Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Our Last Visitors


Our friends, Al and Tracy Roth, came to visit and we did one last tour of the places in Switzerland we had not seen, as well as revisit a couple of our favorites.  The greatest privilege we have had this year is the chance to share this adventure with so many friends.  Thanks to all our friends and family who helped make this experience priceless!



Gruyere Village

Not pictured:  the wanderer (aka, Joshua).


"This is where the arrows would come flying through and hit you in the eye, Jack." 

Everytime I go to a castle, I see my knight in shining sunglasses.


We made Tracy do this pose.  She argued at first, but I know she secretly wanted to.

Gruyere Castle.  Not a post card.









After touring the castle, we went in search of the Gruyere cheese factory.  We found the small "hut" where they claim to make the cheese.  I can promise you, they've got a bigger operation somewhere!  But we did discover a luge, which the kids found much more interesting.

Josh

Kathryn

Daddy was afraid to go by himself, so Kami went with him.

In front of cheese factory

Seriously?



Al celebrated a birthday while he was here; unfortunately for him, it gave us an excuse to use the "Hello Kitty" party cups.

Kami getting one last, close up look at the chocolate coming off the line at the Callier Chocolate Factory.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Ciao, Dad!

Verona, Italy

Grandad has just spent a week here in Europe and we were able to show him Geneva and take a trip to Italy together.  Dad and I first spent a weekend in Rome, then he headed off in a car (solo!) to drive through Tuscany and finally meet up with us a few days later in Verona.  After a quick tour of the city of Romeo and Juliet, we hopped on a train to Venice.  It is even more beautiful than we imagined and it was a special treat to share it with my dad.  Italians are lovely and welcoming and the city of canals is one of our favorites so far.



Lunch in Geneva


Lunch in Rome


The Trevi Fountain after dinner...very cool
Piazza Novona, a great place to buy art




Verona

Arena and Opera House in Verona, oldest amphitheater still in use

of course...

Are we as cool??

Gelato expert


Verona Square at night

Juliet

Juliet's balcony




My Romeo...





Italy is exhausting!


Saint Marc Basillica
Taxi ride in Venice

Orchestras perform in the square all the time.

We made it to the lamp store for my sister Amy and Dad bought her a little (very little) pretty.

Not sure what could possible be wrong with Kami while walking through moonlite canals.


Not what we ate




Geof splurged for a Gondola ride.