Nannying

Today, Jenna and Jarrod got home from Strasbourg, France, where they have been since Friday. It seems like they had a great time! They brought us all home stuff. 

  So I was watching the girls by myself for a couple days. We watched movies, ate, walked down to Migros (the grocery store), played on the playground, and basically just hung out for two days. It has been really hot the last couple of days, so we didn't spend much time outside. But overall the girls were great, minus the occasional outbursts which I was expecting. 

  Only ten days left until we come home! wow. 

Oh and today was also a good day because I got a GOLD medal on pool (or billiards) on the Wii!! YAY! 

Rheinfall

Today we went to the Rheinfalls, about an hour drive. Rheinfall is the largest, or widest, waterfall in all of Europe. We took Lexi's friend Kati, and the five of us went together. We got there at about 2, and it was hot! But we climbed down lots of stairs, stopping along the way at look out points and taking pictures. It was breathtaking!! The roar of the water was so loud, and you could feel the spray of the water. It reminded me of San Diego, except that it didn't smell fishy and salty. But Jenna and I both loved it so much, we want to go again next week and go on a boat ride that goes right in front of the falls because it looks like fun and the girls were scared to go on it. But we did take a boat ride just across the calm water to the other side and got ice cream. We always get ice cream wherever we go. I never eat this much ice cream, I am not used to all of it! It was so beautiful and I loved the boat ride and just sitting, listening to the roar of the water on the rocks. 

Spiez

Friday evening we went to a local pool, right by the lake. It was so nice out. We all had fun playing in the sand and water! 

Yesterday we drove into Bern, to see the temple. (about 1.5 hours away) It was so beautiful. It was a perfect day, there were hardly any clouds and a light breeze. We met a couple who just recently got married there, and we were chatting with them. When I say we I mean Jenna, who meets interesting people wherever she goes. Then we went to the Mormon Home Store, and they had American Food! Oreos, Mike and Ikes, Life Savers, and the favorite, A&W Rootbeer. We got some of each, so it was pretty exciting. Then we drove some more and ate lunch at McDonalds again. Jenna said that this is the most McDonalds

 food she has had in years, and I dont know if it is just because I am here or what... But then we kept driving until we reached the parking garage in a cute lakeside city, Spiez. We walked for about 20 minutes downhill until we reached the lake. It was hot, mid-80's, so we were happy when we found some shade and beautiful photo opportunities. I seriously felt like I was in a postcard, it was so beautiful. It was so unreal to me. We took a boat, a half hour ride, to the other side of the lake. That was my favorite part, because it was so gorgeous. We got off and took a cog wheel train (if you dont know what that is, see slideshow of pics) up to the side of the mountain, where we got onto a Felsonegg and that took us to the top of the mountain. There was a zip line, that everyone went down, and a restaurant where we got some really good seasoned french fries. The view was breath taking, we could see all the mountains for miles and miles, and it was clear enough to see the snow covered peaks. Then we went down the Felsonegg, cog wheel train, boat ride, bus ride up to the parking garage where we got into our car. It was quite the trip, but the journey was the best part. 

        I couldn't decide which pictures to put in my slideshow and which ones to cut, it is just too hard! So, sorry about the number, but I can't help it! 

Sunny Days!

We have had two sunny days in a row! And yes, that is a big deal. Wednesday we went into the city and visited two churches, rode a ferris wheel, saw a huge tribute to the Euro Cup and ate ice cream. That night Jenna and Jarrod went on a date so I watched the girls. The next morning we went to the zoo, which is about thirty minutes away. It is a small zoo, especially compared to the Phoenix Zoo. My favorite part was the seal show, which was amazing. Well, it was pretty good. There was so much pollen and crap in the air, it was disgusting. I kept thinking that if Mike was there he would have had to sit in the car or cafe all day! But it was pretty hot, so I was thinking about Arizona the whole time. 

   Then on Thursday night Jenna and I went to a Nordic walking class. I did not know what to expect. We met at a stake center and then all drove to a lady's house. There were probably 10 or 11 of us. Neither Jenna or I

 had any nordic sticks, but luckily there was an extra pair for me (because I was the only one who could use them because of my height) but Jenna had to use ski poles or something. We went up into t

he forest and it was so beautiful. I was having such a good time, I loved it! I want to go there and do that every day. 

I think that some of the pictures look better if you move your mouse over them, but don't click. Just a thought...

Colmar, France

Colmar

Sorry I haven't blogged in a couple of days... But I need to before I forget everything that happened! So on Friday, one of Jenna's friends came over with her little boy and they stayed for about two and a half hours. Later that night, all of us went over to Julie's house, another friend of Jenna's. They have two cute little boys, and her little sister, who is 18, and a friend just arrived from Utah to spend some time with Julie. Then three other young men from the ward (all over 18) came and we played cards and games and ate. It was really fun. We stayed at Julie's house until 11! The girls were so tired! 

