Barbizon

On our way home we decided to make a final stop in the small village of Barbizon. Barbizon is famous for creating an artist community outside of Paris. Unfortunately we arrived just after the workshops had closed for lunch!

Chris was definitely the most disappointed about our bad timing. Here she is trying to get a glimpse of an artists workshop.

Awww.
We did enjoy a stroll through the village. Elsa entertained herself by gathering leaves.
Ansel entertained himself by balancing rocks on Greg's head.
In spite of some bad timing, it was a wonderful trip. We covered a lot of ground and saw a lot of beautiful places in just a few days. Mostly we had a great time being together and making memories.

Vesaille

After leaving Monet's garden we headed toward Paris to spend the night and visit the palace of Versaille.

We had already had three very busy and exhausting days. The children were such great travellers. They were impressed by the grandeur and immensity of the palace. It is great to be able to tell them the history of Marie Antoinette (it took a few tellings for them to understand her complexities) and then show them where she lived. Definitely what we've enjoyed most about our travels in Europe.

Old building, Modern art

While walking through the gardens, we met a gardener! He cut us each a rose, which brought out Henry's chivalrous side.

Monet's Garden

Do these haystacks look familiar?

How about this bridge?
Maybe the lush trees and a distant shot of the bridge?
We had such an awesome time (Chris and I) walking through these beautiful gardens and visiting Monet's house. I didn't get any pictures of inside the house. Maybe you weren't allowed to take them. I left his house thinking, I can paint any piece of furniture I want and not feel guilty about it. His house was very colorful-french blue (of course), sunshiney yellows, lavendar, green, he used them all.
We were there in October so a lot of the blooming was spent. However, we were still able to recognize most of the flowers and imagine them in full bloom. Plus. . . it wasn't very crowded, or hot, and there weren't any bees swarming around! ha ha.

Omaha Beach

We made a fairly quick stop to visit the WWII Memorial and stroll along Omaha Beach. The kids had heard stories about farmer's finding bullets in their fields many years after the war. They were certain they'd be able to find something as the strolled along the beach. Alas, all they gathered were a bunch of sea shells.

France with Nana-Continued

Mont Saint Michel

The main point of interest for our trip to France was really Mont Saint Michel. We had all been enamored with pictures we had seen of the beautiful castle surrounded by water. I think most of us felt like it was a dream that we were actually going to be there. It was an overcast morning, we set out pretty early so that we could see the castle at high-tide. Here is our first glance of the castle in the distance.

I believe we took this picture on our way out, after the sun had burned off the clouds.
Elsa rejoicing with us that we had finally made it! Yahoo.
Ansel standing in the courtyard of the castle-pretending to be the court jester.
It was like a labrynth climbing to the top. A very high up long labrynth.
These angel wings were set-up on a platform in one of the gardens in the castle. They provided much entertainment for them. They pretended to be prophets heralding the coming of Jesus.

We spent a wonderful day wondering the chapels and gardens of this magnificent castle. Before we left Henry and Ansel posed for one last shot atop of cannon balls.

Helloooo (echo).

I've been away for so long, I've avoided going to my own blog to link to yours. It's sad. The past two weeks I was a total no show for fear of seeing that "No Articles" message come up. It's easy to want to just give up when your last post was an event that happened in October.

Alas, I have survived my second bout of flu for the season.

Elsa is now wearing jeans, and I look forward to the moment she runs in the house and changes into a skirt. The weather got too cold-and she recognized the value of covered legs.

Ski season is well underway and Henry is content. No he's thrilled.

Ansel is cracking us up, and is clothed 90 percent of the time.

Greg is balancing much and entertaining us all.

This week promises much here on thebanshees.

France with Nana

Nana came to visit and we decided to take her somewhere we've all wanted to visit, Mont St. Michele. Our trip turned out to be quite an art tour.

Our first stop was in Rouen, which is famous for its cathedral that Monet painted over and over. . .

