The children had a two week vacation in early April and we enjoyed EVERY minute of it! The first week, we stayed around Aix while Shane participated in a "multi-sports stage." Sydia and Joey Hamlin's friends, Scot and Kim Vidrine, were visiting and we tagged along on two memorable outings....a wine tasting day and cooking class.
While the cat's away, the mouse will play....Shane had a ball playing at sports camp while we were away with the grown-ups.
The wine tasting was held in Chateauneif-du-Pape and Gigondas, with visits to three vineyards where we "solved the mysteries of terroir." Olivier Hickman (www.wine-uncovered.com) led the full day tour on a VERY windy, chilly day. We had to hold onto our hats during his informative talks in the vineyards, but we warmed up quickly as we tasted over 20 different wines throughout the day.
Our hosts, Sydia and Joey Hamlin
Kim and Scot Vidrine
Kim, Scot, Joey, Phil, Sarah, Sydia, Syd and Julie
Joey, dreaming of wines to come!
Sydia and Sarah, trying to stay warm :-)
The first found of tastings....
Round two
Phil and Syd
The gals toasting
The cave
Joey stocking up on fine wines
Syd and Julie trying to stay warm in the cave
Sarah among the barrelsAfter a full day of wine, we returned to collect the children and were treated to a delightful show starring the Hamlin, Vidrine and Butler kids!!
Helen, Mallory, Amelia, Alys, Ethan (with Shane watching in the wings)
Shane, acting the part of an LSU football player! It was QUITE the show :-)
Later in the week, we enjoyed a full day cooking class with Mark Heracle. We were delighted to have Mallory join us. She took great notes and is becoming very interested in French cooking!
Phil, Scot, Kim, Julie, Mallory, Sydia, Kris, Joey and Syd
Syd, the ever-eager student, with Mark Heracle
Proud parentsWe spent the second week in Buoux, in the Luberon Mountains. This was a second stay at La Baume Victoire...we enjoyed the chidren's fall break here so much that we rented the house again!
The Hamlins visted for several days...Max, Shane, Syd, Julie and Sydia
Such a spectacular view!
There are several bories on the property
Shane, Ethan and Max enjoyed running around and around and around!
We brought a kite, but it was so windy during our stay that it almost took Shane up into the air for a ride!
Alys and Ethan took on Shane and Mallory in a "friendly" ping pong match
Mallory loved leading the kids in all sorts of activities...here she is laying the rules for the picnic
Such a spectacular view!There are several bories on the propertyShane, Ethan and Max enjoyed running around and around and around!We brought a kite, but it was so windy during our stay that it almost took Shane up into the air for a ride!Alys and Ethan took on Shane and Mallory in a "friendly" ping pong matchMallory loved leading the kids in all sorts of activities...here she is laying the rules for the picnic
Bedtime wouldn't be the same without a Rescue Riley story!
Shane learned to love "coffee milk" from his buddies Max and Ethan
Mal and her pal, Alys
Budding artist 1
Budding artist 2
Budding artists 3 and 4
Sydia and budding artist 5
Christophe and Muriel joined us for lunch. Christophe is our tennis coach and friend who grew up the Luberon Mountains.
Christophe showing Syd a thing or two about petanque
Muriel, Christophe, Syd and Sydia....what a view!!
Fresh pasta from Maison Pena
Syd enjoying cooking for the crew!
We purchased some lovely pottery in Apt
Jan Wilbert joined us to climb the famous cliff in Buoux, however the weather did not cooperate so he only climbed for about an hour...we will return in the summer to watch him complete this impressive climb!
Jan's daughter, Elena, Julie, Mallory and Annina enjoyed watching Jan
Jan set up a climbing area for the kids to enjoy....Syd and Shane had a ball!
Shane and Daniel
Elena, Mallory and Matilda
Julius, Elena, Mal, Daniel, Shane and Matilda enjoying lunch 