We were going to have a relaxing day but decided to take a hike to see if we could see some snow. We did and we were, actually, quite excited. (Probably hard to believe for friends and family who are just ending pretty brutal winter months!) While hiking we came across wood carvings in trees- a shovel, a butterfly, edelweiss, a saw and a pinecone. We were surprised that people leave them alone. We followed the clearest, cleanest stream we’ve ever seen. I walked back while Jesse and kids kept going. When they got back, they were so excited about a beaver type animal they saw, crocuses and guys doing a running/jumping sport on the side of the mountain onto the snow. Pretty cool stuff in an unbelievably beautiful, serene part of the world!
In the desert a week ago, now hiking in snow in the Swiss Alps! Life is good!
Woo-hoooo! Can’t believe I am actually up to date!!!!
In Switzerland now at our good friends’ chalet in the Alps! The Huss’ are the couple in the photo way back at the start of the blog who encouraged us to go on this trip. So thankful to you guys for so much!
One photo is of a view from the chalet and the other is of Em and Maddux actually volunteering to help me peel potatoes! Wow! I guess they have missed cooking, too. We made a huge amount of mashed potatoes for some good old fashioned carbo loading. (Pierre- your neighbor’s kid would have been in heaven!)
More photos of Switzerland to come! We love it here.
Arriving in Switzerland! It takes teamwork to get all our stuff together!
It would have gone much more smoothly if the two lady ignoramuses would have gotten out of the way, but the kids managed just fine. Everyone has gotten stronger from this trip- you should see Lennon flex his biceps! hee
SO excited to see our friend Michael play for Roma!!!!
It was a tough loss for Roma (but I personally think they should have started Michael!) We loved the energy of the stadium, the chanting, the popcorn….and we had great seats!!! Thanks for hooking us up, Michael. We hope to see you guys again real soon. Love!
The Capuchin Crypt- kind of spooky
The Capuchin Crypt is a museum located beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on the Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini in Rome. It contains the skeletal remains of 4,000 bodies.
Bones are nailed to the walls in intricate patterns while others are just piled on top of More bones. Some have been made into light fixtures. Towards the end of the museum is what appears to be a cement heart- the grand niece of Pope Sixtus V supported the Capuchin order and asked to have her heart placed behind a plaque there when she died.
We didn’t find the place very scary- just a bit freaky since some looked like they still had leathery skin intact. One even had fake beard hair glued to his chin.
At a bakery looking at edible pieces of art

Emerson took the camera to take photos of a cake and the boys heading outside of the cafe to find a city bus.
Too many rules at the Sistine Chapel!
Geesh! As soon as you get in to view the chapel, people are shushing at everyone to not speak. Guards are saying ‘no, pictures!’ To me, it takes away from enjoying the overall experience. I tried to take a quick photo of Michelangelo’s most famous section of the fresco “The Creation of Adam” where God and Adam are barely touching fingers, but I didn’t do so well. Too much pressure. The throngs of tourists are steadily pushing you towards the exit the entire time. That being said, I am so happy we got to the see it. It is truly beautiful.


























