Burning of the Böögg

It's the Swiss version of Groundhog's Day which afforded us our most recent half-day holiday in Switzerland. Zürich Sechseläuten takes place on the third Monday of every April - but instead of Punxatawny Phil popping out of a hole to see his shadow - the Swiss prefer to burn an innocent looking little Snowman (the Böögg) to see how fast his head (full of explosives) will go up in flames! The faster the better, as it marks the start of a warm summer if he goes quickly...I believe this year he was DONE in a record 12 minutes 55 seconds!

After the snowman blows, everyone takes hot coals from the fire pit and uses them to BBQ - our friend Ange brought her little grill down and we had a good old fashioned weenie roast while the fire died down.

Hadley road shotgun and seemed to enjoy herself when she wasn't conked out :)

Talkin' to her monkeys...

A little shout out.

So at this point I think most of everyone is aware...Andy and I are (most likely - we say "most likely" because I think we're both in a little bit of denial...and that does not - unforunately - refer to the river in Egypt). However, I digress. Basically we're moving home as of August 1. Woo, I really had to type that fast to get it out. Anyhow, my reason for this blog (and trust me, I will do a long one later about the number of reasons I will miss Zurich and also the number of reasons I am excited to move home) - I want to give a little shout out to my Zurich girls. These two women have been my saving grace here - they are amazing people, amazing friends - friends that I will keep for the rest of my life - and I will really miss our weekly sushi dates as "Charlie's Angels" (as our favorite waiter, James, calls us) - but mostly I will just miss their beautiful faces... Auntie Anna, Auntie Lisa -I will miss you most of all.

Packing.

What a mess! We leave this Saturday for a FOUR WEEK TRIP...yes that's right folks, FOUR WEEKS. Can one even begin to imagine how much stuff one little family of three needs to take for four weeks?! Not to mention the number of diapers, changes of clothes, servings of formula and burp cloths we are taking on the plane alone...for a FOURTEEN HOUR FLIGHT!!! Hadley is being a good sport watching Mom & Dad running around the house with our heads cut off!

In other news - we can't wait to see everyone. We have quite the itenerary mapped out and hope we're able to make it all happen. Highlights of the plan: introducing Hadley to the three sets of Grandparents and three sets of Great-Grandparents that haven't met her yet (and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins), Spring Release wine weekend in Walla Walla, a huge Mother's Day bash at Andy's Mom's house, a baby shower I am throwing for my best friend Angela, finally getting to hold my other best friend Julie's baby Bennett, an overnight trip to Derek & MaryLee's beach cabin (finally) and last but certainly not least...a whrilwind trip through Seattle where we stop off at every good friends' house we can manage - we can't wait to show off our daughter! Whew, I am tired just thinking about it!

Happy 70th to Loren!

Can anyone believe that my step dad is actually 70 years old today? Everyone says he looks more like 50, and we couldn't agree more! For his big day he's all set to take the hog out for a 100 mile ride with a friend (yes, he now owns a motorcycle - nothing like a hog to keep a man young!) Happy birthday Loren - we love you!!