Every two years Cornelius' Institute allows him a flight “home” with his family. 2008 was such a year. Longingly awaited, they arrived on 20 December: Cornelius, Ulysse, Calliope - and AC six-and-a-half months pregnant. They suffered from a bad jetlag, besides Calliope had some infection and ran a temperature. For 2 days we had a house of sleeping beauties.

Anne-Cecile cradling her sick child

They took turns

Measuring out the medicine Cornelius had bought at the CVS drugstore

The poor child at the Santa Monica Pier

On 22 Decenber Kelly and Jenny arrived from Denver

Cornelius and Ac had now some eager helpmates but Barbara's kitchen became crowded

Kelly, who had been with Cornelius, AC and Ulysse in Japan, soon retrieved her special relationship with Ulysse

They wejnt to the Long Beach Aquarium. These are jelly fish behind glass.

Ulysse in front of one of the view holes in the great tank.

AC asleep with a Raggedy Ann which Barbara had had in store for Calliope, who was not interested in the doll.

Occasionally Nonno Rolf had breakfast with his granddaughter

A doll house found little interest, but playing roulette fascinated Ulysse

And he played cards with his mother.

In between AC read a French novel.

On Christmas Eve, like every year, Anneliese and Peter joined the fray

The festive table for Christmas dinner

Christmas Eve was chaotic es every year

Anneliese and Peter went home that night, there were not enough beds, and returned on the 25^th.

They were the greatful audience when Cornelius showed his pictures, while Barbara prepared the dinner.

Jenny and Anneliese became quite animated on that evening

Next morning they had a romp at the Temescal Canyon beach

AC and Calliope seen by Anneliese. Peter's funny car.

I like this picture of the three, especially of AC. Anneliese took it.

Working on a puxzzle at night.

In the morning Cornelius undertook to make a new belt for Ulysse.

His sister was much better but still preferred to hide under the dining table

Next morning we sat in deep fog and the neighborhood children congrated for a while in our garden

Cornelius, AC and Jenny in the fog after the children had gone home for lunch - Ulysse with them.

In the evening Cornelius got some work done

On the last day Cornelius and Calliope painted a large picture – AC and the children left on New Years Day, so did Kelly. Jenny stayed for a few days longer with her Granny.

Cornelius has never explained what went through his mind, when he painted this picture. He hung it in the guest room.