If you are following on instagram, you are well aware that we have just returned from a Thanksgiving trip to Paris! We packed a lot in, and it may be the best vacation we have ever been on as a family. Our adult kids are 29, 27, and soon to be 23, and it seems like it has been a while since we have been on a full family vacation ~ all five of us. This trip provided a lot of togetherness, and I was in heaven!

Here’s the deal. The pics on instagram and in this upcoming series of posts make everything look pretty glossy and perfect. But I want you to know, there were arguments. We love each other deeply and unconditionally, but that doesn’t always translate to harmonious interaction. I just feel compelled to share this behind-the-scenes tidbit because I don’t think portraying perfection feels honest or realistic. The vacation was amazing! We all left happy and full of gratitude and love. But we also yelled and argued and had to pay attention and concentrate on being a loving family unit and better humans in general. We are what I like to call, normal.

Ok! Let’s begin with the day of our arrival. By the way, all the stories I posted on instagram, while in Paris, are saved in the Paris highlight on my profile page for future reference, HERE. Instagram was actually instrumental in planning the activities for this trip! I had plenty of ideas of my own, but instagram accounts like @pariswithlanden really added some quality stops to the list!

The hotel provided transfer from the airport, which means they met us at our gate, took us right through customs to baggage claim, then to the awaiting van. (Hey basketball fans, Tony Parker was right in front of us at the customs counter!) That transfer luxury was a game changer ~ stress relieving beyond measure.

Our flights from Nebraska, Utah and Montana delivered us in Paris at 8am reasonably crabby and tired with our brains telling us it was 2am. Rain and traffic and an accident all contributed to an almost two hour ride to the hotel, and you can imagine how fun that was.

Once we arrived at Hotel Lutetia, things escalated to awesome pretty quickly. This is the gorgeous bar right off the lobby. . .

The hotel recently closed it’s doors for four years to undergo a major $234M makeover. The classic Art Deco interior is stunning in this historic Paris icon on the Left Bank. More on the hotel in another post. . .

After a nap and shower, we met for lunch at the hotel restaurant, Brasserie Lutetia, and then walked to the Eiffel Tower. It was a chilly, rainy day, but we were so excited, and began to take in the sights of Paris.

Fall in Paris is absolutely beautiful, rain or shine.

Our daughter Hillary and her boyfriend. . .

Actual French tangerines spotted on our walk. . .

We celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary that night with the family at Girafe Paris, which was very special. So delicious and an incredible view!

This restaurant is an example of a fun find from @pariswithlanden! She is a relative of our good family friends, and has lived in Paris for a few years. Her wonderful instagram account features her Paris favorites and travels around France. . .

Day 2 activities coming up next include Musee d’Orsay and Catacombs of Paris.