Spending time with the Blouins

Hard to believe that our last guests have come and gone!  Gerald (Daryl's brother), Carrie, Julia, and Kate were with us for a week, and just left yesterday.  The week started off unbearably hot, where all we wanted to do was swim in the pool, however as it cooled off we were able to get out a bit.  We really enjoyed having you guys.....thanks for the visit!

The Blouins in Antibes

Kate, Julia, and Marcus having fun on the beach in Antibes

Marcus in his glory on the beach, dancing with his baguette

Family bike ride in San Remo

Celebrating all of the birthdays that we missed together

Saying good-bye to the Blouins......see you in Canada next week!

Family trip to the Gorges de Verdon and Moustiers - Ste. Marie

Between guests, we took a day trip further up into the mountains (on a very windy mountain road) to the Gorges de Verdon, and the village of Moustiers - Ste. Marie.  As it was incredibly hot that day, we didn't last long in Moustiers, and headed down to Lac de Ste. Croix for a swim.  Absolutely breathtaking surroundings.  One of the favourites for sure!

View of the Gorges de Verdon leading into Lac de Ste. Croix
 (taken from the side of the road)

Beautiful village of Moustiers - Ste. Marie

C and S enjoying the surroundings in Moustiers

Another view of Moustiers

Getting ready for a swim in Lac de Ste. Croix

Claire's Black Shoes

Well, you may think it is odd that a pair of shoes would get their very own blog post, however Claire's black shoes were not just any shoes.  These shoes have been the only  shoes she would wear since fall, and took her all around the south of France (despite the fact that they were a bit big and made her fall numerous times).  And let me tell you, they really needed to go.  I tried many times to replace them, but only very recently did we succeed.  So, here is a tribute to 'the shoes'!

The last pose with 'the shoes'

Good-bye black shoes
 (Claire couldn't even put them in the garbage herself, as it was too difficult for her!)

Aunty Shelley arrives!

We welcomed Aunty Shelley (Daryl's sister) for a visit the first week of June.  We visited the Molinard Perfumery in Grasse, tried out the 'Visiobulle' in Juan les Pins, and enjoyed a day in San Remo.  Thanks for the visit Shelley!

Molinard Perfumery, Grasse

Lunch in Grasse

Took a tour of the cap d'Antibes on the 'Visiobulle', Juan les Pins

Checking out under the sea in the Visiobulle

Market in San Remo

Gotta love the pasta and wine in San Remo!

These tiny 3 wheeled trucks were quite common in San Remo

One of the many beaches in San Remo

A visit from the Websters and the 'no-kid' Reagans...

We very much enjoyed a visit from my sister and her family (the Websters), and my younger brother and his wife (the no-kid Reagans).  It was a memorable adventure touring around with 7 kids :o)  We loved seeing you all!

Mother's Day bike 'race' in San Remo, Italy (team red)

team yellow

Brunch in San Remo for Mother's day with the Websters

San Remo photo shoot (only one unhappy camper)

visiting Tourettes sur Loup

picnic lunch at Bois des Lutins

Uncle Pat giving the boys a ride at Bois des Lutins

the 'Web-Blou' sisters (so they informed us)

Cousins posing in Saint Paul

the 'no-kid' Reagans - we love them!

Nimes and the Pont du Gard

We finally made it out on a day trip that we have wanted to take since we arrived.  We headed out to Nimes and the Pont du Gard.  One of the most memorable days we have had, as seeing structures that were built almost 2000 years ago is truly amazing!

A visit to the best preserved amphitheatre from the Roman world

Learning about the history of gladiators and ancient Roman games

Kids were surprisingly interested.....

Next stop, the Pont du Gard, which is an aqueduct built in ~ 24 AD to bring water in to Nimes

Family pose under the Pont du Gard

Marcus really wanted to be in our picture with the old olive tree

Background info on the old olive tree, planted in 908.....1106 years ago!

One of the vineyards we passed by on the way home

Stopped at the side of the road to take a picture of three of my favourite things in France.....olive trees, wild poppies, and vineyards :o)

A Champagne Celebration!

Wow......it was a very special day when Daryl completed his last exam to complete the requirements for the MBA program. This called for an authentic Champagne celebration!  The kids and I are very proud of him, as throughout the past 2 years he has worn the hats of husband, daddy, and student very well.  Some days I don't know how he did it!  We are now starting to wind down here in France, as we prepare for our return to Canada on June 26th.  It will be difficult to say good-bye to the life we have built here, and the wonderful people who have been so good to us, however the fond memories will always be with us :o)  Looking forward to seeing friends and family back home before long, and giving you all some 'bisous bisous'!

Celebrating with some Champagne and orangina!

A toast to the end of a chapter :o)