Fourth of July 2012

Dear Tout le Monde,

For the fourth of July, Nicolas and Joe were camping in Switzerland with LDS scouts from Germany and Turkey. To celebrate, the camp organizers gave everyone small American flags to carry around and sang America the Beautiful at morning flag cerimony. Other than that, it was Swiss cheese and hiking in the Alps. Meanwhile, Julie embarked on a massive toxic cleanup effort in the kids' bedrooms to try to get things organized for the coming school year.

Kandersteg, Switzerland (CH)

Cheese-making in the Swiss Alpes

Since we passed the Fourth passed without too much fanfare, we decided instead to celebrate Bastille Day on the 14th of July. Bastille Day celebrates the end of the monarchy and the beginning of democracy in France by remembering the storming of the prison in Paris. To the French, it is equivalent to the Fourth and is celebrated in much the same way.
On Friday evening, Nicolas, Nathaniel, and Elyse pitched a tent in the yard and got everything ready for the morning's breakfast. As is tradition, the kids came into the house every two or three minutes throughout the night to use the bathroom, report strange noises, etc. It also didn't help when our neigborhood cat paid them a visit or two by climbing on top of the tent and flexing its claws. Nicolas managed to scare it away after it put several small holes in the tent.

Blueberry Pancakes + Scrambled eggs in the same pan = green eggs :)



After a breakfast of pancakes and eggs, we all went swimming. Having tried to spot a Cigale (cicada) on many occassions, we were surprised when one fell off the tree and into the pool. This was the first time we had the opportunity to examine a cigale close-up despite being in Provence for over three years. These 3 inch noisy neighbors are responsible for making our area a war-zone during the summer as they chirp in response to the heat. Nevertheless, they are nearly impossible to see because of their amazing camoflage that makes them indistinguishable from the bark of the oak trees as well as their reclusive nature.

Where is the cigale (cicada)?

We spent the rest of Bastille day by going on a short hike, eating dinner in the town square, and watching the fireworks in a village not far from our house. As if all of that weren't enough, we happened upon a live music and dancing concert on the way to our car that we watched until we were prompted to leave by a bathroom emergency.

Fireworks (feux d'artifice) above the chateau in Greoux-les-Bains

Although our Bastille day didn't at all compare to spending time with family, we at least felt that we got our money's worth out of it, even if it was ten days later than normal.

The Onstotts
Joe, Julie, Nicolas, Elyse, and Nathaniel