With the cold weather when we arrived, we didn't go out of the house much. A visit we had planned to Rolla to visit the MO S&T campus was cancelled for cold weather - windchill of -15°F.
No bother, we spent our time indoors playing games and making treats.
Ah, Christmas, and the family Christmas gift exchange.
Benjamin got some books, a leather and metal bracelet, and a pen that can write, saw small branches, break car windows, and maybe end world hunger. Noah got the future aviator set of aviator sunglasses, fountain pen, fancy watch, and aviator dictionary.
We haven't celebrated Benjamin's birthday in the US for a few years, so we decided to take advantage of the trip home for another celebration. Who doesn't want more cake?
I asked him what kind of cake he wanted, and he said, "Rainbow unicorn."
Your wish is my command. Frédéric made the base layer of frosting and I drew & frosted the unicorn.
If I'm not mistaken. We've always gone home for Thanksgiving, and not for Christmas, but decided to make a break with tradition this year since we haven't had our big family Thanksgiving since covid, and since Grandma Crowe moved in with my parents recently, it seemed like an opportune time to visit.
We traveled like people who've been through a pandemic - masks on and disinfectant wipes at the ready.
We spent the night in Pontiac, Illinois, a travel-stop-tradition that began in 2010 when my mom's car broke down between Chicago and St. Louis. When we're driving ourselves, we can't drive too long after a long flight, so Pontiac is a good in-between spot to stop.
Interclub swim meets generally include relay events. Noah swam the breaststroke for his team in the 200-meter medley relay.
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| In the past year, he's perfected his dive, which makes for some great photos since my "press the button" timing has not yet caught up with his new style. |
Sometimes at interclub meets they present the teams, who can dress up for the parade.As this meet fell during the soccer World Cup, Noah's team dressed up as French soccer fans.
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We've missed our family Thanksgivings in the US since covid struck, but we enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at home over the weekend.
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They've come a long way from when they were the little kids watching the big kids with admiration in their eyes - now they are the big kids!
Benjamin was
proud to have won the 200-meter butterfly and the Australian relay, and
Noah was proud of his first place in 100-meter medley.
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| Noah, third from left, Benjamin, fourth from left |
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| Noah trying not to die during the butterfly race |
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| Benjamin, not too tired to smile after the butterfly race |
Ok, not quite Christmas yet, but it's our family Christmas present from Frédéric's work. So we're not picky about the date.
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| We stayed in a great AirBNB, built by our hosts |
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| We ate "American BBQ" (yeah, not so much) |
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| And we visited St Valery sur Somme |
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| with its tame boar, on the beach |
