Saturday in Switzerland

Saturday (March 15) we got up early and headed to Switzerland. On the way there we ran into some traffic - it seems there were a lot of other people heading that direction....and with some Autobahn construction a STAU is very possible. At one point in time we were at a standstill and people were getting out of there cars and walking around. Fortunately it didn't last that long - and we were on our way again. We were also happy when we noticed the long line of traffic heading to Bern -and we were heading the other direction to Luzern! (On the way home there was still a long line of traffic heading to Bern - those poor travelers!)

Scenic Switzerland countryside and of course the Swiss Alps!

Jeremy really enjoys being up in the Alps.

A few hairpin turns up the mountains.

Luzern, Switzerland is situated on the edge of a lake with the gorgeous Swiss Alps in the background. It sits where the Reuss River meets Lake Luzern at the base of Mt. Pilatus. We were blessed with a beautiful SUNNY day with temps in the 60's!


Strolling along Lake Luzern. Mt. Pilatus with the Swiss Flag in the foreground. "Onkel" Kyle and Shane enjoying the beautiful day.

Pictures from around Luzern...The Hofkirche, the tourist crew, the Jesuit Church...

The famous Lion Monument. The huge sculpture is carved right into the face of a cliff. The mighty lion which is dying from a spear wound to its side represents the Swiss mercenaries who were killed or executed defending the French King in the French Revolution. The inscription reads, "Helvetiorum fidei ac virtuti - To the loyalty and bravery of the Swiss." At the monument we took a break and just relaxed in the wonderful sunshine. The kids enjoyed playing around with uncle Kyle....before we knew it some Asian tourists found us to be more of the attraction - the Asian ladies sat on the bench next to Kyle and the kids had SEVERAL pictures taken with them. Another man, who noticed us getting all the attention came over and asked Kyle how much he was charging! We probably could have easily made a few Swiss Francs!


And last, but not least -the beautiful wooden covered bridges that cross the Reuss River. The Mill Bridge (first picture) is still all original. The next two pictures are of the Chapel Bridge (this bridge was burned in 1993, and restored). And the water tower which dates back to the 13th century!

"Onkel" Kyle is here!

My brother Kyle is here visiting! He arrived Friday morning. This is the first picture I took of him in Europe! Let the ADVENTURES begin!
Here "Onkel" Kyle and Silas are enjoying some lunch. These two have become best buds! The other kids are really enjoying having "Onkel" Kyle here as well. He's just such a fun guy!
Me and my brother Kyle!

Beauty in the FOG

Saturday - March 8 - Shane had an AWANA hike. The entire family was able to go along - and Shane could bring a friend too. The morning was a bit wet and foggy - but the club decided to go on the hike anyway. As we were driving up to Konigstuhl for the hike we could hardly see because it was so foggy. Once we started on the hike it was actually quite calm and peaceful walking amidst the trees in the fog. Unfortunately my camera batteries went dead -so this was the only picture I got! I believe travel rule number 1 is always make sure you have the camera along....does it say to make sure the batteries are charged or to have spares along too??? (Live and learn I guess). What else did we learn this day - It doesn't always have to be warm and sunny in order to enjoy a walk in God's beautiful creation...there is beauty in the fog, the rain, and even the snow (for those of you in the midwest!). However - I do wish each of you sunshine in your life too! And later that day - we were able to go for a walk in the sunshine as well.

The Boys!

The BOYS were hanging out together the other evening. I believe they were watching some type of hunting show on the computer via the internet! I just had to take a picture. I'm not sure how much Silas was getting out of the program - but he sure looks like he's having fun....or he likes getting his picture taken!

Getting Closer to Crawling

Silas has been in the stage of sitting and playing with toys and staying in ONE SPOT! But this stage (of which I thought might never end) is actually quickly coming to an end.

Hey - what's in here.....reaching for something and ended up on his tummy...then scoots backwards...occasionally will roll back and forth to get something around him.


Let's try again....sitting and reaching....oh mommy moved it further away....I really want it....reach, got it!


All this trying to crawl business wears me out!

Cornstarch and Water - What FUN!

Twice a month I have the great priviledge of attending MOPS at our church. MOPS has been such a blessing to me here the past months. The moms are both American and German. I so look forward to those mornings with these other moms, sipping coffee and enjoying great food and fellowship WITHOUT kids for a few hours! IT IS GREAT!

The theme for MOPS this year is THE HOME FACTOR. We've been going through the rooms of the house - and touching on things throughout the home (of course). This week we were in the Children's room and one of the moms talked about being intentional with our kids in what we do with them, and how they play. She had some great ideas for learning activities for kids - and teaching kids basic skills while they think they are playing. One of the things she showed us was how to make was this goey stuff which is basically cornstarch and water. It is so weird - and so cool! It looks wet, yet feels dry - it is hard, but turns runny - it is so neat! And the kids LOVED it. And the best part is it dries - and so is actually very easy to sweep up when the kids are finished playing! Some of you may have heard of this before - others not - either way - get out the cornstarch, add some water - and HAVE SOME FUN!

Syd is mixing it up - goey - drippy - messy - and mom is letting us do this - WOW!

Here it is hard....just wait.....it turns goey - HOW DOES THIS WORK?? I don't know the scientific facts - all I know is it was fun for my kids - and I actually had the ingredients here in Germany!

So moms out there - give it a try - and let me know what you think (or better what your kids think!)

Saturday afternoon at the Spielplatz (playground)

Today (Saturday, February 23) was a beautiful day here. We took a short walk to the spielplatz that isn't too far from our house. The kids enjoyed the swings, slides, but mostly playing in the sand. Silas had his first experience with sand....he wasn't sure what to think at first, but then he kept digging in...he even tried eating a leaf - but that didn't taste so good!


Building sand castles....or roads, airports, anything really...

Swinging like a little monkey - Shaylee and Sydney

I couldn't get these pictures to cooperate with the other sand ones - so they are down here - oh well....Silas in the sand.

More swings - the big round swing is really fun....perfect for Silas - no worries about falling out - just falling over! Silas really enjoyed swinging - he would laugh and laugh!

Sunday Stroll

This afternoon (Sunday, February 17) we decided to get out of the house for a bit and take a nice scenic stroll. A few weeks ago Jer and Shane had biked up to a little chapel on a high hill and said it had a magnificent few of the surrounding area - so we decided to drive up there - and then take the walking path up to the chapel. It was a steep road - and I was impressed that Jer and Shane had actually made it up there on their bikes previously. The path takes you right through grapevine laden fields - it was very scenic - and such a nice sunny day. We have all been suffering from colds with fever - so it was good to get out and get some sun on our faces and fresh air in our lungs. Germans really enjoy their Sunday (or basically any day of the week) strolls. I call them strolls because they just seem to take their time and enjoy themselves. If they were going out for a walk or a run - they would be decked out in full exercise gear and be on a mission. Where as when they stroll they are just out enjoying the weather, the scenery, and life I guess. So we did too.