  Early the next morning, we went to Colmar, France. We got there after a two 

hour drive. The girls were a fussy because they were so tired, but I had my iPod on the whole time, sleeping, so it was fine! When we got there, we walked around for a bit, then went to a museum, or Musee D'Unterlinden. I kept getting                         flashbacks from museums in Paris and London, it brought back so many memories! After the museum, we got some food from a place where no one spoke English, just French. It was funny. 

Then we got onto a trolley to go for a tour through the city. It was called Petit Train Touristique, and I loved it! We got headphones that talked all about the city. It was cool hearing where famous artists lived because I recognized their names! My favorite part was hearing about a part of the city called Little Venice (note the gondola).  After the tour, we got ice cream, which was delicious. I got caramel and chocolate. Yum. Then the girls rode the carousel about five time, literally, while Jenna and I ate cotton candy. Pretty sweet gig, huh? 

   Sundays here seem to go by much faster than church at home. I dont know why that is. But I was so tired at church because every night this week Jarrod, Jenna and I stay up late, past 11, watching the Office. We have seven episodes left of season 4! I love it, but it makes me tired when I have to get up early, obviously. But after church I took a really long nap, like four hours, so it was all good! 

  Since yesterday was Father's Day, (Love ya Dad!) Jenna made a really good dinner: we had roast, potatoes and artichokes. And cream cheese brownies with ice cream! YUMMY! Then we watched more of The Office. What a perfect day! 

Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus)

Felsenegg and Farm

Swiss Transport Museum (Verkehrshaus)

So on Monday, we went up to the Felsenegg, which is like a gondala, or a ski lift that takes us up the mountain in about six minutes. It was really fun, even though the girls were scared to go but they had a good time anyway! When we got to the top, we hiked up another hill and then arrived at the restaurant that looks like a ginger bread house, or so the girls say. The girls played at a playground for a few minutes, then we got a table outside because the weather was beautiful. I ordered chicken nuggets and fries; so did the girls. Jenna got this grape leaf wrap thing, which was pretty good. We also got a Greek salad to split, and it had really good feta. The view from the restaurant was amazing. We found cool walking sticks for the girls, so that was pretty exciting. 

  Yesterday, Mia and I walked Lexi to school, which is about five minutes away. It was nice out, so Mia and I played at the playground that is right outside the house. Then later in the afternoon, Mia went to a playgroup thing at a local farm, and stayed for four hours. While she was gone, Lexi, Jenna and I went to a chocolate store here in Adliswil (the city I am living in right now). That was fun :) All of a sudden, it started POURING!! The thunder was so loud, when I was talking on the phone with my family they could hear it too. I hate thunder, but slept surprisingly well. 

   Today, we went to the Swiss Transport Museum, or Verkehrshaus, in Lucerne. It was full of old trains, cars, and all sorts of planes. I played a racing game where I got in this old race car and raced, like a computer game except I was actually in a car. It was really fun, except I was so bad! I was crashing into walls because the steering was so sensitive and the pedals were weird, but it was so fun! Then it started raining, and we decided to go home. The traffic was bad, but we got McDonald's on the way home, before we picked up Jarrod.  Now the sun is out (I swear Switzerland is bipolar, at least the weather is!). I miss the sun :( but I am enjoying the rain. 

Shoutout to My Awesome Ward!!!

This is a shoutout to my awesome ward, Coronado First!! I love you guys so much! Can't wait to see you all again later! YOU GUYS ROCK!!! 

Church

Today was my first time going to church in Switzerland. It was really cool actually. We met in an office building that is about ten minutes away, on the first floor. Sacrament Meeting was, of course, in German, but they provided the English speaking people with headphones and someone in the back of the room was translating. It was kinda funny. Sacrament meeting went by really fast, and then I went with this really nice girl named Jessica, who spoke English and German. We stood around talking with some other boys, named...Colten, or Colin, I forget, and his brother Dustin, who are, like, 20 or something. Then we went to Sunday School, but of course the teacher spoke German, so Jessica translated for me.YAY. Then we walked around talking a bit then went to Young Women's. There are only 5 girls. I made it six. I thought it was so funny, because in my ward there are about five times that many girls. Oh and in sunday school there were only four of us! Crazy. At the end of Young Women's, we celebrated the Young Women's President Micah's birthday and we had a cake. It was really good. Then it was time to go home, so we left, crossed the street to the parking lot and got in the car and went home. We had to drive through the Jewish part of the city, so that was cool. I was invited today to go to mutual on Thursday, but they don't call it that, they call it Activity or something. It is going to be a barbecue with the young men, if it doesn't rain. 

