Hooray for Cousins!

Last week, Jim and Tillie headed off on a adventure to Germany and Austria, which left us ready for the arrival of three of my wonderful English cousins along with their respective husbands and offspring. What fun! The Gradys stayed under our roof, and the Hilders and Rutts booked a nearby gîte.

The weather cooperated beautifully for this time of year, Jesse took vacation time, and we packed a lot of sightseeing into the three main days we had together. Our destinations ranged from the obscure (e.g., mushroom caves) to the famous (e.g., Chateau d'Ussé, a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty's castle). However, I'd argue that the highlights of the holiday were our nightly dinners together, each of which was followed by a show put on by Grace, Olivia, and a reluctantly roped-in Josiah. They were hilarious, equal parts factual and dramatic, based on that particular day's outings. The Day 1 mushroom show concluded with a mushroom can-can dance (yes, you read that right); the Day 2 vulture show involved a teddy being tossed as carrion to Olivia and Josiah (who had large beaks attached to their faces with medical tape); and the Day 3 life-in-a-castle show provided Jesse with his favorite quote of the week, overheard outdoors while the kids were preparing. Grace, to Josiah and Olivia: "Okay everyone! My mum's inside writing about life in a castle for us. I shall be the queen. And Libby.......you'd better find a jester's costume." Ha! Priceless.  (Kara, that exchange never would have happened between us 30 years ago, right?)

There's tons that could be said about the week, lots of stories to be shared. But that would take a book, so I'll just dump a mess of photos in here to give a flavor of what we got up to.

Day 1: Caves

Grace, posing as a growing mushroom of course. 

Enjoying some beignets in between visiting the mushroom caves and the sculpture caves. 

The sculptures carved in situ underground were breathtaking. In intricate detail, they depict many of the most famous and beautiful cities, chateaux, and churches of the region.

The three older kids received little blocks of limestone to carve at the end of the visit. They spent nearly an hour making their carvings. (William wasn't allowed one, even when I tried to pay extra. Unfortunately, that didn't go over super well with him...)

 Tasha (with baby bump "Alpha"), Danni, and Chessie. Beautiful.

Day 2: Roses, a picnic, and the bio-parc / zoo

Grace and Josiah spent a while minding Henry at the rose distillery and gardens!

The zoo, surprisingly, was absolutely excellent. Indeed, I'd potentially rank it as my favorite zoo ever (well, excepting the incomparable San Diego Zoo and Safari Park).

The little baby giraffe you can see on the far left was just born a few weeks ago.

The feeding of the vultures was an experience like no other. It was terrifying, hilarious, and educational by turns, which seems impossible and exaggerated but I promise isn't! With that said, the details really are best shared in person since, well, they just communicate better when accompanied by actions and facial expressions. 

A blurry snapshot from the vulture show that night, at the gîte.  

 Day 3: Chateau d'Ussé

I had to take a picture of the grand dining room after Grace excitedly beckoned me to see it, saying, "Krista! Look in here! It's just like your dining room in America!!!"  I mean, it's maybe a little shabby for my standards, but I guess I can see where she was coming from...    :)

Heading up Sleeping Beauty's tower.

And that'll have to conclude it for now. If you're reading this, Tasha, Danni, or Chessie, know that you're welcome back any time!