Winter in France

Our first winter in France included Lily's 2nd birthday and getting to see France at Christmas. One thing that Europe does right? Christmas! Such an amazing time of year here. 

 Getting ready for Lily's party. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Lily!!

 There was a Christmas parade on the day of Lily's bday. Which was foiled by a horse that apparently had a gastro...true French style. 

 Nothing says Christmas like a hedgehog.

 The Christmas market!!

 So excited!

The ferris wheel and Christmas tree in Jaude. No one wanted their picture taken. 

 Picking out our Christmas tree. 

It fit in the car!!!

 Decorating. 

 So pretty. 

 Happy Birthday Rick!!

 I agreed to ride on this againist my better judgement. 

 The view from the top. 

 Our post "we survived" hot chocolate. 

A fun Christmas exchange with friends. 

Fall in France.

I think anywhere you live, life gets busy. We had a wonderful fall but it was a busy one full of parties, sports, adventures and just hanging out...

 Our sweet friends the Keefe's had a Halloween party. They have American neighbors on either side of them so the kids got to go trick or treating. So fun!!

 The gang.

 Throwing the baseball. 

 Swinging the bat. 

 The girls doing a great job entertaining themselves while Charlie has baseball practice. 

 Exploring Plateau Gergovie.

 French countryside. 

 The Madonna statue we ALWAYS drive by on the highway that I've always wanted to go see. 

 Charlie, you know, shooting a cannon. 

 We found an apple festival!!!!!!! Eating an apple beignets. DELICIOUS. 

 Making fresh apple donuts. Holy. Cow. 

 Spiderman and his lego creation. 

 Growing up too fast. 

Carcassonne, France

For the October break we decided to take a few days and go explore Carcassonne, France. The Cite of Carcassonne (where the castle is located) dates back over two and a half thousand years as a medieval fortress city. Inside the walls was a castle, shops, cafes and beautiful views. 

We stayed in an apartment outside of the city walls, but only a short walk to the castle. Other than having a really hard time finding a bakery that was open the trip was a complete success. Definitely a must see in France. 

 Outside the walled city. 

 Having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich snack outside of a castle. You know, like everyone does...

 Entrance...

 Taking a walk inside the walls. 

 Lily's "happy" face.

 The view on the walk to the city from our apartment. 

 Taking a peek of the city and freaking their mother out...

 View of one of the churches inside the walls. 

 Proof my kids where there. 

 The walk into the castle. 

 The churches in France are all so pretty. 

 Lily and her new bear. 

 The cathedral of the city outside the wall had about a million steps you could climb and then this view. Once we got to the top we were all amazed, except Ruthie, who layed down on the wood deck. 

Lily is my happy-go-lucky kid. Headed home...

Life goes on.

It's funny, it really doesn't matter where you live in the world, life goes on. Your kids go to school, you go to work, grocery shopping, doctor's visits, the list goes on and on. Our first year in France when I look back has really flown by. We've gotten to see a lot of amazing places and meet some really neat people. Most of the time I feel blessed to be here, the other part, well I'm ready to come home whenever we get the go ahead.

Charlie AND Ruthie headed to school this past fall. Ruthie only stays half day and Charlie stays for canteen and goes all day most of the time. His French has really progressed and Ruthie is able to understand a lot although she's not speaking French much yet. We continue to go on adventures and hikes. Here are some pictures of our travels and adventures lately...

 We went looking for an apple festival in September but the village had cancelled it. So we found a cafe and had ice cream instead!

 Williams #4!!!!! He/she will make their appearance in late March or early April.

 Lily having fun at the Jardin Lecoq.

 Uncle Hagar (who also works for Michelin) came to France for a whole month! We really enjoyed his visit and took him on a few hikes. This one was filed for "do again during blackberry season". The ENTIRE trail was covered in bushes. 

I feel like French hikes are fairy tale-ish. 

 Exploring on the hike. 

 There are always either horses, cows or sheep on every hike we take.

 Expat halloween party at Monjuzet. Lily was a Gamecock football fan, Ruthie was a butterfly and Charlie a super hero.

CANDY!!!!

 Our "fall" picture. See I found a pumpkin!!

Charlie in character per his normal. 

 Playing in the leaves at Jardin Lecoq. Oh you should've seen the looks we got - crazy Americans!!!

Rick got to visit the emergency room the other week. He ripped his eye lid open during a basketball game. Fun times and a few stitches later...