The Roller Coaster Ride Has Begun

The day our family visitors left, both Isabella and Xavier declared "I want to go home now" in a somewhat pleading tone.  Over the remaining 3 days of spring break, they both uttered different versions of the same sentiment many times.

Today was their first day back at school after a 3-week break.  Isabella came home beaming and stated, "I really love school", and continued to share some things she was excited about here.

I know everything will be fine, and I'm so thankful that both kids have positive feelings about here and our home in MN, but I also believe it will be an interesting ride:)

Clark - Logelin Whirlwind Tour

13 April - 19 April, 2012


We had a wonderful time hosting our first real guests here in Switzerland.  Karen, Bruce, Heather, Joel and Adelyn arrived late on a Friday, and left early the following Thursday.  During that time, we traveled to a number of lovely Swiss spots, putting over 1300 kilometers on the 9-passenger rental van.


A brief itinerary of our days, for the record:
  Friday - pickup in Zurich and short walk near flat
  Saturday - Ballenberg Open Air Museum
  Sunday - Zermatt
  Monday - Zermatt and Bern
  Tuesday - Lausanne, Lutry and Château Chillon
  Wednesday - Cailler Chocolate Factory and Gruyère village
  Thursday - drop off in Basel to catch train to Munich


Our guests were so appreciative of every place we saw, and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the Swiss foods we shared with them (sometimes a make-shift version).  It was such a pleasure entertaining such an enthusiastic group!!

 Karen and Bruce outside Ballenberg smithy.

 Karen and Kim in Ballenberg cheese house.

 Bruce and Karen next to Ballenberg map.

 Lovely Swiss cow sporting standard cow bell.

 Heather, Adelyn, Karen and Kim (with Izzi snapping photo) walking to Ticino region of Ballenberg.

 Bruce and Xavier in Notre Dame cathedral in Lausanne.

 Izzi in self-imposed shackles in Chateau Chillon near Montreaux.

 Xavier at Giger museum in Gruyere.

On car train passing through Lötschberg tunnel.

 Headstone in "climbers who perished on Matterhorn" cemetary.

 Adelyn in Zermatt.

 Heather, Joel and Adelyn in Zermatt.

Kim and Karen in Zermatt.

 Street in Lutry.

 Heather, Joel, Adelyn and Xavier in front of Chateau Chillon and Lake Geneva.

 Bruce, Xavier, Isabella and Karen in front of Chateau Chillon and Lake Geneva.

Todd, Kim, Karen and Bruce in front of Chateau Chillon and Lake Geneva.

 Izzi in Castle Chillon.

 Bruce taking a photo from the dungeon window of Castle Chillon.

Xavier and Izzi in Chateau Chillon.

Adelyn on tour in Chateau Chillon.

 One of the lovely views of Lake Geneva and Villeneuve from Chateau Chillon.

One of the lovely views of Lake Geneva and Montreux from Chateau Chillon.

Adelyn snuggling with Grandpa in Chateau Chillon.

Karen, Bruce and Adelyn near fountain in Chateau Chillon.

Karen and Adelyn outside of Chateau Chillon on Lake Geneva at the end of our tour.

Lovely end of day view on Lake Geneva.

Lovely end of day view on Lake Geneva.

Amare Roma

We had a glorious time seeing the historical sites of Rome, and enjoying the food and culture.  We all took a gladiator training class with the historical society of Rome, and we even got to see the Pope on one of our visits to the Vatican! My favorite part was wandering the small windy streets and discovering the quaint galleries, shops, and cafes.  Plenty of yummy pasta, good wine and refreshing gelato was consumed!

On bridge of Saint Angelo near Castle Saint Angelo.

 Sweet streets across Saint Angelo bridge toward Piazza Navona.

 Same as above: posing with gelato sign.

 Another sweet street photo.

Fountain on Piazza Navona.

 Piazza Navona art vendors.

 Xavier checking out the Storm Trooper on Piazza Navona.

Izzi mailing a post card from Vatican City post office.

Taking the stairs from the Vatican City Post Office to exit.

 Posing in the Colosseum.

 Posing in the Colosseum.

Vatican City...waiting for the pope to arrive at St. Peter's Basilica.

The pope arriving.

 Todd on square near the Pantheon.

 Chillin'

Trevi Fountain 

 Photo taking by Trevi Fountain.

Xav at Trevi Fountain.

 Gelato in front of the Spanish Steps.

 Testing the Boca della Verita (mouth of truth)

 Testing the Boca della Verita (mouth of truth)

 Coffee in Trastevere.

Gelato in Trastevere. 

Street in Trastevere.