Alizée and Ondine

Another heartbreaking farewell . . .

During our last year in Bouzigues, we have had the great fortune to live in the center of the village in a maison de pêcheur (a uniquely French fisherman's house).

Our greatest joy in living in the center of the village has been the fact that Max and Josey can play outside, unsupervised, for hours at a time. They have taken full advantage of that spectacular gift, and their pleasure in playing outside has been in great part due to Alizée.

Alizée means tradewind, and she truly did blow into our lives like a breathtaking wind, leaving pure delight in her wake.

She is the most darling child I've known, besides my own (of course), and I'm so sad to see her go.

Her family is leaving Bouzigues, too, and Alizée left one week before us.

Yes, overall, that makes it easier for Max and Josey to leave Bouzigues. However, it was a heartbreaking farewell.

Max and Josey adore, absolutely adore, Alizée and her wonderful sister Ondine. Their friendship has been a gift, and I know all four children will remember one another for the rest of their lives.

Goodbyes are so bittersweet. I'm crying right now because I am so grateful for having Alizée and Ondine in our lives, but it's so sad that it's over.

I know we will keep in touch, and I hope to see them both many times in the future.

I leave the rest to pictures.

Love to all!

Farewell Party Chez Sabrina

I am very sad to say that our time in France is almost at an end. Early Friday morning, July 16, we will drive away from our home in Bouzigues, on our way to our new home in Santa Cruz.

We are sad to end our Bouzigaud adventure, and we are very sad to leave our friends.

In a fabulous farewell party yesterday, we said goodbye to some of our favorite people in Bouzigues.

Merci mille fois to Sabrina, who has been a wonderful, sweet, considerate, and thoughtful friend to us for 2 years. Sabrina hosted the party at her house with Cyrielle, another awesome friend who we will sorely miss.

It was a perfect day, with perfect friends and perfect food. I am very grateful to Sabrina, Cyrielle, Franck, and Laurent for making our farewell so memorable. We will miss them so much.

Sabrina & Cyrielle made us the most awesome souvenirs!! Check out the great artwork (I hope you can see it).
They captured some great memories: camel riding in Morocco, Dado (a.k.a. Miko) surfing a wave in Biarritz, Josey sailing in an Optimiste sailboat, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the French flag & the American flag - just to name a few. Each of us also received personalized souvenir t-shirts! I don't have pictures of my cool shirt or Mike's yet, but they are spectacular.



Sabrina et Cyrielle,
On va nous manquer de passer du temps devant l'école, de rire de l'histoire choquante. Vous êtes merveilleux amis, et nous sommes vraiment reconnaissants pour votre amitié.

Et merci beaucoup pour la grande fête et les souvenirs parfaits!! Nous aimons nos t-shirts et panneau!

Vous allez nous manquer beaucoup.

Jusqu'à la prochaine fois. Gros bisous et beaucoup d'amour,
Gayle, Mike, Max & Josey

P.S. Et encore, je parle et ecris comme une vache espagnole!

And now, to show everyone what a wonderful time we had . . .




Oh my, it's going to be a brutally sad last few days in this amazing place.

Love to all