The International School for all

After a 6 week summer break, school has once again started here in Switzerland. The biggest change is that we decided to place Luke in the International School with Sam. If I ever start to doubt that decision, all I have to do is see the enormous smile on Luke's face as he runs out of school each day. He is in kindergarten and he is in heaven. I'm also in heaven now that both boys are in the same school and my drop off/pick up routine is far less complicated. Life with just one kid at home is a piece of cake, although this is just the calm before the storm. 8 more weeks and my life is will be thrown into complete chaos with 4 kids. I'm trying to brace myself with plenty of naps.

The boys both seem to have great teachers, have already been invited to a birthday party each, and are happy as can be. We also resumed our Saturday family adventures. This past Saturday was a trip to nearby Wasserfallen.

USA: Part 2

After being away from the US for a year I was expecting to go through some type of culture shock upon our return home. Certainly my eyes would be open to all things American, right?

Nope.

Walking out of the airport felt like I had never left the good old U. S. of A. It was wonderful to be on home turf, and to be able to adequately communicate in public for the first time in a year. The only truly shocking moments occurred when we stumbled upon our daughter dressed up like this (might I note that she looks equally horrified)...

Also when we found Afton surrounded by all of her girl cousins and their American Girl dolls...

She actually looks pretty darn pleased with her luck in this time, doesn't she?

The two pictures above were taken at our Willis family reunion in Wheeling, West Virginia. Why West Virginia? Because it is the home of Ogelbay- a fantastic family resort filled with golfing, swimming, hiking, horse back riding, a nature center, zoo, train and trolley rides, and lodging large enough to fit all 27 of us.

The best part (as my sister in law pointed out) was that our year long absence seemed to have no affect in the kids. The boys ran to their cousins with open arms, while Afton reveled in the position of the youngest girl with 8 older girl cousins doting on her.

The kids also got to experience plenty of animals-

While most of my animal watching took place from the comfort of a park bench-



There was plenty of golf-



train rides-

and enough memories to tide us over until we see our families again.

USA: Part 1

We came, we saw, we conquered.

That really is all you need to know about our 3 week trip to the US. It was filled to the brim with action, family, friends, shopping and FOOD. Oh, how we ate (curse you Cafe Rio, Turkey Hill ice cream, grilled hamburgers, fudge, cowtails...). The first half of our trip was spent in Cape May with Grandma and Grandpa Walker, Aunt Ashley, Aunt Becca and Uncle Joe. We did every touristy thing imaginable, and it was awesome.

The Beach

We naturally went to the beach a lot during our Cape May stay. The picture of Afton and the boys below is my favorite. In it, Afton is running towards the water with her arms outstretched singing, "That's where my life be-gins!!!" (This is from the scene in Tangled where Repunzel first leaves her tower).

Renting Surrey Beach Cruisers with my mom and sisters. I've never laughed so hard.

Picnic & Hiking at the point




Celebrating Grandpa Walker's Birthday

Riding in the backyard on Grandpa Walker's mini-tractor. *Side note: When we arrived at my parent's their entire backyard was transformed into a kid's paradise. The trampoline was set up, bikes, balls and trucks were placed everywhere, and they built a sandbox just for the 11 days that we were there. So sweet!

Boat Riding & Dolphin Watching around Cape May







There were tons of dolphins so close to us everywhere-



the rides at the Wildwood Boardwalk





And lastly- a Pirate Boat Cruise



One of my dad's good friends has a son who works on this cruise. He got wind that my dad would be coming and arranged to have my dad treated like one of the children- complete with face painting and rootbeer... he handled it like a champ.



During the cruise a small "pirate boat" comes and attacks your ship with water guns. When this part happened we were surprised to see a second boat approach with my brother Joe and two of my dad's friends in it. They waited in the harbor until it was time to "attack" and then got us. It was hysterical.



Thank you mom and dad was an awesome trip! I always say that my kids are spoiled, but it is safe to say that we were all spoiled rotten on this trip. My only regret is that I couldn't teach you how to say "no". Say it with me now: "No, Afton, Luke and Sam. You may not have ice cream for breakfast".