~French Riviera & Provence~

~We drove into Genova, Italy down some very narrow, cobblestone streets in search of our bed & breakfast... these are the stairs that went up to it ~ The views were amazing out our windows~


~Our room was up in the attic of the house.. the boys immediately got on their bellies and enjoyed the views from the windows~


~Genova is world-famous for their pesto.. so we made sure to order meals filled with this incredible, green sauce. After a delicious Italian dinner right on the water, we decided to walk along and enjoy the sunset and the Mediterranean views - we were so excited to be able to have this adventure with Nana & Papa~


~We slept good, ate a "great" European breakfast, and we were ready for a short drive to Cannes, France along the French Riviera. It was a beautiful drive~


~Steve & I got us all checked into our fabulous apartment in Cannes (location = perfection), and Nana & Papa headed straight to the beaches.. the boys loved being with their Papa~


~We took the train to a small town outside of Nice, and then did a hike back to Monaco and Monte Carlo.. it had us walking along the coast the whole time. Steve conveniently only remembers avoiding dog poop on the path and the smell of dog pee.. but we thought it was beautiful.. damn those travel guide books~


~Just enjoying France with my boyfriend~


~Cole & Kade loved throwing rocks into the water. We stopped here on our hike and had a picnic lunch. Steve (Papa Bear) loved exloring on the rock with Cole (Bear Cub)~


~It was very fun to take the train around and visit different towns along the Riviera~


~We sat in the seats.. and the boys decided to ride up on the luggage racks.. we were being pretty obnoxious.. but it really was tons of fun~


~The next day we decided to spend a full day on the beach.. the boys loved playing in the sand with their dad.. and Cole loved swimming in the ocean - he is a little fish~


~We spent a full day on this gorgeous beach.. so we were beat. Ice cream always makes for a great treat on a hot day~


~This fancy, black Mercedes did not want anyone to park next to it, so it took up two spaces in the parking garage. This green car did not appreciate that.. so it squeezed in and parked less than an inch away from it... ya gotta love the French! This is something that Steve would definitely have done... shimmying his way in there.. nobody tells Steve "Not Possible".. he would have loved the challenge & thrill of it~


~The cemeteries are so gorgeous in Europe.. I think I might know where I want to be buried. Do you think they would be willing to serve "Freedom Fries" at my funeral?~


~We visited a beautiful, medieval town just 30 minutes outside of Cannes.. called Saint Paul de Vence. Everywhere you turned.. it seemed like another perfect picture~


~The cutest couple ever.. enjoying the fountain in this beautiful village~


~Another gorgeous, medieval village to explore.. it was so much fun~


~We were having the best time together and enjoyed exploring this new region~


~It was so fun to be on vacation together. I have never seen dad so relaxed.. it was so peaceful here~


~The picturesque town of Saint Paul de Vence, France~


~We loved the cobblestone streets and the colorful flowers that vined up the side of the old, rock buildings~


~Another McLean family adventure.. I love making these memories together~


~The 3 boys were being very patient as we were going in all of the fun shops~


~This is what Provence is all about... perfection :)~


~The best part about having my mom there was all of the shopping.. much more fun without the boys.. I went home with some beautiful, turquoise French pottery & a gorgeous clock~


~The views outside the medieval walls were amazing. Acres upon acres of vineyards, crops, & flowers~


~Here we are all together.. loving life~


~We did one last scenic walk along the coast and enjoyed this incredible sunset~


~You know you are in a very wealthy area when you walk along the marina and come upon hundreds of incredible yachts!!! These were very impressive.. I cannot comprehend this kind of wealth..~


~Kade loved riding up on Papa's shoulders..the views were better from up there~


~This was our first stop on our drive home.. in the Provence region.. this beautiful medieval village that was definitely a little off the beaten path.. Oppede le vieux, France - tons of lavendar filled the air~


~A great welcome to this spectacular town~


~Getting ready to walk into the old town.. we walked through a beautiful garden full of great smells and tall Cyprus trees~


~High on the hilltop this beautiful, medieval village sits~


~Abandoned building on the side of the hill on the way up to the church at the very top - what would it have been like when this town was full of people back in the day?~


~We loved all of the vineyards.. I would love to have this view from my big, back porch one day.. ahh... to dream big~


~Views of the old church in the background. It was a very warm day, but it was definitely worth it to hike to the top and see this old church and look out to all of the vineyards that surrounded the town. Of course we rewarded ourselves with some $3 cans of coke..it is just "funny money" anyways.. right?~


~We really did have the best time together - this is a gorgeous area of France~


~It is a tradition to drive our car through the stone wall entrances..here ye.. here ye.. we have arrived in the big American family car~


~You walk through the old town wall.. and then come upon this quiet, gorgeous town~


~Our second stop along the way was in another breathtaking medieval town - Perouges, France ~


~I loved touring through France - something new around every corner.. I did not want this trip to end - Life is good... real, real good~


~One church in town.. where they all go to celebrate God~


~Why can't we just move in? I would love a life tucked away in a small town like this... do you think they have to worry about the economy? I hope not~


~They love these adventures together - they are great friends - lucky for us! We have a picture like this of the two of them from the first month that we moved to Germany.. so fun to see how much they have changed.. they have both grown up a lot since we moved to Europe~


~Beauty beyond my comprehension~


~I loved watching the boys walk along the cobblestone streets.. I was wishing that I could go inside their thoughts as they took in all of these beautiful creations that God has provided us all~


~Papa & Cole enjoying France together.. the boys will remember this trip with Nana & Papa for the rest of their lives~


~I love how old all of the building are... it allows you take a step back in history~


~We enjoyed some regional pastries.. (warm cinnamon & sugar pizza).. then took one last picture.. walked one last stroll through this beautiful town and headed home~


~We were driving along and saw acres and acres of sunflowers.. we had to get a picture.. this was a perfect ending to a perfect trip.. the smiles say it all :)