When we were in Texas Owen hopped into the Barber’s chair (or rather a little ride in car) for his first hair cut. I know, I know he’s 2 so this should have happened long ago. But for me it still felt too soon. For those of you that don’t know Owen he has the softest, sweetest curls and I am a sucker for them. Jackson didn’t have hair until he was 2 1/2, well he had it but it was super short and practically white so it didn’t get much credit and it didn’t need to be cut until after he was 3. Owen was born with hair and had some very awkward hair for quite some time and once it came it so curly I just couldn’t fathom cutting it.
In the back of my mind I thought by the time I would have to cut Owen’s hair I would have another baby on the way which would mean I wouldn’t have to hold on to those sweet baby curls. Well, the day came, no baby on the way, cheaper hair cut than Switzerland and we went for it. His favorite word these days for disagreement is ouch! So he fussed at the lady and said “ouch” the whole time. All in all it was painless. I am not sure we got our moneys worth because I begged her to just trim it and leave some of the curl.
see what I mean?! love these curls!
So for now I am thankful we still have some of these “firsts” left and I am embracing this big boy phase. They grow up WAY too fast. When it’s the right time (if ever) to have another little one we will embrace the firsts again. Until then I am watching these curls grow and I am going to try to postpone the next hair cut as long as Seth will let me.
read more
Disclaimer: Readers may want to secure a Starbucks Peppermint mocha before sitting down to look at this post…oh no, I forgot those are only a holiday special. I totally understand if you don’t make it to the end. The good news is if you make it through this new things are on the horizon!
After our busy first week in Friendswood and the farm we headed on to Ft. Worth. We arrived on the 23rd of December just in time for the Christmas festivities. We spent Christmas Eve at a candle light service and then went on to my sister-in-law Tina’s family celebration. Tina’s mom, Lisa, had a wonderful spread and when Santa lit firecrackers on the front door step the boys found gifts just like the rest of the family. They included us like family. The next morning we got up early and did Christmas morning with the boys, my parents, and my brother Graham and his wife, Tina. It was a fun week and a half of time together….with way too much food!
Owen was SO tired and kept raiding the goodie table at Craig and Lisa’s. Here he is playing it cool with his 4th sugar cookie!
Santa brought Jackson his much asked for cowboy boots!!
my dad had hand surgery so Tina was sweet enough to cut his prime rib for him!
dance lessons from the family’s best dancer
Owen’s name has been added to my parents will…Bogie will go to Owen if necessary! They were besties!
antipasto platter at Nona Tata….a fun little place in Ft. Worth. Graham and Tina took us out for a fun dinner while my mom and dad had a night with the kiddos! Thanks, mom and dad!
post hair cute curl horns
We missed having my brother Ryan and my sister-in-law Stephanie and their kiddos around! So we swung by DC on our way to Bern…
Whew. And if we didn’t look busy enough we slipped in a meeting with a realtor in DC to begin the process of house hunting…more on that to come in the New Year! Not even ready to talk about that yet!
read more
We headed to Texas on the 15th of December and arrived relatively unscathed despite running through both the Zurich and Dulles International Airports. A complication with our luggage and then a delayed plane just added a little excitement to the journey. The boys had some jetlag but nothing too major beyond the first couple of days. We hit the ground running with Kolb family Christmas, Owen’s second birthday, a trip to the farm and then made our way to Ft. Worth for part 2 of our “Texas Tour”. Don’t worry this post will only be the first part. I will give you a breather before Part 2! After visiting my parents we went back to Houston for a few days, on to DC for 24 hours and then on to Bern. So, before the week is up you are likely to be sick of our pictures and journeys. But I promise the blog will get more interesting soon!
cousin teeth brushing time
closing eyes for stockings…clearly Owen missed the memo!
Seth’s mom has a reputation for needing a bib with spaghetti…just so happens that I found these one of a kind hand embroidered jumbo bibs at a thrift shop here in Switzerland!! And there was even a matching one for my father-in-law. Some gifts are just meant to be!
not sure if this is just something they do in Texas but Santa came around on a fire engine and threw candy to the kids
Seth and I snuck out one afternoon to celebrate our 6th Anniversary! We headed over to Taste Of Texas. It was so much fun but a bit sad being over in my old stomping ground and not having any time to catch up with so many dear friends!! Next time! As you can see above they must have known Seth was deprived of good red meat because this was his cowboy steak!
The Kolb’s have a tradition of having sword fights after Christmas using the tubes from wrapping paper…it was the first time for the boys and I to participate. The boys loved it!
whataburger evidence
We headed to the farm to spend a few days of peace and quiet…or rather Owen learning to climb out of his crib, the addition of kids pepto to our traveling medicine cabinet and some fun things like s’mores by the fire and beautiful fall leaves in December!
(interject Part 2 in Ft. Worth coming soon)….oh wait…
On our way back to Houston we took a detour to meet this little lady, Annabelle, and to have a quick lunch and visit with her parents, Bo and Leigh, along with her big sis Katy Jo.
,
Owen and KatyJo catching up…Owen told her she’s “preeeti”
…back to Houston
Our time in Houston with family was so much fun. It could have only been better with the addition of Seth’s sister Claire, her husband Donnie and our nephew Benjamin! We missed you guys!
read more
We have joked about someday having a guest home or B&B. Since being in Switzerland we have had lots of practice! Last weekend we had the calendar booked for Bo and Leigh and Katy Jo to come spend the weekend to kick off their Spring break. A couple of days before, Leigh called and asked if their friends the Higg’s could come along! Why of course! The more the merrier. The Higg’s family also work at Black Forest Academy and have 2 little boys. And more importantly, they are also from Texas!
The gang arrived Friday night and we all had a fun evening grilling and making homemade ice cream. The kids played until they all crashed. The next morning when we were all up and ready we headed to Neuchatel. It is a beautiful town in the French part of Switzerland. We originally went because we had heard there was a big brocante/antique sale. When we got there and realized you had to pay to even get in we decided to just enjoy the gorgeous city. We browsed the Saturday market and let the kids have some run time in and around the daffodils. Our other motive for going to Neuchatel was that they have Domino’s. We can’t get an American pizza here so it was a big treat. We picnicked by the lake and had a hard time leaving because it was so beautiful. We came back home for another evening of grilling and chilling. We had dinner after the kids went to bed which was a big treat.
Owen teasing KJ with flowers
Seth, excited for Domino’s!
Sunday morning, Stefanie and Alex made us a delicious omelet breakfast. After breakfast we went down for some river time. The little boys young and old enjoyed skipping rocks. After some fun play time Bo and Leigh had prepared a big picnic spread. I don’t know if any of us could even fit a picnic after all of our eating throughout the weekend but who could resist?!
Owen, learning to skip rocks
after skipping a few rocks Jackson decided he needed to rest….I guess he missed that nap from the day before.
Jackson’s friend Ella from school and her family ended up picnicking next to us!
The weather for the weekend and the views of the mountains could not have been more beautiful. With 11 people in the house, including 5 kiddos, you would expect chaos. But the kids played really well and Jackson loved having a live-in buddy. And I think all of the adults really enjoyed themselves too! It was a nice break from normal routine. We all enjoyed watching each others children and knowing that we are all in the same boat…the same crazy, rocking, kid boat.
Someone please check on me in August after Leigh has moved back to the US. We are savoring every minute!!! Switzerland is much more beautiful with my best friend close by! We have met lots of great people but you all know how it is, there is something so nice and comforting about having someone from home.
read more
