Just being kids...

Photos from our run/bike ride today.  It is absolutely gorgeous outside, lots of sun and very warm.  You would never guess it is winter right now.

Scott running hills, he ran it four times!  I was able to do it twice.

Then a little while later we discovered this huge puddle!

Scott going first

It was not very deep

My turn!

As always, Scott making me smile.

Siberia of Switzerland - Temperature -29.56 Fahrenheit

The village of La Brévine in the Neuchâtel Jura has confirmed its reputation as the coldest place in Switzerland, with temperatures falling to minus 34.2 degrees Celsius.  The drop, which occurred on Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, made La Brévine the coldest place in the country so far this year.  Many parts of Switzerland saw the mercury fall to between minus ten and minus 20 degrees.  Authorities blamed the cold snap on arctic air moving in from Russia and Eastern Europe. An absence of cloud cover caused temperatures to drop more than normal.

Le Saleve Hike - Part II

I love it when we are both smiling in the photo!

Scott ahead of me as usual.  I thought this looked like a frozen tundra.

Mont Blanc

Looking back at the gray clouds chasing us down.

Le Saleve Hike - Part I

Yesterday we took advantage of the clear skies to enjoy a hike and picnic on top of Mont Saleve.  The Saleve is actually in France and is considered the first ridge of the Alps southeast of Geneva.  The top of the mountain has wide-open countryside for walking, skiing, views over the city, the whole canton (county) and the Jura hills opposite.  We timed our trip just right, as we were driving back down the mountain snow flurries and rain started.

Looking down at Geneva and the surrounding villages in Switzerland and France.  Can you see the water jet on the lake?

The Jura Mountains on the other side of the valley

We do not know the history of this building, but it looked cool

Scott soaking it all in...

Red Cross Museum - Geneva

In an effort to see more of what is in Geneva, we decided to tour the Red Cross Museum yesterday.  The International Committee of the Red Cross is located in Geneva, right across the street from the United Nations.  The museum is well very well done and I enjoyed learning about their humanitarian acts around the world since the late 1800s.

Red Cross flag above the entrance of the museum

Statues in front of the museum, I believe they represent prisoners of war

The rows of archives of the International Prisoners of War Agency (1914-1923) are included in The Unesco memory of the world register.

Goodbye Christmas Tree

Our first Christmas tree was very special to us, but it was time for it to leave our home.  The falling pine needles started days ago, but we were determined to keep it until Christmas.  I believe it shed over 500 more needles as we carted it out of our apartment, down the stairs and through the front door of our building, causing us to spend the next 30 minutes sweeping.  Then with Scott holding it through the open car window as it sat on the roof, I cautiously drove to the recycling area of our village.  It only fell off once when I rounded a corner with a bit too much speed!

Still on the top of the car upon arriving at the dumpster

Our tree was light as a feather!

Goodbye oh Christmas tree

Merry Christmas

Rocking our new Pendleton Wool bathrobes, thank you Mom & Dad

Montreux Noel

This past Sunday Scott and I took the train to Montreux to attend the Christmas market.  We had been told it was the biggest market in the area and we would for sure find some unique ornaments to purchase to remember this time in Switzerland for years to come.  Unfortunately, we didn't.  It was a nice outing though and we enjoyed walking around the booths and staying warm by drinking hot wine.

We did like this chalk board.  We envisioned writing the weekly dinner menu on it.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad - 40 years and counting

Happy 40th wedding anniversary to my parents!  I am very proud of both of you.  Thank you for being good role models to Walker, Colin, Hilary and I.  I love you.

December 21st, 1969 - The Dalles, Oregon

Getting ready to drive off from their wedding reception, my favorite part is the plastic on the visors.

Lake Geneva

The view of Lake Geneva and the foothills of the alps from Montreux, Switzerland in three different styles.

Snow!

Lake Geneva today with snow!

The cookies that didn't get eaten...

Earlier this week I was in a baking mood and made sugar cookies using the cookie cutters my Mom sent us that are Christmas themed.  Unfortunately, they were never frosted this week and ended up not getting eaten, but the baking process was still fun.  I hope to have better luck next year...

Steaks on the fire

Tonight's dinner menu: steak with blue cheese sauce, grilled asparagus and homemade sweet potato fries.  The best part was Scott's invention of a grill on our fireplace.  He took the rack from our oven and strategically placed it on our fire to grill the steaks.  Happy Friday.

The Griller

Weekend Recap

Saturday included a trip to Gruyere, Switzerland with our guests to show them the village and cheese factory.  Sunday we visited the Christmas Market in the Carouge neighborhood, drank hot wine as we strolled around while it was snowing and then had crepes for lunch in Old Town.  The day ended with Scott and I sitting by our fire watching a game of NFL football.

Tis' the season for Fondue

Scott and I are hosting a couple, Corey and Gina, for the weekend.  They are both serving in the Navy as engineers and are currently stationed in Rota, Spain.  Last night we took them to Hotel Beau Rivage for a cocktail and then Auberge de Saviese for a pot of cheese fondue.  It is officially the season to eat fondue!

The decorations at the entrance of the hotel

Yummy goodness...