Happy New Year and Best Wishes in 2009

Today was New Year's Eve and we celebrated this milestone as a family in Hunenberg, Switzerland our new home. I cooked a nice meal that included roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.

We even found a wishbone which Coretta carefully and methodically wished upon.

Coretta has been missing some "Americanized food" such as Stove Top Stuffing. No worries there. Grandma Earnest came to the rescue. Today we received a package from the post office or die post in German. Within the contents of this package were five boxes of Stove Top stuffing, one package of Kraft Mac-N-Cheese, and one package of Hamburger Helper. What was really shocking was that the postage to ship those items here cost 38.00. When I skyped with my Mom later that day, she stated that they wanted to charge her 100.00 at first. Unbelievable!

After our meal, we lit the Swiss party container. These are very popular here in Switzerland. What you do is set the container on the ground, light the end, and then the top explodes and toys come popping out of it. Coretta and I decided to choose the magic themed set. In this container there were party hats, noise makers, games such as dominoes, chutes and ladders, magnetic fish game, a British game called Ludo, a spin top, and several magic tricks. Geno was so excited when it exploded, he ran over and started picking up the toys and handing them one by one to me.

Once Geno went to bed, Coretta and I played the games and tried out the magic tricks. Later Nick made some popcorn the old school way (on the stove with real butter), and we watched The National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation on DVD and had some great laughs.

Nick shortly after went to bed at 11:00 pm and Coretta and I stayed up until midnight to bring in the new year. Coretta was bound and determined to stay up until midnight and she did. We were pleasantly surprised that we could see firework displays from several villages at once from our balcony. It was the biggest light show I have ever witnessed with big snowflakes coming down from the sky. Every church bell in every village was also ringing simultaneously. Coretta and I agreed that New Year's is much more of a spectacle in Switzerland than back in the states.

Happy New Years to all and many good wishes to all in 2009!!

Merry Christmas to Mommy

Nick pampered me like always buying me this amazing homemade soap and cosmetic collection from this company Lush. Here is the link to what he bought me: Lush Christmas Package.

He also bought me a beautiful leather jacket from Schilds and two sweaters. Thank you Nick. I love you!!

Visit from Santa

Today was Christmas Day and Geno awoke to find a lot of things to be excited and thankful for.







First, he received a Black and Decker Tool Bench, which Mom had to put together because Santa was just too busy. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am manual illiterate, so when I put this together I was pretty proud of myself. Not to mention how great it is to be Santa's little helper.


Although he was excited about the tool bench, nothing compared to the little stuffed animal Winnie the Pooh. There is not much else Geno loves more than Winnie the Pooh. Maybe chocolate and from the picture, you can see he is coveting both. He also received candy, a color book, a crocodile, and a remote control doggy.

Coretta awoke to may surprises as well. She received a color book, socks, mittens, perfume, candy, gingerbread, and a clown. But none of this compared to the reaction on her face when she saw the Wii. She has wanted a Wii for a very long time, and knew her Mommy and Daddy were not going to get it for her. Thank God for Santa. It came with the latest Sims Kingdom Game and the Wii Sports Bundle which has golf, bowling, skiing, baseball, and many more.

Since Nick and I felt somewhat under the weather, we stayed in today. Coretta enjoying time to play with the new Wii and to do some arts and crafts. Geno enjoyed banging the nails into his tool box, reading his books, and sitting next to his sister.

Later on, we had the great opportunity to skype with Grandma Marilyn, Auntie Sarah, and Imania as well as Auntie Erin, Ryan, and Grandma and Grandpa Earnest. The night would not be complete, especially on Christmas Day, without a Christmas movie, so Nick downloaded A Christmas Story and we watched it cuddled up on the couch with swiss hot chocolate. Another great memory!

Our Christmas Eve in Switzerland

Although we were hours and miles away from family this Christmas Eve, we tried to keep our traditions alive. We cooked a chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and had Christmas cookies for dessert.

We then had Coretta read the Christmas Story and created a podcast of it so we have it for years to come. After our meal, we had Coretta pass out the presents to each person and we opened them one by one. Geno didn't really know what was going on at first, but then learned that maybe he could have more presents if he took them from Coretta's pile.

The kids received many wonderful gifts from their parents and grandparents. Coretta received numerous outfits, leather boots, hats mittens, make-over doll, art set, craft set, a remote control helicopter, books, and a doll. Geno received books, clothes, car set, drum set, Noah's ark play set, wooden building blocks, and pajamas.

