It is almost a distance memory but this past summer was our last summer/vacation time while we were living overseas. Although we never take the entire summer off we usually take a few little vacations and one big one. This year was no different except for the fact that after our summer vacation we were heading home back to the states. Soooo we wanted to make this summer unforgettable. I have to tell you we definitely succeeded.

Prior to our vacations we had our last visitors, my best friend Kara and her family. They chose a hot week to come but what a great time. They had the chance to get in all of the sites and then they headed over the Germany. I can't believe they were our last guests...wow!

Back to vacations....we thought hard of where we wanted our last trips to be, what new adventure should we choose. Well our smaller weekend vacation we chose a place I really wanted to get to and there was only a particular time of year we could go....Provence it was. This is a where the lavender grows the later part of June into July. Also a place where you can see sunflowers to the horizon. What a magically and beautiful place. We stayed at a cute little winery just outside of Gordes. Besides the fact that it was 100 degrees out and there was no air conditioner, it was a really cute place. We were only there for 4.5 days so we made the most of it by visiting all the different little villages. We had one detour one morning when we woke up to a flat tire. (one flat tire out of the 2.5 years of renting cars is pretty good) Out of all the villages, I am not sure which one was my favorite…maybe Rousillon. I finally got the chance to see the lavender that is in all the pictures, it was just beautiful. The Abbay Notre-Dame de Senanque was more beautiful that I imagined. I think I took 100 pictures of the Abby with the lavendar, every view was stunning!! The first day or two we couldn’t find any sunflowers but voila, we finally found them and once we did, they were everywhere. Besides the lavender and the sunflowers the villages were so rustic and beautiful. We also took this awesome canoe ride down the river. It was so much fun, the kids never wanted it to end.

Love this...Abbay Notre- Dame de Senanque

Our last big vacation we decided to go somewhere that we just couldn’t get enough of....Greece. Last year was such a wonderful vacation that we wanted to go back. We didn’t just want to go to Crete again so we decided to stay in Santorini for 5 days. Of course prior to our awesome vacation we were busy packing up our Paris apartment. We thought that packing up our apartment prior to vacation it would give our furniture some extra time to get across the ocean. We also figured we would be so stressed out from packing that we would need a long get away. It was a great choice on our part. After packing Keith and I were ready to just get out.

Santorini was a great stress relief. I just fell in love with this island. Everything was so white and beautiful. We stayed in old Firastefani and I would recommend everyone to stay there. What an amazing view at night, best view of the sunset. At night we would walk into Fira, which was such a great town. So many restaurants and really cute shops. We swam, explored and even took a ride on a catamaran. I can’t recommend this place enough. Oh yeah, everyone is just soo nice there...good break coming from Paris. Funny, how leading up to this trip we were thinking of canceling with the economic crisis Greece was in but we are so glad we didn't. On the islands it was like nothing was happening.

Next was Crete. This was our favorite vacation in the past and it continues to be. This year we rented bigger villa and it was just amazing. Our bestest friends the Davis’ met us in Crete and hopefully they loved it as much as we did. The house was just amazing. Besides the house, the atmosphere, the food, the drinks and the company was amazing. I never wanted to leave. Although there are other houses around, the property was so private with amazing views. The kids had a blast in the pool and we loved it because it was the first time that we didn’t have to go in the pool at the same time with the kids, since they now swim on their own. Wow, they are growing up so fast. The boys also discovered some cool caves on the side of the cliffs, which were just right under neath our house. Needless to say the boys were down there everyday. I am not a big cave person but it was pretty cool.

I am not sure how our future vacation will ever compare to Greece and I made Keith promise that we could go back there in 5 years, when the kids will be up to hiking the Gorge. It was one of the best memories!! Keith and I are so happy with the choice we made to go back to Greece. I was actually trying to talk him into getting a second home there...lol!

Enjoy the photos!

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(as always some extra photos on the bottom to enjoy)

XOXOXOX

Life is good in Paris

Alicia

Our 3rd and last Bastille day!  Fireworks were amazing! — Our 3rd and last Bastille day! Fireworks were amazing!

Hanging with great friends for Bastille night!

Tour de France...great view at the Eiffel Tower.

These kiddos have been watching this tour together for the last three years.

We all just love it here....especially watching the boats!

Besties!!!  Wow, do I love these girls! — Besties!!! Wow, do I love these girls!

What a view!!!  The Iron Lady!! — What a view!!! The Iron Lady!!