Our New Year's Eve trip to Paris

We drove to Paris for New Year's Eve, and had a great time visiting the sites in the city. We watched "Ratatouille" in the car on the way there, and they kept singing, "Paireeee holds the keeeey to my hearrrrrt!!!".

Ellie enjoyed entertaining strangers outside the Versailles castle with her "pull down the hat" routine.

EuroDisney was a reward for the girls after following us to Versailles and the Louvre.

Emily and Madison in front of Disney.

"Thumbs up" from Ellie.

Madison helped Emily and I get a picture at the Louvre.

Ellie is prone to spontaneous falling over, so this was as high as we dared let her climb.

I thought this was a cool picture.

The girls sailed some boats in a reflection pool in Paris on a windy day.

Sail boat day...

Ellie at the fountains.

Ellies photographic view of the world.

The girls outside the Louvre.

The girls inside the Louvre.

Mona Lisa. Still smiling... kind of.

Madison and her new favorite pink "parasol".

Kent and Madison just before going up the Eiffle Tower. (Note that Lake Shore was well represented in Paris.)

A cold night at the Eiffel Tower.

The Tower was beautiful at night.

Ellie's "parasol".

Christmas 2008

A few pictures from Christmas. We had a wonderful morning... the kids slept late, which was nice, and there is nothing like the magic of watching the face of a four year old and a two year old when they see that Santa paid a visit. It was a blast!

The Christmas tree... day and night.


Troy and Gabriella (High School Musical) were a perfect gift for Madison from the Rowbotham family. The look on her face says it all!

We tried to get Ellie to relax and enjoy the morning... not too tough to do.


Ellie and Madison enjoyed playing with each others' presents.


The "Little Mermaid" was another favorite on Christmas morning.


Madison practiced on her scooter in the hallways. This is her new mode of transportation to school.

Santa left a swing handing from the balcony in the family room.


Ellie loved her new movies. (She has a healthy media addiction.)


Decorating cookies on Christmas Eve. Lots of fun.


Ellie probably ate more frosting than actually made it to her cookies.


A picture of the girls patiently waiting to open presents on Christmas morning.


Madison absolutely enjoyed the whole morning.

Skiing in the Swiss Alps

We spent our first official day skiing in the Swiss Alps for Kent's birthday. Kent and Madison hit the slopes while Emily and Ellie played in the snow.



















Madison was pretty excited about the helmet and goggles.


















The view from the top was amazing!!!




Nothing like a hot chocolate break at mid-day.

The tram ride up was fantastic.

The resort is called "Flims" if you want to Google it, and it takes a little over an hour to drive there from our house.

Ellie the Photographer!

Finally, a Boy!

He's a mover and a shaker. He didn't stop moving the entire time during the ultrasound, which I told the doctor was pretty typical for the whole day. Kent says he is going to finally get his athlete and he is practicing sports inside. Madison told us "See! I told you we were going to have a little brother Charlie!" She told many people about a year ago he was coming. Only slightly embarrassing when I wasn't pregnant and people were congratulating me... Now congratulate all you want!

Halloween in Switzerland

Madison was a Cheerleader and Ellie was princess Ariel (in her wedding dress). Madison practiced a cheer: "Give me a T. Give me an R. Give me an E. Give me an A. Give me a T. What does that spell? TREAT!!!" Of course, Kent was a little sad that it is the first word, next to her name, that she can now spell. Since Halloween isn't celebrated here, we went to an American Halloween party at a Zurich ward last weekend, and then had the girls Trick-or-treat to every room in our house. They loved it just as much, and we loved not being cold outside.

Oktoberfest!

One of our first weekends here in Switzerland, we took the drive in to Munich to witness Oktoberfest. We came, we saw, rode a few rides, and quickly left the millions of people who were enjoying several beers. Ellie was a hit with all the drunk German men. She was offered a rose by one, and a large pretzel from two other men. I was also asked if I would like to get a drink with the two young guys who rode the log ride with Madison and I. I guess they wanted to make up for splashing us the whole time! It sure is fun to see how other cultures enjoy life.