Off to Lyon

Ryan made stuffed strawberries for breakfast to celebrate Erik's birthday on the 25th.  He stuffed them with a mini fruit salad of apples, grapes, bananas and oranges topped with a dollop of yogurt--very yummy!  

After church Dan, Erin, Nate and I hit the road for Lyon (Kent and Ryan had school the next day and we needed the cargo room).  We met the Clottes in Lyon at Parc de la Tete d'Or.  It took us a while to park and then about as long to use the "space age" bathrooms that are single use but require 3 minutes in between each person to completely, automatedly clean.  After a quick tour of the zoo and a lovely visit on the lake with the Clottes, we headed to their home.  The cherries were perfectly ripe so we all picked and ate to our hearts content (reminded me of my grandmother Cragun's cherry tree climbing and picking days).  Nate loved being at the top of the ladder, Paul graciously collected them for him, while Erin practices throwing and catching them in her mouth.

Don't think she got that one.

But Nate got that one!

It took awhile to pull the kids and Dan away from their soccer game but eventually...

we sat down to the first course with white asparagus and an amazing, homemade, fresh mayonnaise sauce, french bread and salad.

This was followed by a leg of lamb and homemade frites--so delectable!  But the conversation and friendships were even better!!

Then we finished with fresh strawberries and cream and petite chocolate filled chocolate cakes.  It was all so amazing!!!!

Monday morning was the day we had been waiting for for 2 years--Nate's 11th birthday (just happened to coincide with Erik's mission release).  Nate with his new birthday shirt from Dad.

Paul accompanied us into the city as our tour guide.  I sure love to tour with locals!!  Nate asked if he could climb the rock (le Gros Caillou, brought from the alps by glaciers) to which Paul replied, "but of course, the Americans want to climb on top of everything."  That's Nate!

The chimney is not so cute but the entire house--adorable!

We then followed some of the Traboules (secret silk passages initially used for the silk manufacturers but later used by the Resistance in WWI and II).  Lots of stairs up and down but Nate's new 11 year old legs worked wonders, particularly when he was actually just sliding.

This is Nate's motto in life:

Lyon is known for their wall murals.  This one is huge (the largest in Europe)!  Can you find Nate, Erin, Dan and Paul in La Mur des Canuts?  This mural was initially made in 1987 but has gone through 4 different renditions.  The last one was in 2012 when they aged the people 15 years (time since the previous renovation) and added children to families and changed the truck to a car and more.

Really cool!  Dan and I.

Erin and Nate and Paul.

Nate's choice for his birthday lunch--MacDo's (how they say it in France) on Place Bellecour, the main square in Lyon.  He even found a bird to share in his celebration!

We said goodbye to Paul, our fabulous tour guide and then headed up the hill of Fourvière to the  Roman ruins and city of Lugdunum that date to 43 BC.  We played frisbee and napped and enjoyed the views before heading to Lyon's Notre Dame where we met another family in Lyon who are here to pick up their son as well.

Parting goodbyes to the Lion of Lyon!

We then headed to Ecully where the Mission President lives to have a picnic in the park.  The rain held off until then but we quickly removed ourselves to finish in the car.  We passed our last couple hours in a Carrefour shopping center (fresh air) discussing politics with mens' store employees and a bit of womens' clothes shopping.  Not too long now!