The World is Ours: France and Germany with Family

We traveled through France where we spent some quality priceless time with Nelson's godmother Mary and her husband Girard. We always enjoy our time with them in Chateauneuf sur Isere. Allie enjoyed cooking and baking with Mary while Nelson enjoyed all the eating. From there we met Allie's mom in Lyon and traveled north through France with a day stop in Nancy, where Allie and her mom made the local newspaper! We then traveled to Frankfurt, Germany where we met up with Allie's Dad and brother. Overall it was a wonderful time spending time with those we love. ***Disclaimer*** - Do not look at these pictures when hungry. :)

View of Chateauneuf Sur Isere

Hiked to the The Virgin Mary, overlooking the town.

Homemade pizza and rose.

Treasures from the local market

Allie learning from Mary

Checking out the sights in Hermitage.

More delicious creations.

Enjoying the garden

Sunflowers!

Garlic shrimp

Homemade Macarons! Raspberry

Lemon Basil

Beautiful tomatoes...

...make a beautiful caprese salad.

Our wonderful hosts in their garden.

Out for a long French lunch!

Our gracious hosts.

Met Mom in Lyon, France

Making our way to the top to visit the basilica.

View of Lyon from the top.

The basilica

Candles in the Basilica

Oh, France.

This little piggy went to market...

Nelson has cut his coffee drinking down to one cup per day.

Bike riding through the vines with Mom.

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Delicious lunch.

So our trip to Nancy.... Allie's grandfather was stationed here and fought in several battles in and around Nancy during WWII. Allie's grandfather has pictures of these very same gates in the plaza in Nancy he brought back with him from the war. Needless to say it was a very emotional and meaningful trip for Mom and Allie.

We visited a memorial museum outside of Nancy. The museum is run by a local Frenchmen to honor and remember all those who fought in the region during the war. American, French, and Germans are all remembered here and the collection of authentic war memorabilia is amazing. Allie's mom had been in touch with the owner prior to arriving. The '2 Americans' coming to remember their father/grandfather was news worthy. It was truly an amazing and touching experience. Allie's mother brought many of her father's photos to share with the locals, it was a bit of a language barrier but truly a special moment. When we left, the locals gave us hugs and thanked us for coming but even more touching, was through broken French/English, one man sincerely thanked Allie's mother for her father's service to France as tears came to his eyes.