An AMAZING Man

 

A couple months ago I was really missing my sister, who I hadn't seen in over a year.  She was about to have a baby (my first nephew) and I was sad I couldn't be there.  This wonderful man offered, of his own accord, to take care of our family while I traveled to Switzerland to see my sister!

It is the greatest gift (excluding our daughters) that Ian has ever given me!  I was very touched and very grateful for his understanding and sacrifice so I could be with my sister.

I have been here in Switzerland for 5 days soaking up some wonderful sister-talk and baby love!

My poor Ian on the other hand has been dealing with endless puke!!!!  Just days after leaving all three of them got the flu.  He has had late nights, lots of laundry, baths and lost sleep.  He has been sick himself and doing the best he can to take care of the kids.

I am SO thankful for Ian and love him to bits.  I miss my family SO much and was ready to jump back on a plan to come home early and help.

I love you Hailey and Quinn and can't wait to see you in 4 more days!!!

My nieces and nephew

I'm here in beautiful Switzerland.... seriously beautiful!  The weather is an amazing 10 degrees outside and I have been having a great time playing with the twins, cuddling my nephew and chatting with my sister (and brother-in-law).

It wasn't the greatest trip... with delays from Edmonton that made me miss my connection in Toronto, which meant an extra flight to London and then to Zurich!  It was a LONG day (literally 24 hrs).  With all the discomforts of flying long distances I was still grateful that I hadn't had to bring my small children along with me (phew).  While in the Toronto airport I met a woman alone with a 10 month old son.  She was flying home to Australia (which meant a 12 hr flight and another 10 hr flight)  UHG!  I hope her flight was as short as it possibly could be.... I can't imagine holding a mobile infant for that long in a confined space!  She is amazing!

I am here now, trying to adjust to the large time difference (actually writing this at 11 pm without a hint of tiredness).

here are some pictures of Switzerland and my sweet Sister's kids...

 (au de Swiss)

 Hello Alps!  This makes me want to sing "Edelweiss" and "The Hills are Alive" (yes I know the sound of music was in Austria)

 The wild one

 Little man

The less wild one

I miss my girls and their snuggles and Ian has been a superstar with both girls getting the flu just days after I left.  I definitely owe him for this one!!!!!  He is already talking about 'his trip' to Madagascar!

Then and Now

We got the girls playing out in the snow for the first time this winter (and yes it is definitely winter here in Lloydminster with a good foot of snow)!  It is with the change of season where I notice the most how much my girls have grown up.  Inevitably Hailey needs a new snowsuit and boots each winter and Quinn remarkably fits into Hailey's old suit that I never would have guessed she would fit!  I went looking back through my pictures to when H was in Q's snowsuit.... oh how time flies!

Who is who?!? ;)

I'm looking forward to a bunch of 'firsts' this winter with taking the girls sledding, skating and all sorts of outdoor fun!  It just wasn't worth it in the previous years to drag the kids out when they were so little, and then I had a little baby last year!

Here are a few more pictures from playing outside...

My baby girl is going to be in nursery in 1 month!!!!!  I can't believe it!  And in 9 days I get to go on a solo trip to Switzerland to see my sister and new nephew!!!!  I'm excited for the trip but 9 days is a long time to be away from my girls.  I will miss my family terribly!

Weekend Adventure

Ian and I had a great weekend gallivanting across Alberta. Here are some pictures of our adventures...



I got to see the 'fun uncle' whom I haven't seen since I was 10 years old. Apparently I am "sooo tall". I guess a lot of things change in 16 years ;)



man... he is the TALL one!



I also got to attend YW in Excellence with my girls and I was so proud of their effort on their recent projects.



Arrianna on the orange stripe made the dress she is wearing.



We then traveled down to Calgary for a quick visit with some awesome friends. What evening isn't complete without Spicy Hut and mid-air pictures... those crazy boys can sure jump.



This one is a bit more tame... after we watched Arrested Development... so funny.

After seeing our friends we had a lovely stay/visit with Ian's aunt and uncle and all the cousins who came by for Sunday dinner. We were super excited to see his sister Cora as well!



Monday morning before we headed back home I was able to visit my old students. It was a wonderful visit and I really miss them. It was so nice to see my old co-workers and I really miss seeing them daily.



This is one of my wonderful co-workers who made me this adorable baby hat (below).



The visit ended all to quickly as we rushed to get out of Calgary to begin our 5 hour trip back home. It was lovely to be there but also nice to be back in the more peaceful Lloydminster. We hope to visit Calgary again in the spring.

Switzerland and Italy

We made it back! The last two weeks in Switzerland were such an adventure. It was so wonderful to see my Sister and her husband and to travel around such beautiful parts of the world. I knew as soon as I got there that I couldn't find any motivation to get my sister to come back to Canada. We have a beautiful country in Canada but Switzerland doesn't even seem to compare.

This trip involved a lot of firsts for me. It was my first trip overseas, first time riding the intricate train systems, first time climbing the Alps, first gelato, first time in Switzerland, Italy and Germany and the first time surrounded by people who don't speak English. I enjoyed most of these firsts but I am not such a fan of being unable to communicate with others. Oh and I had no idea what car sickness was until I rode the switchbacks in Switzerland.

We traveled to many cities including: (Germany) Frankfurt, (Switzerland) Zürich, Sankt Gallen, Appenzell, Meglisalp, Gais, Tessine, Vira, Lugano, Bellinzona, Indemini, Locarno, Winklen, (Italy) Luino and Milan. We drove, walked, hiked, shopped, ate, swam, explored and were awestruck.

Favourites for me were the great cathedrals, the market in Luino, the soccer stadium, the castle, Indemini and the old city in Sankt Gallen. I loved being with my sweetheart who spared me great anxiety as I fear traveling and everything associated with it. I loved to see what my sisters new life in Switzerland is like and I am so proud of her as she teaches primary in German. I loved seeing Ian and Ephraim having fun together and really appreciated my time with my sister.

There were many stories to tell and lots to see... check out my facebook space to see pictures of us and to hear about our adventures. www.facebook.com

Switzerland was amazing and I am so glad I went but now I am so grateful to be back home with all the comforts it allows. As Ian and I were traveling back to Lloydminster we realized that Switzerland may be beautiful beyond compare but there is still such beauty in all the places we call home. I love the yellow fields of canola and the vast expanses of green. I like to see far into the distance and watch the sun rise and set. I love that I don't get sick traveling on our straight roads and I love being able to communicate with all around me. I most of all love sleeping in my own bed!