Nana & Papa en France!!

Just before Christmas, we were blessed to spend 3 weeks with Nana & Papa (Dianna's parents).  God was gracious in the timing of their arrival and Siméon's birth -- they got to Albertville about 18 hours before he was born!!

Here are some pictures highlighting our time with them in France:

Nana meeting Siméon on Thanksgiving Day

Big sister's first (of many) kisses

Papa has his turn, too!

Celebrating together!!

Papa & G built a snowman to welcome us home!
Sims' first snow at 48 hours old

A common evening sight in our apartment : )

Exploring Beaufort, FRANCE
(yummy cheese town from previous posting)

Beaufort Creamery Museum
(One of Dianna's favorite activities for visitors)

Watching the men at work making Beaufort Cheese

Papa & G enjoyed a film about extreme skiing
(definitely NOT to be tried at home!)

Papa entertaining G & her friends with balloons...
they are waiting for the launch so they can chase
the balloon around the room

Decorating our Christmas Tree!!
le sapin de Noël

Early in December the city of Albertville held a special evening celebration to "light downtown" - basically the first night for all the Christmas lights.  And it turned out to be quite the spectacle...

G saw her teacher at
while waiting for Père Noël

Costumed dancers on stilts with lighted blimps and fireworks!

Family picture...look closely for Sims
nice and snug in his favorite spot

We visited Annecy for a large "le marché de Noël" -- Christmas Market

G enjoying a large, soft pretzel

Taking in a few sights while shopping...
behind is an old prison in the middle of the canal

Sims "shopping"

Pony ride in downtown Annecy

Roasted chestnuts...yum!

Who can resist a big fuzzy teddy bear??
OR a blonde-haired cutie??

Ahhhh...

Strolling along to get a look at the lake

We also were sure to visit Conflans -- the walled medieval city that overlooks Albertville

G enjoyed a doing "projects" (a.k.a. crafts) with Nana & Papa...cookie cutter ornaments for the tree, edible reindeer cookies, snowflake ornaments, presents for Mommy & Daddy, etc.  One of her favorite projects was an attempt at making ice balloons...

Filling balloons with water

G doing it "by myself"

We hoped the water balloons (which had food coloring inside) would freeze overnight so the balloon could be removed and a colored ice ball remain but unfortunately they never froze all the way through...oh well it was a fun try!

And we were able to celebrate Christmas a little early

Joyeux Noël 2014

before saying "goodbye for now" at the Geneva airport on Dec 18th...

À bientôt

Thankful for fun time with family!!  Looking forward to making more memories with the Kubaczs scheduled to come in early Spring and other friends as well!!

Thanks for visiting, we miss you!!
DDG&S