Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sorry for the absence in posts, but we have been away!  We surprised our boys with a last minute trip to Disney World, and then met Todd's sister in Paris just after Christmas.  We just returned home tonight!

So, a delayed Merry Christmas, and a very Happy, and Prosperous 2012 to you all!

Bonne Annee!

Grandma and Grandpa arrive!

Grandma and Grandpa came to visit!  They arrived on Dec 1st, and unfortunately, they leave tomorrow...We have kept them very busy though, so I am sure they will need a vacation when they get home.  When they arrived, they were greeted with screams of delight--Grandpa said he heard the kids before he saw them!!  I am sure Nathan gave them both the run down of everything that has happened in the last 3 months!  

We managed to try out a few cafes, for a cafe, or in Mom's case, cafe allonge avec creme (cafe americano with creme!).  Dad even managed to get "in" at the local cafe, where he got discounts on his cafe, vin, or biere!  The owner would wave to Dad as he walked by!  

 Cracking hazelnuts with Grandpa!

This is an app, iPostale, that creates postcards using photos on your iPhone.  It even lets you put your own image in as the stamp.   

 Grandpa and Grandma trying escargot for the first time. Grandma also tried mussels for the first time as well! 

 Dad in his French Chapeau, enjoying a verre de vin, as his local hangout--Cafe des Negotiates

 We finally made it up to Paul Cezanne's atelier, and the grounds were amazing (as was the workshop itself!).  Below is an incredibly huge tree.  The grounds were around 2 acres, and had lots of paths through the trees.  The boys loved it!  They made sure to note, that this (random) tree stump is probably where Cezanne sat to paint....

Out for a fancy supper without the kids!  We even tried steak tartare!  Not sure it's one of my favourite dishes, but it wasn't bad.  Not sure I could eat a whole portion of it though...

We took an evening drive up the hill to Eguilles, which is just 10 minutes outside of Aix.  It has a spectacular view!  We arrived just as the sun had gone down, so we could just make out the valley, but soon just the lights were twinkling!

An early Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma!  Cheezies, pringles, Hickory Sticks, Cheese and Crackers....what more could kids ask for!  Noah had to put his Christmas jambes on the pile, since they were "Christmassy"!  

Maybe someone has had a bit too much wine!!  

The Best Friends a Girl could have.....

It was so wonderful to have my two best girls join me in France! We do try to Skype once week, but it was so fantastic to see them in person.  My only regret--that they had to leave!!!   We really didn't get up too much, other than exploring the town--lunches out, shopping, cafe....many late nights sitting around chatting, watching our favourite movies, and drinking wine--okay, I won't lie, I may have had one- two glasses the entire time, I really still don't like to drink...I tried...really, I did.
Between the 3 of us, we have 10 kids!  1 teenager, and then the others range in age from almost two to eight.  So, sometimes, we act a little crazy....
We did enjoy one night out without the kids.  It was a great break, and lots of fun!  Another friend was able to join us the first day of the girls trip.  She is actually from Calgary as well, but living in France for the year too!  Carol is actually the one who planted the seed in Todd's head.  Please see her blog to check out what they are up too!

Anyways, here are some of the pictures, taken by Sarah, Kerri Ann, and myself.

Guess the boys get it from me....

 Seriously, I love these two gals....

12 weeks in......

Time is a tricky and deceptive thing....it goes by so quickly, and yet it can also tick along so slowly.....

We are now in our 12th week, almost 3 full months, 1/4 of a year.  It seems like just yesterday we arrived, and yet I still feel like we have forever to go.  Life is actually really good here right now.  I think I have finally gotten out of my funk (for now anyways!), and I am enjoying my time.  Maybe it is due to the fact we have had some wonderful visits from friends and family back home, maybe due to the fact that we are having new friends over for suppers, maybe that I have volunteered for so much at school....but it feels like I have finally gotten some of my "old" life back.  Maybe it is knowing that I only have 8 months to go.......

 A few interesting things this week......

• went on  2 field trips with Noah's class.  One to the cinema to watch a short film, and the other to an art gallery.  The cinema trip was fab--kids walked over 2 km to get there and back, were well behaved, and so super cute!!  Art Gallery trip---Gong Show!  Really, who takes 28 three-year-olds to an art gallery???  Touché pas, touché pas, touché pas.......
• after the art gallery trip, a few of us moms (2 Canadian and 2 French) went out for a cafe.  It went well.  I understood some of what was being said, but I am really looking forward to starting the French language lessons in January!  It was nice to be included in something like that....it felt like a milestone......
• I will be participating in a bake sale after school this Friday.  Not sure yet what I should make....I am limited in my baking supplies here at the house.....maybe rice krispie squares dipped in chocolate.  

So, for today, France is my friend....we are still testing the waters, but it feels like we are making headway.  Bonsoir, mes amis.....  

Photo courtesy of Kerri Ann Day

Hate to do this......

.....but, the weather here is fabulous!

 Roses still blooming! 

This is our weather the last 2 days!  Right around 20 degrees, and we are loving it!!!  Sorry to all those who see this, and are currently watching it snow!