France with Nana

Nana came to visit and we decided to take her somewhere we've all wanted to visit, Mont St. Michele. Our trip turned out to be quite an art tour.

Our first stop was in Rouen, which is famous for its cathedral that Monet painted over and over. . .

We arrived after a long day of driving and we were all very very hungary. I asked the security man at the department store to suggest a good restaurant. It wasn't quite 7:00 PM so most of the restaurants weren't open. He told me to go a few blocks to a creperie. I wasn't sure what we'd find-a place to sit down or a concession stand. It turned out to be the highlight meal of the trip. At least for me! I order a crepe with raclette cheese and potatoes topped with a generous portion of cured ham. The pickles on the side were nabbed by Elsa before I could get them on my fork. It's probably what she has in her mouth when the picture was taken. Delicious!! And the waiter brought out the most generous cups of hot cocoa to warm our chilled selves.

I love the reminders all around me that we live in a very old country. Going to the bathroom felt like a trip to the medieval past. The bathroom itself was very modern and clean.

HELP!

When I logged it in says I have six followers, so I'm expecting at least six comments. More are surely welcome.

The dilemma part 1: We live in a cold climate and Elsa is skinny.

The dilemma part 2: Elsa wears two jeans skirts and tights every day.

The dilemma part 3: Elsa chooses clothes, I buy them and she won't wear them.

Why do I buy them? I don't want her to freeze on the playground.

Well. . . yeah everyone who knows me knows I'm also obsessed with children's clothing.

In my own defense, I've really cooled my jets. I let her choose what she wants to wear every day, and I rarely make a fuss. I've also recognized that she has her own ideas about clothes, and haven't gone overboard buying.

In her defense, she dresses appropriately for different occasions (school, church, dress-up). Maybe she isn't cold, and I'm just a worrier.

Back to the dilemmas.

The problem is mine and not hers. Right?

Two jean skirts every day with tights. Fine. Fine?

Really I just find it really really boring.

SO. . .

Do I feed her passion and avoid my boredom and just buy the girl denim skirts?

Not really such a big problem is it?

*Loved hearing from everyone!! I returned Elsa's new Hello Kitty jeans and bought a new denim skirt. She wore it three days in a row. I washed it and she's wearing it again. I'm glad I have a girl who knows what she likes!

The Cravings

It is strange being pregnant in a different country. The easy go to foods that you rely on to get you through the first few months aren't there. Fast food chains find their real purpose.

Then I remembered-France has Subway.

We traveled 45 minutes to enjoy a Fall day and have lunch eating an American sandwich.

Lovely.

I'm sure I've posted a couple of times about the charms of Annecy. They haven't changed.

Henry and Ansel

It was a wonderful afternoon. I devoured an entire foot long, and was tempted to pick up another on the way home.

I left satisfied.

Halloween

I've always thought it ironic how our church embraces the Halloween Party. We love it. As well we should. I understand the backlash by some and in certain parts to suffocate the pagan tradition. They mistake fun and frivolousness with darkness and attempt to replace the whole event with leaves and gourds. Sad. However, some of us recognize it as a chance to enjoy an evening with many many friends and neighbors. It's a great opportunity to invite those who wouldn't normally accept an invitation to visit our church.

In Geneva it's big. Halloween as a whole is expanding over here. This year I noticed even more products in the store than last. Even my little Coop was selling jack-o-lantern cookie cutters. Halloween rolls on. Pockets of neighborhoods even trick-or-treat! I'm glad for this. My kids embrace any opportunity to disguise themselves as a super-hero or a villain. They've been planning and scheming since August.

Sam and Henry (he's a vampire)

Elsa with her favorite devil, Parker.

Ansel as Wyatt from "Super Why."

Greg stole the show with his Secret-Service get up. You'd have thought the President himself were there.
To stave off the excitement before the party started, we got out the face paints. Henry painted Ansel. Daddy painted Elsa. Ansel and Elsa painted daddy.
Notice how much more surface area you can cover on his head!

Breakfast on the Farm

It is a tradition around these parts for the local farms to prepare brunch from their harvest. Since we've moved here I've wanted to go.

The reservations were finally secured, thanks to our good friends the Trogers. The morning of I was too sick to get out of bed and Henry was too devastated about his haircut. We missed out.

Greg, Ansel, Elsa, the Troger family and their G'pa had a terrific time.

Aimee, baby Luke and papa Charlie

Ansel and Jacob

Jacob, Elsa and Claire

Greg and Ansel

He at least brought us home some fresh produce.

