Firewood

Our Germany home boasts beauty and character! It has aged beams, huge wooden garage doors, dormer windows and a fireplace. However, when winter rolls around, it is as cold as a tin toilet seat in Fairbanks. Really...the only way to heat the house to a tolerable temperature is with a fire. Like everything else, firewood prices are double of that in the States. In order to cut our own, Alex would need to get his license to be deemed capable of running a chain saw. But it is possible to cut wood with someone who already has the license. So our dear land lady, set Alex up with her cousin, Gunther, who goes out regularly. I think we are dang blest because now our house is warm and Alex is able to get his hands dirty. AND Gunther has become a regular visitor on our door step, much to Alex's delight.

A Little Behind

At the beginning of September, Mike and Jana ventured over here for a visit. What a delightful time we had! Besides showing them around our area we road tripped to Normandy and Paris. Alex only got one speeding ticket so I consider the drive a success!

Drewski

As I tip toed into Pierce's bedroom, this if what befell my eyes! Maria, it made my think of Drew and your similar experience. Heaven forbid there are two screw balls in the family!

Catching Up

Ah......the summer has ended and I never took pictures of all the pool hopping we did! The pools over here are as sprawling as the parks, all government subsidized of course. Nevertheless, the last week of the swimming season sported beautiful weather and I was able to get a few pics of the pool just 5 minutes from our house.

Sand Box

As a kid I spent countless hours building tunnels, bridges, lakes, rivers, and roads in the sand box. So I finally convinced Alex that we needed to get one for the back yard! 

The Sawyer

Directly in the middle of our back lawn stood a skinny, scraggy evergreen tree. Alex and I wondered why anyone would plant a tree smack dab in the center of a yard. Worse yet, I think every neighbor hood cat used the tree well for a litter box. Not to mention the endless supply of unwanted pine needles everywhere! Maybe Gerda overheard us talking but one day she mentioned we could cut it down. And that is exactly what Alex did! Gerda explained that one of her first renters had bought a potted Christmas tree. Out of curiosity, once the season's festivities ended they planted the tree to see if it would grow. Well.......it did!

The Tirol

Time for a quick recap on our time in the Tirol. We ventured down to Austria with the Jone's for the Marathon/Half Marathon and then spent a few days enjoying the mountains together. Oh.....how it made me long for home. I have traveled the world far and wide and nothing can replace the wild Montana that lingers in my heart. However, we had a spectacular time and are extremely blest to have such dear friends.

The view from our quaint little apartment. Actually, it wasn't little at all. More like a pent house!:)

Enjoying fries and wurst.

While everyone toured the castle I walked around the lake with Pierce and Gretel......

Pierce squealed with delight at the millions of baby frogs jumping across the path.....he had to be reminded a few times that they were not to eat.

Morning wrestling session.....

Gretel's hair has gotten so blond!

The Looge course was a thrill!

Best buds. We love Luke!

Ice cream at the lake!

26.2

Some people get addicted to running marathons. I don't suppose that will happen to me. Completeing a marathon was merely a check on the ol' bucket list. Although......it turned in to a little more than that. The training leading up to a marathon requires running.....running A LOT. Not just running a lot........but a lot of long runs. During the countless miles my mind most often drifted to Theresa. I wished she was running next to me....or rather, she would have been way in front of me. And I would be so frusterated she was so much faster than me. On a few runs, I couldn't stop the lump from growing in my throat or the tears from sneaking out from under my sunglasses. Crying while running is really challenging, considering the airway feels the size of a coffee stir stick. On one such run I was on mile 5, pushing the Chariot, dreading the next 5 miles. I had just finished giving all my worries, sadness, emotions to God and a cyclist pulled up next to me and started talking in German. I responded I only spoke English and a conversation ensued. In two days "Nick" would compete in the European Ironman Championship. So........of course......true to old days my first thing to talk about was my sister. Her speed, endurance and her Half Ironman. Nick asked, "How did she do?" I don't talk about Theresa with....well.....anyone. But, it all just spilled out and Nick responded, "Oh...I see....so you're running this marathon with her on your mind." Exactly.....so simple......but that response meant the world. Sometimes its just the obvious waiting to be spoken aloud that will touch a person's heart. Needless to say, the next five miles flew by as we chatted it up.

The marathon went well. At mile 18 I wanted to quit and never run another step in my life. I lost one toe nail and was sore for two days....but now I am feeling better than ever. Of course, I ached to call Theresa and tell her all about it. I can hear her bouncy voice, "Margaret, I am so nervous for you......oh you will do so well.....I wish I was there.....I am so proud of you." I miss you Theresa, but I know you were there with me............closer than ever!



Grandma Loves Bike Riding

No doubt the high light of Mom's visit was the bike riding. We rented bikes from Base so we could all go riding together. Paved trails wind through the villages, farms and fields like an intricate maze. Easy riding, beautiful scenery and family! Thank you Jesus.

Alex cant believe how tall the wheat grows over here.

Gretel and Poppi

Switzerland

The Lauterbrunnen Valley.....words escape me. It was simply breath taking. And such a delight to share the beauty with family. This particular area of Switzerland has been on Dad's bucket list for quite some time. And I can see why! Thank you Dad and Mom!

Looking down on the town of Lauterbrunnen from the train to Wengen.

First tram ride up the right side of the valley.

Ah......such good lookin parents!

A moment of awe!

 Poppi is such a tease.....

Each morning we woke up to the sounds of bells clanging on the cow's necks as they were hearded from the valley bottom to the higher grazing ground.

 A park break in Murren.

Gretel got the biggest kick out of this slide. I was suprised she wasn't scared to go down because it was farely long and bumpy. 

Looking down on Murren as we took the next cog.

The Eiger is right behind Pierce's head.

Heading back down.

Out to enjoy some very expensive Swiss food.

We took a series of trains to the Jungfrau-Joch. That is, the saddle below the top of the Jungfrau. It takes about 2 hours to get from Lauterbrunnen to the observation center. Mid way up the train stopped in the middle of the Eiger and there is a view point looking out the north face of the mountain. Upon reaching the top, there was sledding, ice caves, restuarants and shops all in an impressively huge complex. And of course a few die hards were venturing out on skiis, skins, harnesses and crampons.

The Foursome.

Kleine Scheidegg sat on the ridge between the Lauterbrunnen valley and Grindewald. It's a ski resort that can be accessed either by Grindewald or Wengen.

A little refreshments before hiking.

Eiger - Monch - Jungfrau