The Matterhorn and Momma Bear

This is the last of our posts about our Switzerland trip last fall. It's a little embarrassing posting this so late, but this is our family journal and scrapbook and we wanted this experience documented. We spent a day hiking in and around Zermatt, which is the village just below the Matterhorn. It is a “car-free” village. There are several ways of getting there; bike (which Kevin really wanted to do, but it was deemed too dangerous by many locals....we even brought our bikes with us), train, or taxi. We opted for a taxi which was about the same price as taking the train for our family of five.

Upon arriving into Zermatt, we went straight to the information booth and asked how to get the best views of the Matterhorn. We were told that wecould take a train that went to the top of the mountain which provided an excellent view. It was called the Gornergrat Bahn. It was very expensive (around 170 euros for the whole family to take the train) but we rationalized the expense with, "How often does one get to Zermatt?" So we went for it. The views were beautiful and the weather was fabulous.

I have a little bit of an "Elastic Girl Hand" thing going on here...must be the wide angle lens.

Our feeble attempt at a family photo with a Matterhorn backdrop--thanks to a random hiker passing by.


There are hiking trails which will lead you all the way down to the bottom. We weren't sure that the kids would be quite up for that, so we took the train down couple of stops from the top and hiked around. They loved playing on the rocks and it was a gorgeous day.



Lauren is our little model and she loves to pose.



After we had our fill of hiking, we took the train down the mountain back to Zermatt. We enjoyed a little downtime at the local park. Our kids loved playing on the zip line. It was here that I had an unpleasant encounter with a 10 year-old French girl. She grew impatient of waiting for each of our children to take a turn on zip line before she was up. Giving up as she walked away, she muttered in English, "Stupid Americans".


I was shocked. Was she talking about us? Yep, we were the only ones using English as far as I could tell. We've heard rumors about the French general distain for Americans, but I had never expereienced it personally. Now, I'm not sure if she was French-French or Swiss-French, but my blood was boiling at this point. How kind I thought for her to use our native language to let us know how she felt about us. I just kept thinking....hmm....where has SHE heard that phrase before? (With hind sight, she was probably just being 10 years-old and wanting to look cool infront of her friends.)


However, at the time I was thinking, "If you mess with the cubs, you will see the Momma Bear." That is a promise. My children were completely innocent (this time anyways). So I followed that delightful little lady over to the swings and when she turned around to face me, I looked her right in the eye and said, "We are NOT stupid Americans." Brilliant I know. It was a surreal experience. I am not usually one to seek confrontation. In fact, I try to avoid it at all costs. But here I was, about to have it out with a fourth-grader.


I went on to tell her that just because she was frustrated and didn't want to wait her turn, that didn't give her the right to call names and use mean words. I seriously have to also add that it was not like we were hogging the zip line for any extended length of time. Each child took one ride and then ran the rope back to the next child waiting for their turn. After I let her know I felt, we went back to taking turns on the zip line...



Anyone else a Momma Bear?



Zermatt, Switzerland

Hiking in the Swiss Alps

Kevin and I have always loved the outdoors and hiking so we were excited to take our children on their first "big" hike up the Ferpecle Valley to a glacier field.

Here's the crew; happy and excited for our hike.

Just about there....you can see the glacier in the background. The kids did amazingly well for what was estimated to be a seven-mile round trip hike.

These funny trail markers would show up sporadically; especially once we left the lush trail and entered the rocky terrain.

Proudly displying their chipped "ice" from the glacier.

Ava was so worn out that the minute I took her out of the backpack, she snuggled into my chest and promptly fell asleep. Kevin and the kids continued up to the glacier while I sat down and enjoyed cuddling my youngest. There was a roaring river in front of me and beyond that I could see the back side of the Matterhorn. Every once in while the sun would peek through the clouds and light would dance on the water. As I sat there, I was in complete awe of the majesty and beauty of nature. It was deadly silent except for the roaring of the river and my slumbering baby who every once in awhile would snortle and resettle herself. I was again reassured, as I have been many times in the past, that there is a God and that He created all of this. This beauty, this wonder, this majesty all for US that we might find joy.

A perfect day.

Swiss Family Parkers

Grimentz, Switzerland

This was a beautiful village. Part of the old town was roped off from cars so it was great to just let the kids run wild and explore. You can't really see from these pictures, but most of the buildings were up on stilts. We wondered if it was due to problems with flooding from the spring run off, but we were told it was to keep the mice out of the housess

We planned for one more hike, but the kids were hungry and Ava was exhausted (no nap) so ended up driving up to the lake and having a picinic lunch. Amazing what P & J can do to raise your spirits!

Evolene, Switzerland

On our last touring day, we stopped for a delicious fondue lunch in Evolene (a darling little village). You can not come to Switzerland without having fondue (of course we are a little obsessed with fondue so you know .....) Well, perhaps I should clarify, Kevin and I had fondue and the kids had pizza and chicken nuggets. Wish we could get them to eat fondue - grilled cheese sandwiches they like and this is just about the same, but the cheese is on the outside of the bread ... so cheesy and fabulous! The best part was that there was a small playground on the vicinity. So the kids had a blast playing while waiting for our food, and Kevin and I actually had a chance to have a somewhat of an adult conversation that did not revolve around Webkinz or Barbies.

Wait a minute. We're missing someone. Dad? Oh yeah, he's the guy that is always behind the camera. Where's Lauren? Lauren?

There she is.

We were amazed at how the firewood was neatly stacked. It was too beautiful to not be considered art and prime candidate for a photo opp.

A sweet little pension and restaruant - the flower boxes were amazing.

Took a picture of this beauty as we were coming down the mountain from our chalet. It is even smaller than a smart car if you can imagine. It was a one seater, but she had her dog seated next to her traveling at a whoppin '10 kilometers per hour.

