Dress Up

Gracie got a dress up box for Christmas from her Aunt Jackie. We are having lots of fun playing princess these days!

Three Kings Day

This past week we celebrated Three Kings Day here in France. There is a traditional cake that most people here eat for Three Kings Day. A small toy is hidden somewhere in the cake. Whoever gets the piece with the toy gets to wear the crown! Gracie got the toy in our cake.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's House

On New Year's Day we took a walk to Jean-Jacques Rousseau's house, a famous French philosopher and botanist from the 18th Century who lived in Chambery.

 Gracie and Aunt Jackie by the entrance to the drive way.

 The grounds were beautiful and we look forward to seeing them in the spring!

 The view of Chambéry

 Gracie enjoyed running around!

Gracie's favorite part of the walk



Hike to the Chateau de la Bathie

I (Justin) have been wanting to go up to a Chateau I've seen up on a mountainside. I finally got my chance.

We took the bus to the base of the hillside, then started on foot. Here's the view of Chambery.

The Chateau de la Bathie, which apparently is a castle from the 15th Century.

This narrow road is surprisingly heavily travelled!

The front gate. Unfortunately, it is not open to visitors.

Jamie (and her dad and sister) were good sports and hiked up too.

The cover of the bus map features this chateau, which is why I've wanted to go see it. This is where the picture was taken from for the cover.

Trip to Annecy

Jamie's Mom, Dad, and Sister are here visiting and Tuesday after Christmas we all took a train ride to Annecy. It's a beautiful town at the base of the Alpes, and we had fun exploring.

Our first train trip in France.

Train station in Chambery

We got tickets on the high-speed TGV to Annecy, even though it's only an hour's drive away.


Anna is taking her morning nap.

The train ride wore Gracie out. Or sleeping is her escape mechanism from the cold!

We first walked along the lake

Looking back at the city

Lake Annecy, with the Alpes shrouded in clouds. Annecy is also bidding to host the 2018 Winter Olympics!

Lunch was paninis at a local sidewalk cafe

The lake empties into these river canals that flow right through the old center of town

This is why Annecy is called "The Venice of the Alpes"

This view is what many post cards feature

Gracie got to ride the merry-go-round with Aunt Jackie!

Wow, a double-decker!