Buona Pasqua!

 

Whenever Matt has a long weekend we talk about all the different places we could visit. There are so many places in Switzerland that we still haven't seen, but we always end up in the same place...Italy. We can't help it. We just love being there! So, that's exactly where we ended up for the long Easter weekend. Thursday night we drove to Parma. Some good friends of ours (a family Matt knows from his mission-he lived in the apartment below them for 4 months)were kind enough to offer us their apartment while they were away.

Friday we headed to one of my favorite places, the Cinque Terre.

It was a bit cold and windy, but still so beautiful. I was so happy to find my favorite little bakery in Monterosso and indulge in, very literally, the BEST chocolate torte in the world!!! The first time we had it was 2 years ago when my sister and her husband were visiting and I've thought about almost everyday since. They also have amazing lemon torte and the most delicious onion foccocia.

 

Saturday was spent in the "fair city" of Verona. The day was spent lounging in the sunshine, visiting the shops and outdoor markets and, of course, eating.

 

Date Night

Matt and I had the opportunity for a date night last weekend (very rare for us here in der Schweiz). We dropped the kiddies off at our friends house and headed into the city of Sankt Gallen. We didn't have any specific plans in mind. We were just happy to have a few hours away, especially since I had been having a rough, "get me out of this country" day. We happened upon a very quaint little foccaciaria and stepped inside. It was a typical European restuarant, small, nice ambiance, packed and smoky. Matt ordered a foccacia sandwich and I wanted a salad and an herbal mango tea (it was really cold outside and I was starting to get sick). I saw them preparing a salad for someone else. It was loaded with olives, peppers, tomatoes and looked delicious! Well, to keep a long and somewhat complicated story short, after a LOT of miscommunication between me and the very annoyed waitress (totally was not my fault, by the way) she finally brought out my meal. A large plate of lettuce, most likley with a saliva dressing , and a cup of hot water. YUM! We ate our "meal", paid and left. I'm sure all you folks reading this post from the Land of the Free are wondering why I didn't complain or ask for my money back. Well, that's not the way it works here. Here, there is a serious lack of good customer service AND you pay good money for it! I was so frustrated at the time, but during the car ride home Matt and I looked at eachother and began laughing hysterically!

Underground parking in the city--$6

My AWFUL, bland meal--15 bucks!

Post dinner trip to McDonalds--$10

Time alone with my hubby--Priceless!!

Kid Update II

Danny

Age: 3 years 4 months

AKA: Danny J, Brudah (what Rach calls him), Buddy (he asks me to call him this)

Favorite t.v. show/movie: Fetch with Ruff Ruffman, Sponge Bob (in German) and Cars

Favorite food: cashews, quesadillas, muesli bars and brats mit brot

Hobbies: running/racing, playing with friends, playing with Rach, rough housing with daddy

Latest accomplishments: Potty trained!!!

Upcoming events: will start pre-school at the International School this August

Latest quotes: 1.(prayer at dinner time) "Mom, don't help me--Heavenly Father, I had a nice day. Thankful for my new raquet and ball. Please bless mom will buy me more bubbles tomorrow. In the name Jesus Christus (German) Aaaah-men." 2."I spreche English." 3. "That crazy boy hurt my finger!"





Rachel


Age: 20 months

AKA: Rachie, Rachie beans, trouble and patch

Favorite Food: bananas, grapes, avacado, quesadillas and smarties

Favorite t.v. show/movie: Little Einsteins and Backyardigans

Hobbies: playing with her baby dolls, pulling all the clothes out of mommy's drawer, going down the slide, playing with Danny and looking at books

Latest accomplishments: using the potty!

Upcoming events: will be getting glasses in a couple of weeks due to her lazy left eye

Latest quotes: 1."Nein!" 2. "Lub Ooo" (love you) 3. "Yeah, Uh huh!" 4. "Ciao!"

This is what happens when I let her pick out her own clothes.

Napping in the hammock on a sunny March afternoon

Karate Kid

Congratulations Liss and Abe!

My wonderful sister-in-law (or rather ONE of my wonderful sister-in-laws) is officially engaged as of yesterday! Congrats Klarissa and Abe. We are so happy for you both!