Settling Back In at Home

Elsinore in France

Elsinore In France from kparker on Vimeo.

We love, love, love you Elsinore!  And we miss you and the girls more than you can imagine.  Thank you for the sounds of constant joy you brought to our home; your laughter is contageous.  

Love,

Tia and Uncle Olivier

A Morning Nap with Tia Kelli

Basquette Case

Peggy and Emil's neighbors refer to Elsinore as the little Basque-ette. This series of photos is for them.... in honor of the wonderful nick name they gave her.

Bathing with Kitchen Smurf

Els discovered my Kitchen Smurf and it has been one of her favorite toys.  She even fell asleep with it.

Bed Head

Knitting

helping grandma

Jumpin on the Bed

Tia had nothing to do with teaching her this.  It was a game she learned all on her own when she discovered that Raphael and Adrien's bed mattress was way more bouncy than what she is used to.

There just isn't anything more fun than jumping!

First Goddess Party

It was a big day yesterday. We got up early so Mom and Grandma could get massages. We then worked on getting the house ready to have a surprise Bridal Shower for Isa. We set a beautiful table with napkins Aunt Jana made and with the pin-cushion-flowers Grandma made.

I welcomed all the girls when they got here but then had to go to bed. I could hear everyone having a good time though, and I decided I needed to participate a little more so Mom and I compromised and I got to join the party again for dessert. I could tell Isa really liked all the gifts and advice she was given and was especially delighted with how much came from Boise. Aunt Andria also sent a very special handmade gift that we all fell in love with.

We are leaving for Chamonix today and will be back online Sunday night.

Baby in a Barrel

Living Room Camping

A Farm...The Real Thing

Elsinore's favorite book is "The Barn Book". Each page in the book features a different farm animal, asks "Who says (and the sound of the animal)", and then a flap or door lifts to reveal the animal. Today, Olivier took us to a real farm nearby where they purchase fresh milk, yogurt, sausage, and eggs. Elsi saw Turkeys, Chickens, and Rabbits. But, she did not see her favorite farm animal, the dog. We think it is her favorite because she likes to mimic something that sounds much like "woof woof".

Skiing the backside of Chamrousse

Olivier took me on my first "apres Elsi" ski adventure today. We started at Chamrousse and took the cable car to the top of the resort. From there, we dropped to the back side and Olivier and I skinned 500 meters up Sordier. It was a perfect, sunny, spring day hosting nice snow conditions and beautiful views. Unfortunately, as we approached the summit, a rescue helicopter appeared to transport an injured skier. Olivier knew the skier as someone who skis every day! We spoke with his partner and learned that he blew his knee out about 10 meters from the summit doing a steep kick turn. Although I felt sorry for the skier, I was very impressed with the rescue team and the power of the helicopter. You can see the chunks of snow it kicked up while they hosted the injured skier in the picture above.

All in all it was an awesome day and I am very excited for the day Elsinore can ski with us!

Levis hard at work

Elsi had fun with Tia Kelli and Grandma Pam while Uncle Olivier and Mom went skiing.

Warming up to Uncle O...

...sort of.

Everywhere we go, it smells like cheese...

Monday market, Uriage

Yoga With The Nut

yoga with the nut from kparker on Vimeo.

Day 3 with Tia and Uncle O

It was a great day today. We got up early and did some reading and some eating of plums and apples. We then went to the Uriage market to get chicken legs for the dinner that Tia is preparing right now. After we got back I did some napping then we had a dandelion salad that Uncle Olivier made for us. He harvested the leaves from the field next door then made a delicious bacon dressing (well, so I hear it was delicious; I ate carrot/ginger soup, which was good too.)

I then spent the afternoon with Grandma and Uncle Olivier while Mom and Tia went skiing. We had a great time even though Uncle Olivier is still pretty scary to me. I did let him share a couple of my toys today and maybe tomorrow I will let him hold me but only because he has made a loaf of French Brioche for our breakfast tomorrow and I know I will love it.

Tia and Els, Day 2

Weekend with Gilles and Nicole

Gilles and Nicole drove all the way from Marsaille to spend time with the girls.  We had a really fun dinner last night, a great walk this morning and lovely lunch together today.  Elsinore was an angel and loved partying.  It's hard to see in this picture but Gilles and Nicole bought her an awesome new French outfit (pink velour pants, sassy tshirt with a cat on it that reads "black mood" and a sporty pink vest.)  She was the hottest thing on the trail!

It was really wonderful to spend time together.  Thanks to Gilles and Nicole for making the long trip.

Who ya gonna call?

Travel is tough

International travel is tough but Mom says I did great! It was also a long drive to Tia and Uncle Olivier's house. The French holidays started today and when we arrived all the freeways were blocked! Uncle Olivier had to drive us for 2 1/2 hours before we got home. Mostly, we just slept though. We got to have lunch together and go for a walk around the village. It felt good to be in the sun.

Busted

KOROL, ELSINORE JOSEPHINE

Elsi's passport mug shot.
Off to France with Mom & Grandma to party with Tia Kelli & Olivier on Friday!
What is Dad gonna do?