Johnny and Ashley are here!

We were experiencing withdrawal from family after leaving Grandma Judie and Grandpa Steve in Italy. Fortunately, my brother Johnny and his wife Ashley soon came to cheer us up. Aside from my parents and CK, I haven't had much family visit so I was thrilled. Plus, my kids absolutely adore both of them -- especially Ashley.
We took a little day trip to enjoy some Swiss chocolate and Swiss cheese. First, we hit the Cailler Chocolate Factory. The best part of the tour was the room at the end stocked full of chocolate -- all you can eat! As you can see, our girls weren't afraid to take advantage of this. They stuffed their faces until we dragged them out. (But then again, so did I!)
Next, we hit the picturesque town of Gruyere -- home of the famous Gruyere cheese. We skipped the factory tour and headed right for the town. Doesn't this look like a postcard?

We all enjoyed seeing the cheese producers -- the cows -- on the hike up to the town.
Skippety, skippety. Look at those mountains!

Of course, we had to eat lunch at a place that served cheese fondue!

Uncle Johnny and Mariah really hit it off. (By the way, I must mention that a few days later, Johnny hired a boat and skis so that he could waterski on Lake Geneva. Even I haven't done that yet! The boat driver was a little skeptical that he could even slalom. He doesn't know my brother!)
Mariah loved wearing Uncle Johnny's hat.

Anna did too!

Daddy decided to bike back from Gruyere. The girls wanted to join him. (By the way, check out the lady trying to get out of the picture. . .)

Bye bye Gruyere!