Bertie the Bear

Anna Claire attends two different pre-schools -- one is in Swiss German, the other is biligual English and High German. Confusing -- but she is getting ready to start kindergarten next year in Swiss German. And she loves it. Her "English school" sent her home recently with the class pet -- Bertie the Bear. She got to read to him, feed him and take him everywhere. Anna took him to her favorite play spot -- right down the street from our house.

Grandma and Grandpa: Guten Morgen Zurich!

We spent Monday morning wandering around Zurich with Grandma and Grandpa. The nice thing about Zurich is that the main sites can easily be seen in a morning. And the city is so pleasant and clean to walk around. The girls just loved all the attention they received from both Grandma and Grandpa.

Looking across the river at Fraumunster. (Excuse my missing umlauts.)
Don't move, girls, it's a long way down!

Yet another carousel!

Grandma and Grandpa: Einsiedeln

On Sunday, we did a little "pilgrimage" with Grandma and Grandpa to Einsiedeln. It's a Catholic pilgrimage spot only 20 minutes away. Apparently, in 964 A.D. when they attempted to create the original monastery, he was halted by a heavenly voice insisting that God had already consecrated it. They were doing a service inside, so we didn't get to see much of the sumptuous interior (rare in the mostly Protestant Switzerland). Mariah and Anna, however, still really enjoyed climbing around the steps.

Hi guys!

Grandma and Grandpa: The Jungfrau

Grandma and Grandpa are here! My parents stopped in for a quick visit after touring the Baltic states. The girls were ecstatic to see them. Over the weekend, we took a trip to the Jungfrau, for the first time since we've lived here, believe it or not. We took a cable car up to Gimmelwald and walked around, enjoying the peaceful grassy hills and spectactular views.

1-2-3 Swing!

In front of the Jungfrau (obscured by mist).

Grandma and Grandpa.

Here's a peek through the clouds.

Mariah stopped at every watering trough to wash her hands.

No trip is complete without some swinging time. . .

. . .or sliding time. This slide was actually almost scary for adults -- really long and fast.

Down the hill with Daddy.