La Rentree 2013

Charlie AND Ruthie headed to school this September. Charlie is in the grande section (and loving it). Ruthie is in the petite section and tolerating it. I have a feeling she secretly likes it. Ruthie is the only english speaker in her class, Charlie has a few classmates who speak english.

Charlie has started staying for canteen once to twice a week and loves it. It is the American equivalent to the cafeteria. They have an appetizer, which is normally a salad, a main dish, such as lamb, veal, fish or pork, a yogurt/cheese course and then dessert.

Ready or not here come the Williams kids!!!! 

A new addition...

In late March/early April we will become a family of 6! The kids are thrilled and Charlie is rooting for a brother. We'll find out on his/her birthday. :) If it's a boy I will be back in the US sometime in late spring.

Saint-Saturnin

We hiked Saint-Saturnin this past Sunday. It was a little windy but what a beautiful hike! We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful part of France.

Other summer happenings.

We did a lot of exploring this summer. Here are some other adventures we went on...

 We visited Charroux. A medival village known for its soap, mustard and candle making. 

 An old city gate.

 Love French villages. 

 We always find the village playground. 

Eating. We do this a lot in France. 

 July 4th with all the expats at Jardin Le Coq!

 If it's sunny we're hiking. Love exploring France this way.

 Lake Chambon with friends. Such a fun day.

 With 6 kids 5 and under it's always snack time...

 On one side of the lake they had a beach and on the other a super shallow pool that the kids loved and a playground.

Charlie on the zipline at the lake. 

It's been awhile...sorry.

So I've pretty much been a terrible blogger and have neglected the blog for far too long. Lots has happened since our last post!

Rick made a trip back to the states in late July and Charlie turned 5 years old! In August we went to the Normandy region of France. We stayed in a bed and breakfast that was right in the middle of where the 1st airborne parachuted into France. It was amazing to see and witness the history all around us. We went to Utah and Omaha beaches, the American cemetary, several bunker sites, Pointe du Hoc, Mont St Michel, and the Palace of Versailles (and I few things inbetween).

Once we got back we did laundry and loaded the car up again and headed out toward Tuscany. Rick's parents joined us for the trip and we had a great time exploring Italy! We visited Pisa, Siena, Florence and a few castles in neighboring villages. We did take advantage of the pool at our villa every afternoon!

Our summer was busy but wonderful!

 Happy 5th Birthday Charlie!!

 Yeah for cake and Spiderman masks, plates and napkins (he was so excited!!).

 B & B in Normandy

 Fields of sunflowers, they were beautiful and what we saw on our entire drive to Normandy.

 Omaha beach from a German bunker.

 Playing on Omaha Beach. How many kids get to do that?!

 American Cemetary.

 Family shot at the American Cemetary.

 Playing on Utah Beach. 

 And the storm clouds were closer than we thought. We all got soaked on the beach so we got hot chocolate and coffee to warm us up. 

 Eating at a nicer restaurant than we should've with kids. They LOVED it. 

 Eating salmon pate. Charlie had 2 servings of it...

 Pointe du Hoc. My favorite place. 

 Mont St. Michel. AMAZING. 

 Outside the cathedral in Mont St Michel.

 A beach day on Utah beach. 

 What summer vacation does to you...

 The Palace of Versailles. It was so amazing. I'd love to go back. 

 The post vaca laundry pile. 

 Tuscan Villa. Such a wonderful place!

 Awaiting our meal prepared by the private chef at our villa!

 Pisa!

 What Lily thought of Florence. We visited David as well but no pictures are allowed to be taken. 

 Trying on some armour at a castle. 

Home! The best place on ever!!