Grandma S.

Next was a trip down to Fairbault to visit Great Grandma S. (Sarah's mom's, mom).

This was particularly special because Analise and her great Grandma are birthday buddies on June 29th.






















Grandma sang all the old favorites like "Su -la - lu - la" and "by-a, by-a" - and a few other Norwegian lullabies. She also did the Grandma S. specialty - rocking baby on a pillow on her tummy. Immediate relief for upset tummies!

Grandma and Grandpa J

Great Grandma and Great Grandpa J. came to visit this week. It was so neat to see Analise meet her great-grandparents (parent's of Sarah's dad). This is their first great grandchild - quite a special moment!
More pictures will follow of the four generations . . . .
































I remember singing songs with Grandma J. - there always seems to be one on the tip of her tongue. Music made car rides go by faster and made her house feel so lively. She made you feel like you were the most important thing in the world to her - thanks grandma! It was precious to watch her singing songs to Analise. The little gal listened pretty intently!

Hiking in Switzerland

After spending an afternoon at Ikea and then at home assembling furniture we felt a definite need to clear our heads. A drive around the area was just the remedy! We started off driving through the vineyards, which are ripe at this time of the year, as we followed Daniel's route to work. Then we turned away from the lake and started climbing into the foothills.
Driving through farmlands, pastures, orchards, tiny villages and rolling vineyards I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz saying to my little dog, "We're not in Paris anymore!"


























Eventually we pulled off to the side of the main road and found a little gravel trail and decided to go for a little hike. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more - me or Grady!
Babers enjoyed riding along with dad in the baby bjorn.












We tried for a few artistic shots along the way - which isn't hard to accomplish in such beautiful surroundings.
























Daniel calls this one "Cows in field with fog" I just called it "Cows in a fog"
We look forward to bringing you more from Switzerland - but we'll be in the states for the next couple of weeks - see you there!

A Rainbow

As we drove to Switzerland two weeks ago now, a small rainbow appeared in the sky. It grew stronger and stronger and then there was a double rainbow for awhile and a full arc across the sky. We were reminded of God's faithfulness in keeping His promises. It was an awesome encouragement as we headed with our little family to a new country.
Grady was actually really great on the trip and we snapped a picture of his relaxed pose - he was actually snoring here.
Why no pictures of Analise you may ask?
Well, I'll tell you - you would not want to have seen them! While she did sleep for most of the trip, she was also extremely fussy by the end. We think it has to do with the altitude change in the mountains. In order to calm her, I squeezed my way back between the door and the head rest of the car in order to sing songs and soothe her because she was facing backwards behind my seat and there was no place for me to sit next to her in the backseat. When we reached the border crossing Daniel said - "sit down, quick! we don't want to get pulled over because you don't have a seat belt on!" So I tried to get back through- but I was stuck! Totally wedged in there - I couldn't move! Then I started laughing so I was too weak to try. Meanwhile we're approaching the border and Daniel says, "what exactly would you like me to do?" To which I started laughing even harder- amidst the screaming baby in the back seat. Finally I was able to lift up the headrest slightly and slide back into place. Phew! It was close! So all that to say, no pictures of Analise were taken that day.

A Walk in the Park

After walking in the Champ de Mars (the park around the Eiffel Tower) - multiple times every day, it was hard to imagine that this would be our last walk. Daniel was waiting with the rented mini-van (yes, Daniel Mueller in a mini-van!!)
at the other end of the park and as we headed toward him he snapped a few pics of our last little walk.
I'm sure the little buddy misses his friends, but he's doing fine here now!

Moving Day

What can we say - it's just depressing.











I mean, look how depressed he looks - maybe that's because he doesn't like his pictures taken.








Boxes everywhere - who knew such a little apartment could have so much stuff!











Grady the helper is holding the door open for dad.

Last Day in Paris

Our last day in Paris feels so long ago already - but the memories of people and places are still fresh!
Our first stop was the St. Germain neighborhood. Walking the crowded crooked streets is always interesting. The yellow awning down the street is our favorite Naples Pizza place - best pizza in all Paris.



Next we walked across Pont Neuf near Notre Dame. Such a clear sunny day is a bit unusual for Paris (unless Alan "sunshine" Mueller is here) - so it was an extra special day!









Daniel poses with Analise on the bridge (I promise she's there.)












We stopped for an afternoon espresso along the Rue de Rivoli . . .




Then walked past the Louvre and through the Tuilerie Garden.




































She woke up! Quick - somebody get the camera, lets take a picture!












Mom and babers . . .











Heading back home after a long day in the city. Bye Paris, we'll miss you!