  This morning I was using Jenna's blowdryer because mine does not work because the plugs here are different than the ones at home. So of course my straightener does not work either!! Grrr. But Jenna very kindly volunteered to help my with my hair, which helped ALOT. 

   The home teachers are coming today at four, and then we are having dinner. 

Last night Jenna and I watched Juno, which was good, and started 50 First Dates but by that point it was almost midnight so we are going to finish it tonight. 

Lucerne

Lucerne (Luzern)

   Today, Jenna and I and the girls drove to Lucerne (or in German, Luzern). which is about an hour away from Zurich. It was raining all day, but it is not like rain at home; this rain is  more like mist so you can't always hear it or see it. But I like it alot better than the rain at home. So we drove through this hilly, mountainous pass with cows and sheep and lots of trees. It was so pretty and I took so many pictures. We drove around the city looking for a parking garage, but alot of them were completely filled. Today is Saturday, rainy and the Euro Cup, so that is why the city was so packed. But we found a spot and walked through the station and got on a bus which took us to this Lion Monument, in German Lowendenkmal, and it was really neat because there was a reflection pond with ducks right in front of it, surrounded by trees. Above, you see the giant lion. I took lots of pictures there too. Then we went to the Bourbaki Panorama, which was basically a tribute to the Franco-Prussian War in the early 1870's. Then we went to Glacier Garden, which was really cool. The first part was archeological finds, surrounded by trees. Then we went inside and there were more exhibits of stuff. There was a huge wooden staircase and other things  made of wood. Then we went outside and ate ice cream (even though it was freezing!) and played with huge mirrors (see picture slideshow). Then we went to the most exciting place: The Hall of Mirrors! It made me soooo dizzy!! We had to follow a path but it was so confusing. The girls wanted to go again, but Jenna and I refused. Then we went up this wooden watch tower and took some good pictures because there was a good view. After that we went to the Chapel Bridge, which was a long wooden bridge covered with flowers and a roof. It was pretty, but part of it burned down in 1993, so parts of it were black and some parts had been replaced. By that point, we were pretty tired, so we tried to find the car. It took us so long and we walked around the whole station until we found the car. We stopped at McDonalds (I know, so Swiss) and drove home. The drive through for McDonalds was called a McDrive :) 

   Church tomorrow starts at 9 a.m. I am already missing our 11:00 a.m. time in a building less than 10 minutes away. Jenna's home teachers are coming tomorrow at 4. 

  Last night, I went with just Jenna to a baby shower for a lady I don't even know, but it was fine because everyone was nice. I met the Young Women's President, and she is nice so I am not very nervous or anxious for church tomorrow. We had to drive through this windy mountain pass which was so pretty! But it was kind of scary in the dark, but we did not get lost, we just got home late because Jenna was driving slow, just to be safe.            

  

 

Day 2

Day 2

Today I woke up around 9, which was so nice. Lexi T. had already left for school, and Mia was still sleeping. I woke up to Jenna saying "This is the worst spot for a dishwasher!" :) But she was making banana nut muffins and blueberry muffins and they smelled delicious! I had one of each and a bowl of strawberries. But the blueberry muffins looked really funny! They were dark dark blue, almost purple and Jenna was worried that they would taste terrible, but they didn't. They looked so funny and we were joking about it the rest of the day. Then I played with stuffed animals with Mia. 

   Then we went to drop Lexi off to school again because she came home for lunch because the school does not feed them. Then we went to Migros, the grocery store, and picked up some stuff. We took the cart down the elevator and then into the parking garage, which was completely packed. Then we went to the cutest little farm where we bought fresh eggs and fresh milk. I took pictures so I will put those up later. Then we walked all around the farm, and saw the goats, donkeys, chickens, and cows. It was raining and smelled very pungent. But it was beautiful because it was so green and clean, I just loved it. 

   Lexi just got home again with her friend, Kati, pronounced Kauti, and we are watching Ratatouille. Tomorrow we are planning to go to Lucerne, which is an hour away. 

  Oh I forgot to say that yesterday I got my own bus and train pass, with my picture on it and everything. I was pretty excited about that! 

  Yesterday at the Farmers Market, there were little stands and spreads of all different kinds of food. It is only open on Thursdays. We got cheese, vegetables, delicious strawberries, and a really good croissant. This one was different that the ones at home: it was a little more dense, more delicious, and less flaky. I loved it. 

