Laowai

Daddy has been working at a breakneck pace for the last several weeks. We miss you… and so does your bike.

 

We have been going, going, going – having lots of fun and seeing a bunch of new sights. I just can’t seem to keep up with the amount of photos that we are accumulating. Here are a few random shots. I hope to be back to regular posting soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m so glad Bea has Jenna for a cousin.

I was lucky to be able to see a bunch of my aunts, cousins and cousins kids back in Michigan. It felt so good to be surrounded by all these ladies and the kids – well they are beautiful.

Aunt Judy with Claire

 

Aunt Garlene with Rocco

 

Sayde – oh golly she is such a little dolly

 

Laura and soon-to-be big brother Rocco

 

Ashley with her round little Lilly

 

Aunt Judy, Laura and Rocco

 

The Aunties: Mom, Garlene, Lana and Judy

 

Layk and Drew taking Sayde for a stroll.

 

Laura, Brianne and Ashley – we did some Mommy talking

 

If you’re happy and you know it then you’re face will surely show it…

IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES.

I can’t believe we’ve been back in Switzerland for a week now and I haven’t gotten around to posting. I seem to be drowning in a mountain of photos (each one relating a great memory) and they just keep accumulating now that Grandpa and Grandma C. are here.

So here is a recap of our whirlwind trip back to the USA. 

It felt so good to be around familiar faces and places and it went much, much too fast.

We had a good walk at Dow Gardens.

 

 
 

Claire got to meet her big cousin Jenna and we had lots of sunny fun with Jennifer too. We got good ol’ American hot dogs and fried pickles in downtown Midland. Bea got to play with all her old favorite toys at Grandma J’s. And we had a walk through the woods with Grandpa J.

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to celebrate Grandma C’s birthday. It was NOT her 70th birthday – that was just a joke that Brian probably took too far. Despite my protests he made her a cake with a big 70 and bought her a Happy 70th card. Bea fell asleep when it was time to decorate the cake so she helped add some sprinkles in the morning. Happy Birthday Grandma.

 

 

 

 

I was so happy that Claire also got to meet Great Grandma (Eleanor) and Grandpa Dice. And she also met Uncle Dave – he quickly charmed Bea and had her giggling and then he soothed Claire to sleep while we finished eating. How many brother-in-laws do that? 

 

 

And then it was time for another bit of Americana. The fair. We saw all the animals – including the Swiss style cows. And we walked down the colorful midway – elephant ears anyone? During our whole trip Bea was over tired. She fell asleep mid-bite on the airplane, fell asleep right before dinner several times and in these photos, she fell asleep in Brian’s arms at the fair. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then we blinked and it was time to say good-bye. That was the worst part. That and a few moments on our big airplane travel day. Here we are taking in our last bites of American food (doughnuts and Chipotle) while killing time at Dulles Airport.

I’m too busy having a great time to say much. Bea had such a great time with Jenna. I have so many smiley photos to post…

Oh Claire a Belle – how can you be three months old?

 

You have been giving me the nicest smiles when I go in and get you out of your crib.

 

You spend most of your day trying to fit both of your fists into your mouth. Softly grunting with your bright eyes as you work so hard.

 

Sometimes I want to tell Bea to back off and give you some space and then in the next moment she’ll have you giggling with a wide gummy grin. The two of you, at times, are completely entranced by each other.

 

You rolled over on your three month birthday. I left you on the daybed in the office room and came back to find you on your tummy. You haven’t done it all by yourself since but I’m sure you’ll be rolling from one end of the house to the other soon because you are always doing that arched back looking up pose – practicing all the time.

 

I’ve started holding you facing out as you are more and more interested in looking around. You fit in my lap so nicely. I love to look down and see your eager and sweet eyes as you try to make sense of the world around you. I kiss your bobbing little head and try to imprint these moments on my mind.

I got another big chunk of time to myself this weekend when Claire took a nap and Brian took Bea to St. Gallen. I don’t really know anything about St. Gallen other than it sits on a big lake (Bodensee) that borders Germany and Austria. It looks beautiful and it looks like Bea and Brian had a good time. 

Sometimes I feel like I can’t keep up with all the interesting pictures that we accumulate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Friday we took a boat ride into Zurich. Bea chose her outfit and she was so, so proud. We met Brian, he showed us his new office and then later we went out for dinner. A very enjoyable evening after a long week without Daddy around.

 

 

Kim – The place mats that you gave me for Christmas are getting lots of use. Although maybe this isn’t how they were intended to be used.

 

 

 

 

 

And for Maddie: I saw this baby doll in the store the other day. Didn’t you have a little baby Chou Chou a long time ago?