We stayed in Switzerland for a week while Jared worked out of his company's home office. The kids and I traveled around and visited our friends, who are spread all around the German area of CH. It was great to be back. Several of our friends are moving back to the states, so this was a last HURRAH with them! I have about 18 million pics, so I'll just go with the rant as I go method.
I just have to express a little heart. There are some kinds love that you have to experience to understand. I can say that I "love" these girls in this picture below... and that's just sounds so inadequate. When you live in a foreign country, your friends become your family. But not just your family... your sounding boards... your familiarity... your comfort... your support... people who have saved your butt, cried your tears, held you up at times you couldn't stand it anymore. I love these girls. (there are a few faces missing from this picture, and a few faces I added on this trip... but I feel the same way about all of them.) And they didn't fail me on this trip either.
My girls
Taken at a baby shower for Ashley, Jessi, and Rachel. I had so much fun with you girls that night. (and the food was freaking awesome)
We missed the green Swiss hills!
I love this face, Mia!!!!!
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Mia was so cold. Rain, Rain go AWAY!
Sam shows off his new "junior" Swiss army knife. He's sawed many a log with his new knife, and only cut himself once.
Hiking up the mountain. Eli loved holding the Swiss flag.
There's an awesome Alpine slide on top of the Brunni lift we like to go on.
Jess, Lys and Rachel. Both of these girls saved my butt while I visited. Thanks for feeding me Jess so that I didn't have to stomach McD's again. Rach, how can I ever thank you enough for letting us hang at your house while Mia puked her guts out for 2 days. BFF!!!
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We went to Heidiland (where Johanna Spiri set the book) on the way to my friend Erin's house. It's over by Lichtenstein (a small country on the border of Switzerland). A funny thing happened on the way there. It was a longish drive- but I didn't want to stop until we got to Heidiland. So we were getting close and the kids start whining and bickering so I started telling them all about how these are Heidi's mountains and if you look close enough you can see the goats at the top grazing... and told them we were really close to Heidiland. Well, Sam joins right in and starts saying "I see Heidi!!" Mia says "Where??" Sam says, "There's little Snow over there (the goat)." So Sam kept Mia busy all the way to our destination. When we pulled in I said... "Okay!! We're finally to Heidiland." Sam says, "Wait, there really IS a Heidiland? I thought you were trying to cheer up Mia." Ha. This kid has lived with me too long-- he's catching on to my tricks.
Rachel Jenny and Me Rivella-in' it up at Jenny's house for her goodbye party.
She moved back to the states the week after we were there. Sadly, I'll probably see her less now that she's moved to UT.
Sam and Tate. "Cousins" (friends who live far away are cousins)
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The boys in front of the church in Knonau, the town where we used to live.
The boys in front of the church in Knonau, the town where we used to live.****
The next slew of pictures are from Engelberg. This is where we like to go for our annual picture... we had a good laugh at the picture we got this year. Not the best conditions... You can see the ones in the past on the sidebar of our blog.
Mia was so cold. Rain, Rain go AWAY!
Sam shows off his new "junior" Swiss army knife. He's sawed many a log with his new knife, and only cut himself once. 
Hiking up the mountain. Eli loved holding the Swiss flag.
There's an awesome Alpine slide on top of the Brunni lift we like to go on. 
Sam riding up in the Gondola.
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I love Swiss pools. They have such great facilities in Switzerland. This was one of the kids main requests-- "what do you want to do when we get to Switzerland?" "GO to the POOL!" I don't love european hairy men in speedos at the Swiss pools. (see below, I had to get this guy on camera-- it's like a car wreck-- you can't look away!!)
Jess, Lys and Rachel. Both of these girls saved my butt while I visited. Thanks for feeding me Jess so that I didn't have to stomach McD's again. Rach, how can I ever thank you enough for letting us hang at your house while Mia puked her guts out for 2 days. BFF!!!
We went to Heidiland (where Johanna Spiri set the book) on the way to my friend Erin's house. It's over by Lichtenstein (a small country on the border of Switzerland). A funny thing happened on the way there. It was a longish drive- but I didn't want to stop until we got to Heidiland. So we were getting close and the kids start whining and bickering so I started telling them all about how these are Heidi's mountains and if you look close enough you can see the goats at the top grazing... and told them we were really close to Heidiland. Well, Sam joins right in and starts saying "I see Heidi!!" Mia says "Where??" Sam says, "There's little Snow over there (the goat)." So Sam kept Mia busy all the way to our destination. When we pulled in I said... "Okay!! We're finally to Heidiland." Sam says, "Wait, there really IS a Heidiland? I thought you were trying to cheer up Mia." Ha. This kid has lived with me too long-- he's catching on to my tricks. 
8 comments:
I laughed about the train wreck. We saw a girl today at Quizno's with piercings all over her face, nose, lips, even studs sticking out of her face around her eyes. She had the slits in her earlobes where they put the huge loops in to stretch them out. When you talked about the train wreck and you can't look away I laughed, exactly my sentiments!
Once again, your picture all take my breath away! AMAZING!
That makes me so incredibly home sick for CH. Love it. I'm glad you get to go there even if I don't. Thanks for sharing. Love you!
Cool stuff. I wish stupid american designers would make pools like that. I also got a kick out of the train wreck. So was that swing at your friend's house or at Heidiland? It looks so fun!
Hey Alyssa, great pics. This is Dave, Bridgette and I lived w/ Ileen for awhile, years ago. Remember? Anyway, in your previous post you said you were full of tips. We have some friends in Sweden right now that may be moving there soon. Any tips for them? You can email me at blu_sol@yahoo.com Thanks
I keep checking back for the next adventure! WHere did you go!? I felt like my european tour stopped!
Hey A - we are going private ASAP and I need your email if you want to read! Thanks! If you just leave a comment on my privacy post I won't let anyone else see it! THX!
your picture all take my breath away! AMAZING!its fun being there
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