Paris, Annecy, Chamonix, and Zermatt!

Lane had to return to the States for a week to handle a trial and took the laptop with him.  Now that he is back I can update our blog.  Although we missed him terribly, we enjoyed the week by spending a few days in Paris and then went to Annecy which is a really beautiful place.
After Lane got back we headed to Chamonix and Mont Blanc.  Today we arrived in Zermatt, Switzerland where we spent the day exploring and enjoying amazing views of the Matterhorn.

Paris, Notre Dame 

Taking a break from climbing the stairs of the Eiffel Tower

Arc de Triomphe

The Louvre

Wiley and the Mona Lisa

Annecy, on a bridge over one of the many canals with the palais de l'isle in the background

Bike riding in Annecy

Enjoying the refreshing water

Daddy's back!

Chamonix Mont Blanc Aiguille du Midi

Check out the panorama of Mont Blanc

Zermatt, Switzerland

The Matterhorn

Le Tour de France

Well, we started school work Wednesday morning thinking we had plenty of time before the race started but about 30 minutes into it helicopters were landing in the backyard and there was such a ruckus outside that there was no way we were able to concentrate.....so of course we abandoned any thoughts of getting work done and joined the party!  We can't believe how lucky we got with the house in Les Raffards, Savines le Lac!  It was absolutely amazing to be a part of the Tour de France.  Stage 17 of the race literally passed right in front of our house which was just over the top of the second climb. This stage was a time trial from Embrun to Chorges, so we got to see each individual competitor ride by. We were able to walk down the hill to see the riders finishing the second category two climb up Reallon.  Helicopters landed and took off in the back yard seven times until two of them parked there for the day.  There was a parade of decorated cars before the race started.  People started camping on the roadside all along the route almost a week before the stage started.  It was such a  great experience!

Helicopeters in the backyard!

Watching from the front of the house

The best climber wears the polka dot jersey

Mac wearing one of the hats thrown from the caravan before the race start

These guys were pretty funny

Mac got Sylvain Chavanel's water bottle when he threw it!

Some of the parade cars

Alberto Contador!....Mac took this picture

Froome wearing the maillot jaune! He won the stage and will win the 100th Tour de France.

Rock Climbing by Levi

This is my brother Wiley climbing

Mom and Dad are belaying Wiley and I

Here is a picture I took of my Dad climbing to the top

This is me way up high climbing!

I thought rock climbing would be really scary but when we got there it was easier and more fun than I expected it would be.  Our teacher was really good at rock climbing.  He taught us how to tie double  figure  eight knots and he taught us to push up with our legs and not our arms.  He also taught us not to grab the rope in front of you.   You have to have special equipment and you have to look for for the right spot to climb.  I don't think you should go to a random cliff to climb without making sure you won't step on loose rocks!

...and here goes Mom.

I love to rock climb! 

Mac's Mountain Biking Adventure by Mac

Today, I went mountain biking while the rest of my family went rock climbing.  I had a great adventure.  It was one of the  best times of my life, because when I got going fast and I went on the banked turns I was riding my bike on a wall.  One of the first things we learned was how to get on the chair lift with our bikes.  First you had to pop a wheelie and hang the bike on hooks by the front wheel.  Then you would run around the bikes and sit on the chair for the ride to the top of the mountain. After we started going, our teacher taught us how to jump great and I caught a lot of air!  Another thing that made it fun was that you got to wear a lot of armor including a motorcycle helmet and goggles.

This is the kind or armor we had to wear.

That's me coming down the mountain.

I am getting ready to get on the chair lift.

Mountain biking rocks!