What we did this summer vacation (part 2)

Warning: If you aren't related to me or do not appear in these photos, I apologize.  This will be my longest post ever and not because it is interesting or informative, but because I have a lot of pictures.  Life keeps moving on and I need to get ready for La Rentrée (back to school).

 

We decorated boxes and filled them with golden candy to decorate the tables at the 50th anniversary party.  I am not sure people figured out that they were favors, but it kept us busy and they looked nice on the tables.

Aunt Grace is a pro at keeping kids busy.  She brought a whole bracelet making factory in her suitcase!

 

Pete manned the bracelet machine

Matthew is starting kindergarten this year.  Sylvia is starting CP (grade 1)

Here is Uncle Jim playing games with the kids.  He, too, is a pro at entertaining

 

 

 

Pierre took some photos of the 1st treasure hunt (Oh yes, there were more) and captured these swift footed beauties in action.

Sitting in front of the TV cuddling with the cousins under a blanket Grambee made

 

Sylvia loves Bo the dog and she loves our camera.  We have about 200 photos of Bo, here he with Ida.  Few dogs, or people for that matter, could have tolerated all of these kids as well as he did.

Every waitress' nightmare

We love Swedish pancakes and we are back for more.

 

This photo is just to prove that there are goats up there

We did many a puzzle. 

After the party almost everyone had to return home.  We, our German and Sweet Sophie stayed for awhile longer.

 

 We headed to the nearby state park for a lovely hike

 

 Overlook

Cousins hiking through the woods

 Limestone Caves

 

 Hikers need refreshment and Wisconsin is serious about its ice cream. It is the "Dairy State."

We took advantage of all of the fabulous babysitters and celebrated our 10th anniversary. 

We had a wonderful Wisconsin wedding 10 years ago.  Our real anniversary was spent traveling home.

This woman spent many hours playing with my girls.  She and Sylvia even created a personalized treasure hunt for Lil.  Thanks, Sus.

Jim!

 



We took the long way to Wisconsin because it was cheaper.  On the way, we flew to Helsinki, stayed overnight, and then flew to Chicago the next day.  Unfortunately, we had no time to see any of Helsinki.

 

Finns are proud of their Angry Birds. 

I read that all of Helsinki has wi-fi and the password is "Angry Birds."

If you are passing through the Helsinki airport, plan on bringing your own snacks!  Remember that the Euro is still worth a bit more than the dollar.

These girls were fabulous travelers!  On the way home we were miraculously bumped to a direct flight.  It saved us six hours and my sanity.

 

I feel like we have just returned and am still trying to gear up for La Rentrée.  This year the girls will be at the same school.

What we did this summer vacation (part 1)

We have just returned from two wonderful weeks with my entire family.  My parents gathered up all together to celebrate their 50 years of marriage.  Although this has nothing to do with our move to Paris, as my brother, Pete, so helpfully points out is his comment, I am posting it anyway.

The girls spent as much time as possible in the lake.  Their dad was a fabulous sport and none of the Canadians were put off by the cold.

 

 

Not only is he impervious to the cold, he is a child magnet and calmer.  There are 10 grandchildren and he was in high demand.

 Utah and Canadian/Parisian cousin crafters

Aunt Grace is the best at hair AND my girls sit still for her.

 My mom was once a drama major and sometimes likes to remind us of this with her antics.  This was the beginning of a treasure hunt.  Hedwig, the owl gave the first directions and divided the kids into teams.  Many neighbours told me that they enjoyed watching the kids racing from clue to clue.  One neighbor remembered elaborate treasure hunts planned by my mom's mom.

 Treasure hunts are serious business.

My brother, Jim, wrote the clever rhyming clues.

 

 Cousins in owl shirts

 We visited one of our favorite restaurants.  There is a fantastic hillbilly playground with go karts you peddle, an abandoned school bus, and pigs.  If you sit at the bar like we did, an electric train delivers your food!

My dad celebrated his 77th birthday.  Aunt Ella spent a whole day making him eclairs.  He had wanted these for his 50th anniversary celebration, but wedding cake won.  Lucky man got everything he wanted and more.

Brothers

My uncle, my aunt, my dad's cousin, and his wife all dropped by to celebrate his birthday.

Look who flew in from Germany to help celebrate.  This is my German exchange sister who lived with us my senior year in high school.  Her sister now lives in Paris!

 

Before the big 50th anniversary party, there was a photo shoot.

Sylvia, Ida, and Miki are ready!

 Our German took this photo, so she is not in the picture. 

2 grandparents, 8 parents, and 10 grandkids

 I have almost no photos of the actual party.  Here is the lovely cake.  There were about 100 guests including a surprise appearance from 3 Utah friends!  My brother Pete, created a fabulous slide show capturing my parents' 50 years together.  The kids enjoyed destroying a pinata shaped like a 50.  I had a very nice time and I think everyone else, including the guests of honor, did too.  I am grateful to have celebrated with so much family and so many friends.

 "Secret Playhouse" or closet?

 Puzzlers

The two boys, ages 4 and 15, held their own.

 Swedish pancakes and hot chocolate with a mountain of whipped cream.  Yes, this restaurant has goats on the grass covered roof.

 Our German did not know what a S'more was.  We were quick to teach her all that she had missed out on over 20 years ago.

 

We painted some beautiful animals!

Look at those beauties!

 We went to "The Farm" and were attacked by crazy milk-starved goats.  Sylvia held a teeny tiny baby goat and we visited Petunia the Sicilian Donkey who was born the same year as Lillian.

I think we are finally over our jet lag and I will add a few more photos when I get the chance. Thanks mom and dad!  Thanks brothers and sister and German pet!  And most of all thanks Fred, Ella, Grace, and Pierre!  I love you all!

50th Wedding Anniversary

This year is my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.  My whole family is getting together to celebrate and I can't wait!

 August 20, 1962

Celebrating 25 years together at the Grand Canyon

Last year after a serious s'more fest on the beach

 

We are going to swim to that raft and Lillian is going to jump off of the diving board.  Sylvia might do it this year, too. 

 We can't wait to see you all!