Champagne! and one last week with Jim & Margaret

We spent a long weekend with Jim and Margaret in the Champagne region of France.  It was rolling hills of grapes all going to make the sparkling drink.  It was very scenic and quaint.  It was very relaxing and a nice way to spend more time together.
 

While there, we went to the city of Reims.  It is a city with a lot of history dating back to the Romans.  It has an old cathedral from the 1200s.  I would say it is one of the most amazing I have ever seen.  The building is huge and ornately detailed in stone carvings.  The rose window was stunning.  To think that it was made in a time without modern machines or tools is mind boggling.  The kings of France were crowned/blessed there and Joan of Arc was in the church as well.  We loved the city and enjoyed walking around and taking in the sites.  It was fun to see Archie running down the side aisles of the quiet dimly lit cathdral.  We had a couple stares from tourists but isn't God's house for everyone? :)

 Window by the famous modern artist Chagall

 Archie running through the cathedral 

 Modern painting of Joan of Arc

And then we had a couple days left with Jim and Margaret after their trip to Scotland.  The weather was warm and pleasant and we enjoyed it together.  Archie still asks about Neena and Jaboo.  He had such a good time playing with them.

We rode our bikes with the kids on them to a neighborhood park.

Out at a park enjoying a swing together.  They were having fun.  We just can't capture it on camera for some reason.

New haircut!  Short for the summer!

Trying to get a photo of us together

Oh, the papparazzi find me everywhere!

At our favorite playground digging in the sand.  Archie can do this for hours.

Sylvie is now pulling herself up on things.  She enjoyed playing in the sand and getting it everywhere.  And she tried to eat it as well.  She didn't do the full handfuls that Archie did last summer, just a little taste.