BOYZ IN THE HOOD. WITH THEIR MOM.

We only live 10 minutes out of the city!

See what I mean about sweet new apartments?

You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can't take Iowa out of the girl...

My Hawkeye roots really love a beautiful barn!

The vinyards.

The apple orchard

The mountains and lakes

The sweet sheep who live right out our window.  Levi bids them good morning, good day, and good night daily.

This apartment sits next to a sweet old house

More old and new contrast in the neighborhood

Switzerland does a lot of things well--it's almost like the whole country is an interactive magazine spread that has popped off the pages of FINE LIVING.  Apart from the dynamic natural beauty of this country, I haven't seen anywhere that combines old and new architecture as well as they do it here.  I brought my camera on one of my walks with the boys through the neighborhood this week to illustrate my point.  The Iowa girl in me still loves beautiful old barns-and the way the Swiss seem to nestle their brand new modern apartment buildings in amongst their chalets and farm houses somehow works beautifully.  It's crazy.  Throw in some cows, sheep, mountains, vineyards, apple orchards, lakes, and walking paths everywhere--and you have paradise.  Otherwise known as Schweiz!  

Spring has sprung!!

Our country road up the hill that Chris cycles on

This barn, converted into a gallery, is across the street from our flat

Anyone need to shoot a country music video?

TIME CAPSULE

Time capsule

I wear my sunglasses at breakfast so I'm ready for the sunrise

The other day, I put on a jacket I haven't worn since fall.  I reached in my pocket, and pulled out a handful of little boys' treasures…a headless lego man, some "very special" wood chips, a couple of pebbles, and some euro coins.  I couldn't help but smile and think, this is like a time capsule of our life right now.  The majority of this blog has been focused on sharing about our travels, or eventful experiences--moments I certainly want to remember.  However, and maybe more importantly, what I really want to hang onto is how sweet life is with three little boys.  It is hard to believe that when we moved here Levi was only 7 months…a little butterball of a baby with wispy hair that stood out in every direction (we called him fluffy).  And now, he is a walking--no running, talking--no grunting, toddler-full of smiles and energy and determination.  Luke just turned 8 (gulp, sniff), and Isaac is on the verge of being a very old-sounding 5.  I've written about their ups and downs with tackling this move-and how proud I am of their optimistic little spirits and flexibility, but sometimes I just wish I could capture and hold onto the everyday goodness that happens…the fun bath times with their beautiful blue eyes that look even bigger and more innocent with water droplets clinging to their long, dark lashes.  Footy PJs.  Rocking Levi to sleep and feeling him relax in my arms as his breathing gets deeper and he wraps his chubby arms around my neck, AND his doggie AND book AND water cup.  The simplicity of making heart-shaped pancakes on Valentine's day that can just make their whole day.  Hearing Luke laugh so hard he squeaks.  Having Isaac tell me no less than a dozen times a day, "I just love you so much, Mom"--(I mean, I know I will just be dying to hear him say that when he's 16!!!)  Sometimes, its even the everyday frustrations that I don't want to forget…like the never-ending energy flying around here that is often accompanied with toothbrush battles, wrestling, and loud laughing (or yelling)--ok, maybe I'm getting carried away, here. I guess what I'm trying to say is that this time in Europe is obviously cherished because of the opportunity it allows to see new countries and gain fresh perspectives.  But what might make it even more distinguished to me is that these years with our three young boys are some of the sweetest years we might ever have.  And I'm hoping that this whole "outside the box" experience might help me compartmentalize in my memory what a golden time this is for our family.  Enjoying the healthy, happy years of our babies while they are still full of innocence and optimism and the desire to hang out with their mom and dad!