I want to ride my bicycle

We bought some wooden Like-A-Bikes for the kiddos this week. Andrew took to it quite fast, but is still working on getting some speed.

Brooke didn't like it as much (her feet don't quite reach the ground yet), but have I ever mentioned what an awesome runner and dancer she is?

Grandma Marlene

Anthony's mom arrived on the 6th for her first trip to Europe. We tried to take advantage and show her as much as we could:

7.06.08 Luzern, Switzerland

Chapel Bridge, Mill Bridge, Lion Monument, street markets, train rides

8.06.08 Fussen, Germany

Neuschwanstein Castle

9.06.08-10.06.08 Salzburg, AustriaHohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Garderns, St. Peter's Cemetary, Mozart's Home...

Hellbrunn Palace, trick fountains and Sound of Music gazebo



11.06.08-12.06.08 Venice, Italy
Beach on Lido


Brooke's favorite activity: terrorizing pigeons


Venice at day


Venice at night (and raining)


Day two Venice


Day two Lido



13.06.08 Verona, Italy
Gladiators, Roman Amphitheater, Piazza Bra



13.06.08 Ascona, Switzerland



14.06.08 Valle Verzasca, Switzerland
Lavertezzo, Ponte “dei salti” (Bridge "of the leaps"), Rimarchevole (the church)


Finally, we stopped in Locarno for a picnic and playground break before heading home. As we walked back to the car, we noticed this orange Lamborghini and said, "Look, guys, a super fast race car!" They ran to get a closer look and laughed, "It's Lightning McQueen!" pointing to the little red hatchback parked right next to the real sports car.

It was such a wonderful vacation, and we loved being able to share it with Grandma Marlene. Thank you for making the long journey out to visit us Grandma!

Daddy's big bandaid

Anthony separated his shoulder playing soccer with some work friends this week. He called us about 9:30pm from the emergency room on Monday asking us to pick him up. Since we've had to bid farewell to the Hemmerts, our beloved neighbors (and babysitters), I woke up Matthew, loaded all three pajama'ed kiddos in the car for what I thought would be a quick pickup. 3 hours later we headed home with a broken daddy, a big "band-aid" and lots of pain killers! This makes four visits to the emergency room in the last three months!!! On a positive note, Anthony says it made for a relaxing vacation (post coming soon) as his mom and I had to carry all the kids and bags.

Water Water Everywhere

The gradual progression of Andrew and Brooke playing in a water fountain. First just toys, then fingers and hands. Next thing you know they're completely soaked.

Peek-a-boo

Does anyone want to guess how many diapers we go through in a week? Unfortunately, these kiddos have zero interest in potty training!!

Goldau Wildlife Park

We loved this wildlife park, with a great petting area, amazing views of the Swiss mountains, and cool animals (some out walking around right next to us!). But Brooke and Andrew probably loved the fountains the best. It was a cool day, but they stripped down and jumped in anyway. I love the picture of Brooke lapping up the water like a dog, but my favorite is the bottom middle picture.

Florence, Italy (Girl's Weekend)

A few girlfriends and I headed to Florence for the weekend for an all-day Tuscan cooking class. It was so amazing to be picking up tips from a Florentine chef amidst herb gardens, wine vinyards and Tuscan cuisine.

The rest of the weekend, spent in the heart of Firenze, was just what a girl's weekend should be: lost of talking, laughing, shopping, eating and sightseeing.

Thank you so much, Emily, Rachel and Janelle (and to all of our hubbies as well). I had way too much fun, and can't wait for the next trip!

Disneyland Paris

It was another three-day weekend in Switzerland and we took advantage by taking the kids to Disneyland Paris. It was well worth the 6 1/2 hour drive, sleep deprivation and insane amount of money (9 Euro chicken nuggets!), the kids loved it, and we loved seeing it through their eyes.


