June 2007 - Rob's Parents' Visit

In mid-June, Rob's parents arrived and generously watched the girls for a few days while Rob and I took an anniversary trip (see below). Afterwards, we actually got to spend a few days seeing Switzerland with them. The girls absolutely loved having Grandma and Grandpa there. They generously watched the girls (again) while I went to present a paper at a conference in St. Petersburg. Apparently they had a fabulous time touring around Interlocken, but I have no pictures because they forgot to take the camera. (I'll have to get some photos Grandma and Grandpa took with their camera.

The girls had a ball with Grandma Judie and Grandpa Steve. They got spoiled with attention!

Anna Claire had lots of tea parties!

Mariah loved all the attention she got!

She had a special bond with Grandpa, who spoiled her with her favorite food -- milk!

Here we are in front of Chateau Chillon -- the romantic 12th century castle on Lake Geneva near Montreux.

Anna and Daddy hanging out by the window in Chateau Chillon.

We took a really fun boat ride with Grandma and Grandpa across Lake Geneva to Yvoire, France, a little medieval town with a tiny castle. We had to stop for crepes -- after all, it was France.

If you look carefully below, you can see our little town of Morges in the background.

This is great -- I get to hang out with Grandpa!

Strolling around the medieval town of Yvoire.

Oh "les jolie papillons" -- Oh the pretty butterflies!

The Garden of Five Senses in Yvoire (a medieval period garden). It was great, the "smell" section had leaves that smelled like chocolate and cinnamon!

Whew, all this fun is exhausting!

I couldn't help but add this picture. My darling Mariah in her fishie towel. She's getting so big!

June 2007 - Our Anniversary Trip to Provence

Rob's parents came out to visit in mid-June and kindly watched our girls while Rob and I headed to Provence for three days of sunshine, touring, biking and child-free bliss! Rob researched the whole thing and found a combination of romantic hotels in great biking areas. (Of course!)

Crillon Le Brave and Mt. Ventoux

First we headed to the tiny village of Crillon le Brave, where we stayed in converted rooms right next to the town church. (The church bells were right outside our window.) As the pictures show, Provence is just as golden as you can imagine. Sunshine just envelops the miles of verdant fields!

Of course, the first thing Rob wanted to do when we arrived is to climb Mt. Ventoux, a famous route in the Tour de France.

Unlike Alpe d'Huez, which was "epic", Rob described this Mt. Ventoux as "relentless". The vertical climb never let up, but I can tell you that Rob never let up either.This photo is deceptive. It looks like I biked the mountain too. I had planned to park at the top, bike down a bit, then back up, but I chickened out when I saw that the whole mountainside was steep shale starting about 8 km from the top. No thanks!Our little village of Crillon le Brave. Classic Provence!Check out the sunset view!

Orange, Gordes and Avignon

Next we headed to our next hotel, just outside of Gordes. On the way to Gordes we stopped in Orange (fitting name for the sun-baked region) and toured the Theatre Antique, the largest standing Roman Theater in Europe. It was fascinating to learn of the progression from high culture plays (Greek-type tragedies, etc.) to low culture plays (porn), which correlated with the downfall of Rome. In Gordes, we did a few picturesque bike rides. Yellow and white flowers were in bloom everywhere and the famed lavender fields, while not yet in full bloom, perfurmed the air. (Definitely motivation for me to bike up the hills.) This is a shot of Gordes.Here we are in front of the Abbaye de Senanque, which is surrounded by a sea of lavendar. The Abbaye from above.Here we are biking through the town of Gordes (obviously a self-timed photo). I must note that after all that biking, Rob took me out to a delectable million-course French dinner where we munched on escargots and too many cheeses to name. (By the way, we also spent a fabulous afternoon in Avignon where we toured the Papal Palace -- talk about EXCESS -- and danced on the Bridge of Avignon. But we left our camera so we've got no shots.)

Late May - Early June 2007

GRANDPA KEN'S VISIT

At the end of May my dad took a break from the MaxJet roadshow to come visit us at the end of May. The weather wasn't great, but we managed to do a fun bike ride around Lac de Joux. And Dad squeezed in an impromptu lecture on the airline business at IMD (a top business school located here). Everyone was impressed. Anna and Mariah had a ball with Grandpa Ken. This is the first time my dad had seen Mariah.

Biking around Lac de Joux.Note that Anna has her DVD player and Mariah has her binky -- two essentials for long bike trips.Hanging out with Grandpa Ken. . .They say I look like my grandpa. What do you think? We did a little geneology with a day-trip to Thun. This is Thun Castle, where our ancestor, a Mennonite preacher, was imprisoned before he subsequently was exiled to Germany. Dad and I took a photo with prisoners chains in one of the towers (I'll have to get that from him).Hangin' out in Thun. Mariah, the little bug, can't keep her hands still.The views around Interlocken -- gorgeous!Toodling around Morges with Grandpa. That's Morges Castle in the background. Okay Anna, if you won't ride your bike, Daddy is always up for a bike ride. I know you love Grandpa, Anna, but relax the hold a little!The main street of Morges on a Sunday afternoon. We love the Swiss way of keeping the Sabbath!Whew, I'm tired. Too much walking today!And Baby Mariah. . .hi guys, I can fly! Let's make cookies, measure and pour, let's stir and stir and make some more. . .Wake up sleepy heads!I'm awake, I don't know why you two aren't!Anna Claire with her new penguin backpack (a perfect birthday gift from Grandma Judie and Grandpa Steve).Mommy's glasses are so much cooler than mine!