Switzerland

I just got back from an amazing trip to Switzerland (and southern France). Here are a few highlights. I flew into Zurich and spent the first day with my sister and her baby visiting a few castle near their apartment.

 The next day I headed south on the train. First I stopped in Bern, the capital. Below is their famous clock tower.

One thing I loved about cities in Switzerland is thy all had lots of these little fountains where you could get a drink or fill your water bottle.

I ended the day just south of Geneva in the French country-side where my sister in law lives. We went on a beautiful morning hike.

It was still very muddy up in the mountains and I slipped into a mud bog.

One part of the hike was quite steep. This is the area where the last of the French resistance hid during WWII.

Here are my great hosts, Kirsten and Gil at breakfast. Gil is a trained French chef and made us some delicious food.

The next morning Kirsten and I took a walk around Geneva (behind me is their famous fountain).

From there, I took the train to Chateau Chillon--one of the most famous castles in Switzerland, which is right on the lake--gorgeous.

My sister and I headed for the rolling hills of Appenzel for a tour around the city, cheese making, and barefoot hike (we opted out of the barefoot).

My last day, I headed to the Alps to see Jungfrau. I went a ways up the mountain and then hiked down.

I had a great time meeting little Liza and was grateful to have such helpful hosts.

For the kids, I brought back this little clock and plenty of chocolate--they seemed to like both:) I would highly recommend a trip to Switzerland!

An April full of Birthdays

April is always an exciting and full months with lots of birthdays and spring break too.

 Tessa decided she wanted a spy birthday party. We invited her friends to come to spy school and then solve their first case. The case was to deactivate the "T" bomb above by cutting the wires. Then they got the eat the cupcakes. It was a lot of fun.

 Hathaway helping with the wires.

 Opening presents with a friend.

 We had our family part a few days later.

 Tessa's favorite was two little kittens with a carrying case.

 More cupcakes!

 Some friends came to visit during Spring break and we went on a hike--it was a fun day.

 The end of spring break we went to visit cousins in DC (and had yet another birthday celebration for the girls).

 We hiked around Roosevelt Island.

 Finally Hathaway gets her birthday party.

(cupcakes recycled from the freezer again:))

February and March

 Bryce got to go on his long awaited trip to Ecuador.

 Oakley earned his Bear in cub scouts.

 Bryce had a birthday and we had cake (a bird cake, in fact)

Hathaway

 Hathaway is our one who loves friends and dressing up--definitely very social. Here are a few pictures over the last few months.

Belated 40th Birthday Weekend

Since my birthday is at a very busy time of year, I decided to have a belated celebration. I invited some of my oldest and dearest friends (which include my sisters and my mom) to hang out for a weekend at a house in Lancaster County. It was a great way to celebrate! I think everyone of us talked non-stop the whole weekend, except when we were sleeping (I am sure an event which would have put most men in a fetal position in the corner). Lots of good conversation and plenty of good food, with a sprikling of snow to make everything look picturesque. So lucky to have such great friends and family.

Holly Jolly Christmas

 Here we are decorating the house--the kids always have fun (but I think Bryce might even have more fun).

 Christmas Eve doing the Christmas nativity reinactment with friends.

 To increase the excitement, Tessa lost her first tooth during the Christmas Eve party! (you will see below there are no pictures of Christmas day--apparently I only took video and forgot to take pictures)

 Amy Beth came to visit and we made a fun gingerbread house.

Thanksgiving/Early Dec

 For Thanksgiving we visited friends in Charlottesville. We had a great time and got to see some sites and do some hiking. Thanks for a great time!

 The boys at Monticello.

 Bryce and Hathaway on the hike.

 Tessa thinking that it was too cold.

 Oakley and his friend taking a quick break--most of the time they were way ahead of everyone.

 Making it to the top of the mountain.

 Even Tessa liked it at the top once  she had warmed up.

 The family in an old fashioned sleigh at the farm Christmas celebration.

Afterward we went to find the perfect tree for our house.