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!!

Puy en Valey

France celebrates Pentecost Monday instead of Good Friday so we took advantage of this day off school and work and went to Puy en Velay. It was a beautiful city with a lot to see. We climbed up a mountain where a Madonna and child watching over the city. You could see a church perched on another mountain/cliff from that vantage point. The city is known for lace making. Walking up to the cathedral we were able to watch people making lace and also sculpting. After touring the cathedral and seeing the statue we stopped for lunch at a local restaurant.

Thank you Puy en Velay! We will be back!

 The walk up to the cathedral. The left side of the street was lined with lace shops. Beautiful!

 

 Speaks for itself...

 

 Madonna with child.

 

 On the cliff, um I mean hill where the Madonna was. This is the ONLY place we let the kids stand without holding our hands.

 

 A church on a hill/cliff. This is the view of the church from the Madonna.

 

 View of the city of Puy en Velay.

 

 It was a hike to the statue let me tell you.

 

 Family portrait!

 

 And another. The kids were super excited about it can't you tell?

 

 About to start the climb.

 

 Such a pretty view. Pictures don't do it justice.

 

 Looking back at the cathedral.

 

 Random French alley. So pretty.

 

 Looking back.

 

 Inside the church. It was so pretty!

 

 The view from the cathedral.

 

 Hike up to the cathedral.

 

 "Park" by the restaurant.

 

 Exhausted from the day.

 

 Soooo tired.

 

 Lunch time!

 

 A stop on the pilgrimage of St James.

 

A lot of pics of the Williams family in this post...