In early December I was invited to go on a girl’s getaway to celebrate my dear friend Leigh’s 30th! She had invited a group of her friends from Germany and asked if I would come along. I was honored! We headed out on Friday afternoon and Seth graciously dove in as SuperDad and kept the boys until Sunday afternoon when he and the boys joined us! So I got to have Friday night, Saturday and most of Sunday just with the girls. We ate and chatted and ate some more, shopped a little at the Interlaken Christmas market, drank hot wine, ate some more! Each of us took on a meal and it was really fun because everyone got really into their meals. We ate like queens all weekend and I am confident my pants were tighter when we left the chalet. It was such a fun time of celebrating Leigh and getting to know her sweet friends!

I missed the memo about wearing skinny jeans and tall boots. I have since gotten with the program and got some skinny jeans to go with my boots! Sheesh, someone should have told me sooner!

Katy Jo unexpectedly got to tag along for the girls weekend and was such a pleasure! She was a great sleeper and such a sweetie!

this was the view of the mountain directly in from of our chalet. Stunning!

Bo, Leigh and Katy Jo.  We are enjoying every chance we can to hang out while we live so close!

The boys and Seth came up on Sunday night to join in on the fun. We stayed in the chalet until Tues morning when we headed back to Bern. Unfortunately, we had no idea that Owen had a double ear infection. He didn’t sleep more than 20 mins at a time the first night and the second he was up screaming ALL night! Despite the ear infection and sleepless nights we enjoyed being on our first getaway as a family of 4. We sat by the fire, sipped hot chocolate and champagne and enjoyed each others company. We hope to go back someday when everyone is healthy!

carpenters workbench in a little shop we went in

We were missing family and friends on Christmas this year but we enjoyed a great family time followed by a nice meal with some new friends we have made here in Bern! Jackson woke up at a ghastly 4:54 AM and noticed that Santa had come. Seth convinced him that Santa might not have finished his last round and could potentially bring more. It was a Christmas miracle that Jackson fell back asleep until about 7 AM. Both boys had tons of fun opening gifts. It was our first yr to have both boys into the opening of gifts.

Disclaimer: I took Jackson  to the mall a couple of weeks ago and he picked out the Superman underwear for Seth. He was set on getting them. When Seth opened them he asked if he could borrow them. There was no joke involved in the gift from Jackson. Why wouldn’t daddy want Superman underwear?!

Our dinner party was nice a relaxed. We had a fancy table and used china because it was fun and really because when we got married I convinced Seth that we needed china. For appetizers we had antipasto, shrimp cocktail and a hot bacon blue cheese dip. For the main meal we had ham, corn casserole, my mom’s homemade rolls, a green salad with gargonzola, craisins, pecans and apples with a cider vinagrette and a rice dish that our friend brought. For dessert one of our friends brought a rum cake! Delicious food! Which brings me to the fact that Santa brought me just what I was wanting this yr! A Wii fit! After all of this yummy food the Wii fit is going to be in for it! I had no idea Seth was getting it so it was a fun surprise!

Seth’s parents arrive on Tues so we are switching gears to get the house back in shape!

On Tuesday we had a little family celebration for the little O man! We plan on having a few friends over to do a more formal celebration when Seth’s parents are in town for a visit but we couldn’t resist celebrating on the real day too! After naps we had cupcakes and Owen got to open his gifts. Seth and I had put up a banner and balloons which were a big hit! Here are a few pictures from our family gig!

Jackson worked hard on Owen’s birthday card. He was so proud of it! He drew the whole family, (heads with arms and legs minus the bodies)

a little groggy after nap, checking out his balloons

Owen loved the birthday boy and excitedly pulled out rubber duckies for the bath!

Sweet big brother!

He DEVOURED his cupcake! So much for being a picky eater that doesn’t want to try new things. He LOVED it!

Love you, Owen! Happy Birthday! We are so glad you are in our family!

I miss baking cookies with my mom! Last yr my mom was with us while we waited for Owen to make his debut. We made cookies with Jackson together. It was so much fun. Almost daily I tell her I wish she could hop a plane and come on over!

I miss Chickfila. I would love to pack my kids up and head over to Chickfila for a good old lunch with a clean play area! Sounds silly, but I miss it!

I miss being able to go to the store and buy some jeans…or things in general    . Everything is Switzerland is ridiculously marked up!!! I mean ridiculously! For example, a starbucks tall hot chocolate is $7.80.

I miss being able to Christmas shop in person. I know we are spoiled, we have a mail system and lots of online shopping but I love getting to pick out gifts in ways other than sitting at a computer.

I miss people speaking my language. I had a really annoying morning and mostly because I don’t speak German! I am spoiled in that most people in Bern speak English, but it’s just not the same.

I miss Tex- Mex food. I wish I could hop over to Lupe Tortilla!

Enough of the things I miss. I am thankful for where we are! Just a little homesick!