We skyped with Grandma and Grandpa Earnest and talked to Auntie Heidi on the phone. Sadly we could not get a hold of the other Bieters (Tom, Sarah, Imania, and Marilyn) at Sarah's house, but they were in our thoughts and prayers.

Although Nick was sick and running a fever, he did not let that damper his festive spirit. Well, until 9:00 pm when he fell asleep on the couch with a cold pack on his head that is.

Tomorrow we are going to an English speaking service at a 13th century Catholic church in Zug. We plan to watch a Christmas movie and do some ice-skating. Overall it was a great Christmas with even more great memories.

Merry Christmas

This morning, Coretta and I decided that we would create a podcast from the Children's Bible given to Grandma Marilyn and passed down to Coretta. Every Bieter Christmas, Marilyn would take out the Bible and read The Holy Night before opening presents. Now that she lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, we do not get to see her as often. Now when we are not able to be together at Christmas, she can listen to the podcast Holy Night as told by Coretta Bieter. We love you Grandma Marilyn!

Just click on the link to hear the podcast: Holy Night, by Coretta Bieter

Lyon, France here we come!

January 2, 3, and 4th we have booked a trip to Lyon, France. It is a four hour trip from our place by car. According to Lets Go: Western Europe on a Budget, it is an ultra-modern, ultra-friendly and undeniably gourmet. We booked a hotel right in the center of the city that allows us access to the cathedral Saint Jean and museums such as the Musee Gallo-Romain which takes up approximately five mostly underground floors, not to mention the great shopping and food. Here is a video I found on Youtube. I think this is a great place to celebrate Nick and my 11th wedding anniversary which is January 3rd!! Here's a link to the Hotel we are staying at: La Reine Astrid

Skating in Switzerland

Yesterday Coretta and I decided to take a bus and then a train into Zug to do some shopping and skating. In the main shopping area they have constructed an ice rink complete with music, lights, and Christmas decorations.

Once Coretta put her skates on, she was off. At first holding onto the sides, and then gradually to gliding without any assistance.





Even I laced up my skates and did dips, swans, twirls, skated backwards, and raced with other kids. Not too bad for a thirty something.

Coretta met a friend named Alvine who attends the Swiss school in Zug and is also nine years old. She was born in Africa and now lives in Zug. Her mother came from Cameroon Africa and her father is Dutch, but grew up in Germany. They had fun playing tag and skating together. I think in total Coretta skated non-stop for three hours. She plans to meet Alvine at the ice skating rink again tomorrow.

Geno's Second Birthday

Geno turns two years old tomorrow, and since Nick works, we decided to celebrate it on Sunday with everyone being home.

After lunch, Geno opened up his presents. He really didn't know what to do at first. He just stared at them and said "Ohhh!!"


Once Coretta showed him how to unwrap them, he had a blast taking the wrapping paper off to see what was inside. I just kept thinking, "I hope he doesn't decide to start opening the presents under the tree!"

After he opened up his presents which consisted of Mrs. Potato Head, Click its, remote control car, computer, and aqua doodle, we then decided to take a walk and hopefully go sledding.

Once we made it to the sledding hill, we noticed that all of the snow had melted, so we came home. Tonight we are going to McDonalds for supper. Other than Geno trying to steal another boy's happy meal, it went great!


















Geno will get the Cheeseburger Happy Meal, a Madagascar toy, a balloon, and play in the play space. We then will come home and eat chocolate cake and teach him how to blow out his candles. Then, before you know it, another birthday will have passed and Geno will be a whole year older. Happy Birthday My Little Man!!

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Geno's Early Birthday Kitchen

Last night I decided to put Geno's kitchen set together for his birthday. I had to enlist Nick for help because at times I was not strong enough to click the pieces together. Nick also struggled until we brought out the hammer. Which got me thinking back to 1978 when I awoke the night before Christmas seeing my Dad putting together a kitchen set for me. When I questioned him, he said that Santa was having a lot of trouble assembling all the toys and asked MY dad to be his helper. I remember going to bed feeling so proud that Santa picked my Dad.




The next day, Nick bet me that by the end of the day Geno would be playing with it, and I have to admit he was right. When Geno dashed quickly into the den and saw it, he was very excited. I could not shut the door at that point and act like it didn't exist? He then started putting things into the pot and putting it on the stove that actually has sound effects that go Blop, Blop. He was fascinated by the toaster and how the toast flew out and slamming the doors closed. I even taped up empty boxes I had for rice and bisquick to add to his collection.

Here are some pictures of Geno with his stove. Look at his smile? Could you say to him, "You have to wait 4 more days!!" I sure couldn't.