We arrived after a long day of driving and we were all very very hungary. I asked the security man at the department store to suggest a good restaurant. It wasn't quite 7:00 PM so most of the restaurants weren't open. He told me to go a few blocks to a creperie. I wasn't sure what we'd find-a place to sit down or a concession stand. It turned out to be the highlight meal of the trip. At least for me! I order a crepe with raclette cheese and potatoes topped with a generous portion of cured ham. The pickles on the side were nabbed by Elsa before I could get them on my fork. It's probably what she has in her mouth when the picture was taken. Delicious!! And the waiter brought out the most generous cups of hot cocoa to warm our chilled selves.

I love the reminders all around me that we live in a very old country. Going to the bathroom felt like a trip to the medieval past. The bathroom itself was very modern and clean.

HELP!

When I logged it in says I have six followers, so I'm expecting at least six comments. More are surely welcome.

The dilemma part 1: We live in a cold climate and Elsa is skinny.

The dilemma part 2: Elsa wears two jeans skirts and tights every day.

The dilemma part 3: Elsa chooses clothes, I buy them and she won't wear them.

Why do I buy them? I don't want her to freeze on the playground.

Well. . . yeah everyone who knows me knows I'm also obsessed with children's clothing.

In my own defense, I've really cooled my jets. I let her choose what she wants to wear every day, and I rarely make a fuss. I've also recognized that she has her own ideas about clothes, and haven't gone overboard buying.

In her defense, she dresses appropriately for different occasions (school, church, dress-up). Maybe she isn't cold, and I'm just a worrier.

Back to the dilemmas.

The problem is mine and not hers. Right?

Two jean skirts every day with tights. Fine. Fine?

Really I just find it really really boring.

SO. . .

Do I feed her passion and avoid my boredom and just buy the girl denim skirts?

Not really such a big problem is it?

*Loved hearing from everyone!! I returned Elsa's new Hello Kitty jeans and bought a new denim skirt. She wore it three days in a row. I washed it and she's wearing it again. I'm glad I have a girl who knows what she likes!

The Cravings

It is strange being pregnant in a different country. The easy go to foods that you rely on to get you through the first few months aren't there. Fast food chains find their real purpose.

Then I remembered-France has Subway.

We traveled 45 minutes to enjoy a Fall day and have lunch eating an American sandwich.

Lovely.

I'm sure I've posted a couple of times about the charms of Annecy. They haven't changed.

Henry and Ansel

It was a wonderful afternoon. I devoured an entire foot long, and was tempted to pick up another on the way home.

I left satisfied.

Halloween

I've always thought it ironic how our church embraces the Halloween Party. We love it. As well we should. I understand the backlash by some and in certain parts to suffocate the pagan tradition. They mistake fun and frivolousness with darkness and attempt to replace the whole event with leaves and gourds. Sad. However, some of us recognize it as a chance to enjoy an evening with many many friends and neighbors. It's a great opportunity to invite those who wouldn't normally accept an invitation to visit our church.

In Geneva it's big. Halloween as a whole is expanding over here. This year I noticed even more products in the store than last. Even my little Coop was selling jack-o-lantern cookie cutters. Halloween rolls on. Pockets of neighborhoods even trick-or-treat! I'm glad for this. My kids embrace any opportunity to disguise themselves as a super-hero or a villain. They've been planning and scheming since August.

Sam and Henry (he's a vampire)

Elsa with her favorite devil, Parker.

Ansel as Wyatt from "Super Why."

Greg stole the show with his Secret-Service get up. You'd have thought the President himself were there.
To stave off the excitement before the party started, we got out the face paints. Henry painted Ansel. Daddy painted Elsa. Ansel and Elsa painted daddy.
Notice how much more surface area you can cover on his head!

Breakfast on the Farm

It is a tradition around these parts for the local farms to prepare brunch from their harvest. Since we've moved here I've wanted to go.

The reservations were finally secured, thanks to our good friends the Trogers. The morning of I was too sick to get out of bed and Henry was too devastated about his haircut. We missed out.

Greg, Ansel, Elsa, the Troger family and their G'pa had a terrific time.

Aimee, baby Luke and papa Charlie

Ansel and Jacob

Jacob, Elsa and Claire

Greg and Ansel

He at least brought us home some fresh produce.

Next time, I'm there.

Three Is a Magic Number!

Sunday was Ansel's birthday.

Love. Love. Love him.

He has opened each gift with this response, "I love it, I really really love it."

I think he had a good birthday.

Now We Are Six!

