16K Paris to Versailles

My friend Jennifer and I committed to running the 16K Paris to Versailles Race. Being that I hadn't run a race in a while, I figured it was time to set a goal and make it happen. Believe me when I started running in the beginning it was HARD WORK...but now I have found the love of running again and sometimes crave to hit the road and just run. 

At the expo they have a huge wall with every name that is registered for the race. So of course, we had to find ours. With the 25,000+ runners it was like "find Waldo" on that huge wall.

Race numbers claimed...

The race started at the Eiffel Tower and ran up to through the city and ending at the Palace of Versailles. 

Of course we had to get a before race selfie under the Eiffel Tower. 

The crooked picture below (wouldn't let me rotate it) shows the elevation change during the race. Eek!

The run was so much fun...but wow for those hills! Neither of us really paid much attention to the elevation changes on the course before hand. The beginning of the race was up, and more up, and them more up! But the bonus of dealing with the brutal hills was turning around and seeing a view of Paris from above. (I would of taken a picture, but there was no stopping for me, so a mental picture was taken). 

There were 3 different terrains that we ran on; cobblestones, road and trails. The one I least liked was the cobblestones...eeek! Thankfully it was only a little bit so it didn't do my knees too much damage.

The stretching after the race is just what the doctor ordered.

The next day we celebrated by buying macaroons for us to enjoy as well as to take back to our friends at work.

I would love to do this race again in the future. Great course, fantastic scenery and most of all company that I love.

Wein Wanderung

This time of year means it is festival season! We love doing the wine/culinary hike every year in our area. It was a perfect weather day, mid 60's sunshine and no wind. 

Plus the great thing about it was no kids! Jackson and Grace hung out with Mason and Willow so we could take our time and enjoy the 10 km trail.

                                           

                              

                              

(Flag) Football

Jackson is so excited to start football this year. He played playing German soccer in the past, but wanted to take a break and try out flag football. He has been practicing for a couple weeks and excited would be an understatement. Today was opening ceremonies and we woke up to before 7 o'clock him fully dressed in his uniform ready to go...and the opening ceremonies didn't start till nine! He did great on his first game, scored a touchdown (although there was a penalty on it) and ran lots of plays on the field. This boy is definitely fast and ready to play the game!

First Day of School

And so it begins...school!

We had a fantastic summer full of visitors and a lot of travel within Europe. 

I have been lazy with the blog and playing "catch-up" with our events. I have made a promise to myself that I will be better at blogging and documenting life with the Scherden's.

These kids were excited (even though they wouldn't truly admit it) that the first day of school was here. We had prepared them for about a week of early bedtime routines to get them used to going to bed at a decent hour. Thankfully it paid off and waking up for the first day wasn't too bad.

Jackson: 4th Grade

Teacher: Mrs. Chrisman, Mr. O'Connor and Mrs. Knoblauch. He has a cluster teaching system where he travels to three teachers for different subjects. This is a great group of teachers who have a great system down to teach the kids. We are so thankful for them!

Grace: 2nd Grade

Teacher: Ms. Speraw

Amanda is a friend of ours (and her daughter, Alyssa, is a friend of Grace) who we trust and know that she will have a great year ahead of her. Grace knows her, loves her and will do great this year in her class!

Burg Eltz

One of the last day trips with my parents was a visit to Burg Eltz. It is about 2 hours from us and an easy day trip. 

We were hungry along the way and happened upon this little restaurant that was tucked way inside the forest. The menu consisted of one 2 things on the menu that were made fresh and not previously prepared. If I can remember correctly the frame of the building is from the late 1400's.

 The hike to Burg Eltz from the parking lot takes about 20 minutes. Once we rounded the corner it was so neat to see the castle.

 You can see how they made the castle around the rock at the top. Very unique!

 Before we took a tour, we visited the museum where a lot of the artifacts that were found there are housed. Some of these guns were from the 1500's. 

We weren't allowed to take any pictures inside during the tour. The tour took us through the main rooms in the castle such as the dining quarters, meeting area, bedrooms and the kitchen. The most expensive thing inside the castle is a painting of Madonna and child that was commissioned by Martin Luther as a gift to the king. 

More Firenze...

Being that we were in Italy we enjoyed gelato everyday. This place (Gelateria Edoardo Firenze) was the best gelato I had the entire time we were there. They make the gelato with organic milk, eggs and cream and serve them in the container that they are made in. According to our Italian cooking teacher she said that is how you know you have good gelato. The places that serve it with huge mounds in the cases are made in too big of quantities and not a quality gelato.

                                                

Being that we were in Florence we went to museums and viewed a lot of artwork. This is called the "Rape of the Sabine Woman." It is carved from one piece of marble and absolutely amazing piece of art work. You can't see it in the picture, but there is a wire that goes all the way down that statue that electric to keep the birds from landing and pooping on it. Funny!

 The view from the museum down on the river and bridge.

 One of Michaelangelo's paintings "The Doni Tondo"

 Of course being that we were in Florence, we had to see "David." I have to tell you it was a sight to see and gave me chill bumps seeing it.

It is in a building that from the outside that I would never think would hold such an famous piece.

Along the hall that leads up to "David" are more of Michelangelo's sculptures that he didn't complete. The row of marble sculptures's is called "The Prisoners." Michelangelo did not feel that the carvings were worthy to be finished so he started them and left them half if not very minimally finished. I wish I would of taken a picture of them. They were fascinating!