Fabulous, fun, French family!

This is the first in a series of posts about our loved ones across the sea!

This is Roland's Aunt Annick and Uncle Marc. Their son (and Roland's only cousin on his Dad's side) is Dimitri who plays the saxophone and Dimitri also has one son, Nani. I love visiting Annick and Marc's home. Annick has a great sense of style. She loves all things retro and when you walk into her house you feel like you are walking back to the 1960s. Marc is a poet (doesn't he just look like a French poet?) and he is so kind and always aware of others. I like to visit them because he makes sure that I am always included and that I understand everything. Annick always has gifts for the kids (actually, everyone we met had gifts for the kids!) and since she has such great taste and a love for shopping, the gifts are always to die for! Annick is Papou's sister and I think she has their mother's Greek genes. Isn't she pretty?

This one was taken while they were visiting us the day after Christmas and Lydie kept Annick very busy with her dolls. Lydie had no problem communicating and reaching out to everyone!

Nani was the first child that we spent time with while we were there and it was so exciting for us to watch Eric use is French skills with him. He just took off and never once asked for help. Even Emilie had very few problems! I guess all that driving I've been doing has been worth it. :)

We interupt our regularly scheduled programming...

...for this sweet face!

I still have a bunch of pics from our trip that I have not posted but I just couldn't resist posting these pics of our Charlie boy!

French cemetary...

I had told the kids before our trip that the cemetery in Lyon was really scary. They have all these little houses where the keep the remains of entire families. There are rows and rows of these stone structures and it's very different. I would not want to be stuck there at night! Creepy!

even the carousels are more charming

Maybe it was just because we were in France.  Maybe it had something to with being at the Christmas Market in France.  I'm not sure. BUT, this carousel was adorable.  The kids were so excited about it and didn't care one bit that it was freezing cold.  The Christmas Market is completely charming that way.

The cathedral on the hill

Fourvière is the most famous cathedral in Lyon.  It sits on a hill that overlooks the city.  The hill has been used by the religious for thousands of years and is known as the "praying hill".  The cathedral is surrounded by the ruins of religious structures from as early as the 6th century.  Fourvière itself was built in 1896.  Something that amazes me about these famous churches is how tourists are allowed to come in and take pictures while people are trying to pray and worship.  I almost felt bad walking through with the kids (we even had the stroller).  They have signs that ask for respect and reverence but it still felt weird.

One of the many beautiful stained-glass windows

This is the view of the city from the courtyard of Fourvière.  Very pretty!

And below, a shot of the kids outside the cathedral just to prove there were people on this trip! :)

just a few more

The view from Roland's parent's 4th floor apartment building.

(above and below) 

I tried to talk to the kids about what an apartment building is like before we arrived.  I told them that it was a big building with lot's of little houses inside.  You go in the main door and then take the elevator up to Mamy and Papou's house.  Roland and I were rather amused when we got there and entered the main door.  The first thing Lydie did was take off her shoes.  Right there on the tile floor in the lobby.  She was so tired from our long journey that we didn't even bother to explain it to her till the next day.  I just picked up her shoes and carried them to the elevator.  Needless to say it wasn't the last learning experience for the kids!  City life is nothing like our little sheltered life at home.

Yep.  Those are chocolate suckers.  Chocolate Santa suckers to be exact.  The kids were completely delighted with them.  I have to admit feeling a little jealous myself. 

Scratching the surface...

....of the many pictures I have to post! I have been feeling a little guilty that I haven't had time to edit and post any pics from our Christmas in France. I edited just a few this evening. I'll post more as I have time to edit them.

This bike was parked at the Christmas market.  I love the yellow!

yummy treats that look so realistic!

My first time seeing the Eiffel Tower did not disappoint!

And, the open-air farmer's markets thrive all winter long.  I could spend hours wandering the markets.