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!!