A Perfect Day

Jessica is here!!  I didn't know if I was ever going to be able to say that, but it's true.  Our dear friend arrived yesterday morning and we plan to party all over Switzerland and France for the next week.  Today we headed up to our favorite ski spot and had the most beautiful weather we have ever seen on the slopes.

The view from the top of the mountain

Not pictured (or invited), Kami

Video link

http://youtu.be/CPWKCgdQDjU

La Bise

Pronounced "La Beez," this is what the Swiss call the windy weather phenomenom from Siberia that sends winds upwards of 40 mph whipping across Lake Geneva.  Combine that with two weeks of well-below freezing temperatures and this is what you get on the boardwalk:

That is a fake person...or a frozen one.

The water is blown of the lake and forms layer upon layer of ice all over anything and everything.

Click on the link below to see video:

Iceland in Versoix

Playin' Hooky

Growing up in Virginia Beach, we skipped school to hit the beach.  But in Geneva, we skip school to hit the slopes!  This past Monday we called in "sick" and put our skis and snowboards to the test for the first time.  It was a beautiful day for some lessons and the kids did great.  Snowboarding is definitely harder and the boys have decided to ski instead, but they gave it a good effort.  We plan to be back on Saturday for the day, one of the many advantages of living 45 minutes from some of the best skiing in the world:).

A Modern Day Pilgrim Story

Early in 2011 a family decided to take on the adventure of moving to a foreign land.  After months of preparation, they sold their home and packed up their belongings and dragged their 4 reluctant children aboard a not-so-uncomfortable 777 and set out across the Atlantic.  They traveled through the gruelling hours of the night (OK, not really-but just go with it) and battled air sickness and bad airplane food along the way; to finally touch ground in Geneva, Switzerland.  They were now the foreigners in a foreign city, surrounded by-let's just say "Indians," as the people who lived there were no more Swiss than the Native Americans were from the West Indies.  The inhabitants of this strange new land were from every tribe and tongue on the planet, yet they came to the rescue of these desperate and scared pilgrims (alright, I was the only one who was desperate) no different than Squanto to William Bradford.  When they needed a place to sleep, Ivan, the landlord from Italy gave them a home (we won't mention the rent). When they were starving from the lack of poptarts and Chick fil A, Gunilla from Sweden took them to the grocery store and when the mother lay sick and dying (it was actually just a kidney stone), Margaret from England took her to the hospital. Each, along with many others, helped this crazy family survive and adjust to their new (albeit temporary) life in Europe.

So as the harvest rolled in their first November in Switzerland, with grateful hearts they gave thanks for the many blessings they had experienced over those first eight months.  They joined hands and prayed alongside their new friends from England, Scotland and Sri Lanka.  They ate turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoe pie and shared the story of Thanksgiving to people who had never heard of the abundant provision of the One True God and His love for His children.  And although they longed for their friends and families in their homeland, this Thanksgiving would be remembered perhaps not as the most beloved, but certainly as the most authentic.

Jackson invited Deklan from England

Kathryn had over Sithara from Sri Lanka

Joshua and his lady friend, Tatyana from Scotland

And how did I pull all this off?  With Emalee-from Georgia-who makes all of this possible through her constant assistance to me.  And who makes a mean pumpkin roll.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Different, Yet The Same

Of course, living in a foreign country is very different than living in the United States.  However, we have found that kids are kids the world over and boys still love to play sports and girls still love sleepovers.  Here are some pictures from Jackson's first basketball tournament at school and Kathryn's birthday sleepover (a month after her birthday-we have been busy!)

Jack played great and his team won the tournament.

The girls had fun decorating and eating cupcakes.

And of course, played "Just Dance" on the Wii.

Additional pic:  Kate sang in her first choral concert at school.  They sounded beautiful!

Princess Kate turns 11!

Cruising down the Thames River

And where should the millienieum princess begin her birthday celebration? But in London, of course!  We bought a tiara in the gift shop across from the "crown jewels" and my girl proudly paraded all over London with it perched atop her golden hair.  Saturday evening Geof surprised Jack, Kate, Josh and me with tickets to "Wicked" and she was able to continue her crown-wearing as we watched (and loved!) the play.

On her actually birthday Kami and I took a cake into her classroom and we got to hear her classmates sing happy birthday to her in several languages.  Finally, we ended her royal celebration last night with a quiet family dinner at home and the rest of her birthday cake.  It was a great way to celebrate what a lovely young lady she is becoming and show her how special she is to us.  You will always be our princess, Kathryn and we love very much! Happy Birthday!

Kathryn with her teacher, Mrs. Darbyshire

Follow this link to hear "Happy Birthday" from her classmates.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/E0WqDQCEz80?hl=en&fs=1