Next time, I'm there.

Three Is a Magic Number!

Sunday was Ansel's birthday.

Love. Love. Love him.

He has opened each gift with this response, "I love it, I really really love it."

I think he had a good birthday.

Now We Are Six!

For those who missed my announcement on FB. . . we are expecting our fourth baby! Eighteen weeks into it and recovered from six weeks of flu (not the swine variety), I can finally say how excited I am to welcome this new little one into our home! Three cheers for number four!

This first photo was taken at 12 weeks.

Elsa, with all her love and excitement added the heart drawing.

The expected arrival is April 2nd. We will try and avoid the first and are aiming for the sixth. I've always celebrated it anyway! Going a few days over is definitely worth it to me. --I always go a few days over.

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

One of the hardest things about living far away is not seeing those we love enough. We are so grateful for the many visitors that have come. We have been so lucky.

Lucky is spending days with Grandma and Grandpa. We were spoiled with their hugs and kisses. I was spoiled by their shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Three weeks went by way too fast. We look forward to seeing you again as soon as possible!

Northern Italy

Grandma and Grandpa came for a visit and we took a trip to Northern Italy. I served my mission in Milan and have returned several times since, but this was the first time I'd seen the Duomo clean. Way to go Milan!

The kids loved walking around the outside of the Duomo and finding recognizable figures-the apostles. I think Elsa with her stoic pose is pretending to be a statue.

After Milan we stopped in "fair Verona" to visit the scene of Romeo and Juliet. It was a beautiful city that has profited from some great fiction.

Greg and I outside "the balcony."

We stayed outside of Venice at the home of our friend's father. He had a wonderful place and was so kind. He took Henry on his first motorcycle ride! Henry was nervous at first, but was beaming once he decided to go ahead and ride. We visited Venice of course. This picture was taken on top of the parking garage.

We visited new cities like Cittadella and Lake Garda that were beautiful and charming. In great Italian style we ate plenty of great pasta and ate lots of gelato!

Viva Italia!

She's Got Moxy!

Elsa came home for lunch the other day declaring she had her first loose tooth. At five and a half it wasn't a big stretch. I was stunned. Another child moving along through childhood. She'd reached that next phase before I was ready.

After school she became quite curious about getting that loose tooth out of her mouth. It annoyed her. She was curious about the process and the anticipated pain. She was thrilled about the prospect of a coin!

By the time Greg got home from work she had made that tooth quite wiggly. She petitioned for help, but Greg told her to be patient. "When it's ready it will come out," he told her. So a minute later she just pulled it out. I couldn't believe. She worked that tooth from mildly loose to very wiggly and gone in one day.

What a showing of tenacity and determination. I couldn't be prouder!

The Much Anticipated BTS Photo

I waited to post about reentry into school this year. Maybe pessimism has taken over, but I didn't want to say it was good and have that be a lie. I hesitated because they were so happy about going back to school this year. Obviously still shell shocked from last year I had to wait until they weren't coming home saying it was "the greatest day in their life!" I'm pretty sure the new colored pencils and markers has a lot to do with that.

I'm proud of them. They both have good teachers and have been optimistic about learning and making friends.

Seeing this photo actually makes me really emotional. They go to school with children whose backgrounds are so diverse and so different from theirs. It isn't easy for them. They're so sweet. They go every day and try their best to fit in. I hope this experience has taught them to be a little kinder and a little more empathetic. It has me.

Soo. . . a month into it we're still cruising along. We've had a few sick days already that had to be milked because Grandma and Grandpa are here.

Henry started his supplemental English class this week and came home from that with a book he read to me on the way home. Learning is a thrill.

Zermatt and the Matterhorn

Last Saturday we drove up to Zermatt and to view the Matterhorn.  It's about a two and half hour drive to Tasche where you have to catch a train into Zermatt.  The city is closed to all vehicles except for the hotel taxis which resemble large electric golf carts.  Once we arrived we took another train up the mountain which would give us a great view of the Matterhorn. Minus the big cloud covering the tippy top.

Once at the top of the mountain, you could visit with some big St. Bernards and enjoy the thin cool air.  We decided to hike down and catch the train at another stop.
The kids loved the walk down.  They felt like real mountaineers.  Walking DOWN the mountain!

We walked for about an hour and then got back on the train to take it the rest of the way down. 
It was such a great day trip.  Zermatt is a lovely town and all of the trains kept the kids plenty entertained.

If you're curious how it compares to the Matterhorn in Disneyland, Greg has a witty post on his blog.

