed, but Connor woke us up pretty early. We ate breakfast, got ready, finished packing, and were out the door by 9:30. We were cramped in the car, and I joked that Princess Kylie had more room than any of us... because she did. Spoiled dog! We stopped for lunch at a Mexican restaurant about an hour away from Charleston. The food was so good, but I was miserable after eating. Aaron has a new favorite place to eat Mexican food. Too bad it's 2 hours away from where we live.

 Back on the road after eating a big lunch!