We spent our spring break vacation in Strasbourg. Sophie learned how to walk in France last time we were there, so it was high time for a visit again. We had an awesome time visiting Joelle's growing family and friends. All trees were blooming already with temperatures way above normal for the season.
Most folks didn't speak English, which forced Alex to really practice his French and he made huge improvements these two weeks. Way to go, Alex! Sophie understood everything but kept her French to herself. She played "shy girl" the first week or so, but the real playful Sophie came out right after that to Papy and Mamy's astonishment. She is definitely Alex's sister, full of energy too!
I'm taking Trunky to visit Papy and Mamy
We flew to Paris and then took the high speed train to Strasbourg
Papy got out his old Meccano set to build a crane
Playing with Papy's old Meccano building set
Playground near Papy and Mamy's house
Mamy took us to the Orangerie's zoo
Parc de l'Orangerie's colorful playground
Mamy and maman enjoying the sunshine
First ice cream of the season at Franchi's. What a treat!
Thanks Mamy for the pistachio and apricot ice cream!
Look at all these flowers and blooming trees!
Le Vaisseau childen's museum
with friends Thomas and Emily
I'm flying on the magic carpet!
Making bubbles with Thomas.
Eric and Gerald secretly wanting to do the same in the background.
Turn it that way, Alex
Sophie's favorite spot: kangaroo's pouch
When I'm afraid, I can just hide in my turtle shell
Making a huge bubble is hard work!
What a cool scorpion!
Watch what this scorpion can do!
Sunday lunch at uncle Gilles and Magali's house in Mulhouse
Cousin Gael's room
Checking out cousin Chloe's room
Biggest Violetta's fan
Fun time playing Xbox video games
Gael and Alex having a ball playing Xbox
Cousins born the same day 5 years apart
Learning to skateboard at uncle Gilles' house
Skateboard girl
Pretty Chloe
Wild tennis match
Sophie's favorite strawberry mousse cake
I think cousin Alex is a goofball!
Cousins hanging out
Lovely Sunday afternoon in Mulhouse
Dinner at maman's cousin Claudine's house
Boramy and Alex's classical dance performance
Proud parents Jean and Olga of 6 days old Nicolas
Special baby time in Colmar
Gabriel loves everything "Jungle Book",
especially the elephant "Aki"
Sophie loved to play little mommy with
new cousins Nicolas and big brother Gabriel
Papy got 2 kisses from Sophie. Mamy is still waiting...
Here comes Louise, aka "Loulou" with Jo's cousin Catherine.
The proud granparents Christian and Christine are just beaming.
Jo's uncle and godfather Alphonse
always smiling and telling stories
Visiting Jo's college friend Coco and family
Corinne and Joelle
This is the house in Epfig where maman spent
many weekends and vacations with her grandparents
Jumping off the little wall in Epfig
like maman used to do many years ago
How are kids always attracted to water?
Dumping branches into the rainwater tub is what we call fun!
Racing down the garage in Epfig with Olivier's cars
Walk with Jo's highschool friend Viviane
Gwenael, you're the real dude!
Tablet time is the best!
Papa checking out the patisseries
Alex, what are you doing with my toys?!?
Loulou girl with Catherine
Visit from papa's cousin Heike and family
Calin avec papy
Tea time
Mamy, check out how I draw!
Doesn't Annika just look like her mom?
No language barrier there when playing dolls
Alex got to learn a few German words with Sarah
My new favorite magazine:
Le journal de Martine
Playing in the attic where maman used to sleep
was one of the best part of the trip
Maman taught me how to play Mikado
Beautiful mom and baby
Sunday family gathering to celebrate in advance
Eric & Jean's 40th and Mamy's 70th birthdays
Family lunch atmosphere
Gael has quite the patience to play with this balancing game
I love my cousin Chloe!
Sleep-deprived Jean and proud grandma. It will get better!
Gabriel checking out the light switches.
Not sure if he speaks French, Russian or simply toddler talk...
Reading Abricot magazine
Chloe is so cool!
Six grandkids gathered just for you!
Papy and Mamy's special grandchildren
Joelle, Gilles & Jean and their families
Can we all fit for the picture?!?
Papy and his little Nicolas
Trying to remember when Sophie was that small
Can't get enough baby time!
See, I can sit very still sometimes!
Alex very calmly holding little Nicolas
Can we keep this baby, maman?
Mamy didn't lose her touch with babies
Yeah, Papy can make faces too!
Gabriel really likes Sophie's babydoll
Sophie's first real haircut
Eliane cut my hair. I now have curls like maman and Mamy.
We both got a haircut!
Crossed the Rhine river to go shopping in Kehl
Mamy bought me pretty shoes for my birthday!
Check out my new running shoes!
Tartes flambees dinner at Christine & Christian's
Christine makes the best Flammekuchen!
Cousin Helene's master cutter
Selfie with college friend Anne-Catherine on the last day
Good travel buddies going back home in the TGV
and then flying to KC.
We entertained quite a few travelers on the way...
TGV interview by Alex
TGV going at 300 km/hour.
Bye bye lovely French countryside!
