This morning dawned dark, gloomy, rainy, and cold but we didn’t let it damper our spirits at all! 

We met at Paillard for breakfast, Alan and I had some kind of croissant breakfast sandwich Sarah recommended and it was delicious. Ryanna had a croissant with jelly and Bree had an escargot de raisin…cinnamon roll with raisins in English. She thought it somehow had snails in it! 

After breakfast we headed out to go bowling…petit bowling with tiny little balls! 

Our one and only group photo! 

We had a great time bowling. The kids enjoyed it and Sophia managed to beat Uncle Alan in the first game. He couldn’t quite get the tiny little ball and that the lighter you threw it the better it went. 

After wards we braved the rain and headed again to Eastside Marios this is Ashlyn’s favorite restaurant and we are celebrating her 10th birthday today while we are here so this is where she picked! It was once again delicious! 

I can’t believe my first niece is 10 years old! Time sure flies!

In an effort to make every minute count on our last day we headed over to Mega Parc again, this time to ice skate! 

When we got there the rink was only open for another 30 minutes so they let us skate for free! We quickly laced up and headed out. I was the photographer, and it was so funny to see everyone’s different personalities on the ice. Dakota was carefree, Ashlyn was cautious but skilled in every movement. Ryanna was NOT skilled in every movement and I thought we might end up with a broken bone but she was so happy. Bree was terrified, she barely let go of the edge and that was only to hold Daddy’s hand. Sophia was safe and tucked into her daddy’s legs enjoying her ride around the rink.  

Due to free ice skating we had enough points to ride the coaster again, hip hop, and Sophia got to ride her turtles again! 

The rain had stopped but the clouds were still sitting low, and we weren’t sure what to do, so we settled on heading home and playing with water balloons. 

Uncle Josh made dinner and we enjoyed the last few hours together. I cuddled my littlest niece knowing the next time I see her she will be so very different. 

Goodbyes are always hard, Bree couldn’t contain her tears and she ripped my heart from my chest as she broke down crying out she didn’t want to leave them. It’s always so hard when they are sad. The older girls were stoic, trying not to cry. I even held my tears until we reached the car…it’s times like these when Alan really feels being the only man in the family with 3 emotional girls. He did his best to console us with promises of more FaceTime and visits but we all know it could possibly be a year before we see them again. 

Although our family is spread far and wide, and although there are times we all drive each other crazy, we love each other dearly. We might not always show it, we might harass or aggravate each other, we might cry and laugh, but in the end we are all The Campbells. I love my little family and every little member. From Daddy Campbell who leads our family, I know he is always there no mater how far away he is. Mama who keeps our family connected, she does her best to keep us together no matter how far apart we are. Alan who is in the best sense the big brother. He is always there to carry on in Daddy’s absence. A strong level headed figure in our family. Josh who is the care free middle child living life to the fullest experiencing all there is to experience. His compassion for Christ is addictive. Sarah who is the most loving caring mother one can ever see…watching her with her 4 children brought tears to my eyes. God blessed those kids giving them her as a mom. She always took time for each one, holding and cuddling each one. Travis is the brother who joined us later, but has slipped right into this family adding stories and laughter to our lives, a piece we didn’t know we were missing. Laura is the little sister, we have all at one point taken care of her, but sadly and proudly she doesn’t need us anymore. She has grown up into such a great woman/mama/wife. 

Then the littles begin. Ryanna, happy, cheerful and exciting, she reminds me of Uncle Josh. Ashlyn, quiet, calm, and caring. Bree, shy, loyal and loving. Dakota, brave, sweet, and all boy. Sophia, cute, crazy and just adorable! Henry, loveable, smiley and downright handsome. Sweet Analee, quiet, sleepy and beautiful. 

My family…so far away but always in my heart. 

We are now on our way to see Henry!