Donna - Kline Family Visitors

What would be a trip in the Kline family without a few visitors? Our trip to France was no exception. In August Eden, Rick, Alexander and Hannah came to Eguilles on their way back to Dubai from Toronto. It was so nice to have them at the house and for the cousins to play together. The highlight for the kids was going to Zoo de Barben to celebrate Alexander's fifth birthday. Alexander loved seeing the elephants (his favourite animal) and going on the train ride. The highlight for the adults was drinking a few glasses (or bottles) of wine while lying at the pool. And for Eden and I, a day of shopping and a great lunch in Aix.

Mom fell in love with Paris years ago and demanded (and guilted) all of us into meeting her and Steve there. Like good daughters and grand daughters we did! Mom could not wait to show her grand daughters around Paris and take them on a shopping spree. So, in early September, Deb and Natalie along with our family of five met up in Paris. (Unfortunately Eden could not come and we missed her) I have such great memories of the boat ride down the Seine, having dinner on rue de Buci and at Cafe Lipp and walking for six hours with Deb (and Sophie) while Mom and Steve had a day at the Musee Dorsay with the girls. And of course, who could forget the shopping spree!

We left Mom and Steve in Paris and ventured to Eguilles by train with Deb and Natalie. It was just two nights and a bit of a whirlwind visit, but so much fun. We lunched in the quaint village of Lourmarin and shopped at the markets in Aix. I have such good memories of Deb and Natalie walking with Andre, Sophie and I as we dropped the kids off on thier first day of school in France. Deb was in tears as she watched Samuel cry and struggle to say good bye. And I will not forget the sight of our beautiful daughters in hysterics on the Cours Mirabeau as we tried to take a nice picture of them.

Mom and Steve arrived in Eguilles from Paris. Steve really wanted to explore some of the wineries in Provence and Mom humoured him and came along for the ride. I never thought my Mom would survive three nights in our tiny village, but to everyone's amazement she did. We kept her busy enough, touring the town of Chateau Neuf du Pape (Steve got his wish), having a drink at the Set Club and lunching by the Mediterranean sea in the village of Cassis. After three days, Mom was dying to get back to Paris for an extra week without an entourage.

So another Kline family vacation ended full of visitors. We will add it to our many wonderful memories and recount our adventures over Sunday dinners to come.