Reed's Haircut

Reed got a haircut today..

These are "before" photos...

Haircut - 12/2010

And "After" photos....

"After"

Opening Presents 2010

Since we are leaving Christmas Day for France, we had the kids open presents on Christmas Eve morning instead. We wanted them to have at least one day of playing with their toys before we took off.

Opening Presents 2010

Dec. 2010

Just a few cute photos of the kids....

Dec. 2010

Christmas Markets

Since we are in Switzerland for the holidays, we've been trying to go to a couple different Christmas markets. It's been fun, the kids love all the commotion and we love all the gluwein!

Christmas Markets

Chuck's Thanksgiving

Our friend Chuck had a group of people over for a Thanksgiving meal. He had bought a deep fryer and got the turkey and fried it up. It was SO good and he was a great host.

We also had another Thanksgiving meal the next day that we went to, but I forgot to take photos.

Chuck's Thanksgiving

Xmas Decorations 2010

We found a free night and "made" some cookies and put up our Christmas decorations. It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed it too. Reed is obsessed with Santa!

Xmas Decorations 2010

Kids 11/ 2010

A few photos of the kids.

Kids 11/2010

30th Birthday Party

The few photos I took of our night out in St. Gallen for my birthday.

30th Birthday

Tantrum

Reed is sitting so nicely, enjoying his lunch...

Tantrum

Then there is Sophie....I do not find this at all humorous right now, but I know that there will be a day that I will be able to look back and laugh at this.

Sophie's singing voice

Sophie has been throwing lots of tantrums lately (thank you terrible twos) so she's been spending a lot of time in time out and in bed. I had sent her up to bed on this particular occasion and then when she was done with her screaming, this is what she did....




And since she stopped singing for me in that video and was being a complete turkey, I caught her again on my top secret spy mission....

Reed's Play date

I had one of Reed's friend's mom invite us over for a playdate at their house. Right next door, they were building a house and the kids loved it. This is what Lucas and Reed did on their play date....

Reed's play date

30th bday dinner

For my birthday, Chris and I went to a very nice restaurant named Bad Balgach. The food was amazing and we had a fantastic time. We couldn't have had a better time.

30th bday dinner

Zurich, Nov.1st,2010

Since Chris and Reed had a three day weekend, we decided to do a day trip to Zurich since we hadn't been in awhile. We took the train, which the kids loved, and just did some shopping and relaxing. We were even able to sneak into a Starbucks for a coffee while Sophie was napping and have some quiet time while Reed ate a cookie and played with the iPhone. It was fantastic weather too so we really lucked out. We had a great time and it was just what we all needed.

Zurich Nov.1st, 2010

Matching PJ's

The nightgown that Sophie has on, my mom had bought for her for this Christmas so she gave it to us while we were in the states. The pajamas that Reed has on were hand-me-downs from Braden and Garrett, it is complete chance that they not only match perfectly, but that they both fit in them at the same time.

Matching Pjs

Lantern Parade

In Switzerland, they get together all the Dad's from grades Kindergarten thru 2nd grade to make a "lantern" out of what we believe to be a turnip. The next day, they all walk around the city in a parade with their lit lanterns (yes, it is real fire) and have a little ceremony. Another mom told me that there were around 400 children!! It was a huge parade, the city turns the street lights out so you can really see the lanterns and they had policemen there to redirect traffic and keep things orderly. It was much bigger than we had thought it would be. After the parade, there was a "band" and the kids all were supposed to sing along I think. Then there was a huge tent that you could buy food and beverages at. It was a lot of fun and I think Reed really liked it. And the Swiss name for this little gathering....Raebeliechtliumzug. Now that's a fun one to say.

Lantern Parade

The beginning of the parade...




And the end of the parade...

Highlight

The highlight of our trip to the states was Reed learning how to ride a bike!!! What a champ!

Highlight

And of course some video...

Crazy Kids

We tried desperately to get good photos....it just wasn't in the cards for this trip.

Crazy Kids

Gull Meadows Farm

All the kids had SO much fun at Gull Meadows Farm! They had lots of activities for all ages, but I think the favorite for my kids was the ride in the barrels. They even had their own little steering wheels, it was cute.

Gull Meadows Farm

Portage 2010

In Portage we had a great time just relaxing and bumming around outside. We also took a lot of long walks and just taking in our surroundings.

Portage 2010

Medina 2010

We had a great trip to Medina. It was pretty good weather so we dragged out all the outdoor toys and the kids had a blast. We were all so excited to Grandma and Grandpa. We also celebrated the kid's birthday's again since they weren't able to be there so of course the kid's LOVED the ice cream cake they bought and opening up presents again. We had a great time.

Medina 2010

Traveling to USA

It's always so hard on the kids getting to the states. We're all pretty tired by the time we get there.

Traveling

Playground & Reading

Just some random photos of the last few days. I am emptying out my camera for our trip!

playground&reading

Singing/Park

Reed finally got the guts to go on the zip line at the park, and he hated it and will never go on it again. We also had a party and did a rotisserie, it was SO good. Chris did a fantastic job. We will definitely be doing that again! It was delicious!

Park / Singing

This is the cutest video with Sophie singing "Twinkle Twinkle"

Breakfast

One Saturday morning breakfast and Sophie being silly.

Breakfast

Wrapping Up

The entire 8 days that the Yuille's were here, Rob spent it trying to win over Sophie's love. She is a tough one to please, but she LOVES books, so when she brought this book to Rob, he took the opportunity to bond with her and this is the most attention she gave him...

Yuille's last two days

The last two days with the Yuille's, we just hung out, went for walks, played at parks, grilled out and just relaxed. The boys had so much fun playing in the yard and just hanging out with each other. We had great fun.

