Geno and Mommy's Trip to the Open Air Museum in Ballenberg

Geno, Cameron, Brittany, and I decided to have a mountain adventure yesterday and travelled to the Ballenberg Open Air Museum in Hofstetten Switzerland. We left around 10 am and drove approximately on hour through beautiful countryside and mountains. Once there, we paid for our tickets and then decided to take the carriage ride down the path. The boys really enjoyed this a lot.

Once off the carriage, we walked around the grounds stopping to check out the old architecture, animals, pottery, and had the best alpine macaroni I have ever had. The kids enjoyed playing at the park on the grounds as well as seeing goats, donkeys, chickens, bunnies, cows, pigs, and roosters. Geno even jumped in the pig barn and started petting the pigs.

The Open Air Museum has several things for people to see including witnessing what life was like in 1500s to present day. You are able to watch them make handcrafts such as baking, Bobbin-lace making, chip-box making, chocolate production, embroidery, making cheese and many more.

It was a great day surrounded by mountains, friends, and beautiful scenery. Well worth the trip. Here's the link to the site: Ballenberg Museum

Coretta's Hollywood Birthday Sleepover

This past weekend, Coretta had her birthday party with six of her friends. It was a themed party where the guests were asked to dress like their favorite pop star, book character, or fairy tale. Her friends all came dressed in costume and it was quite fun. We had girls dressed up as a film director, Hannah Montanna, Katy Worhal from a book series, Princess Diana, Brittney Spears, and Alice in Alice in Wonderland.

When the guests all arrived, I had them write a persuasive speech telling everyone who they were dressed as and why they should be voted as the best costume. The girls jumped right into their characters and were very creative. Coretta's friend Daisy one the trophy and they seemed to think that was "cool."

We then played Pin the Lips on Miley Cyrus which was also fun. No one was able to place the lips in the right place and were spun 11 times (the age of Coretta). When Geno had his turn, he peeked through the blindfold and put his lips right on her boob. Doesn't surprise me. Thats my son. For better or for worse he seems to have a boob fetish. My question is whether he will grow out of it anytime soon or at all for that matter.

Each guest, including Coretta, and Geno took their turn walking the red carpet and posing for the paparazzi which was fun as well. From these photos I created a magazine covver with their photo from the computer and each girl received a white board/memo board with a photo of them all together at the party.

We then played musical chairs and freeze dance where the winners were given a choice in prizes ranging from books, pop star posters, and candy.

The girls ate pizza and tortellini and had chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. After dinner they decided to go out side. I made the mistake of saying Have fun "playing outside." Coretta quickly stated that "Mom we don't play, we hang out." Welcome to the start of the never ending teenage years. I can't believe she will be in middle school next year.

They then put their pajamas on and watched the 2004 movie called Sleepover and Nick made popcorn for them to share. The girls tried to stay up as late as they could, but unfortunately the first couple girls started to fall asleep at 10:30 pm with the rest falling asleep at 1:00 am.

Coretta said this was the best birthday yet and surprisingly enough Nick and I had a lot of fun too.

Geno and Mommy's Hike In Engelberg Switzerland

Geno has this week off of school for holiday, so we decided to drive about an hour and a half away and go hiking in Engelberg Titisee. We arrived around noon, took the funicular up, then a cable car, and decided to start with lunch. A nice and big helping of alpine macaroni. For those of you who are not familiar with this Alpine treat, it consists of penne style pasta, cubed potatoes, bacon and cheese served with a side of applesauce.

Once we finished our lunch, Geno and I walked around the Trube See. The funicular to the top of Titisee was closed due to the high winds, so we explored Trube See and were not dissapointed. Geno and I hiked for two hours taking in the scenery and landscape of beautiful mountains, vegetation, and lake.

The winds were the only complaint. From Geno, that is. At first he found it quite funny how the wind would almost knock him over, but close to the end of the hike he was crying and saying "I want Gabriel" who is one of Coretta's friends and his catch phrase for any time he needs comfort.

Geno and I had fun on our mountain adventure. I look forward to the rest of the week and where our travels will take us.

Coretta is Eleven Years Old

Coretta turned 11 yesterday. I still can't believe how old she is. It seems like yesterday that I was giving birth to her at fairview Medical Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. She is a true blessing in my life and I am very lucky to have her. She is funny, witty, compassionate, caring, and lives life to it's fullest.

It is today as every day, I am honored to have the privilege of being her Mom. I love you Coretta and I am so very proud of the young lady you have become.

Game Day

Yesterday was Game Day and the Vikings were playing Detroit. For good luck (as always) Geno put on his number four jersey, and when Bob came over to watch the game, he, too, was wearing the same jersey. It must have given the Vikes some good luck, because they ended up winning their first game of the season!

Nick and Crystal's Day Getaway to Einsiedeln Switzerland

This Friday, Nick decided to take the day off, so we decided to travel to Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The only thing that we knew about this small village is that it had one of the largest Benedictine Monasteries in Europe. We found out that Einsiedeln is part of the Canton of Schwyz. The French revolution had definitely changed the face of Switzerland forever. The old Confederation no longer existed.

In the 17th century, they began reconstruction of the Abbey. The Benedictines attempted to construct the ideal monastery that would be laid out in such a way, that all necessities of life: water, mill, garden, etc. and all occupations could be practiced within it's walls.

The benedictine Monastery has become a place of pilgrimage for many, in part because of the Chapel with the Black Madonna. Many ask what caused her face to be black, and what we found out, was that the soot from the candles, incense and oil lamps had darkened the original color gradually throughout the ages. It is thanks to this, that Einsiedeln has attained its international standing as a pilgrim's place.

This was a quaint and beautiful village where Nick and I enjoyed a peaceful and beautiful day together.

Coretta's Week at Verbier

Coretta just returned from her five day stay in Verbier nestled in the french region of Switzerland near Geneva. They drove there in a double decker bus which took approximately seven hours to get to with a few stops along the way.

The first day, they checked into their rooms, had supper, and became acquainted with their bunk roommates. Coretta stated that the rooms themselves were beautiful and had a great view of the mountains. Each child had their own locker with a key to put their belongings. She bunked with Gabrielle, Rosalee, and Daisy.

The next day, they woke, had breakfast, and made their way to the ropes courses. Here they needed to help getting suited up with all of the gear such as helmets and harnesses in case they fell, and then they were off. They had to climb up quite high, carry wooden 2x4's across a tight rope, go through tunnels, and nets. Coretta said that at times she was scared, but this ended up being the highlight of her trip.

The next day, they went mountain biking in the village and mountains. Each student was fitted for a mountain bike and helmet and they had a blast riding all throughout the area.

The next day was filled with mountain climbing. Each child had to be suited up properly for this as well and had to climb up the mountain as far as they could. Coretta liked this the least because it was hard to get a grip with her feet.

Every day they had a barbecue outside for lunch and a nice buffet dinner at night. Coretta was even able to try traditional cheese fondue. The downside was that her body started to itch, and she felt as though she was having allergic reaction to something she ate. With a little benadryl and a shower, she was able to get rid of this reaction.

The last night, they had a disco which is typical of any field week at her school. She stated that this was by far the best field week ever.