Adventureland

Fantasyland and Discoveryland

Highlights:

• Timon giving Brooke a big kiss at the Lion King show
• Riding the Buzz Lightyear ride 7 times (thanks to the Fast Pass!)
• Brooke and Andrew driving their own car (a little dangerous when they can't see over the steering wheel)
• Matthew at full attention in It's a Small World
• Conquering fears at the Pirate Ship playground
• Hugging all our favorite Disney characters (Mary Poppins, Mickey Mouse, the kangaroos (what they kept calling Chip and Dale))
• The Queen of Hearts stealing Andrew's Mickey Mouse suckers
  

The last day we headed into Paris to see where Remy (from Ratatouille) lives. We didn't do much more than chase pigeons, eat baguette sandwiches and enjoy the view.

F is for Flag

I'm making a book for the kiddies: My Switzerland Book of ABC's. This pic was too good not to share (this is about a 2 minute walk from our house...well 2o minutes with toddlers).

Three Day Weekend

Friday: Rapperswil Zoo

If it seems that all these zoo pictures are of Brooke it is because she was absolutely fearless of these animals! This was such a great zoo, geared toward younger kids: safe animals that would come very close to you (and let you feed them), short walks to the next exhibit, a petting area, elephant and camel rides and lots of playground areas. I would have LOVED to take a picture of these guys on top of an elephant, but they were a little too scared...maybe next time. Favorite pictures: #1(top left) that Rhino got incredibly close to us, #5 (middle picture) Brooke feeding that goat from every angle possible, #7 (bottom left) three heads are better than one.

Saturday: Lenzburg Castle

This castle was awesome. It was by far the most kid-friendly castle we've been to. The top floor was purely for kids, with medieval dress up, crown making, and play castles. Andrew seemed to be in heaven with the swords, shields, knights, and armour. He loved his dress up so much (especially that Napoleon hat) that he had to hug and kiss it before we left. And we got a big kick out of the final picture: little bear on a real bear rug.

Saturday: Rapeseed fields

While Andrew and Matthew preferred the car to these yellow fields full of bumble bees, Brooke loved the tall flowers and blowing the dandelions. These fields are all over our area right now and they seem to go on forever! We had to wikipedia them before we found out that they produce Canola oil and Cow's love them. Make sense for our neck of the woods!

Pretty Weeds

It must be dandelion season here, because we pass fields like this everywhere. We wanted to catch it on film before the cows devour them all.

Sandbox

Wildlife Park (Animal Adventure)

Each weekend we gear up our kids for an adventure, no matter what is planned. It could be a flea market in Zurich, a walk around our neighborhood or a legitimate trip out of the country. This weekend our kids asked for an "Animal Adventure" so we took them to the Wildlife Reserve just a few minutes from our house.
1) Brooke 2) Goats enjoying the sunshine 3) A fun ride on the Merry-go-round 4) Brooke feeding the deer a feast of dandylions 5) Looking for bats in the cave 6) Andrew standing next to a two-year old bear 7) Andrew and Daddy on the zip-line 8) Our own "little bear" a name Brooke coined due to the ears on his bear coat, but I think it may also have something to do with how he chases everyone around at a warp speed crawl and steals everyone's food) 9) The real bears (Matthew's mentors)

Change of Plans

We have loved our time here in Switzerland so much we've decided to extend our stay. We'll be US bound next summer instead of this one. All of you who said you couldn't make a visit in just one year have no excuse now!! Hopp Schweiz!!

1) For those of you who remember a previous post about our rock, it has since been dubbed "Pride Rock" and is driven by, visited or talked about almost everyday in our family. 2) Our wonderful friends and neighbors, the Hemmerts. Unfortunately they will not be staying another year...it will be a sad goodbye. 3) Brooke is a champion runner 4) Looking out over the Pride Lands 5) Smelling flowers 6) It doesn't happen very often, but Matthew does get sad every once in a while, usually when we forget to feed him or leave him by himself for too long (easily done when he is so content all the time) 7) Mommy and Matthew 8) Swiss Family Shontz 9) Simba pouncing out of the tall grass

10 Months Old

Added to the list this month: 2 teeth, crazy dancing skills, shaking his head, crawling at warp speed and standing. His pediatrician said that braver babies have more bumps and bruises because they challenge themselves more.

My Tree

We pass this tree on our way to church every Sunday. It takes my breath away every time I see it. Look out for more pictures in the future, I'm determined to capture it's greatness on film.

Best of Friends

We have a play-date everyday at our house.

Crawling