Switzerland

More photos and journaling to come soon from our trip to Switzerland this past fall. Kaden and Lauren are posing after our hike up the Ferpecle Valley (just to the West of the Matterhorn and Zermatt).

Rudesheim

Rudesheim, a romantic little village on the Rhine River, is nesstled amoungst lush vineyards in the Rheingau region whose origins date back to pre-Roman times. At only 40 mins. from our home, it was the perfect destination for a beautiful autumn day.

The photo above was taken on Drosselgassee; a narrow street, just 144 meters long, in the heart of old town Rudesheim. It was a sensory feast featuring live music, singing and dancing, shopping, and tantelizing treats.

No day trip is complete without German Eis....so fabulously creamy and sweet. So many flavors to choose from.....

Taking a break and enjoying a pretzel. I'm so glad to have found something available in every German bakery that all three of our kiddos will eat.

My handsome brown-eyed Star Wars Lover. This picture was taken just before a German shop keeper yelled at me for picking up a stuffed animal for a closer look. Apparently, she takes her merchandise very seriously. I've learned that you just can't take the grumpiness personally....not all Germans are grumpy, just the vast majority.

I loved this turquoise hat and will probably go back and get it for Lauren the next time we're in Rudesheim. Isn't she so posh?

Ava also had to be in on the hat trying action. Anything that Kade and Lauren do, she has to do as well.

Taken outside of the Kathe Wohlfahrt Store, a wonderful delight filled with German decore' and lovely Christmas decorations. This is a must stop for a truly lovely shopping experience!

'Ahhrrrr We Be a Family 'o Pirates

We are Still Alive

Not that anyone really checks this blog regularly, however, I have had several people tell me that they are so tired of seeing "Free KFC Chicken Dinner" that they could scream! I am finding a few quiet mins. to blog this afternoon while Ava naps and the rest of the cousins and aunts and uncles are at the park with my kiddos.

The next several posts will be playing catch up. So much has happen in the last two months. I have literally just been too busy to blog or check blogs...sorry. Here is a quick recap, and I will be posting detailed posts and pictures eventually.

May
*We ship our van May 1st so it will be in Germany when we arrive in July
*Kevin has a dental conference in San Antonio
*Lauren has her marathon Ballet Recital (she is precious)
*Kevin takes his Pediatric Dental Boards (so happy this is behind us.....just waiting on scores now)
*Heavenly week long family vacation to Disney World
*Kevin spends a week in Hawaii (lucky guy) for a dental conference
*Marnie turns 31 (Ekkk!!)
*My 7th Mother's Day
*Miss May Vernon Field Day- Kaden takes home a 1st place in the 50 meter dash and a 2nd place in the standing long jump.

June
*Baylor Graduation for Kevin
*Scottish Rite Graduation Picnic
*Children's Hospital Graduation and dinner at the Arboretum ( I finally got to wear my fabulous black dress. It cost more to alter than buy in the first place).
*Kevin's 34th birthday
*Our 12th year Anniversary
*Ava turns 2
*Lauren turns 4
*Our wonderful friends host a Fabulous Going Away party for us
*My cute brother and sister-in-law come for a visit
*Kaden graduates from first grade
*Kevin's 7th Father's Day
*We pack up our home and say good-bye to all of our wonderful friends in Texas!
*The kids and I head to Utah/Idaho to spend some time with family, while Kevin stays in TX for another couple of weeks.
*Kevin is booked solid with photography sessions wrapping up his photography business in TX. *I get to spend a week with my darling sis and her boys in Clinton, UT.
*Fun lunch at Liberty Park in SLC with all of my sweet Sterzer cousins and their cute kids.
*The kids and I spend some time with my family in Idaho - Kevin joins us towards the end of the month.
*We take our kiddos to West Yellowstone for the first time with my parents.

July
*Combined birthday party for our three kiddos. I wish I could talk them into that every year. :)
*We get to spend some time with our dear friends the Galbraiths.
*Reunion in Salmon, Id to spend some time with my grandma and grandpa. (I haven't seen them for almost 4 years).
*Lauren's first firework show for the Fourth of July.
*We get to spend a lovely evening with our dear friends the Greenhalghs at their new home.
*Family pictures from the lovely and talented Caralee Case (We will definitely be posting these soon). Check out her blog for contact info if you're in Southeastern Idaho.
*Parker Reunion in Plano, ID
*Trip to the dunes on the sand rail (the kids loved it!)
*First ride on a homemade Ferris Wheel (thrilling and unsettling)
*Leaving for Germany on 7/14...........wish us luck!

I will be posting as often as internet access will allow over the next couple of weeks. If you don't hear much, it is because we are house hunting and getting settled in GERMANY, our new home for the next year.

Happy Summer!

More Easter Fun

I have been so busy getting ready for our move, that blogging has taken a back seat. Since this is also our family scrapbook and journal, I am going to try to play catch-up over the next couple of days.

We had a lovely Easter Day. The kiddos were little angels at church, and afterwards, our good friends the Palmer had us over for dinner. Patrick is a fabulous cook and we jump at the chance every time an invitation is extended. We had a delicious ham dinner and Creme Brulee for dessert...sinfully divine.....

The master and his canvass.

The kids enjoyed an indoor scavenger hunt while we waited for dinner.


After filling our bellies, we headed outside for another egg hunt. Each child had specific eggs that they were looking for so it was a fun twist on the traditional game.

Ava really got into it as well.


It was a beautiful Easter Day filled with family and friends. How grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ and his Resurrection. I loved that Kaden and Lauren were old enough this year to understand the real reason why Easter is celebrated.