Back to our life in France

(Posted by Daniel)

As the kids were still jet lagging on Saturday, we were all up by 6:30 am. Normally, this would annoy me, but today I had plans. I had prepared everything we needed the night before and we were out the door shortly after to finally do something I have wanted to do for a while.

A few weeks ago, we attempted to hike to the famous calanque d'en vau, but I did not realize that the final portion of the trail that descended to the sea was much too difficult and dangerous for children. We arrived to the calanque but only could gaze down from the top of the high white cliffs to the inviting turquoise blue waters and secluded beach below that seemed to be calling my name. At that moment, I decided that I had to find another way and that we would then safely visit that calanaque. After asking some locals, a friend informed me of another more reasonable route.

Upon arriving at the beach, Jaxon instinctively ran to the water and stared silently for a while before beginning to strip off his cloths to get in -- a typical Jaxon ritual regardless of the weather.

To motivate Jaxon during the long hike, we pretended we were explorers, and as we got an early start, we were some of the first to arrive and were able to have the beach to ourselves for a while.

Jonas is becoming quite the beach bum. He loves playing in the sand and rocks. Hopefully he doesn't wear down his one budding tooth.

I of course brought my snorkeling gear. Jaxon is starting to learn how to use his, but I think he will need to practice more in the bath tub before seeing any fish in the sea. I enjoyed exploring the underwater landscape and observing the many types of fish in their element. The Mediterranean Sea is extremely salty which makes swimmers very buoyant and swimming effortless. On many occasions I would float motionless as a school of fish slowly swam by.

The water has gotten a little warmer and Janet decided to get in.

Rock climbers littered the sheer cliffs which of course did not escape Jaxon's attention. He climbed to the top of a small bolder and enjoyed the view. We did not try the cliff behind him.

On the way back to the car, as we rose from the deep canyon to the plateau, the wind picked up which sure got Jonas excited. He loves sitting forward facing during hikes and stopping occationally to touch the leaves of the trees and feel the rough surfaces of the rocks. It is fun to watch him as he explores the world around him although we have to keep a close eye on him to make sure he does not swallow his discoveries.

Jet Lagged Birthday

Although we had already had a party for him in Washington, we had a small celebration for Jaxon on his real birthday, May 27th. I was glad that we had already had a party for him because I was in a total fog. This has been some of the worst jet lag I have ever experienced. I guess openning presents never gets old. When Daniel went on a business trip to Houston in March, Daniel's family sent back gifts for Jaxon's birthday. They were a hit!

The only thing that I had gotten him was a NASA space shuttle. Jaxon totally cracks me up, the kid cannot sit through an animated movie, but totally ate up Apollo 13. His latest YouTube passion is watching (successful) space shuttle launches. He kept on telling me that for his birthday he wanted a space shuttle that has the rockets come off, like they do once in space. I was shocked at how difficult it was to find a space shuttle toy! I finally found one at the Seattle Pacific Science Center, which was thrilling for me. It does not have a rocket part that comes off, but I guess you have to take what you can get.

The fifth candle is "one to grow on." Is this normal or just something my family does? I can't believe this kid is four! He is just so much fun and we love having him in our family!

Seattle on a Sunny Day

We flew into Seattle, so we decide to spend a couple days in this awesome city on our way out with my brother Matt's family and my parents. Somewhat amazing, we had perfect weather while we were there. We had a wonderful time. Watching the fish throwing at Pike's Place Market

Hanging out on the pier. This place is so beautiful!

For me, eating a bucket of clams is always a must-do during any excursion to Seattle. Jaxon experienced his first clam and rather enjoyed it.

Ryan also experienced his first clam...but I think it is clear from this picture that it wasn't exactly with enjoyment. It didn't make it to his stomach, but he did chew on it for awhile which we were all proud of, since he doesn't always find pleasure in trying new foods. We were also proud that he didn't throw anything else up. I guess the gross part of it all is that the final destination of this clam was in Matt's stomach.

I love steamed clams!

It was an exhausing day. Thank goodness for strollers.

One of the highlights was our visit to the Seattle Pacific Science Center, an incredible science museum! Maybe I am a nerd, but there are few things that I enjoy more than a good museum. Here, Jaxon, Ryan, and Kylee are getting ready for their takeoff into space.

My dad riding the suspension bike; kind of an eerie feeling.

Of course you have to have a Space Needle picture, right?

After the museum we spent a little bit of time passing through the Folklore Festival. Daniel had his first glimps of the "grunge" culture (if that is even what it is called anymore) so prevalent in Seattle, which he wasn't entirely sure of. I loved the atmosphere, though. I just love this city! Nothing like spending a time in a great city with some of my favorite people.

And with that our trip had reached its conclusion and we were on the plane heading back to Marseille. When Daniel's boss had offered us a trip to anywhere in the world a couple months ago, I didn't realize that the best trip would be back to see family. But Jaxon knew. We are so happy that we changed our tickets and we wouldn't have traded this trip for all the pyramids in Egypt. However, Jaxon is still asking about the camels we told him he was going to ride...

Driving back home from the Marseille airport, we were happy to be back. It is funny to say, but this place which was so foreign to us just a few months ago has become our home.

All-American Boating Trip

Daniel convinced my brother-in-law, Rick, to take us to the river on his boat. Not that it took much convincing. My nephews skipped out of school for the day and we had a we had the Snake River to ourselves, probably because it was a week day and the water temperature was definitely not for the faint of heart. Jaxon could not get enough of this. He loved hanging out with his big cousins.

