I haven't blogged for almost a week now it seems. First off we lost power and didn't have internet for a few days. Talk about feeling like you are stranded on a deserted island! We couldn't figure out how to get back on line so I went in to town for help. They couldn't help me but gave me a number to call. No one on the help line spoke a lick of english, so I hung up. Lucy was thinking she wouldn't be able to get her assignments and I talk to Arch and David daily through skype so we were getting frustrated. Finally, we put in enough codes and pushed and pulled enough buttons, that something worked.

I have just downloaded some pictures of signs from around the town of Loches. I love these signs and hope you will too. Above a business they have metal signs created artfully to show what type of business is inside. It's very old fashioned and I hope you will take a minute to look at the photos.

My mom and dad arrived safe and sound and we are thrilled to have them visiting. Last night we started at the pub and finished at a nice restaurant in town. The restaurant had really good food but was a little stuffy do to the language barrier. It was very quiet and we felt like the loud Americans, but we didn't care because we were having fun. We have been playing daily cards, and Lucy is beating us all in spades right now. Before my mom and dad came she and I had a running gin game and at one point she was up by 350 points! I was glad to switch games but it is not a coincidence that she is winning. Both sets of grandparents are card players and have been playing with the kids since they were little. Tomorrow we are visiting Chateau Chambord so I hope to have more pictures to post.