Ne-O-Tez

The main reason we came to the US so early this year was so the boys could go to camp in Missouri. This is part of my strategy to get them to speak more English, and to see that going to university in the US could be fun. 

Camp is in De Soto, which was hot, hot, hot the week they went.

When we came back to pick them up at the end of the week, we found Benjamin chatting with girls, and telling us, "You didn't have to come here so early!" and Noah scarred for life by his near run-in with a copperhead.

Catching up!

The boys left for camp Sunday afternoon, so in between working, I spent some time catching up with friends.

Amanda

Melanie

Jesse

Amy

 

Church during a covid pandemic means

individual communion kits.

Chicago to St. Louis via... Atlanta?

My parents picked us up in Chicago. We all stayed overnight in Pontiac, Illinois, and then drove to St. Louis. Who knew it could take seven hours to drive 225 miles? How, you ask? 

 

Well, sometimes you have to stop to get gas, but then that gas station's coffee is no good. So you have to find a different one for that. And we might as well eat before we arrive, so we don't have to figure out food when we get there. And really, what trip would be complete without a stop at "downtown Atlanta".... Illinois?

 

 

 

But at long last, we got to the place we really wanted to be!

 

On our way to the US for the first time since the pandemic

Since we were able to all be vaccinated against Covid-19 in time, the boys and I took off for the US for an extended summer trip, with Frédéric to join us later.

In order to be able to go, we had to show negative Covid tests and a signed CDC statement saying we didn't have any symptoms of covid. Masks were required in the airport and on the plane.  

Noah and Benjamin, riding the train to our gate

Waiting at the gate.

Flying in Covid-19 times: a sanitizing wipe, an extra face mask, and a small packet of hand sanitizer.

Fancy seats!

We like to travel in comfort.

Air France has good food!

We made it to Chicago!

Four Vaccinated People!

 

It's official! All four of us have been vaccinated against Covid-19. We're glad to live in a time where medical advances can be made so quickly, and we're looking forward to finally seeing family and friends in the US again.

Tall enough to reach the ground

 

Noah is almost done with school, one more day to go. Today, he came home with this gem: "There were fifth graders at the middle school, they only come up to my waist!"

We laugh a lot

We have teenagers, but we laugh a lot...

While I was cutting Benjamin's hair today, he wrote his diary. 

 

"Day 91. I hope to live to see the light of day. I'm starting to starve. Day 206. Mom says we're halfway there."

A snake with no legs

Benjamin: What is a 'traversin'?

Frédéric: It's a long, cylindrical pillow that goes across the bed. Like a snake with no legs.

 

I actually married him for the phenomenal way he explains things.