I'll write more about the move later, but right before all the craziness started, we took an amazing vacation. Looking at all the pictures now just makes me smile. In July, Colin and I went to visit Ashley and Caroline in Europe while Ellie and Emmit had a wonderful vacation of their own in Minneapolis with Wellyn, Susan, and the boys. We are so grateful to Wellyn and Sue for taking the kids for an entire week...the kids had so much fun and we could enjoy our trip without worry. We hope to repay them the favor someday. I'll attempt to do our trip justice in words and pictures =)
Vacation Part 1 - Switzerland
Ashley and Caroline have lived in Hungary for almost 2 years now, so it was definitely on our to-do list to go see them while they were there. When we started planning our trip though, Ashley threw out the idea of going to Switzerland. They had never been there, nor had we...we'd make our European vacation that much more interesting with two stops. Sure we said, so we booked tickets to Geneva and vacation part 1 unfolded. Switzerland is a country that was never on my radar. It's not one we had heard a lot of people traveling to, but now that we've been there, I say it's a place EVERYONE needs to see. It is absolutely beautiful. We flew into Geneva where Ashley picked us up, and then drove 2 hours to the Swiss Alps. We spent the next several days in the Alps, sight-seeing, hiking, eating, shopping, drinking...the scenery cannot be done justice with a camera. We parked our car at the base of the mountains and used cable cars and trains as our mode of transportation. It was so fun and different than anything we'd ever done. We could have easily spent our entire week there, but in 3 days took in everything we could of one of the most beautiful places we have ever visited.
Our little cabin in the mountains. This is where we stayed for half our stay in Switzerland. We had to take two cable cars and then a train to get to it! No cars to be seen! Beautiful views all around.
Trains and cable cars everywhere - the most elaborate system all through the mountains, all built in the 1800s which is pretty impressive.
Beautiful trainside views
Our gracious hosts and Mom and Dad to-be! We learned the good news way back in July and in February will welcome a new little nephew into the Pomeroy Family!
One excursion we went on was to Jungfraujoch, otherwise known as the 'Top of Europe'. It is the highest point in Europe accessible by train. Our train ride was about 2 hours, much of it through mountainsides in the dark. From the time we left, to the time we got to the top, the temperature had dropped almost 40 degrees - it was FREEZING! Once at the top, we hiked for over an hour, ate lunch at a cafe that was literally on the side of a cliff, and toured the museum.
And what is this? A tennis court in the middle of the mountains? No, just a Lindt chococate commercial being shot in the mountains - with none other than Roger Federer. Along with eating Swiss cheese, using a Swiss army knife, and drinking Swiss Miss hot chocolate, 'see Roger Federer' was on my 'to-do-in Switzerland' list from my sisters. We surprisingly checked off all 4! =)
R Fed in the white pants =)
After our excursion up the mountain we went back down to a warmer elevation for dessert and beverages at a local cafe in Wengen. This town was so cute and charming.
There were a few stray cats around - this one took a liking to Ashley at the train station.
More beautiful scenery
Our one 'fancy' dinner out...we had to try the Swiss cheese fondue. This was also my birthday dinner - turning 35 in Switzerland - definitely one to remember!
This was at the start of our REALLY long hike - nearly 7 hours in total.
Smiling at the start
Breakfast before we go
This hike was tough! Long, hot, and very steep and rocky terrain. There was a group of older people behind us most of the trip and we lovingly referred to them at the 'crazy-fit European senior citizens'! Every time we took a break it was only long enough so that they wouldn't pass us!
Our lunch stop. This cafe was right on the mountainside - only accessible by helicopter, but a much needed rest stop for hikers on the trails!
Coming down into a postcard-perfect valley
And smiling at the end! We were so hot and sweaty, but we made it!
Longest cable car ride ever to get back to a train station!
Vacation Part 2 - Hungary
After our fun in Switzerland, we made the 10 hour drive back to Hungary. Ashley and Caroline had driven over, so we all went back together in their car. I have zero pictures from our drive, probably because I was praying to get back home alive to my kids after driving on the German Autobahn! There is no speed limit and people drive fast, CRAZY, SCARY FAST. We made a pit stop at a little resort town in Austria and then for a traditional German schnitzel lunch at a roadside cafe, but other than that, just plowed our way back to Budapest.
A fun night out on the "Pesht" side of the river.
Brothers getting into trouble!
Love this girl!
Buda in the daytime - shopping, eating, drink, sight-seeing, fun day!
The US Embassy in Budapest
Gelato on a VERY hot day!
Some traditional Hungarian food...paprika chicken with gnocchi (and sour cream on top)...we learned that Hungarians put sour cream on everything.
Creamy cucumbers
"Hungarian Goulash" which was pretty much like beef stew
Another fun night out in Budapest
These last few pictures pretty much sum up our short stay in Budapest...eating, drinking, and sight seeing! We were rock stars - no rest for the weary! We had such a great time with Ashley and Caroline and of course always hate to say good bye. Another wonderful trip in the memory book, and we didn't know it then, but a roller coaster couple of months ahead!
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