Joyeux Noël !

For the first time in 11 years, Frédéric's family decided to spend Christmas all together. We went up to Normandy, where his mom and younger sister live. 

Whoa. Rough look in the morning.

Gala was very excited to get to come with us. 

Frédéric made us a delicious breakfast.

In France, there are crèches everywhere. This one is in an old mill in the center of a village we drove through.
They only add baby Jesus on Christmas morning (or midnight Christmas Eve).

Frédéric, hard at work. 

Frédéric's sister made macarons, and the boys helped.

Yum! 

12 years old!

Time flies... this guy turned 12! 

He requested peanut butter pie as his birthday cake.

Montgomery, Alabama

On Saturday, we got up bright and early, like I hate to do - but we had a long, long day's drive ahead of us to get to Montgomery. 

Noah's favorite part of the farm

Chickens!

Pigs!

We were back and forth between the farm and town, to visit my grandad in the hospital. We were glad to see him feeling a little bit better before we left.

Thanksgiving!

We continued our trip down to Madill, Oklahoma, where I've spent most of the Thanksgivings in my life. We had gorgeous weather this year, so were able to go fishing at the pond and go for walks. 

Delicious Thanksgiving lunch!

Complete with cafeteria trays for those who don't like their food touching.

It's not all fun and games when there is homework to do!

Noah loves helping in the kitchen. He signed up to help cook and to help clean up.

Tulsa

After a week in St. Louis, it was time to head off on our annual tour. 

We take 44 West from St. Louis to Tulsa, which is part of historic Route 66. 

Tulsa skyline

Noah had fun playing with his cousins.

Great-grandparents, and super great-grandkids!

World Bird Sanctuary

In our quest to make our trips home somewhat more educational than just, "Well, they are speaking English," we visited the World Bird Sanctuary, just a few minutes from my parents' house. It was a  nice, quiet day to visit - we were four of about nine total visitors. Why, you ask? Because it was freezing out! 

Quilting... uh, Fringing Bee

My best friend lives back in St. Louis now. And she needed some help preparing blankets that her daughter's class was going to finish and send to the Ronald McDonald House. She had to cut the fringe on all these polar fleece blankets.

So what else does a friend do but say, "That will take you forever by yourself! Let's call our moms and knock it out quick!" And that's how we have a fringing bee. 

St Louis Science Center

At the boys' request, we visited the Science Center one morning. 

This new agricultural section was Noah's favorite part. 

Combines and tractors, what more could a boy ask for?

Finally tall enough to build the tall arch!

Frédéric still can't afford to send us off into space. 

Back to America!

Despite a letter from the academic director of Noah's school telling us what terrible parents we are, we took off for the US again for Thanksgiving. 

"Driving" the people-mover at the CDG airport.

After spending the night in Marietta, Georgia, we headed out towards St. Louis.

American roads are much nicer for driving on than French roads.
ButAtlanta drivers are about as bad as French drivers. 

Nap time...

Nashville

Home, Sweet Home! 

All three boys tried their first ice cream float ever. They weren't that impressed. 

Benjamin got right to work on his schoolwork. 

Mmmm. Good ol' American food.