We leave for France one week from today! Yikes. My friend Mary suggested I blog because the whole idea is a mixture of fun, scary, and insane and people will want to follow in the same way they slow down at a car accident.

Details:

Depart San Francisco July 8th. Arrive in Nimes, France July 9th at 4:30 pm.

Returning August 23rd! (August 19th -August 23 we will be in Paris!)

First: The reason for the trip!

Sean has been traveling to and from Europe, as well as China and Russia, for the past three years. Also this summer, his bike group, the Strombeccos, are spending a week climbing through the Pyrannes. When he mentioned the bike trip as kind of a "no way would I consider going, but how awesome does this sound..." I thought hmmmm MAYBE we can find a way if we all can go. Sean can work, bike, etc and we can with him! I thought there was no way but gave it a try. I posted our home on a home exchange website... and we found a match with a family who has a 2nd home in Nimes, South of France! We also had enough miles to cover our whole family to and from Europe from all of the travel I mentioned above. So yes we are all finally going to Europe and wouldn't you know it, Sean got a new job a month ago and will not be spending nearly as much time with us...1/2 to be exact! YIKES

Luckily our former au pair from Germany, Anja, will take Sean's place. And the kids are sooo excited to see her again. she only left last November so she is still fresh in their minds.

The biggest challenge of all is getting Sloane to and from France. Though she fits into the new bag (see picture) we aren't allowed to check her, darn. I have read a few blogs to try an prepare us for the misery that could be...Delicious Baby, Ciao Bambino, La Jolla Girl, etc.

I'll let you know how it goes!