Yuille's Last Two Days

Luzern, Switzerland with Yuille's

In Luzern, we watched boats, ate out, walked along the castle wall, saw the dying lion, and went to the Transport Museum. A great musuem and we had a lot of fun.

Luzern, Switzerland with Yuille's

At dinner while we were in Luzern, there was a "band" playing and we heard the worst horn ever. It would just randomly toot and not with the music. It put a damper on our evening, but we still had fun.

Bregenz, Austria with Yuille's

On this particular day, we went to Bregenz with the Yuille's. We played at a park, walked along the Lake, went up on a cable car, had ice cream at the top and played at the playground up there! Once we got home, we grilled out and got to bed early! The kids were exhausted.

Bregenz, Austria (August 2010)

School, Hike and dinner

On Yuille's second day, Braden and Garrett went to school with Reed and had a blast. After that, we dropped of Sophie at daycare and went for a hike at Rappenlochschlucht. The boys did really well on the hike and it helped keep them up. After that, we went to dinner up on the hill and had a gorgeous view with dinner. I'm so glad it was nice enough to eat outdoors. They have a playground for the kids so us parents could chat and have a little peace and enjoy the view and dinner.

school, hike, dinner

Yuille's First Day

On Yuille's first day, they got in, the kids gave each other a lot of lovin, we went to Habsburg for dinner and Braden almost passed out at the table, but Reed just wouldn't leave him alone. Tons of fun is in store!

Yuille's First Day

Hot Air Balloons

A few weeks ago, our area had a Hot Air Balloon show for a weekend and we could see tons of them from the house! The kids loved it.

Hot Air Balloons

Share

You tell your kids to share and I guess this is what i get....

2 year check up

This is Sophie at her 2 year check up. In this particular room, there is a rocking horse and we had some issues getting her off it to weigh and measure her and to give her her shots. She was funny, but she LOVED this horse!

2 yr. check up

Technorama

We went to this science and technology museum called Technorama. Reed loved it and ran from exhibit to exhibit, he really couldn't get enough of it....and Sophie slept through it.

Technorama

2nd Day of School

Okay, so the second day of school went MUCH better than the first and he was very excited to go.

2nd day of school

First Day of Kindergarten

Reed had his first day of school today!! He was very nervous going in, but came out smiling ear to ear and the teacher told me he did great. He told me all about his day and he said he had a lot of fun. Here are some photos

First Day of Kindergarten!

Bday Grill Out

Since Sophie is painfully shy, we only invited Doug and Cindy over to grill out and celebrate with us. Luckily the weather cooperated with us and Sophie could actually play on her new slide! It was a great time and Chris did a fantastic job with the food! DELICIOUS!

Bday Grill Out

The kids loved the slide!

Sophie's 2nd Birthday

This was her actual birthday. We did nothing exciting. I sent her to daycare with cupcakes, that was about it, oh, and we had bagels for dinner. She liked that.

Sophie's 2nd Birthday

Lake Constance

Last weekend we went and had dinner on the lake with another couple. We had a gorgeous view and once it got dark, fireworks were going off. It was so beautiful.

Lake Constance

Black & Whites

I went crazy one day taking black and white photos...so here they are...

Black & Whites

Reed's 4th Birthday

This was Reed's actual birthday. We got up and went to Migros, then when Daddy got home, he opened his gifts from us and had a birthday dinner of grilled cheese and tomato soup (his favorite). After dinner, they all went outside to play with the new toys.

Reed's 4th Birthday

Reed has great potential to be a goalie in his future!

Reed's Pool Party

For Reed's birthday we did a little pool party. Reed had so much fun and loved all his gifts. He even got a bow and arrow. They had fun in the pool and we even had yummy cupcakes.

Reed's Pool Party

Peter & Paul Wildpark

We went to this park where they have animals fenced in. It isn't really a zoo, it was just deer and goats, but their are some hiking trails and stuff. It wasn't too exciting but kind of cool. The kids were not very interested in the animals so it was kind of disappointing, but they ran a lot and were tired so it was worth it.

Peter&Paul Wildpark

And for all of you wondering what noise a deer makes....turn up your volume!

Gettin' Funky

Reed can really rock out....

Zurich Zoo (June 2010)

We went to the zoo and of course the kids loved it. We didn't get nearly enough photos though.

Zurich Zoo, June 2010

The Pool / BBQ / The Kids

These are photos that we've taken over the last few months. Sorry it's been so long.

The Pool / BBQ / The kids

Time with Papa and Nana

These are more random photos of my parents trip. Captions may explain the photos better.

Time with Papa & Nana

Rappenlochschlucht with parents

This is the cool cave hike that we take everyone on. So much fun and so pretty.

Rappenlochschlucht with Parents

Luzern with Parents

Ok, so it's been awhile. Sorry. I will be trying to catch up today. I ran out of space so I had to go through and delete the oldest ones to make more room so it was just time consuming.

This is still of my parent's trip. We did a day trip to Luzern. Even though it was raining on and off all day, it was still a beautiful city with a lot to offer and we enjoyed our time there. It's on the lake with gorgeous views.

Luzern with Parents

Waldegg with my Parents

We love this restaurant and the awesome "Hut" for dinner. Chris and Dad shared it.

Waldegg

Passion Play

My parents and I went to the Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany. It was very cool and a much better production than I thought it would be and I think we all loved it.

Passion Play

Around the House

These are a few pictures of flowers in our garden and of the kids and house.

Around the House

Chur with my Parents

The day after mom and dad showed up, we took them to Chur. There is lots of shopping, beautiful churches and great restaurants. It is the oldest city in Switzerland.

Chur with my parents