A day out at the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco

Most people have heard of the Grand Prix races on Monaco's famous track.  Fewer are aware that every second year they run a "Historic" Grand Prix two weeks prior to the regular race, where they run cars from the 50's through the 70's.  J and I left early this morning for Monaco, and the races had already started.  The engines were so loud as they echoed through the narrow streets that I could only communicate in gestures to the ticket vendor.  We had hot sun and sprinkling rain.  J and I were well rewarded after a long day.

I will add and caption a few pics and vids:

Monaco.  An amazing backdrop.  Spectators in the stands and on yachts await the next race.  We sat above the swoop of track in the picture, with a corner to the right, and an s-curve on the left.  We were inside the track, so as cars whizzed by in front of us, we could hear them roar behind us.

Morning sunlight, and an almost natural smile from J (a rarity in photos).

The racers in the video (on a slow lap so the cars can best be seen) are front engine formula cars from 1958-1960.  Some of the oldest cars raced today.

A casualty of the corner (Formula 1, 1973-1976) being hauled off after the heat.

This car quit on the race course, and was pushed safely to a bunker just below where we were sitting.

Monaco from the rock - the Prince's living quarters on the far right, and the raceway below.

Before the rain descended and we found our way home.

A weekend in Port Grimaud

We spent a few days this week at a Eurocamp site near Port Grimaud - a beautiful little Mediterranean ville near Saint Tropez, France.  We found ourselves in a three bedroom 330 sq. ft. trailer - 55 sq. ft. per person.  We had a great time playing games, swimming in the heated pool,  visiting the beach, and taking the ferry to Saint Tropez.  Here are some pics:

In out little trailer.

We all fit, even after the meal.

A couple shots at the pool.

E and a friend.

Any guesses what the sign means? Thanks Europe.

Some photos of the port ville - easier to get around by boat than by car.








Always enjoy the beach - this time at Port Grimaud.

J dug holes, while A sang to the sea.

El always seems to take the best pictures.

One long time photogenic and two budding photographers

In Saint Tropez


Everytime I take a panorama, my kids seem to multiply - this time to the backdrop of the Mediterranean from the Citadel at Saint Tropez.

Our record is 3 J's

Decent pic, excellent photobomb.


FIN.

Season of Spetacles

Like most countries that celebrate Christmas, France is looking forward to December 25. Most villages deck the streets with lights and garlands. Santa pays a visit to each village one way or another--Vinon-sur-Verdon has a Santa that comes to visit on a plane.  No Christmas party is complete without every attendee showing up is a Santa hat of some kind. While the society is very secular, December is time for performances and pageants: "les spectacles" in French. Here are a few ways we've made a spectacle of ourselves this season.

Anna, Sophie and J performed in a church pageant last weekend. While not the traditional story of Christ's birth from the Bible, it was a story about finding Christmas. Taken from a story written by an American, the youth of our stake sang, danced, acted, and even roller-skated as they portrayed the story of a French au pair looking for a way to give a gift to the Saviour in New York City.

Anna played the lead role of the au pair, Ursula. She sang a solo at the end of the show and did a great job (even though her knees where shaking under her dress). Sophie danced the waltz during a party scene and played the mother of the family Ursula worked for. James put his energy into a few group dance numbers and was part of the chorus.

As the youth are spread out over a 150 km radius, it is difficult to get together to practice. There were only three rehearsals before the show. It was a remarkable feat. We were so grateful to youth leaders and branch members who supported our children and helped them get from here to there.

E started taking a Zumba/modern dance class this year. Her teacher, Ivana, put together a petit spectacle de noel so parents could see what their children have been learning. The room (a sort of cultural hall for the village) was decorated with red and white boxes, red fabric and a Christmas tree. All the dancers wore Santa hats in true French style. It was a very festive recital. I am so proud of E for going to class even though she has to go by herself and everything is in French. She's quite a kid.

This week J's music teacher put together a winter concert--the first of its kind in the history of the school. In addition to singing, J's class got to play the drums. As drumming is something he has always wanted to do, he looked pretty happy. Hopefully, it compensated for the singing part.

Our last performance is in the form of a piano recital for Sophie (and maybe E if she works up her courage) tomorrow night. Here is a one of the pieces Sophie will play.

