tonio and lindsey

Sunday, 6 March 2016

3) Out and About

This is the last in the series of 3 blog posts :

Here, you get to see a few different adventures that Daphné and I have been on. Also, you can meet two of her buddies. Enjoy !

Daphné's first nems at a Chinese restaurant with Papi, Mamie, Tonton Rob, Tata Cricri and Daddy. They were a hit, as you can see. I couldn't cool them off fast enough for the little princess.

Can you see the goose? We are at the science university where her Tonton Rob went.

I liked the bridge behind her. She doesn't look amused.

Trying to copy mommy !

This "campus" used to belong to a rich Russian guy in the 1860s. I can't even imagine having such a beautiful (and big) property ! The city of Nice acquired the property in 1950, and the university exists since 1965.

Now, we move to a new location, our local mini zoo, called Parc Phoenix. Behind us, you can see a lemur =). They will always make me think King Julian from Madagascar, the movie.

Flamingos make some pretty crazy noises. They look so calm and delicate, but those long necks and beaks can attack each other !

Before leaving Parc Phoenix, we took a selfie with Monsieur Feng Shui.

A little romp around a little park near our home. The weather is fickled, wanting to get warmer, but still in an identity crisis.

Meet Juli and Astor, Daphné's buddies.

I like that the girls are chatting, and Astor is coming in for the surprise visit.

I met Ave (Astor's mom) and Maki (Juli's mom) through an international mom's group here in Nice. I'm so thankful for these two. We can share stories and laugh together. Juli is 2 months older than Daphné, and Astor is 2 months younger.

Isn't Astor such a handsome little guy? Here they are playing at a restaurant in town that actually has a little play area for kids.

Here's a little tunnel at another little park near our house. The benefits of living in the city - parks everywhere !

Celebrating my beautiful friend Elodie on her special day !

Couldn't resist !

God, once again, you absolutely out do yourself everyday ! You are the definition of Creative.

Hanging out with my friend Diana. Like the matching coats?

Yesterday, the sun was so bright, Daphné and I had to get out while Daddy studied for Sunday morning. We I walked up the long hill to a park called Estienne d'Orves, while pushing the princess in our incredibly versatile stroller.

Our little lamb.

She melts my heart !

Love Linz

2) At Church

This is the second in the series of 3 blog posts :

And here are some pictures from our church, Calvary Chapel Nice. Have fun !

Last week, I got to sing with Tonio as he led worship. Today, I got to lead while he played the cajon with me. We also had piano and violin =).

Each Sunday, we have someone translating from French into English. They listen to the French teaching through these head sets, then speak the English into a microphone... which is then transmitted to people wearing head sets in the church. So hi-tech. Here is Daphné listening to Papi at the end of service. This is one of my favorite pictures of her !

She really enjoyed having Papi in ears !

Thursday nights, Tonio is teaching a course called "Learn the Bible in 24 Hours." This week, he finished Hour 12, which marks the halfway point and the end of the Old Testament. This class is really helping me get a solid overall grasp on the Bible, and it helps that the teacher is really good at explaining things... and he's hot!

And here is Tonio teaching Sunday morning, while his dad was away. He taught the day of the Lord in 2 Peter 3:10-18. I'm so thankful I have no doubts about where I'm going when I die! =) If you have questions about life after death, you can read what we believe HERE if you'd like.

Love Linz

1) Around the House

This starts a series of 3 blog posts :

Have fun !

Mommy let an egg splat, and boy, did she have a blast!

Big girl getting in and out of her Bumbo seat "all by her onesies," as her Grandpa Tim would say.

Thanks Uncle Rob for the game "Go"! Daphné was quite interested in the game pieces ;).

She's up... no steps yet, but building muscles daily.

Post milk face.

Asleep next to Daddy.

Her entourage ! Pompom, Dolly, Coccinelle, Winnie, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet.

Daddy's head set.

Present from Great Aunt Kellee.

No need to teach this girl how to unwrap something =).

Another gorgeous dress ! Thanks Aunt Kellee !

Love Linz

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Painting & Church visit

Well, today wraps up our painting adventure (for now). We missed the 3rd class due to an ear infection, poor baby. And, I'm still so proud of this little munchkin. She didn't touch the paint at all today, but she did play with the other little girl and giggled and laughed. She's come a long way. Also, at home, she now really enjoys to draw with a pen and paper, so perhaps she's been inspired. Who knows, but I'm thankful for our time together, whatever we're doing!

Observing mama's work.

Today's challenge was to close our eyes and just make marks with the paintbrush, open our eyes, see what our imagination creates and embellish it... so I made a bike, a girl running, a sailboat and a vase of flowers (obviously not planned, but quite fun surprises). A fun exercise!

This was just fun with color mixing!

And since the princess was taking her morning nap after the class, I thought I'd stop for a visit at the Russian Orthodox church that is just down the street from us.

Thankfully, she woke up, so she got to see the ornate decorations.

Can't take too many selfies with this little one.

And this was her favorite part... she kept looking up! I don't blame her. It's quite captivating with the lights and windows.

Again, I thank the Lord Jesus for this gift called Daphné. She is our joy. We (me and Tonio) are in complete awe of the treasure we have been given.

Love Linz

Tonio's hair

I think Tonio's last hair cut was in December 2014, before Daphné was born. Well, the long locks are gone folks as of Sunday, February 21st... and no, I don't think it was his birthday present to me - ha!

Ponytail

Poof

Perdu (lost in French)

It doesn't matter how his hair is, long, short, curly, straight, he's the most handsome man on this planet!!! =) This is how it was when I met him in Austria all those years ago in 2009... (insert girly sigh)

Love Linz

Sunday, 21 February 2016

My 35th birthday party!!!

A few of you know, some of you have overheard, and many of you have no idea of my state of health this time last year. It's not the time, nor the place, to go into details, rather, a time to rejoice!!! God is my hope. He is my Rock. He is my everything. I'm so thankful to celebrate another year of life!

Believe me... my life is a miracle, and I'm so thankful to celebrate with my Tonio and our precious little treasure! I threw myself a birthday party! Look!

A few gifts.

You know I love to decorate with pictures. Nothing new.

One picture for each year of my life.

Like my new hair color?

Just throw a few balloons on the ground - instant party!

Guess who?

So, the theme (because I absolutely LOVE dressing up) was dress up as something or someone that starts with the letter L.

Ladybug and Leia, the princess, that is.

Lab worker, Lion, Linus, Leonardo DiCaprio

Lavender and Love

Bébé and Maman Léopard

Another "shot" (haha) of Ladybug and Princess Leia

Leonardo DiCaprio and Lionel Messi

So, Tonio is Lionel Messi, a very famous football (soccer) player, and our friend Wil came as ME, Lindsey!!! He secretly borrowed MY jersey. Haha! Good idea Wil, but your hair is just a bit short and dark =).