Summer Pics - Take 2 - Reminder to book early

Hi Everyone

Same deal as the last post - been a busy summer and busier start to fall. Lots of sun, lots of fun, enjoyed seeing friends and family - looking forward to getting settled in the school year routine.  Kristie will be joining all 3 boys at Marymount this year as an assistant in the pre-K class which is very exciting for us, but another adjustment.  Lincoln is psyched to be joining the big guys at the same school and riding the bus, and the older guys are being good sports about it.

In other news, after years of window shopping and a lot of soul searching Bill decided to take a job in Afghanistan working with local Afghan authorities near Kabul that will start around July 2011. The rest of the family will probably move back to Vermont for that year, and from there we are looking at the possibility of a tour in Montreal.

Hope all of you are well - and please (seriously) book your visit early, spots are going fast!

Enjoy the pictures, we cherish the memories that go with them...

The Bridge Building Gang at the commemoration ceremony

Cowboy Lincoln on his favorite day of French preschool (his last)

On Lake Champlain

Chillin with Gpa

Fun with the Cousins

Where did Lincoln go?

Those Crocs don't stand a chance vs. Team Swaney

Eli's Favorite monument - the Pont du Gard - southern France

Touring Nimes with our French friends

Can you guess where this is going?

Linkus "Cannus" Rex

Remembering old times in Montpelier

With our French Mother/Grandmother

Soaking in the Meditterannean Sunshine

Learning some cooking skills

Visiting old friends

and making new ones...

(our cultural ambassador)

Touring the Loire Valley

Chateau Chenonceaux

Chambord

Paris friends

The Fountains of Versailles

First Day of School

Paris Summer Pics 2010 - take 1

Dear Reader

Pictures will have to make up for words in trying to capture the busy spring and summer we have had in Paris - as I just don't have the time or energy, and my muses are conducting what is known as a "movemente sociale" (say it with a nice thick accent) - which is the very Parisian pasttime of going on strike :)

Accordingly, the pictures are in neither chronological or logical order - though that will come as no surprise to any of you...

Dr. Graham doing a rotation in Dental surgery with a surprisingly compliant patient...

Deep Thinkers

Pilgrimage/Cub Scout Hiking trip across the Bay of Mont St. Michel

(yeah, its a pretty cool trip, even if you go hip deep in cold saltwater)

Graham and his seperated-at-birth friend Sammy


Normandy sheep

World War II Cemetery for U.S. Soldiers

Highly Decorated Cub Scouts (though technically Graham has now "crossed over" into Boy Scouts! Luckily, although the boys are growing up Mom and Dad remain a youthful 18 and 20 something...)

A rare moment caught on film

Patriot and Revolutionary War Hero - John Paul Jones making a call to arms

And showing a more sensitive/domestic side

(Please ladies, calm down and wait your turn, we know your feelings about a man who cleans...)

Eli "Spartacus" Swaney - on a birthday trip to Asterix Park

Admiral Lincoln

And his passengers

When they were still dry

At the dolphin show

Special visitors from India - Dora and Jacob

And the Grandparents - who took them on a whirlwind trip to see every major landmark in France in one day!!! (in miniature - but still impressive...)

Belle Paris in the spring

Well spring finally came to Paris, with the long warm days and return of leaves and flowers.


Even for we non-city folks, we must concede it is beautiful.

It has also brought a pleasant influx of visitors, who wisely booked early :) Summer is actually wide open, though much of the family will be in the U.S. for a good portion of the vacation.


The boys are thriving here, and have all made at least one special friend. Graham thrives on his growing independence and the excitement (and convenience for Mom and Dad) of making a solo trip to the bakery or supermarket. Eli continues to enjoy his sports and card games, while Lincoln enjoys thinking he is twice his age and three times his size... His brothers don't enjoy this as much, but the overall sibling harmony level is on the rise.


The dogs are calming down, but Cameron still can't resist the urge to chase the ducks in the pond - to the delight and occasional concern of the bystanders.


Hope all is well with all our readers


Boys setting a trap for Lucky the Leprechaun, our annual trickster visitor

Easter party at the Ambassadors Residence (yes it's good to be Ambassador...)

Dad's birthday - and my birthday rugby bear

Eli's special friend Anna

Picnic at Sacre Couer

Ahh! Those Swaney Boys...

Lincoln playing the part at his frog-themed birthday party


The visiting Glitterati


Bouncing in the Bois

Fueling up on pastries for another day

Glitterati with manservants


This is the before picture...

Sailing lessons

Boys with Ultimate Fight contestants stranded by Iceland volcano who passed their time in Paris by hosting a self-defense demonstration

Surprisingly, nobody got wet at this fountain on this day