Outer Banks, NC

After our long, exhausting but exhilarating trip through Europe this summer we ended up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina for a Coleman Family Reunion!  Since Madi is the oldest grandchild by several years, she was able to invite her best friend Kenzie to fill in for the role of cousin/sister.  The beach house we stayed in was lovely, but required 4wd to reach.  We were lucky to have great weather and warm ocean temperatures the entire time.

Tom/Carolyn & their 7 "babies"

The Grandkids with Grandma & Grandpa

I have no idea what this face/pose is, but I love it!

Miles brought out the fighter in Cy

But then he showed Cy some loved 

This is just funny

Best Buds: Madi and Kenzie

Scenic Switzerland

Earlier this year we thought we were going to move to Zurich Switzerland.  I got my hopes up and things fell through, but Mike thought I would be able to travel with him on a business trip last Spring.  Again plans fell through.  This summer we were finally lucky enough to work both out of London and Switzerland, which is why we threw into the mix a detour vacation to Portugal and Paris.

I love this country!  We took a train from London to Paris, then Paris to Zurich.  A couple days later we took another scenic train called the Glacier Express to Zermatt (where the Matterhorn is).  Lucky for us Mike booked us in first class where we enjoyed lots of space and fewer people.  In just a few days we saw an enormous portion of Switzerland trekking through Chur, Bern, Spiez, and Luzern.

Luzern

Bern

Portugal and the Algarve Coast

One bonus of having a sister-in-law who works in the travel industry is all the connections she has to amazing locations and homes.  We spent a week in a small fishing village, Benagil, off the Algarve Coast in Portugal with Maren in the most beautiful and scenic home on a cliff overlooking the beach.  The weather was incredible all week long and the kids enjoyed playing with Dad, swimming and exploring. 

 

Summer in London

After a whirlwind year of anticipating moves to Zurich, London, Chicago and New Canaan CT, Mike tried making it up to us by arranging to work out of his London and Zurich office for the summer.  We left for London where his sister Maren lives after spending the 4th of July in the states, and were so excited to see Maren and stay in her lovely flat in Hampstead which is a lovely part of London with an 800 acre park next door.  We spent the first week getting to know the area, shopping and checking out Gweneth Paltrow's favorite bakery in the neighborhood (she lives here), and I even ran into Sacha Baron Cohen at the market.  We've had the best croissants, crumpets, english muffins, scones and meringue we've ever had here in Hampstead!

A trip to London wouldn't be complete without visiting all the touristy locations and riding on the classic double decker bus tour.  We're so thrilled to be able to soak up the feeling of living here and taking things slow and easy, which I need right now.
Buckingham Palace

House of Parliament

Tower Bridge

Maren's neighborhood

Tower of London

A Visit From The Swedes

Our wonderful cousins from Sweden took a trip from San Francisco to New York the month of June.  Fortunately we were able to spend a little time with them before leaving for our summer of travels and changes.  We actually left Madison with them while Mike Cy and I spent the 4th of July weekend in Boston.  Madi and Steffi picked up where they left off after not seeing each other for a couple years and enjoyed shopping in SOHO and eating at Lombardi's, spending July 4th in New Canaan and enjoying a few parties and sleeping over on a friends yacht.

Mike, Cy and I loved Boston.  We took a "Duck tour" of the city, followed a colonial 4th of July parade and fireworks on the harbor, and just took in all the sights (including Salem).