Engleberg Tickle Trail

George had training in this quaint, mountain town-Engleberg. He loved it, so we decided to go back as a family. They have this sensory trail at the top of the mountain side. You walk around this lake barefoot stepping on all sorts of things. My favorite was the mud and my least favorite was the pine cones. It was a fun experience!

A view from across the lake. Notice the nice reflection.

Clara trying out the cold mountain water.

Alex would not put his feet in the mud! He must have a mother who has is obsessed with being clean:)

Sammy had no trouble walking through it.

I couldn't get over how it felt on my toes...so gross!

Clara did it twice!

Clara didn't have her best day, so this is how we kept her happy...thank goodness for ice cream!

After the tickle trail they headed over to the waterfall and rocks to play.

First Day of School-August 22, 2011

Alex and Samantha were beyond excited to start school this year. The biggest reason why...they get to ride the bus to and from school. I couldn't be happier about it as well. However, I wanted to take them to school on the first day at least to get those first day pictures in front of their school and in their classrooms. But they would have none of that. They love their new school and I love that they love it!

Here they are walking down to the bus stop. They have to walk down the hill & cross a semi-busy street. So I walked them down and picked them up for the first week. They were so excited when I said they could do it themselves.

Sammy all ready to make some friends!

Alex can't wait for recess!

It makes me feel better that they have each other and I think they like it too.

Happy on the bus:)

Yes, the bus is blue & has seat belts & is a Mercedes van. What can I say, we live in Switzerland.

The Hills Are Alive...

There have been several times living here that I want to bust out singing the Sound of Music. Don't worry I refrain. But every where I turn there are rolling green hills and amazing views. Our first adventure into the Mountains was to Hoch-Ybrig.

First, we took a gondola ride up to the Mountain.

Then we rode a chair lift up the Mountain. Sammy was my riding buddy and Allison of course who was strapped to my tummy. This was the first time the kids had been on a chair lift. I was a little nervous someone was going to fall off.

We then started hiking. We went straight up...a bunch of stairs. Clara had help from George to climb them.

By the time we got to the top we were hungry and just sat down on the side of the trail and had lunch. It was an amazing view!

The Gourley girls posing for a perfect picture.

We next headed to the other chair lift...it looked closer, but was quite the hike. At the end of the hike we had to climb up those!

Clara was such a good sport! It was hard, but she managed to sprint in at the end to beat everyone! Of course her sweet daddy did some carrying.

Nothing like ice cream after a long hike, not to mention the great view while you eat.

And at the bottom of the chair lift was a trampoline to help make it all worth while, at least for Clara.

Can't wait to conquer our next mountain!

Boredom without our toys!

Things got a little boring without TV, computer, internet, or all our toys. This is what they came up with.
Sammy had a great time doing Clara's hair. That's right it is 4 pony tails.

I was Sammy's next customer...my head weighed a ton with those bows in.

Sammy got a hold of the camera and took a picture of our not so welcomed neighbor. They are every here.

Clara had to have her chance at doing my hair.

Grocery Shopping

We were without a car for the first few weeks. This made grocery shopping a little tricky since the grocery store was straight down hill. This meant straight up hill on the way home. The kids were troopers and with a little ice cream bribery did it with little complaining. A sweet friend let us borrow a cart with wheels to carry the food and even came and stayed with the kids while I did a big trip. We quickly bought our own cart:)

I promise we live in the middle of a city. However, as we walk down to the grocery store we pass this small field of sheep. It reminds us all that the country side is still close.

A little further down on the opposite side we pass the town grave yard perfectly groomed with matching red flowers on each grave site.

Taking a break on the climb back up...at least we are getting our exercise.

Allison just loves here rides in the stroller...she's got the best seat in the house.

Home Sweet Home

George yet again did an amazing job finding us a home...after Florida he swore he would never choose a house without me again, but he didn't have much of a choice. He found a 4 bedroom apartment with the most amazing view! The kids favorite part is the elevator goes straight to our front door.

The living room/dinning room. For the first few weeks we would just sit and stare out the windows taking in the view. If you look closely you can see cars and the train moving on the other side of Lake Zurich.

My favorite part is the kitchen. In Switzerland most kitchens are crampt & tiny. But this one is open and quite large by their standards. There is lots of storage space and an American size refrigerator! Not to mention a pantry for all the American food I stocked up on.

We have a patio that surrounds the front of the apartment with entrances from living room, Alex's, Allison's, & the master bedroom. It made moving our furniture in easy. They just loaded it over the railing and into whatever room they needed.

Since we are on the first floor we have a little side yard (or garden as they say here) on both sides of the apartment. Just enough for the kids to play on and George to hate mowing it:)

We are off...

...And we sure aren't in Kansas anymore.

It was a long, crazy flight. Clara sat with George and was so excited. Thank goodness for Melatonin...it got her to sleep for at least an hour that night. Alex was fascinated by the video games he could play and did that most of the time. Sammy listened to music, watch movies, and did sleep some. Allison was perfect. George and I survived...can't imagine doing that alone. The luggage alone was crazy enough. 15 pieces. Let's just say we spent a lot in tips and it was worth it!

Clara playing chess at a park in Zurich. I don't think those chess pieces would last long at a park in the States, but I watched as children responsibly put them back after they were done playing.

So here in Switzerland you aren't allowed to sue anyone. Thus, they can have really dangerous playgroup equipment. A few other children joined them and they had a blast knocking each other off. Safe-no, but fun!

All around the cities here they have fountains where you can fill up your water bottle. I love this!

Good-Bye Florida

One of the saddest days...saying good bye to our dear friends. The Buhlers were such wonderful hostesses and we thank them for letting us use their home to say good-bye. Just writing this makes my heart ache. We sure miss Florida!

There wasn't enough cake to drown our sorrows, but it sure was delicious!

One last swimming adventure with the Buhlers at the hotel we were staying in.

The Singpradiths! The 5 kids got along so well and could play for hours!

Sweet Rachel and I. Just looking at her for the last few weeks we were there made us both cry. Let's hope she's planning a trip to Switzerland soon!

Clara's BFF, McKayla, she'll never forget you or the fun you had!

The Wernli girls! There will always be a special place in our family for the Wernli's!

Clara and Auntie Melinda! Clara was often assumed to be Melinda's daughter...she fits right in.

My BFF's...miss talking to them every day, but looking forward to a girl trip...how about Paris? I'll meet you both there.

Caldwell, Buhler, & Gourley kids! The range in ages, but they could all play for hours!

Clara and her second mom, Kristen. She often asked to go be a part of the Buhler family.

Seth, Alex, & Clara. Seth was Alex's best friend and Clara's boyfriend. We figured with the 4 Buhler boys and the 3 Gourley girls we are bound to be related some day:)