Our Family Vacation - July 2007
Week 1: France

After almost twenty hours of travel, we arrived at La Mandarine, in the heart of Provence. Eleanor promptly got into the spirit by taking off her clothes and cheering "Vive le France!"



She met Isabelle for the first time.



And Matt and Calysta welcomed us with open arms.



The house, fronted by a field of lavender, sits right below the medieval village of Bonnieux.





At sunset, it is nothing short of spectacular.



Soon, the wine was flowing. This is a pose that would be repeated many times over the next week.



Every day revolved around lunch and dinner.



All guests were required to eat their daily quota of cheese.



Laura in her happy place.



In order to keep up, we made daily trips to the village for fresh baguettes.



And of course, the local market.



Eleanor (in the stroller) loved the colors and smells.





In between our hectic schedule of eating and napping, we managed to squeeze in some swimming.





And the Bonnieux X-Games. This event is called "Lounging."





This one is called "Hugs."



And "Sitting in the Grass."





Eleanor befriended the grill and spent a few days chatting with it.



In Provence, the rosé flows like water. At the local wine co-op, you choose your gas pump...



...fill your jug...



...and bring it back to your lunch table. It was the perfect welcome for Christie and Matt, who passed through on their backpacking trip.



As you can see, Eleanor was thrilled to see her nanny.



In fact, she was thrilled about a lot of things.



The hedges...





The orchard...







The roses....



"Wait a minute..."



"I LOVE ROSES!"



And finally, the Clothing Optional policy.







Eleanor and Isabelle became fast friends.





They took their eating as seriously as we did. In this strategic position, Eleanor could drop her favorites down to Isabelle.



Note the ham on the forehead.



This image of 100% cuteness brought to you by Matt.





We also got out and explored. We strolled the cobblestone streets of neighboring Lacoste.









And Calysta took us to the huge market at L'Isle sur la Sorgue.







Isabelle got to know the market's "Neigh Neigh."







The boys got out for a hike in the hills. Their bushwacking off the main trail forced them to survive with only their wits, ingenuity, and the hope that cold beer would be waiting for them if they ever got out. It was.



On Bastille Day, the town residents gathered at the top of the hill for Pistou (bean soup with pesto) and music.



Patriotic anthems? Rousing marches? No. The local teenage band playing, in their own words, "ska/reggae/funk/rock/jazz" and...



"...acoustic polka."



We couldn't quite make all that out in their Pink Floyd covers, but it didn't matter. We had a great time.













We also got out to dinner at a wonderful retaurant overlooking the valley. But while Dave and Laura enjoyed a stunning sunset...



Matt and Calysta ate by a mysterious blinding noonday sun.



Don't be surprised to see these pictures on our Christmas card.







Ah, Eleanor, how lovely...how angelic...how...



um.



Eleanor. Back away from the plum clafouti.



We prepared for one last feast by visiting Calysta's childhood friend, Stephane the butcher.



While he prepared our leg of lamb, Eleanor hung out with his daugher Clea.



Laura and Calysta took the lamb and cooked a memorable feast -- or rather, a fête!



And once again, we ate at the big table. Jason and Julia arrived just in time.



As our week came to an end, we said goodbye to Matt and Christie.



And our incredible hosts.



Eleanor gave Isabelle one last good night kiss, and we were up early the next morning for the journey to Italy.