Happy Birthday, Madison!

Happy 6th Birthday, Madison! We are so lucky to have you in our family! It was quite the celebration since your birthday was on Sunday. We got to go to church and the Primary sang to you and your teacher brought a cake. Then we had lunch at the Pail's house and they also gave you presents, sang and had a cake. Then we had cake and sang and presents at home that night! THEN, the next day after school, every kid from your kindergarten came to celebrate your birthday with you! That was a lot of kids to have for a party...

We ate a delicious butterfly cake, created by your dad (the best cake maker, ever!). We played pin the butterfly on the flower, and since the first kid got his sticker right in the middle, every other kid got it right, too! We also played, freeze dance, musical spots, unwrap the package, and best of all, break the pinata! All the kids had a great time.

Madison, you are a smart, beautiful, talented girl. Sometimes I think you are much older than your years. You are friends with everyone, and not afraid of anything. My favorite memory of you this year is when you got up in front of the entire school (K-12) for the talent show and played the piano and sang Mama Mia. You were a true Rock Star! Thanks for being the best, most helpful, oldest sister. You are a great example for your siblings, and often, for your parents, too. We love you!

Laura's Visit

My friend, Laura, came to visit us with her daughter, Jessi. We had such a great time! We went on a trip to Milan (although, I forgot my camera). Then we also tried to show her the view from the Saentis! Apparently when the snow hits, being at the top of the peak feels like sticking your head in the ice box, eh? Not quite the beautiful view we were hoping for...
After Laura and Jessi went to Paris, we took a day trip to Neuschwanstein castle. This time, Madison, Charlie, and I saw the other castle, Hohenschwangau. Not as ornate by a clear mile, but still cool, nontheless.


We also went up to Appenzell for some great Swiss shopping-knives and cheese! Thanks for visiting, Laura! It was so much fun!

Happy Birthday, Ellie!

The other night, Ellie asked if we could have some "fondue." I told her I would have to check and see if we had all the chocolate and supplies. Then she said, "No, mom. I want fun-do, like watch a movie or play some games. Can we have some?" This is why I love, Ellie. This sums her up to the core. She is full of fun, laughs, and loves. Her favorite phrase is "Guess what, mom? I love you!" She loves to be silly, and is a great friend. She walks up and down the stairs at school saying "Hi, Pia! Hi Charles!" The only problem is then they say, "That's not my name!" But, she doesn't care. She is just a friendly girl! We are so lucky to have her in our family. It would feel so empty and boring without her. And that is why, on this day, we celebrate you, Ellie!

Ellie celebrated her 4th birthday on Saturday. We had a great time, hanging out in Stuttgart with our friends, the Jacksons and the Grovers.

The best part about Stuttgart was hanging out on the military base (Stewart Grover's stationed there), and going bowling with all the friends!



Lake Shore, UT meets Stuttgart!

We made sure to drink lots of root beer and eat Pizza Hut pizza that we can't get in Switzerland.

Ellie loved her "Mama Bluey" from Grandma Kelli.



Always cheered up by her buddy, Danny!

Our princess couldn't go without a crown cake (except it got a little smashed on the way to school). She was pretty sad after school when I picked her up. I asked her why she was so sad and she said she didn't get any of her cake. I thought maybe this was another custom I didn't know about-only the other kids get cake? Then I asked her if they offered her some, and she said yes, but she told them she didn't want any. Hmmmmm, let the games begin about stating one thing and meaning another!

We love you, Ellie! Happy Birthday!

Ski School

Madison and Ellie took some ski lessons at Wildhaus on their day off from school. We are pretty lucky since the resort is only 7 minutes from our house! Madison has been before, but it was Ellie's first time. She did great!

Ellie and her best friend Danny took lessons together. The whole time Ellie begged to go in the "TeePee" that we told her they had for beginner lessons. Her teacher finally said it was time to go in the Teepee and Ellie was thrilled. However, she came out after very disappointed. "Dad, there wasn't even a TV anywhere in there!" She does like her movies....

Madison did great and went down the slalom course several times. She told us after she only wants to go regular skiing now cause she didn't like waiting for the kids who fell down. That probably means skiing with her mom is out now, too!

oops!

Well, I have had a lot of trials and "growing" experiences here in Switzerland, but I can say now I have checked one more off my list that I hope to not try again: a ride in the ambulance. I was running down the stairs to get the phone in the kitchen and when I hit the the bottom tile floor (that was newly mopped) I slipped and landed directly on my tailbone. When I tried to get back up, I couldn't put any pressure on my feet and had shooting pain up my back. I army crawled to the phone and called Kent to tell him I couldn't move. He immediately called the ambulance and told me to stay put. No problem.

When the ambulance workers came, luckily one of them spoke enough english for us to communicate. Also, another big blessing is that my new neighbor, Erin, is close enough now that she was able to come over and take Charlie and pick up the girls from school. The biggest blessing of ALL, is that nothing is broken. I just have a contusion on my tailbone. I will just be on my back for awhile until everything heals. Thanks to my family for all the prayers. I am sure that is why it turned out as good as it did.


Another exciting day in the Swiss Alps. At least I am hoping to heal quickly enough to still make this ski season worth it! And really, so grateful to my kind husband for documenting all these beautiful moments...

Our new house

We moved from St. Margrethen to Gams, Switzerland. The whole move was a lot of work, but well worth it in the end. We are much closer to the girls' school, Kent's work, the gym, and our friends, the Jacksons (who live two houses away)! Our favorite part of the move has been the amazing views out all of our windows. We are up on one side of the mountain looking across to another. It doesn't hurt that it only takes seven minutes to drive to the ski resort, too...

Kent moved all of our house with the help of some friends and missionaries. Turns out that the day they moved in November was the only blizzard we have had yet! What troopers! My mom came back here after our vacation to the states for Christmas and helped us unpack and set up the house. I really am lucky to have one of the hardest working mothers in the world! Thanks, mom, Kent, and all our friends for helping us get settled.

Top of the Alps

We took a train up to Santis on Saturday, and it was amazing.  We even had our first snowball fight of the season!  It was a perfect day for some pictures from the top of the world.

It was a perfect day for a hike.  Charlie slept through most of it on my back.

Madison danced at the top and...

...sang her favorite songs from the Sound of Music with Angie and Ellie.

We're thinking about using this picture for our Christmas cards.  But we have to delete the two random extra kids.... and the dog..... sorry to you dog lovers out there.

Emily had the birds eating right out of her hands.

Angie told us about her bird phobia shortly AFTER this picture was taken.

Charlie and I couldn't get the birds interested in our PBnJ with bananas sandwich.

Angie... just before she started yodeling... no, really... She yodeled... pretty well actually.

Train rides are always a good time.