Week 2: Fondue, Dream House, Swimming & Night Game

Fondue & Friends

SWISS FONDUE...Saturday night Manu invited us to his house to have Swiss fondue with him, Julia and Ueli. It was sooo yummy and we were so appreciative of him cooking for us! We had a great night with our friends, talking and laughing and taking turns running after Jake. Manu has a drum set that he and Jake put to good use, which was hilarious to watch them jamming together. Then Manu got out his man toys, a Vespa and a motorcycle, which Jake only enjoyed as long as the loud, scary motor was off, hehe! Just as in 2006, our friends have really gone out of their way to make our time here happy and comfortable, and we can't wait for them to finally visit us in Texas someday so we can play hosts to them and return all the kindness!

Peas in a pod, jamming away

Balcony view, look at the mountains back there!

DREAM HOUSE...On Sunday we had a really fun, special day with Julia and Ueli. We took a beautiful country drive out to Beinwil, a suburb of Zurich about 40 minutes out, where they are almost finished building their gorgeous new home! The von Burgs are moving this weekend and we cannot wait to get out there and spend time with them! As you can see from the amazing pictures, their home has THE most spectacular views overlooking a serene lake and the Alps! The town is so quaint, peaceful and idyllic, I want to live there too, ha! I really have never seen such a place. Michael and I were just freaking out as we took the tour-- especially about the master bathroom, wow! The pics I took don't do any justice, and the only way I can explain it is that it reminds me of a white, modern, Malibu mansion. We took a stroll around the lake on a trail covered in shade by sprawling trees, and then we ate lunch at the neatest waterfront restaurant where Julia & Ueli know the owner. The food was great and Jake had a blast throwing bread into the water to feed the fish, ducks and swans from our table. He excitedly yelled "hi boat" and "bye boat" to every boat that passed by, which was cracking everyone up. We are so happy for our friends to finally be moving in to their new home and we are thrilled to be able to share fun memories with them this summer as they get all settled in. I have a feeling we will be in their pool, soaking up the sun and the indescribable views from the incredible wrap-around decks! Once the outside is complete and they are all moved in, I will post more pics.

Group shot on their balcony

Master bath sauna

Lakeside Restaurant in Beinwil

Mama & Jakey in Beinwil

Cold but happy!

SWIMMING...On Wednesday we went to the pool for the first time. We had been waiting for a really hot, sunny day and this one was perfect. We were super impressed with the huge facility-- it has 3 pools, one which is for toddlers, a big slide, acres of grassy park area to picnic or lounge, sand volleyball courts, a mini soccer field, a cafe, a playground, and super clean showers and bathrooms. We were not expecting it to be so large and so nice and we walked in thinking we had hit the jackpot! Jake could not get in the water fast enough, but then we discovered the catch 22... FRIGIDLY COLD water!!! And I am NOT exaggerating! We were in shock at how freezing the water was! We even were wondering if they somehow intentionally keep it that cold. We guessed it had to be 50 degrees. Kids everywhere we laying flat on the pavement, just trying to warm up their frozen little bodies! Admittedly I was such a wimp that I could not get in further than my knees. Michael thankfully was a good sport and froze himself to numbness while getting in with Jake, who honestly looked as though he was having mini convulsions the entire afternoon from shaking so hard! But, blue lips and all, he had so much fun, and I know we will go back. In the meantime though, we are going to try some other local pools -indoor and outdoor- just in case there is warmer water somewhere else!

Weee! Look at Michael's face, haha, he's so cold!

NIGHT GAME...Wednesday night Michael had his first night game, which was against the Barracudas' biggest rival, the Zurich Challengers. And we won big time, 14-1, yippee!! Michael played really well, with a beautiful double that nearly went over the fence for a home run. Jake yells for his dad so loudly and proudly, its pretty adorable. The picture is of Jake sitting in the dugout with Manu, while watching Michael's at bat. Playful "Uncle" Manu has become a favorite of Jakey's, they have a great time together. The team has been really sweet to Jake in including him as much as possible at the games, which has made him one happy boy! His friend Ileonora has also been so much fun for Jake at the games, they cheer their daddies on together. He can't wait until the next home game when the team has field clean up duty afterwards, just so he can ride the baseball tractor that smooths the dirt!

Sitting in Manu's lap in the dugout

JAKE used the potty for the first time this week, which was such a huge accomplishment!!! He was extremely proud of himself, as were we of him! I made up a celebratory song and he dances and sings along after he goes! He couldn't wait to tell his Lovey and Granddad about his exciting news on Skype, which has been so much fun to stay connected with family back home. Hearing their voices AND seeing their faces makes a big difference! Michael and I have started downloading some TV shows and movies to watch at night after Jake goes to bed, mainly because there are no English speaking channels here except CNN, blah. We are enjoying our gelato and quiet TV time together. We ate at McDonald's for the first time and Jake actually exclaimed "ohhhh wow" when I opened his chicken nuggets, haha!! And guess how much it cost-- are you ready-- about $30 American dollars for us all to eat, geez!! Thus, we will NOT be eating Mickey D's very often! The cuisine here is too fresh and amazing to eat fast food anyway, but sometimes you just have that craving, you know?! So now I have to get on my soapbox for a minute...one thing that is so odd to me here is that, while Europeans seem to really take pride in taking good care of themselves and eating healthily...sooo many of them still smoke! I am an asthmatic who's really allergic to cigarette smoke, so I get headaches whenever I'm around it, and I get upset when I see parents doing it right in front of their kids, because its so unhealthy. Twice on the train, men have lit up before the door even opens to let them out, so gross! Makes me proud of the smoke free initiatives taking place in Texas. Ok, I am done ranting now, no offense meant to anyone! I totally respect everyone's right to make their own choice for themselves. I'm sure there are tons of things Europeans could put down Americans about as well!

Park at Lake Zurich where we play ball

I THINK in general our favorite place to be is down the by lake at the park. Jake likes to watch the sweeper trucks that clean the roads downtown. He's is always asking to ride the train down there to see the boats, ducks and fish and to play ball at the park. It's so lush, green, and clean, with beautiful waterfront views. One thing that is so refreshing that I wish was the case in the states is that picking up after your dog is a law, so you don't have to watch your step in the grass! And the other day when we were downtown Michael had to pay $1 to use a public bathroom, which isn't uncommon throughout Europe. He said it was one of the cleanest, nicest bathrooms ever and worth the fee, which you don't often hear about public restrooms! Another admirable Swiss quality that I wish the US would adopt is making recycling a law. Here, if you don't separate your recycling from your trash, you get charged!

Lake Zurich on a cloudy day

I guess that covers almost everything for this week...Sleep has been better and Jake is napping occasionally, which is SO nice. I got a little homesick earlier this week, but my girlfriends back home sent me some amazing encouragement that got me right back on track. I have the best friends in the world! I am trying to take some good scenery pics but clouds sometimes impede the true magic of the views and hide the Alps. I need to start using the video camera too so Jake can watch it later in life! Since we aren't at church each Sunday right now, a verse that has been on my heart is 1 Corinthians 10:31 Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. It sums up how I want to live, especially while we are here, and how I want to reflect on this time...that it was all in God's glory and that we kept Him in the forefront of our hearts, even though we were so far removed from our normal spiritual life. I want to bask in the glory of the this beautiful city that God created, and the friends he gave us to enjoy it with, Amen! 


**HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER ASHLEY today!! We love you so much and hope its an awesome day! You are the best Auntie Godmother and sister!! XOXO**