We're back...

...from France.

What an amazing family trip! Now we're back to reality and already it seems like a dream from the distant past.  We took so many photos because everywhere we looked there was another picturesque shot.  We will just have to let the photos speak for themselves.  These will be the memories we will hold on to as the Fall weather begins and Amelia is back to school...speaking French!  Her senior kindergarten is all in French and so is Georgia's "daycare", thanks to Papi.  Jamie and Corinne have full time course loads which only overlap on Wednesdays.  This means one of us is lecturing and the other is playing with the girls.  But for now, let's scroll down and take a tour of la belle vie en France!

Our home for 2 weeks in Southern France.

' Au Ciel Bleu' 

Mama kiwi and Papa kiwi were already settled in and

Joan put some lovely thought into leaving things ready for 2 little girls to enjoy, including 

lights on trees and a pool on the back balcony.

   

mama kiwi picked up a rocking horse from a 'vide grenier'.  

What a lucky find!

Some early morning walks to see the sunflowers...

...and visit the cows.

A place to read and relax...

Varen was our local town to buy baguettes and cool off in the river.

Each day we explored the local area (Tarn-et-Garonne, Midi-Pyrenees region)

Down the road was Saint-Antonine-Noble-Val 

We felt like we really got to know this town and we just kept coming back.

A donkey ride was one of the girls highlights of the trip!

It had wonderful markets and cafes

A nice view from the cliffs over looking Saint-Antonine

Najac was stunning. 

Jamie at the top of the castle

Albi had gardens, bridges, cathedrals and restaurants galore 

Of course there's the food, wine and espresso!

The trip revolved around meals, markets and sipping wine in the evening.

"Deux cafés s'il vous plaît"

crêpes

A decadent birthday meal for Corinne

"croissant"

menu du jour

Roquefort salade

The things we did...

Admired the beautiful character of homes

rowed our boat down the river

Enjoyed the history

the castles,

the local kids,

 and the festivals.

Here we are enjoying a gypsy band 

and some dancing.

This part of France was amazing,

the sights, the tastes but most of all because

we had this lovely place to stay and

mama and papa kiwi taking care of us!

Then it was time to head to the north of France for Uncle Lloyd and Virginie's wedding.

(photos to follow)