For those who missed my announcement on FB. . . we are expecting our fourth baby! Eighteen weeks into it and recovered from six weeks of flu (not the swine variety), I can finally say how excited I am to welcome this new little one into our home! Three cheers for number four!

This first photo was taken at 12 weeks.

Elsa, with all her love and excitement added the heart drawing.

The expected arrival is April 2nd. We will try and avoid the first and are aiming for the sixth. I've always celebrated it anyway! Going a few days over is definitely worth it to me. --I always go a few days over.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

One of the hardest things about living far away is not seeing those we love enough. We are so grateful for the many visitors that have come. We have been so lucky.

Lucky is spending days with Grandma and Grandpa. We were spoiled with their hugs and kisses. I was spoiled by their shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Three weeks went by way too fast. We look forward to seeing you again as soon as possible!

Northern Italy

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit and we took a trip to Northern Italy. I served my mission in Milan and have returned several times since, but this was the first time I'd seen the Duomo clean. Way to go Milan!

The kids loved walking around the outside of the Duomo and finding recognizable figures-the apostles. I think Elsa with her stoic pose is pretending to be a statue.

After Milan we stopped in "fair Verona" to visit the scene of Romeo and Juliet. It was a beautiful city that has profited from some great fiction.

Greg and I outside "the balcony."

We stayed outside of Venice at the home of our friend's father. He had a wonderful place and was so kind. He took Henry on his first motorcycle ride! Henry was nervous at first, but was beaming once he decided to go ahead and ride. We visited Venice of course. This picture was taken on top of the parking garage.

We visited new cities like Cittadella and Lake Garda that were beautiful and charming. In great Italian style we ate plenty of great pasta and ate lots of gelato!

Viva Italia!

She's Got Moxy!

Elsa came home for lunch the other day declaring she had her first loose tooth. At five and a half it wasn't a big stretch. I was stunned. Another child moving along through childhood. She'd reached that next phase before I was ready.

After school she became quite curious about getting that loose tooth out of her mouth. It annoyed her. She was curious about the process and the anticipated pain. She was thrilled about the prospect of a coin!

By the time Greg got home from work she had made that tooth quite wiggly. She petitioned for help, but Greg told her to be patient. "When it's ready it will come out," he told her. So a minute later she just pulled it out. I couldn't believe. She worked that tooth from mildly loose to very wiggly and gone in one day.

What a showing of tenacity and determination. I couldn't be prouder!

The Much Anticipated BTS Photo

I waited to post about reentry into school this year. Maybe pessimism has taken over, but I didn't want to say it was good and have that be a lie. I hesitated because they were so happy about going back to school this year. Obviously still shell shocked from last year I had to wait until they weren't coming home saying it was "the greatest day in their life!" I'm pretty sure the new colored pencils and markers has a lot to do with that.

I'm proud of them. They both have good teachers and have been optimistic about learning and making friends.

Seeing this photo actually makes me really emotional. They go to school with children whose backgrounds are so diverse and so different from theirs. It isn't easy for them. They're so sweet. They go every day and try their best to fit in. I hope this experience has taught them to be a little kinder and a little more empathetic. It has me.

Soo. . . a month into it we're still cruising along. We've had a few sick days already that had to be milked because Grandma and Grandpa are here.

Henry started his supplemental English class this week and came home from that with a book he read to me on the way home. Learning is a thrill.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Last Saturday we drove up to Zermatt and to view the Matterhorn.  It's about a two and half hour drive to Tasche where you have to catch a train into Zermatt.  The city is closed to all vehicles except for the hotel taxis which resemble large electric golf carts.  Once we arrived we took another train up the mountain which would give us a great view of the Matterhorn. Minus the big cloud covering the tippy top.

Once at the top of the mountain, you could visit with some big St. Bernards and enjoy the thin cool air.  We decided to hike down and catch the train at another stop.
The kids loved the walk down.  They felt like real mountaineers.  Walking DOWN the mountain!

We walked for about an hour and then got back on the train to take it the rest of the way down. 
It was such a great day trip.  Zermatt is a lovely town and all of the trains kept the kids plenty entertained.

If you're curious how it compares to the Matterhorn in Disneyland, Greg has a witty post on his blog.