My friend Jisoo

I recently read that it is an innate part of the female brain to surround herself with friends for survival.  This becomes even more necessary when we don't live in family groups.  Interestingly we do this for more than someone to chat with.  We do it also to support each other with our own families.

Allow me to introduce my friend Jisoo. . .

Jisoo and her family (husban Sung Yoo and daughter Jiyeon) moved here from Korea the same time we did a year ago.  Jiyeon (9) and Henry learn French together at school and play chess together in their free time.
Jisoo LOVES children and knows how to be silly.  My children LOVE to be with her.  Ansel especially adores her and even cries when she leaves!
We love to share recipes from our different cultures.  Her recipes are typically spicy and mine are typically sweet.  The first time she came for lunch she brought chopsticks and taught my kids how to use them.  They do.

She has been such a wonderful friend and support to me this past year.  

A Paci

What to do when a paci becomes more than just a comforter?

Hungary

Greg served his mission in Budapest, Hungary. Like moi, he loved his mission and loved the people he served. Unlike moi, he has maintained close relationships with many, many people. In fact it was humbling to hear how grateful they were that he still had made such an effort to maintain their friendship. They'd always mention the many missionaries that promised they would, but didn't. I probably fall into that category.

Since we've been married, he has wanted to take me there and introduce me to his beloved city and friends. Finally we made the trek. As previously mentioned our family loves road trips. Even if a six hour drive takes eight or nine.

We drove into Budapest in the evening through the brightest rainbow in my memory. The kids were thrilled and begged us to divert to search for the pot of gold. It was a sweet entry for my dear husband who really misses the country and the people.

We rented an apartment from a member who has numerous apartments for rent. We were hoping that it was actually the apartment he'd lived in and rented from her years ago. However, his apartment was a couple houses away.

This is the Orszaghaz - the national parliament building as seen from a cruise on the Danube River.

This is the royal palace (now an art museum) in the castle district.
Eating gelato on Vaci Street - Budapest's version of 5th Avenue or the Magnificent Mile.
This is part of the Vajdahunyad Castle - something that was built for the World Fair in the early part of the century.
When the Soviets left Hungary in 1989, the Hungarians immediately started tearing down all the communist propaganda and statues that had dotted their city for the last 50 years. Now, all of those crazy communist statues stand in a park outside the city limits.
This is Aquaworld - a water park built a few years ago. A Hungarian in Greg's office recommended it. We're glad we went, although the night we returned home, the lead story on the news was how a kid drowned there the week before and it's been under scrutiny for very lax life guards. Glad we heard about that after a fun day.
This is a huge cathedral in a city called Esztergom. It's an hour north of Budapest on the Danube bend. If you walk around the back of this cathedral, you can see Slovakia across the river.
Here's Ansel wondering why the pews in our church don't have arm rests.
Greg made us drive through Slovakia on the way home, because when else are we ever going to drive through Slovakia? On the map, it looked like it would be the same distance driving to Vienna. But what we didn't realize were that the highways in Hungary are modern, and the main highways in Slovakia are, well...like this.

Austria

We're three days back from our summer trip to Austria and Hungary.  Oh!  and a drive through Slovakia.  Because, why not.

We started our journey with a six hour drive to Innsbruck, Austria.  Our family actually enjoys car rides.  When the drive is so beautiful and the music so good the time passes quickly.  We arrived in time for dinner, and while exploring the city found a nice little pizzeria.  While enjoying the outdoor pizzeria we got caught in a huge rainstorm.  We didn't even suspect it would come.  We came back to the apartment drenched and ready for baths and bed.

The next morning on our way to Hungary we decided to stop at the Swarovski crystal "museum."  This crazy head is outside and you enter the museum through its shoulders.  They had fascinating Euro-modern-artsy ways of displaying their crystals.  We were all very fascinated and entertained.  The grounds were beautiful and included, a view tower, hedge maze, two parks and flower gardens.  Definitely a worth the time stop.

On the way back from Hungary we stayed in Salzburg for a couple of nights.  The swimming pool at the hotel was the main attraction.  Not outdone however, by the historic old-town.  We loved seeing Mozarts old stomps and trying to follow the journey of the VonTrapps while singing "Doe a deer a female deer. . ."
Not my favorite picture, but here we are outside of the gazeebo that Rolf and Liesl danced around.  Ahh.
Henry couldn't resist the gigantic pretzels.  He ate the whole thing.  
Can't you just see Maria dancing through this street?