Christmas concert

The American Church in Paris puts on an annual holiday concert, and I've been wanting to go for the past 3 years. We finally got around to it this year (despite some initial feet-dragging) and it was so beautiful ! A gorgeous old church..

Two different hand-bell choirs (a couple of former colleagues of mine play hand bells, which is how I found out about the concert in the first place). And some singing choirs, my favorite being this youth choir who sang SO beautifully (I'll try uploading a short video once I re-size it)..

It was a beautiful, candle-lit setting. And then the entire assembly sang a round of Christmas carols at the end. I got quite emotional, and sang my little heart out ! Definitely turning this into an annual tradition..

Nico turns 12 !

(and apologies to Mickey, who turned 10 awhile back but whose mom did not get around to posting anything about that ;)

Weekend at Futuroscope..

We didn't really "do" Halloween this year, but instead spent the weekend at this neat theme park we'd been wanting to try - it's about a 3 hour drive from us, so we finally took the plunge..

As its name indicates, the place is full of funky, "futuristic" looking structures..

And a bunch of cool, virtual-adventure type movies & rides (which aren't pictured here)But this was probably the most hilarious ride of all, in the kiddie section:

The video would give you a better idea, but I'm not very good at uploading those yet (I think the file's too heavy) so you'll just have to use your imagination for that one ;)

And this tricycle-on-water contraption was probably my second favorite !

The evening ended with a beautiful sound & light show on the water..

Last blast of the summer !

This was back in August, at a nearby racetrack..

Michael being mister cool Formula 1..

Gee, don't those helmets look comfy ? (love the way it's squishing Nico's eyes shut)

Summertime by the sea..

We spent the first half of August on the Normandy coast. A zillion photos were taken, but here are just a few. We were pretty lucky with the weather, and my parents joined us for the 2nd week. A good time was had by all..


Leaving for our daily trek to the beach.. (we were lucky enough to rent a house that was within walking distance!)

The boys strutting down the boardwalk promenade, body-boards in tow..

Braving the waves ! I was very pleased with myself: made a promise that I'd get in the water on the very first day - and although chilly, it wasn't as bad as I thought. From there on out I swam a little every day !

This was a silly game where we tried to squeeze as many people into the picture as possible (starting with 2, 3, 4, etc..) Alain's uncle (with the glasses) joined us for dinner that evening.

Birthday by the sea..

We spent the weekend in Normandy to ring in the big 4-0..

Had some nice weather, and spent some time at the beach..

Nico found a starfish !

Picked out some seafood for dinner at Alain's uncle's house..
Nico taught his little cousin to throw a frisbee..

This was very cute to watch..

..and she apparently understood everything that was said !

Had cake & champagne with family...and a whole lotta candles !

Michael goes to the circus...

Just a few shots of Mickey & his class during the show they gave, at the end of a 3-day field trip to a circus school. Photos are blurry because the tent lighting was low, and performers were constantly in motion! It was very fun to watch though..

I loved his black & gold lamé pants, with matching bowtie..!

The boys clowning at Granna's house last month..

First family ski week !

During the boys' February school break we took a trip to the Alps...

The boys started learning to ski (and their mom picked up where
she'd left off over 10 years ago!)

Believe it or not, we all made it down to the bottom in one piece...

The kids also got to go on a dog sled "expedition"..

..here they are in the sled with friends..

The event included meeting and petting the dogs !

Nico and his new best friend..

The Huskies taking five..

Valentine weekend in Barcelona..

Alain had to go to Barcelona for work, and I was able to tag along !

Me, excited to be away for the weekend !

Neat Gaudi architecture at a park we visited..

Parc Guell..

Pretty tiles in the wall..

The appartment we stayed in was in this alley..

It was carnaval time, featuring a parade with these huge, impressive figures !