Morning in the snow

Two Mondays ago, we headed up to the French Alps for Daphné's first time EVER experiencing snow!  It was delightful!  And it's only 2 hours away... we are so blessed to live where we do.

Can't leave out the gross parking lot slush.

She didn't care.

Oh, but how the squeals of joy came when she first stepped in white, fluffy snow!

Exploring her independence.  See ya Papa.

She's ready for her first sled ride.

I'm so thankful we had this time together as a family.

Walking back up the hill.

Just look at that weather!  (And that man is quite handsome.)

Panoramic view from the top of the sledding hill.

Carrying the bundle of cuteness.

She wore a smile the whole time (just about).

As you can see my Tonio's short sleeves, it was really warm.

Her arms were in front of her face for the picture, so this is her after I said, "Move your arms."  She did move them... too cute!

Weeeeeee!

Going down with Mama.

Family Selfie.

Drive down the mountain.

Stopped at a park for lunch.  "No pictures please."

And then she slept the rest of way home =).  Tired baby girl played hard.

I put all the videos together so you could have a little glimpse into our morning.  Enjoy!

Love Linz

a little video

As you all well know, the age of the smart phone has made "home videos" so easy!  I mean come on, point, tap the little round button, shoot... voilà!  Share with the whole world if you want to in a couple more taps.  Too easy.  In fact, I'm running out of storage space everywhere... a good problem to have I guess.

Well, we have a family group on WhatsApp where we share videos and pictures daily (of Daphné, of course!).  It's like a never-ending tennis match of documentation and commentary.  I don't share it all publicly, but when I do, it's either here on the Blog or on Instagram (which, then links it to my FaceBook).

Listen to all this lingo.  Speaking of lingo, our daughter knows words like swipe, download, charging, Face Time, etc...  The grand challenge of parents today is to keep a healthy balance of it all.  Pray for us!  Hehe (but no, seriously).  Anyways, here's a few recent videos put together for your enjoyment.  So, enjoy!

Love Linz

Beach Picnic

Beach day in March!

“ 'Let the little children come to Me [Jesus], 

and do not hinder them, 

for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
 

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child...
 

...will never enter it.'

And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."

Above quote from the Bible (Mark 10:14-16, NIV).  I just love Jesus' heart for children.  Now, having Daphné, I can see what faith like a child means.  She trusts us for everything with no reserve.  How I long to be the same with my Heavenly Daddy.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and all that is within me, bless His holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits,

  

who forgives all your iniquity, who heals your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalm 103:1-5, ESV)  The God I love is so good.  I'm so thankful for His nature and His character and for giving us His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins to give us eternal life.

Here's a little recap video from the day.  Enjoy!

Love Linz

Getting outside

Spring is definitely here in Nice, and it's lovely.

This chica is ready on her motorcycle.  And this is what our entry way looks like - welcome to our humble abode.

Fun at the park playing in the bushes, gathering rocks and leaves.

A different day watching the car wash and enjoying some sunshine [note: she took my sunglasses, but she's just too cute... I had to leave them].

Love Linz

Our little beauty

Enjoy some photos of our little Daphodil.

We are so blessed and thankful for her.

 Joy.

Pigtails.

Shopping.

Bugles with her favorite Tonton.

Happy girl.

Mamie and Tata.

Antibes Family.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Ginormous chocolate macaron.

Daphné Christiane and Tata Christiane.

Big girl steps.

Pain au chocolat.

Head band.

Cousin Rowyn stow-away.

Pure bliss.

Our long sleepy girl.

Love Linz

Lunch with friends

At the beginning of 2016, I met 2 really sweet mamas (Maki and Ave) with kids around Daphné's age (Juli and Astor).  Since then we've gotten together pretty regularly.  It's been so much fun to see all the kids grow together.  They are finally at the age where they actually play "together," rather than "next to each other."

We've even done a couple meals with the husbands, too!  Here we are at Maki's home last Saturday!

Playing with snails and slugs.

Maki (Julie), Ave (Astor) and me and Daphné.

The whole gang with the husbands and Juli's older brother.  Astor wasn't so happy about us disturbing his rest. [Back row: Tonio, Daphné, me, Ave, Astor, Nami.  Front row: Maki, Juli, Arnaud, Toma.]

All the kids playing in the yard... so sweet to see them exploring their independence.

Astor and Daphné being silly on the couch.

There's the 3 musketeers.

Everyone cozy on the couch.

Daphné and Astor working together on a puzzle.

And here you can see a few pictures from the past :

Here is where their "friendship" began in January 2016.  Juli and Daphné sitting.  Astor crawling.  The other little girl and mama were also at the international mom meet-up when we all met.

And here they are in March 2016... too cute!

 Lunch at our home in April 2016.

Here they are in May 2016 on the couch at our favorite restaurant that is now closed... boo hoo!


Thanks again Maki for your incredible hospitality and delicious Japanese cuisine!

Love Linz