Chapman Family: May 2011

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cotton-eyed Ryan

Every year Ryan looks forward to the talent show. He loves the stage and the audience and performing. He doesn't have a shy bone in his body. He definitely did not get this from me. I'm so glad he is so uninhibited. I hope he always keeps this quality. Here is a little snippet from this year's talent show:

My Graduates

This is a big year for Maddie and Phillip. Phillip graduated from pre-school and Maddie graduated from Elementary school.

Maddie shaking hands with her D.A.R.E. officer after receiving the President's award for academic achievement (3.5 GPA or higher from 3rd to 5th grade)

Phillip's teacher, Mrs. Randazzo

Additional Memories of Switzerland

Here are some additional things I will remember about our amazing trip to Switzerland:

1. The public transportation system there is AWESOME. You could set your watch to their trains they are so dependable. We got passes for the time we were there and could easily ride the trains, buses, and boats.

2. Brian and Kathy and their sweet girls. We loved getting to spend some time with them and have them show us around.

3. There are walking paths EVERYWHERE in Switzerland. They really do a great job making it convenient to walk wherever you need to go and these symbols help you to know you are on the right path.

4. Their milk. The way they pasteurize it you can store it on your shelf for several months.

5. Cranes are everywhere. The Swiss are always constructing or renovating something. When we lived in Switzerland when I was a child, my Dad called them the Swiss National bird.

6. The roses were in full bloom on our visit and beautiful to look at.

7. Beautifully ornate wooden doors.

8. Churches everywhere you look.

9. Getting to have fun with Bea. She's drying her nails after I put some polish on them.

10. Cows and other animals dotting the countryside.

11. Cool water fountains.

12. I will definitely remember how expensive everything was, especially food. This Diet Coke (or as it's known in Switzerland - Coke Light) was 3.50 CHF which is over $4.

Switzerland, Day 8 - Zurich

Saturday, May 21st

After lots of traveling this week we decided to make it a low-key day and stay closer to home. This also allowed us time to look around for souvenirs to bring back.

Switzerland, Day 7 - The Matterhorn

Friday, May 20th

Today Brian, Dave, and I went to Zermatt and hiked close to the Matterhorn. We had beautiful weather and got some great shots before the clouds rolled in.

A lot of the roofs are tiled with these slate sheets.

These yellow signs point which direction to go to get to various villages and they also usually include how much time it will take to get there.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Switzerland, Day 6 - Lauterbrunnen

Thursday, May 19th

Today we went to Lauterbrunnen in the Jungfrau region. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED this area. It was so beautiful. If I ever get the chance to go back, I would love to spend more than one day here.

This is right by the train station as we began our hike

For the first part of our hike Kathy and Claire came with us, but we soon ran out of paved trail. You can see how steep a climb it is.

I never get tired of shots of Dads holding hands with their kids

One of our many spectacular views along the way

We crossed so many beautiful water falls and streams like this one that I lost count.

Kathy and Brian and Claire met us up at the top (they took the Gondola and train after the trail would not accommodate the stroller) and walked with us the last of the way.

Enjoying a delicious lunch at a quaint restaurant at the top in the little city of Murren

Enjoying the view at the top

Switzerland, Day 5 - Lucerne and Basel

Wednesday, May 18th

Lucerne:

Basel:

Switzerland, Day 4 - Saentis and the Rheinfalls

Tuesday, May 17th

First we went to Saentis which is a mountain peak at the top of which you can see 7 countries....That is if you go on a clear day. When we went, we were barely able to see the country we were in let alone 6 others, but the trip up there was beautiful.