Let's Go Fly a Kite

Perfect day for flying a kite. We've had these kites for awhile and the perfect windy day finally came. The whole neighborhood came out to chase after this kite.

Lake Como: With the Kiddos

We just returned from a fun trip to Lake Como, Italy with our good friends, the Plourdes. It's only a few hours from Zurich and is some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The lake is surrounded by picturesque mountains dotted with colorful Italian villages. We found a great place overlooking the lake in Menaggio.

The kids had a blast hanging out together. Here are Mariah and Anna with best friends Ella and Charlie.

Trying to keep Tyler from running off the cliff.

Just up the road from where we stayed were old WWII bunkers and tunnels. Apparently the Italians thought Lake Como needed to be protected. I don't think they saw much action here. But it was fun to explore.

Bunny-hopping through the old trenches.

Crossing the lake. Tyler seems a bit grumpy -- but, though he's generally a happy boy, he often scowls for pictures.

Here is the happy boy. We convinced him to say "cheese".

Mariah and the lake.

Lunchtime.

Playtime.

Sleeptime.

Lake Como: Biking around the Lake

Rob and Ryan decided to cycle around most of the lake. Here is Rob gearing up.

They stopped at a church dedicated to cyclists along the way. Yes, all you crazy cyclists out there -- cycling in Italy must be considered a form of worship! Apparently the inside was filled with old cycling stuff.

Don't you love the monument!

Rob somehow thinks he can sniff his underarm while he raises his hand in victory.

Lake Como: Bellagio trip

After our friends left, we got stuck with rain for a day. But it was nice to relax and play games as a family. And the next day, we took a boat across the lake to Bellagio.

This is the view from our place in Menaggio. I love all the little red roofs dotting the green hills.

Walking the waterfront in Bellagio. Sister-love!

Sister-love again!

Daddy with his girls.

Getting HUGE!

So, we just returned from Lake Como, Italy today. I'll have to post some pictures. But right now dealing with Tyler's bronchiolitis -- very scary and a huge ant infestation that occurred in our absence.

Laugh for the day: I was taking Mariah to the bathroom in the gas station when she said to me, "Mommy, your bottom is getting HUGE." Thanks kiddo. You don't at all mention my growing 5 months pregnant tummy, you just notice my big behind. Nothin' like a kid to tell you the truth.

Finally Updated Blog!

Yes, believe it or not, I have finally updated this blog! I figured that I'm now in the good 2 1/2 months of pregnancy (no more morning sickness and not yet back problems) so I had better get this done! I now have photos from Moscow (check out December 25 onward) and Egypt (check out March 7). And lots of stuff in-between. Sorry for being such an intermittent blogger. But I do eventually get it done!

Hooray, it's finally Spring!

Open your windows. . . Spring has finally come!

Anna Claire's best friend from Morges, Nicole, came to visit for a weekend and we made a trip to the Kinderzoo.

Three giggling girls.

Feeding the giraffe. Wow, they do have long necks!

Each spring, wildflowers take over our back garden. Tyler went running out, with no interest in the flowers, but undying interest in the "kitty"! I wish I could share his squeals of delight.

Kitty, we got you again!

My attempt at capturing Tyler in the flowers. He wouldn't sit still because he just wanted to chase the kitty.

Family fun on wheels

So, our double bike chariot is just not enough for three kids. We have to find alternative solutions. Today, we all went out on wheels -- just different kinds. I pushed Tyler in his "stroller" wheels with my rollerblade wheels. Mariah stuck with her scooter wheels and Anna Claire and Daddy rode on bike wheels. This is in a beautiful valley area by Lachen. Sometimes it's nice to actually find flatlands in Switzerland.

Monica's cute pics

Monica left for the U.S. today. We are so sad to have her go. She was a great help to us. Plus, she was a wonderful photographer. It is nice to finally have some good photos of the kids. As you can see by my blog, my talent does not lie in photography! Here are some fun photos of the kids that she took. Enjoy!

A Little Bit of Biking

Rob went out on a long bike ride and I met him for the nice valley stuff. It's still pretty cold!

The top of Satteleg, Rob's favorite climb. Check out all the snow at the top!

So glad the weather is nice!

Now that the weather has finally turned (after an unbearably long and snowy winter) we are finally getting outside more. The other day, Monica took the girls outside to paint Easter pictures. What fun!

"Hmmmm. What should I paint next?"

We also scootered down to the lake to feed the duckies. Here are the girls wrestling over the last crumb of bread.

During the Easter break, we took the kids to another wonderful wildlife park. They got to feed the dear there. I must say, I really love all the outdoor kids activities here!

Schloss Neuschwanstein

We finally did it! Ever since we moved to Zurich, I've been trying to get to Neuschwanstein. The problem is that it's 3 hours away and not worth staying overnight. That's a long day for the kids. But Rob was in London--he's not so interested in princess castles--so Monica and I packed up the kids and headed up to Germany. I must say that it was worth it just to see the outside of this idyllic castle. King Ludwig II built it in the 19th century and it became the Disney model for castles, especially Sleeping Beauty. We kept the kids entertained by telling them stories of Sleeping Beauty's life in this castle.

Just across from Neuschwanstein is Hohenschwangau Castle, where King Ludwig spent his childhood. We didn't have time to see the inside of this, but apparently it's pretty interesting. The inside of Neuschwanstein itself is not as impressive as the outside. Most of it was unfinished because Ludwig died early under suspicious circumstances. What does "suspicious" mean? Poisoned?

Mom and the kids in front of Sleeping Beauty's castle.

The girls having fun together!

We took a shuttle bus up the mountain and climbed up to a bridge overlooking the castle. The views were breathtaking.

"Okay, I'll pose for this, but this wind is chilling me!"

The whole gang headed down to see where Sleeping Beauty lived.

Here is the turret where Sleeping Beauty pricked her finger. My girls wanted to know why we couldn't go up to it and see the spinning wheel.

This is where Prince Philip hacked through the thorns and fought the dragon to get to his princess.

I tried to get a shot of the castle just as the sun was shining on it. But I just missed it.

We hiked down from the castle and enjoyed the most delicious cream cheese filled fresh doughnuts. Yummy!