Next stop, Switzerland

Ah Switzerland - I love this picture.

Our trip started a little rocky, lots of rain and lots of STAUs. WE live 4 hours from Interlaken, Switzerland, but the drive ended up being 6.5, yikes! We stopped at one point to use the bathroom, but since it cost 1 CHF each and we didn't have change, we decided the parking lot would be better. No wonder their grass is so green!! After that stop, Chris decided his pregnant wife should drive while he had a few beers. German beers mind you. Of course we were lacking a bottle opener, but my little ranger managed to make a caribiner work.
3.5 beers later (with whitty conversation) we were in Interlaken!

But just bearly - we needed a little pit stop before finding a camp site.... This picture is odd, but I figured - hey, its my blog right?!


This is the beautiful lake that our camp group was on. Its the view right outside of the Roberts Tent - not bad aye?

This is the lake we stayed by. Eve is presenting it to us. Beautiful!
Our little motor boys..

Nick wanted to show off his much needed fireman rain boots. They were perfect for running around Saturday morning as the grass was rather wet from ALL the rain Friday night. We were thankful to have made it just in time.
Chef Chris started off breakfast on Saturday morning

Next onto the level of accomodations

First - the tent - no kids, wedding present tent. Lindsay and Chris thought it was perfect (except for the first night when they got a little wet)

Second Level, Tent with Kids! The Wisneskis managed to put this on up before too much rain feel Friday night. It has two separate rooms and an entry way. It also stayed water proof Friday night!

Third Option - the pre-assembled tent. This was already put together by Eurocamp. The beds inside even had linens! Not to mention a nice kitchen set up. Go McCulloughs!

The Roberts stayed in another tent like this and as we know, the Leadbetters opted for teh Mobile home again since the late night trip to the potty was not something 36 week pregnant Sara was too excited about. Plus it served as a great place to congregate for breakfast on the chilly mornings.

Saturday we ventured into town and found several beautiful spots. This one had a gondola that would take us to the top (where Chris wanted to hike to a farther up top - Jungefrau...) It appears to have snow on it year round..... Nick was eager to join him - mostly for the gondola ride, but we walked through the town instead.

Lunch time in a random parking lot - with a view of course.

The Roberts put together an excellent lunch - to include yummy sucker lips! Big hit with the munchkins!

Check out those kissers!

Nick loves to sit in the cars - he is starting to wonder why they never seem to work...

Yum, swiss chocolate for the pregnant lady.

The camp ground we perfect for all the kids to run around. This was a little hockey match with Nick and Tate

The nights got a little chilly - at least Farrah thought so. By the end of the night, Macy was wearing 2 hoods and a hat!

S'mores - yummy, sticky, and around charcoal fire - every parents dream!

You never know who you are going to travel with.... Funny that Michigan and Western Michigan were playing eachother in football this weekend. Amy hooked up the 'sling box' and we were able to catch a little game time all the way in Switzerland! Tecknology is amazing. Thankfully the wolverines managed a win too =) I know, I won't get used to that....

This was a super funny shirt that Brian bought for Farrah. I was excited for the oppurtunity to wear it amoung friends. I had to change it before heading out on the town - even though we weren't sure if folks could translate it anyway...

Sunday morning the boys headed to Lauderbrun to do a little exploring


Glasier water is COLD

Guess you don't see this everyday!

I love how this photo turned out - it was taken from our car as we were leaving of Interlaken Lake. The mountains and sail boats are just beautiful. Perfect painting oppurtunity for Barbara!

Hope all is well - with love - The leadbetters

Nick is geting too BIG!

Nick is becoming Mr. Dare Devil trying to keep up with all the big kids. This is a "zip line" at the local park. Of course the first time I went with him (picture that - not much fun for pregnant mom or independant kid) and now he LOVES flying solo
Hold on little bugger!

This was our 3 year check up! Can you believe it - nice pants!

Nick even got to visit the Dentist.

Checking out those pearly whites =)

We had yet another fest in our little town - not exactly sure what wewere celebrating - mostly good beer. But when Nick saw this set up he instantly asked dad if he could do it. Chris being the amazing dad and really just surprised Nick wanted to do it..... He hooked him up.

Bounce away little man!

The French Wine country

This weekend we toured the Alsace Wine Route in France - The weather was perfect and our traveling buddies Farrah, Brian, Tate and Macy were the best. They discovered a great location with awesome stops along the way. Its only 2 hours from us!! So a great adventure when you come to visit the Leadbetters!

Our first stop was this lovely restaurant. In typical French fashion, the waitress was less than thrilled to serve us. Little did we know - they were able to host a small wedding for a super cute older couple as well as an 80th birthday party!! How would we know!! Needless to say, we looked a little out of place - especially when this cute car showed up with the wedding couple inside!!Nick and Tate entertained themselves at the play ground while we figured out what to order.

Check out Nick on the Bouncy ball. I remember my own bouncy ball - ah the days...

View of the vineyards (and our cars) from the table.

First winetasting stop - I must admit - being 8+ months pregnant makes wine tasting a little over rated.... But I did get a few sips. The wines were mostly whites - the area is known for their Reislings - I am holding out for the Italian reds... Farrah did a great job packing a bag of tricks for the munchkins to enjoy at each stop.

Let the tasting begin

One of the beautiful towns we got to drive through

Tough flash on this picture - but its the inside of our room which was HUGE. Great balcony and a loft upstairs for Nick.

Here is the view from our Balcony

Farrah and I enjoying the evening - Macy obviously had too much wine!

Nick and Dad hunkering down for the evening

The next morning the big boys hit the road on their bikes soaking up the local scenery. Once the came back, the little boys hit the road checking this out too.

Momma with baby, and momma with baby =)

Family shot from the outside of our hotel room

More tastings on the way home - I just loved this photo of the vineyards.

Every Hill top had a castle.... Ah Napoleon.

Our traveling buddies

Bring on the Champagna!

The "Nick" version of wine tasting...

The final stop on our way home was a super chic frech restaurant. We all had Pizza!

The final tunnel to home - check out the date..... the town we stayed in was established in the 1100s - they have some serious history. Guess i should have stayed awake in that class!

See you next weekend when we hit switzerland with 4 other couples. Talk about adventure!

Waiting for another visitor as well as wine, wine and more wine!

August 23-25 we hosted Carly and Sean Passes. Carly is just finishing up her 2 year studies in Tel Aviv Israel. Her brother Sean flew to italy last week after graduating college, to enjoy several weeks of Eupoean travel and to help his sister move home. They only stayed with us for two nights - but LOVED sleeping in (you can't do that in hostels!) cleaning some laundry and just relaxing. They left us and headed onto Munich as well as a week in Amsterdam!

On Friday night we headed to the Stuttgart wine festival. Lots of folks as it was a beautiful German everning. The boys managed to keep themselves entertained and even met some new buddies.

Street break dancing - the german's are giving them a wide berth...

Wine or Water
Who can resist hopping on this hourse on the way home.... Not Tate and Nick!

Chris and I couldn't resist this picture. We were in an Electromark store in search of a washing machine (a gift from my mom!!) we came across this awesome listening device. Anyone recognize it? maybe from 20 years ago! We couldn't believe they still sold this ancient tape player - and for 35 Euros! (Almost $50) makes me wonder about the washing machine!!