Bonjour! That's "hello" in French. I earned some points this year for our four year anniversary. I surprised Jill with a trip to Paris - I woke her up early on Thursday morning and gave her a card - the card said for her to get up and pack her bags because we had a train to catch a few hours later. I didn't stop there - I not only had reservations at the same hotel that we stayed in on our honeymoon, but it was in the same room as well! And one last thing to top it off - we had dinner that night at the place we found during our honeymoon - L' Appart.

Needless to say, she loved every minute of it. This was a great trip because this is the only time we've ever been to Paris when we didn't have to rush around and see all of the sights. Ever since our honeymoon, we've always been to Paris with our families - and we were showing them all of the sights each time. This trip we got to take our time, walk along the river, have drinks in the cafes, shop, and just relax. It was like a totally different trip all together - one trip for the sights, and another to soak up the atmosphere.

We spent the rest of the weekend just strolling around Paris, often stopping off at cafes to relax, have coffee/drinks/desserts, and watch the people go by. We spent most of our time in the Latin Quarter, up on the hill near Sacre Coeur (from there we walked down to the Moulin Rouge), Opera District, and around Champs Elysees. We went to our favorite steak restaurant both of the other nights we were there - Relais de l' Entrecote - for those of you that don't remember, this is the restaurant that only serves steak (and salad, bread, and french fries) - you walk in and they ask how you'd like your steak cooked - no menu (except for desserts, and they're all in French). Their secret steak sauce is incredible - we have just found that they have a sister restaurant in London, so we're anxious to check that one out. We also had our fair share of crepes while we were there - I love all of the chocolate and cakes that Paris has to offer - my sweet tooth never goes unsatisfied there!

We did do a few new things while we were there - we went to the Market of St. Quen (open-air market), Saint-Sulpice (if you've read the Da Vinci Code, you may remember this church - the keystone was supposedly buried beneath an obelisk that lies exactly along the ancient "Rose Line"), and the Catacombs (bone collection of 5-6 million people covering a surface of 11,000 square meters beneath the streets of Paris).

We were back in London for Valentine's Day - we went to our favorite Indian restaurant (Taste of Raj) in Twickenham, and then to the Sweeney Todd play in the Richmond Theater. This theater is right down the street from where we live, and it faces the Richmond Green. So we had a very romantic month - four wonderful years of marriage and our 9th Valentine's Day together. If Jill can put up with me in a small flat for two straight years, I'm good. Jill, I love you very much!

Even though we've lived here for over two years, we still have things that we want to do in London before we move back. And time is running out. We'll be moving back some time this year, so we are trying to go out and do some of the things on our list as often as we can. Last weekend, we climbed The Monument - this was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and built between 1671 and 1677. It commemorates the Great Fire of London in 1666. It will cost you 311 steps to make it to the top, but the view of London is worth it. The fire started on Pudding Lane, and if the Monument turned over on its side, the top will lay in this exact spot. While we were out, we hit Portobello Market again - this is the best market in London, and I'm sure we'll be back several more times before we come home.

Congratulations goes out to Grant and Kelly Robicheaux - John Mitchell was born on February 17th at 1:27am, weighing in at 6 pounds, 7 ounces at a length of 19.75 ounces. Speaking of babies, we'd also like to congratulate Scott and Kim Carter as well as Brandi and Jon Vickers - both are expecting babies later this year. Congratulations to you all - we're excited for everyone and will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.

Well, that's about all we've been up to since the last update - other than trying to stay warm. It's been pretty cold ever since we got back from the States. We left the US in 70 degree weather in late January, and it's been hovering around 32 over here ever since. But I don't think everyone over here knows it's cold - we've seen more than one kid walking to school in shorts - and one of them was doing this while it snowed!

I apologize for not doing a "Year in Review" for 2005, but since March is right around the corner and this is our last year, we'll just sum it all up when we move back home. Until then, we'd love to hear our phone ring a little more often :) We still have the internet phone with a US number, so it shouldn't cost you too much - free if you have nationwide long distance on your cell phone. Our number is 321-206-5906 - in case you forgot, we are 6 hours ahead of CST. And don't forget that time is running out for you to come visit us - now is the time to make your plans - we'd love to have you - free place to stay plus Jill's an excellent tour guide! Seriously, if you can, please do it - you won't regret it - call us right now (unless it's in the middle of the night over here) - don't put it off! Here are our updated pictures - Paris and London. Don't forget to check out the other updates you may have missed. We love and miss you all - take care and God bless!