Lydie Josephine

We had a special celebration of our

sunshine-girl Lydie today.

  Eric and Emilie made their own wrapping paper

(a little Léporé tradition)

The sisters joined us for cake and ice cream and they even brought their birthday banner to share with Lydie.  She LOVES the sister so she was thrilled that they could come over for a bit!

Eric and Emilie made the darling banners on the cake

soeurs Layton and Stanford

They brought her a pair of rubber gloves so that she can help mommy with the dishes and then those sneaky girls said they would show her how to use them and in the process washed my entire sink full of dishes! :)

Mamie and Papou came over for dinner and stayed all afternoon.  Lydie played and played with Papou.  What a great birthday!

We love our Lydie Jo. We love her enthusiasm for life and her fearless way of attacking it head-on.  We love her ability to find friends and to show love and affection to everyone she meets both young and old.  She is full to the brim with love and pure joy!  She infects us all with her happy spirit!  Love you Lydie Jo Jo!!!!

p.s. my computer died so I'm posting from Roland's which is why I am signed in as Roland....

Happy Fourth from France!

It was hard to be so far away on this very important holiday.  Roland and I were both a little emotional all morning long.  But, we knew it was important for us to celebrate somehow so that our kids will not miss out on the tradition.  We donned our red, white and blue and headed to the park for a picnic and some family fun!

The park we went to is one of the biggest city parks here in Lyon (to run the circumference is about 3 miles) and after our picnic we rented one of these fun pedal cars.  Emilie is the only one with a bike (so far) which worked out perfectly.  Roland and I sat on either side of Eric where the pedals are and Emilie rode along side with her bike.  We rode around the lake and through the zoo!  

Eric had control of the camera during our little ride.  Here's a sample of what we saw: 

Over-all it was a great afternoon although it was definitely not the same as being in the states for the festivities.  Our time here has helped us appreciate even more how grateful we are for the good old U-S of A!  **************

Lovely Lyon: Les Traboules

One of the really cool characteristics of Lyon is the "Traboules"

In the old part of the city, where the buildings are all connected to one another, there is a series of passageways that go through the buildings and underground.  (The link above will explain why they were used for those who are curious-pretty cool if you ask me!).  Since the passages go between and through buildings there are lots of beautiful courtyards that are completely hidden from the streets outside.  They are breathtaking!  The traboules are dark little tunnel-like passages and when you come out into these beautiful courtyards it almost takes your breath away.  

Just another reason to visit lovely Lyon!

a few of the millions

One of the things that has been really interesting to me since moving to Lyon is learning about true big-city life.  I could sit on the corner downtown and observe the millions of people go by all day.  It is so strange to think of us and our little family as just a few of the millions who make up this busy place.  Strangely enough, it doesn't make me feel insignificant at all.  Actually, on the contrary, when I count all my blessings I realize just how noticed and loved I am. Somehow, we are all so very important and so very needed here on this earth!

June 21 is the Festival of Music here in France.  It's the only day of the year when bands can play on any street corner or public place as loudly and as late-into-the-night as they want!  Roland has great memories of playing with his band around the city for the Festival of Music and he was anxious to take us out tonight to see all the musicians.  Things don't really get going until sunset but since it was a school night (yep, we're still in school over here!), we headed out a little earlier.  There were bands of all types and sizes getting set up on corners and plazas all over the city.  Some had elaborate set-ups with stages and sound-systems while others were simple and unplugged.  The collage above is from the plaza here in our neighborhood.  There is also a shot of the outside of our apartment building and our street sign.  The rest of the pics are from our little tour of the city.  

see all the people?

Aren't those cool planters?

across the river

the best way to spend the weekend is...

...WITH COUSINS!

...At a beautiful baptism

...not forgetting the very important stop at the American Military Cemetery to commemorate memorial day

...wrapping up with a picnic in the park and a stroll through the picturesque town of Metz and lots more cousin time!

The best way to spend the weekend is with those you love!

a list

A couple of years ago my sister told me that I needed to start posting my own "happy lists".  My sister is the queen of lists.  I love her lists.  Today, I was feeling a little homesick and I thought to myself, I need a "happy list!" 

things that make me happy in France:

1-The market

2-the heart of the city 

3-exploring old villages on Saturday mornings

 4-shutters and doors

 5-drives in the countryside

*thank you to Lindsay for the fist two pictures!

outside the city

City life has it's up-sides, but the kids definitely miss the great-outdoors sometimes.  Thankfully we have a few friends who live outside the city in the countryside who are kind enough to let us invade their space from time to time!  Hooray for friends and hooray for happy kids!

Thank you again friends!  We love you!