Further updates--I hate playing catch-up!

I know we've been here in Hagetmau now for 2 full months, and we've made several posts in the mean time, but I needed to post a few pictures and comments on fun happenings that we've missed here. Just a week after my arrival, Joy and Darrell made the trip over for the wedding of one of her brothers from her exchange student family, Remi Fouret. We were lucky enough to have them make the extra trip all the way down here to the south to see us as part of the same trip! Unfortunately they missed their original train, and therefore the first day of their planned visit with us, but they arrived safe and sound early that Tuesday morning. We came back to our house for some breakfast and a shower (their train was an over-nighter), and then Ryn and I set off with them for the coast. We took in the Basque museum and some specialty chocolate in Bayonne, three different 64 stores (favorite famous beachwear brand of Darrell's that originated here) and the beach in Biarritz, and then a way too quick and unorganized (completely my fault as the supposed tour guide for the region--shameful!!!) glance at San Sabastian in Spain. It was pretty funny because Darrell voted for taking the smaller roads through the little pituresque towns on the way out there instead of the boring freeways, but then he was asleep about 5 minutes into the trip :). So Joy and I quickly transfered him to the back with Ryn and the Disney movies so we could chat.



After breakfast Wednesday morning, we set out for Pau and its castle--birthplace of Henry IV--and major grocery stores so Joy could load up on chocolate and yummy treats to take home. That night we watched Kev's team play a practice game there in Pau and then we sped Joy and Darrell to the gare so they could catch their overnight train back to Paris. It was so fun to have them with us--our town isn't close at all to Paris so it was really an extra effort on their part to come all the way down here--we only wish it could have been longer!

The other picture I wanted to post was of Ryn in front of her actual school since the ones we took on the first day were in front of our house. She is really loving her class now and speaking French so much more! Before she would never say things in French on her own-- even if she knew the word, we had to ask her what it was 'en francais'. But now she will say the French word every time after she says something in English. Yesterday when she was helping me set the table she was so excited to put on the forks, "les fourchettes!", etc.