We wish you all a joyeuse fête.

Meredith

Vienna

Every October we get a two-week break from school. Although we had lots of homework we also had many great adventures--and because Grandma and Grandpa F. were here, they got to join us!

Anna, Grandma, Grandpa and I got the opportunity to go visit some friends (the Minerts) in Vienna. Here are some of my favorite parts of the trip:

One of the highlights of the trip was experiencing Europe's second largest Ferris wheel. It was VERY high, but there were some VERY pretty views of the city.

Anna and I also went on the world's largest chain swing. (It took some persuading to get me to do it with her.) In the end it was tons of fun! We enjoyed walking around the amusement park.

We took a walk down the Danube river with the beautiful autumn leaves falling around us.

The food we ate was impeccable! Our diet included wienerschnitzel, goulash, some delicious potato salad and homemade cookies ;).

The last day of our visit we went to an apfelstrudel demonstration at the Schönbrunn Castle where grandma earned her apfelstrudel certificate, proving she's a pro.

After the demonstration, we went and toured the castle. It's the place where Marie Antoinette's family lived while she was growing up.

It was lots of fun! Let's just say I wish I was still on vacation...

From, Soph

Foux Du Fafa

Patrick introduced the girls to this song when he and Chelsea came to visit in May. We have French moments like this everyday where we know just enough French to fake our way through conversations...until we don't. Enjoy our funny interpretation of this Flight of the Conchords classic, "Foux Du Fafa."

A Happy Week

Hi everyone!

This week was the best week ever for two reasons: First, my grandma got to stay. She brought us lots of candy. She gave lots of hugs and I haven't seen her for a long time, so it was nice of her to come. We went on lots of walks and she read me stories. Sometimes she came with my mom to pick me up from school.

One of the bad things this week was when I hurt my arm doing a one-handed cartwheel. I bent my arm back the wrong way. I cried for a long time. My grandma comforted me and read me a story. She said that Sour Patch Kids were medicine if you were hurt.

The other awesome thing was I started a dance class. It was the best dance class ever. I haven't had so much fun in ages in a dance class. I do a Zumba/modern dance class. My teacher is really nice. Sometimes she can be really funny too. I haven't made friends with any of the other kids yet, but they seem nice. I can't wait to go again next Tuesday.

The rest of my family started activities too. Sophie started swim, my brother started BMX, Anna went climbing and my mom started Zumba and Piloxing. My dad goes to work, but at least he has time to spend with us on the weekend.

In France you have to go to the doctor to get a medical certificate that allows you to do a sport. We all went to the doctor this week to get ours. When the doctor filled out mine she asked me if I was doing rugby. She uses that joke on everyone. In America you don't have to go to the doctor for sport so... you're lucky.

On Wednesday my friend "Squid"got to sleep at our house because her mom was having eye surgery.  We ate apple pie and played outside for a little bit. We got eaten by mosquitos. When it was time to sleep, we snuggled into Sophie's big bed. We would have slept better if J hadn't been in the same room keeping us awake, but mom sent him to the couch anyway, and then we slept great.

Saturday grandma left really early in the morning. That morning, I went into her room to wake her up but she wasn't there. It made me sad. I can't wait until she comes again.

Later that day my mom and I had a game night. It was so fun because we got to play the wii, we got to watch a show and read stories because everyone else went to a youth activity in Marseille. It was awesome because it was just us and we got to eat Macaroni and Cheese and Oreos. It was soooo good.

That's the week.

Love,

E

New Additions and New Beginnings

This past week we have had a new addition to our home. My friend Victoria moved in with us. She and I are sharing a tiny room in the upper floor of our house. It has been hard sharing everything I have but I'm glad we could help her out. Our room is cluttered and close quarters for two teenage girls but we have had fun doing homework together and going to bed at nine thirty on the dot every day. She attends seminary on the phone with us--although we aren't sure the teacher is aware. 

We don't have much time to spend time doing recreational activities because this school year is high pressure and high work load. I feel like a homework machine, except for when I have a pleasure reading book, then I'm a reading machine. I can't help it. 

We finally made it through the first full week of school. I just can't wait for vacation. 

Love, Anna