Fourth Grade First Day

It's nearly impossible to believe, but yes, Simone started 4th grade this week.  I know it's a few days late, but here are her first day shots.

She was so excited to start school this year, and it's been a good --but exhausting-- week so far.  It's not easy getting back into the swing of the school routine.  I know it's only the first of many weeks, but I personally am already ready for the long Labor Day weekend! 

Guten tag and Bonjour!

The jet lag has nearly worn off, but the memories are still fresh from our feature summer adventure to Germany, Austria, and France! And this wasn't just any European vacation -- it was epic.  This trip set for us an all-time record for the number of family and friends on the same trip, which made it all the more fun and special.  On 21 July, Simone, Tony and I set off to Germany to visit Uncle Jim, Aunt Jen, Jack and Sam.  Gram and Pop met us there.  We spent a week in Germany traveling around the Rhine River valley as well as Bavaria.  And that was only the beginning!...

Our first stop was a tour of Henkell & Co, the vineyard which makes our long-time favorite champagne.  When we learned that it was only 10 minutes from Uncle Jim's house, we just had to go!  And it was THE perfect way to pop the cork on our family vacation.

The adults had a wonderful tasting of several different Henkell varieties, but the kids, of course, were served soda.  They loved it all the same!

Our first day trip was to Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  A quintessential German village that offered a little history, some yummy food, and lots of photo ops.

The town square from the top of the clock tower -- a harrowing climb!

Had a great dinner at this restaurant.

 YUM!!!

As evening set in we took the Night Watchman tour around the city.  He was great -- informative and humorous.

Next up was a float down the Rhine -- such a picturesque day despite an overcast start.  We lost count of all the castles that dotted the banks of the river and made a few stops to check out the different little towns.

This was our boat.

All the castles and vineyards -- just beautiful.  It's easy to see how this became the land of fairytales.

And, of course, we couldn't leave Germany without a cuckoo clock.  After many hours of clock shopping, we settled on one from this store in downtown Wiesbaden.

Next we set off for a few days in Bavaria.  We visited Neuschwanstein Castle and weathered a wicked thunder storm as we got to the top of the hill.  It blew in and out within 20 minutes, but it was indeed a spectacular force of nature -- wind, hail, and sheets of water.  Definitely an adventure.

Our Disney ponchos helped save the day!

A major highlight of our time in Germany was taking the lift up to the summit of Zugspitze -- the tallest mountain peak in Germany.  As someone not terribly fond of heights, it was a little terrifying.  It felt like we'd never reach the top.  But it was truly incredible as we did.  No joke -- we were well above the clouds!!

Despite the summer heat, there was a fair bit of snow left in various spots on the deck and the surrounding area.

The photos can't possibly do the views justice.  Simply breath taking.

And what a perfect spot to grab a beer and a pretzel (Apple juice for Simone!)  We were all a bit surprised at just how good the food was at the top of this mountain.

Austria was just a short drive away so we took the opportunity to visit Innsbruck.

Visited one of the Olympic sites in Innsbruck.

On the way back we detoured so that the bravest among us could hike up and cross the longest pedestrian suspension bridge it the world.  It is actually in the Guinness Book of World Records.  I will not lie -- this was too terrifying for me.  But Simone and Tony loved it.

Simone is turning into quite the little dare devil.  She was most eager of all to tackle this bridge.

And then a final farewell to the vineyards of Germany as we left all together for our next phase -- the French Riviera. There we met up with the Dyer family and our good friends, the Petersons, for a week in Nice.

On the first day in the south of France we drove from Montpellier to Nice and stopped for a day in Avignon.  The Pope's Palace was great, and naturally, we couldn't miss the infamous bridge at Avignon.

The cousins listening to the self tours of the bridge.

Simone did indeed dance on the bridge at Avignon, but here she's simply standing.

Perhaps the best part of our trip was the amazing villa we had the luxury of enjoying for the week.  It was perched on the hills of Nice overlooking the most stunning view one could imagine.  It was hard to rip ourselves away from the pool, patio or veranda where you could just stare for hours at the sea and sunsets.

Lounging by the pool.  Pure heaven.

This was the view from our bedroom window -- personal paradise.

On our first night, we splurged for a french chef to come to the villa and prepare our dinner.  A meal we'll never forget.  It's hard to beat great food and wine on top of a killer view shared with family.

  

As difficult as it was to leave the villa, we certainly did.  We took day trips all over the Riviera.  Here's a sampling...

A bakery in Nice.

The beach in Nice just off the Promenade des Anglaise.

We took the opportunity to do a perfume workshop in Grasse -- the perfume capital of the world.  We each made our own creation, which they bottled and labelled.  So much fun!

Exploring in St. Paul de Vence.

Another amazing dinner.  Italian this time!

Spent a day on the beach in Cannes.  The kids really loved this day.

Hard at work on the moat.  Team effort!

Simone on the famous Red Carpet where the Cannes Film Festival is held each year.  She's practicing to be a star!

What would France be without fresh croissants?

Outside the aquarium in Monaco.

Took a tour of the royal palace in Monaco as well.

This is the beast that stole my sandwich right out of my hand as I walked along unsuspectingly.  I've never hated seagulls more.

Some aquarium shots that Simone took...

On the rooftop at the aquarium.

Outside of the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo.  No kids allowed inside, but the guys went in to try their luck.  Best part was that they walked away with winnings of 30 euros!

Family shot at the villa

The harbor at Villefranche.

On our last evening at the villa we had a huge bbq and spent the night swimming and eating.  We all had the time of our lives.

A final dip in the spa.

Last but not least, we could not leave France without visiting Paris.  And I must say, it was magical showing Simone Paris for the first time.  So special.

The group on the Place de la Concorde before we marched all the way down the Champs Elysees.

Crepe stop!

Macaroon stop at Laduree!

Arc de Triomphe.  

Climbed to the top of the Arc for a view of the Champs Elysees.

Needs no explanation!

The icing on the proverbial cake of our trip was probably this boat trip along the Seine with just our family.  We started at 9pm, so we got to see the city as it lit up at night.  The sights, the lights, the music and the wine made this probably the most idyllic 2 hours of our entire vacation.

The kids danced as we passed the Eiffel Tower on the hour and watched the twinkling lights.

Hiked up to Sacre Coeur.

Pose with Grammy and Pop at Notre Dame.

Stopped at the Louvre.

Could not leave Paris without a stop at Angelina's!

And there you have it!  our first giant family/friend trip.  As Tony puts it, it was part vacation, part reality show, part dream. It is always amazing to travel with Simone and show her the world, but being able to share this with so many of her cousins made it all the more memorable. 

Now we'll try to savor the remaining weeks of summer as we prepare to launch Simone into FOURTH GRADE!!  We hope we've given her a summer to remember forever!