Coretta's Life

Coretta is doing very well at the International School of Zug and was the only person who received a perfect score on her final Math assessment for the trimester. The teacher called her up in front of the class and everyone clapped for her. She as well as her parents are very proud of her. Conferences will be held in January.














As for extra-curricular activities, she is in soccer and piano as of right now. We plan to sign her up for some ski lessons in January as well since that is a favorite hobby for people here. She is also enrolled in golf which starts in the spring.

Her school pictures have arrived and I have included the picture in this post. All relatives should be watching the mail for our Christmas card and Coretta's school photo.

The last photo is of the tea towel created for the third grade students. Every student and teacher drew a self portrait which was then transferred to this towel. Coretta's is on the bottom right. Pretty neat idea.

The Zug Castle and Museum

Today Coretta and I decided that we would take a bus and a train into Zug to do some ice-skating at the Metalli and have lunch at New York Food. Once there, we realized that Coretta's skates no longer fit her. Coretta was very disappointed, but I told her that I was sure we would find something to do, so we proceeded to walk to the old part of Zug. As we walked we saw pretty views of the mountains as well as the lake (which doesn't freeze here like in Minnesota).

As we were walking around, we stumbled upon the Castle of Zug. The castle is the oldest building in the town of Zug and has been around since the 13th century. This castle was the seat of rulers such as the Counts of Lexburg, the Counts of Kyburg (who were of particular importance because they were the founders of Zug town), and finally the Counts of Hadsburg.

Coretta and I walked around the inside gate where we saw cannons and and the area where they stored their horses and wagons. We decided to go up to the top where the entrance to the castle was, and noticed that they were open. The woman at the front desk was very friendly and gave us information about the castle and museum written in English.

The history of the museum in the Canton of Zug has been housed in the castle since 1982. The collection includes objects which document the political and cultural history of the region. Here they have housed art, craft work, the history of the development of the town, law antiguities, weapons, witnesses to the history of the guilds, the coinage, and way of life.

Within the castle itself, there were three levels. The bottom level is where you could see wax figures of soldiers and weapons as well as three rooms with oil paintings of the families who once lived there.

On the next floor, we saw stained glass windows and a loft. As you proceed through the castle, we saw many other rooms ornately decorated to the liking of the families who lived there which included emphasis on the French style. They also replicated what a drugstore would have looked like back then selling flour, oats, herbs, spices, chocolate, and coffee.

The lower part of the castle is where you will find the religious artifacts that have been donated from the Church of Saint Michael and the Church of Saint Oswald. Here you will find chalices, ornately decorated altars, paintings of the Last Judgment, sculptures of Jesus, the Apostles, a holy coffin, and a skeleton that reminds us that death is a constant part of life. I could not take pictures in this area because it could age some of the artifacts. While touring this area there is religious music playing in the background that only added to it's charm.

Afterward, Coretta and I went into the Catholic Church of Oswald and prayed for our family and lit some candles. This church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the Canton of Zug.

Overall, Coretta and I had a great day and enjoyed learning more about the culture and history of the Canton of Zug.

Can Sledding be SCARY?

Today Coretta and I (Nick) got in our car with the Burkert family (also from my work) and headed an hour and half into the mountains for some sledding. We were to meet a number of friends from work, both young and old.

Growing up in Duluth, I figured I was pretty good at sledding...I mean the town is just one really big hill and I recall having spent a lot of time as a kid in a snowmobile suit. But I wasn't quite prepared for our adventure at Wildhaus-Gamplutt.

It all started when we jumped in a gondola for a 15 minute ride up the mountain. Once to the top, we picked out our sleds. We were told that the best sleds were these butt-sized sleds with a handle that was like a gear shift. What I would soon learn is that experienced sledders learn how to distribute their weight to steer, and, more importantly, brake! Apparently my butt is not that talented...yet?
The hill was steep, slick, windy, and seemingly never-ending. Frequently I would roll off the sled to stop, because the speed was overwhelming, and my vision would be completely obstructed by the snow spray covering my face. It was really fantastic, but often scary even for an old pro like me. At one point, I was going so fast I couldn't stop -- not with my feet, my legs, or my butt -- and my face was filling up with ice. For just a moment I resigned myself to the idea that death awaited - I would hit a tree and be squished. I layed my body down on the ground, and waited for angels, speaking to me in singsong Swiss-Deutsche, to swoop me up to Meine Fuhrer. Luckily there was no tree and I made it off the hill alive.


We took our time up and down the mountain, pacing ourselves as we alternated between fits of very intense, "extreme sledding," and appreciation of family, friends, and some amazing views!