December 24

Christmas Eve in Grenoble

The snow started falling at lunch on the day before Christmas. The hills of Grenoble are hidden by cloud but the fields are slowly turning white.

The snowflakes are "not as big as golf balls" says Alex. But they are pretty big!

Inside we are warm and cozy. The tree is decorated and Alex is building us a fire.

Here is Kristin with Rainbow Bear and Alex with Mousey and USA Bear.

Kristin wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.

By early afternoon, enough snow had fallen to allow some sledding.

Jill stayed home with her head in a good book.

Our Renault Megane -- a neat little mini-van.

Lee in the background preparing a snowball.

The group of tobogganers head off across the fields to the hill in the background.

Present: Rob, Lee, Kristin, Alex, Michael and Bo the dog.

Climbing up the slope for the first run of the day.

Alex flies down the hill.

The old guys try their hand at the game...

...and live to tell about it.

Kristin with a "good toboggan on her head."

Lee preparing for takeoff.

Alex isn't going to get very far without a sled.

The action is captured by Grenoble tobogganing correspondent, Rob Youngberg.

A new fashion trend? The French are so chic!

Watch out -- Alex has a snowball!

"He's going to throw it at you!"

Even in France, it just wouldn't be Christmas without Rudolph. Here the family gathers round to watch the 1964 animated classic "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

The Youngbergs on Christmas Eve 1998, Grenoble, France.

Merry Christmas

Joyeux Noel

God Jul

December 25.

Santa visited during the night and when we woke up we couldn't believe how many presents he'd left. There were a couple of lucky children here...

...and a lucky dad with his new leather jacket:

After presents and breakfast we headed out into a sparkling mountain day for a hike in the hills.

(Lee, Alex, and Bo)

(Michael, Alex, and Bo)

It is like living in a ski chalet.

Jill, Alex and Kristin with a view towards Grenoble which is down in the valley behind them.

Saying "hi" to the ponies on our walk.

With all that snow in her hair, it is clear that Kristin lost the snowball fight.

Making snow angels.

Christmas Dinner. Turkey with chestnut stuffing, roasted vegetables, whipped potatoes, candied carrots, and gratinated cardons (looks like celery on steroids but tastes like artichokes - a traditional part of a Provencal Christmas feast.).

The wine was a spicy Cotes du Rhone which went well with the rich turkey.