   At the restaurant last night, I got this huge hash brown thing which I mixed with this brown chicken/mushroom gravy. Then I tried Lexi and Mia's Weinerschnitzel, which was good. Then I had some sausage which had alot of parsley in it. It reminded me of the brasholi ( Sorry Mom, I dont know how to spell it, so I just spelled it how it sounds) my mom makes. Everything was good, except for the sauer kraut which I tried. But I was super excited because french fries came with the Weinerschnitzel, and there was free ketchup!! Over here ketchup is not usually free. Weird. 

   

  

First Day

Switzerland!!

I am safely in Switzerland! YAY! My flight was sooo long. It was about five hours to Philadelphia, then a one hour layover, then an eight hour flight to Zurich. I met a friend called Corine, who was born in Switzerland and was going on the same flight as me! Lucky, huh? She was so nice and we stuck together for the flight to Philly and the layover, and for a little in Zurich. It was so nice to have someone to talk to on my lonely journey :( But i am so happy that she was there! Once I got into Zurich, I went to go get my luggage and I saw Jenna through these glass window things. We talked (even though we couldn't hear each other) and then I got my bags, which was super easy. Then I passed through this small security checkpoint where they just looked at my passport and waved me through. Then I met up with Jenna and we headed to her house. I was pretty exhausted right before the plane landed, but then I shifted into a kind of survival mode, where my only mission was to find Jenna and my bags. We got to her place and here is the Readers Digest version of what happened: talked with Mia, showered,  went out to a farmers market in the rain, came home, talked with Lexi, ate lunch, took a nap, went out to eat at a good restaurant, came home and watched High School Musical 2. So here I am. And I am not tired! (but Jenna is!) But I have to say that I had the best waffle cone ever! It was swiss chocolate in a thin cone and it was so good!

  I will put pictures on tomorrow. But I promise I did take pictures today! (Lexi...) It is so beautiful and I am so happy to be here!

Love you all! 

Leaving

I am leaving today. My flight leaves at 9:07, so I am almost out the door. Right now it is 6:00, so we are heading for the airport in about 20 minutes.
I am going to miss my family so much! But I know that I will have an amazing time in Switzerland, and I have already made the decision not to dwell on how much I miss them, because I want to enjoy my trip as much as possible. I don't know if that sounds insensitive or not, but I know that it will help me make my trip better.
I just wanted to say that I love my family sooo much!!! Luke, Nick, Lexi, Mike, Mom and Dad: I love you so much and can't wait to see you again. (p.s. look on my desk, there is something for you).
And all my friends! (here would be my SHOUTOUT to Maegan! hi maegan) I can't wait to come home and share all my stories (and gifts) with you all!
See ya when I get back... in 35 days! (I think it is 35 days...)
Love you all!

Check out my Slide Show!

EFY!

We finally got back from EFY late last night. It was such a relief to finally be home again!! But I had a wonderfully amazing time! Lexi and I shared a room, and then in our apartment there were two other bedrooms with 2 more girls apiece, so there were six of us total in our pretty sweet apartment. We had a kitchen, living room and two showers, which was perfect. I would say that the most fun part of the week was Friday night at the dance, thanks to one person specifically, who shall not be named. But our whole company, made up of about 40 kids, was together most of the dance. It was so much fun. My other favorite part was Thursday night, because that was Testimony Night, so everyone was crying and it was just a very spiritual experience. The low point of the week was Tuesday, because Lexi and I got lost!! BYU is so big, and we were just wandering around. We were only lost for about ten minutes, but still not a very good experience! Tuesday night was also a dance, which was two and a half hours long. I would have had a good time if it was only one hour long. Wednesday was Game Night with the whole session and Pizza Night with just the ten girls in my "family". That was so much fun!! Thursday was the Variety Show (a talent show), a beautiful musical program (which Mike and Brad were in) and then Testimony Meeting with just our company. Friday was the Service Project, where every pair knitted a hat for kids in need. Then there was the Banquet, pictures, and finally the dance.
My counselor's name was Emily and she was so nice and I love her to death! She is getting married to another counselor and the end of the summer sometime, so this week was the last time she could ever be a counselor for EFY, which made her pretty sad. But I bet she is super excited about getting married! :)
There were three other counselors for my company: Mike, Hayley, and Kenneth. Kenneth was sooo hilarious all the time!! Every time I would look over at him he was doing something that just made me laugh! Mike was really good at giving pep talks :) and Hayley has such a beautiful voice, I loved sitting next to her when she was singing. There will be pictures of all of them and people in my company when the new slideshow goes up. Overall, I had such a wonderful time at EFY and can't wait to go next year!!
p.s. I leave for Switzerland in TWO days!!