Daniel in his element. It had been a couple years for him, but it did not take him long to get it back. He also found a new love in the slolom ski.

Jaxon turning the boat around to pick up dad after a fall.

Daniel and Tyler: extreme tubing.

I was surprised how much Jonas enjoyed this event. The kid loves anything that involved wind in his hair.

Jaxon loved the wild rides on the tube. He is one adventurous kid. Here I am on the "unsinkable tube" with him; well, unsinkable so long as you are leaning back when slowing down. Something that would have been good for me to know BEFORE I submarined the intertube when we were on it. Poor Jaxon was the only one to experience the water without a wet suit this day. From the expression on his face, I think it is clear that this was not his favorite part of the trip.

Luckily, I don't think it ruined him for life. I went wakeboarding after that and while he was watching me he said "I want to do that." And I think he probably really would have if we had let him.

Washington my home, wherever I may roam...

We just made it back from our whirlwind of a trip to see my family in Washington. Two weeks may seem like a long vacation, but hardly when you are trying to pack in a million things: two birthday parties (Jaxon's and my sister-in-law Rachel's), two graduation parties (mine with my master's degree and my nephew Tyler's from high school), eating all of our favorite fatty American foods (and gaining some weight), watching the new movies that we have missed out on, a trip to Seattle, shopping to fill our suitcases with American treats to bring back to France, all sorts of performances (choir, band, etc...), packing in a full season of The Office (can you believe it about Pam and Jim?!!), and a father/son campout being among the many things on our vaction "to-do list". Why not start with the county-renowned Walla Walla Balloon Stampede? Nothing like jet lag to get you ready to be out and about by 6:00 in the morning. Jaxon was up by 2:30 our first morning in town, rearing to go! All the kids loved this event and I am always one for getting out in the community, even if it isn't mine. They had events throughout the day and Daniel and I attended our first horse races. However, it may be our last as we witnessed the likely death of a horse and narrow survival of a jockey who was launched from the horse during our first race... Luckily, Jaxon wasn't there.

Hanging out at the park. Jonas loved being pushed by his cousin, Kylee

Jonas and Dallin competing to see who can go the highest, but Jonas refused to kick his legs as instructed

Nothing like cousins!

Daniel and Jaxon attended a father/son campout with Matt, Ryan, Rick, Tyler, Austin, and my dad. Daniel enjoyed employing his Eagle Scout expertise (nerd) in explaining fire safety and the art of building a fire with wet wood.

Few things create pleasure like smores.

Token picture with my Grandma Klump who will soon be 92. Jaxon LOVES the wheelchair.

At my nephews', Tyler and Austin's, band concert. Jonas loved it! They played the theme song for Jurassic Park, which was Jaxon's favorite. He loves that movie.

A little excursion to Bennington Lake. Matt wearing his white trash wig.

We celebrated Jaxon's birthday a week early in Washington so that Jaxon could have his cousins there. He had a good time, but was fairly exhausted because he had been too excited to take a nap that day.

Daniel and Austin not trying to kiss, rather playing "Battling Rings", a family favorite involving spinning wedding rings (Austin's was borrowed) and blowing them into eachother. The last one standing wins.

Matt look Jaxon for a spin on his scooter. I think it just may have made Jaxon's life.

And here is our new puppy:

Maya licking peanut butter off of Jaxon's tummy. A popular game.

Jonas wasn't more impressed with American baby food than French. But really, I can't imagine that anyone who doesn't like French baby food (even I like it!) is going to go for anything else.

May 1st Holiday

Daniel had a long weekend for the "Premier Mai" holiday. Apparently it is the day to celebrate workers, but rather than celebrate it by working everyone gets a day off. The partners in Daniel's office were convinced that it was a worldwide bank holiday. Not exactly, but I'll take it! The weather couldn't have been better and we had great weekend full of hiking and swimming. We spent Friday hiking near La Ciotat.

Jonas loves all this hiking around; he gets to do the easy part

Taking a break and enoying the view from the botanical gardens in La Ciotat

Is he serious?

Yes, he is and there he goes. See his little head and his flippers? Daniel is thrilled that the Mediterranean has finally warmed up enough for him (not enough for me) to go snorkelling. It really brings out the kid in him...

A little dad and son island hopping

Jonas at the wheel! The next morning we headed back out to Cassis with the rather ambitious plan of hiking out to the calanque "en vau".

Can I just say, I have the most amazing three-year-0ld! We hiked about four miles on Satuday, an intense hike with a lot of uphill that left both Daniel and I exhaused and sore. This kid trekked the entire way and did not ask to be held once! The hike commenced with a steep descent of about 1/5 of a mile and I was somewhat dreading the whole time the entirely likely prospect of needing to lug him back up it at the end. But not at all. He joyfully sped right up that mountain pretending to be an airplane and I was spared. He is such a tough kid!

Of course we took some time out to enjoy the beaches tucked in the coves.

Jonas had his first taste of sand. Most of the beaches around here are pebbly, so he has had a lot of pebbles come through his digestive track. This was his first time with sand, and he really seemed to enjoy it.

Jaxon loved playing in this little rocky area with the waves coming in and out.

Everyone was thoroughly exausted by the end of our weekend...

So that is it! Our last French adventure before we take off for our visit back to the States this Friday. We are certainly looking forward to eating some Mexican food, some good barbeque, and buying cheap toilletries...