Grandma Cerny in France... and other places

August, 2010

Grandma Cerny came to visit in August. It was a great time to see our new home, hang outside, and see the sights.

Dejeuner dans le jardin

While she was here, we had to go to Geneva, Switzerland to take care of some Visa issues. Noah was loving this little car ride.

On the other side of Lake Geneva, we visited this beautiful castle.

We were chillin' after a nice panini lunch



Mommy and Noah

Mom and I took a fun day trip into Paris to visit the Louvre.

You have to snap a picture of this famous lady, right?


While Grandma was visiting, Noah started his first day at his new creche (daycare).

With some normal Northern France weather, we travelled up to the English Channel and visited Omaha beach. One of the landing spots for the Allied invasion on D-day during World War II.

One of the few remaining German gun placements arranged along the beach.

With the weekend approaching, we took the ferry across the English Channel from Calais, France to Dover, England on our way to London.

Noah loved the buses. See his hand...

Our view from the London Eye. Basically a very large ferris wheel.

Look kids, Big Ben!

Westminster Abbey

Family shot!

On the drive back home, we stopped at Leeds Castle.

Our 1st visitors - Cleres European vacation 2010

July 26th - August 5th Clere Family visits Europe

We had our first visitors the 1st real week in the house. Melissa, Kevin & Kennedy came to hang out with Noah and help us set up our new home. We really appreciated having extra hands around to finish putting furniture together, keep an eye on Noah so we could finish unpacking those random boxes and also spend some time getting to know the area together. It was really exciting to see the 2 cousins hanging out together too!

Melissa and 'Kiki' relaxing in our hammock in the new garden.

Our first night we had a lovely dinner in our summer kitchen accompanied of course with some of our 1st French wines. It was a nice start to a long week to come.


Just a few of the first bottles.


Kiki getting our baguettes from the village bakery


The cousins getting ready to watch 'Cars' - Nonah's favorite movie right now!




Mont St. Michel



We decided to take a day off from the move and ride over to Mont St. Michel. It was a lovely day to see the shores of the Atlantic on this side.

Mont St. Michel is a popular tourist destination but much of the little island is closed to visitors since it is still an active monastary.

You can almost imagine the hooded monks roaming the streets after the tourists leave at 6 pm everyday.

Kiki even demonstrated what the monks must do after we leave.

It was a busy day in the village!

The ancient elevator

Powered by the human hamster wheel

A view from the top

But I can't see......

Kiki and Mel with the English Channel in the background

Finally! A picture of them holding hands!

They were really fun together

Eatin' some yummy crepes!

On to Paris for some sightseeing

We spent the next two days adventuring in Paris.

Having lunch in front of the Eiffel Tower

Kiki napping on the Champs Elysée

View up the Champs d'Elysee to the Arc de Triomphe

Chillin' in Les Jardin des Touleries

At the Louvre

Sun is setting on Notre Dame

With the little ones sleeping, time for adult beverages in front of the Eiffel Tower

Donerkebaps for lunch :-)

Visiting the place where a few prayers were said for little Kiki.

And onto Belgium.....

For some 'moules & frites' - mussels & french fries near the Grand Place

At the Antwerp zoo

Are you guys ready to go yet?

Bonjour, horseys!

... back to our French home.

(just kidding. that is not our home)