Switzerland-Day 1

Switzerland 🏔️ First and foremost, this is absolutely the most beautiful, breathtaking place ever!!! 

Thun, Interlaken, Harder Klum

We walked around Thun and admired the covered bridges and river just outside our hotel. We took a boat (free with Swiss travel pass) across Lake Thun (2 hours) and there are multiple stops on the way to Interlaken where it ends (Interlaken West). The water is so unbelievably beautiful and the view of the mountains was phenomenal. We walked around Interlaken enjoying the views and then took a gondola to Harder Klum to get a full view of Interlaken and Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. We took the train (Interlaken OST train station at the base of Harder Klum)  back to Thun that evening.

Many covered bridges crossing the rivers

Boat cruise-the water literally is turquoise. This was a fun castle to see from our boat cruise. 

❤️

Pyramid mountain behind Spiez

Gondola up to Harder Klum to view Interlaken and Lake Thun and Lake Brienz

Snow capped mountains

The views were breathtaking

Right outside our hotel, the river running through town 

  

European Adventure with my daughter ❤️

Taylor had a meeting in Germany for MKs in 11th grade. I traveled with her and we decided to go a week early and explore Europe a bit. Realizing we only have about 1 1/2 years with her and then she is off to college is hitting hard. It was the most amazing trip together and so thankful for this time we got to spend just mom and daughter. 

Switzerland/France/Germany

Getting there Switzerland:

Flights

Gaborone, Botswana  to Johannesburg, South Africa to Frankfurt, Germany, to Basel, Switzerland. 

Train from Basel, Switzerland (take bus line 50 from the airport to the Basel SBB train station) to Thun, Switzerland about 1 1/2 hours. 

Stay- We stayed at Hotel Aare Thun (4 nights)-can store luggage there is you arrive prior to check in. 

Travel-Swiss Travel pass was amazing to have, it allowed us to get on any bus or train and discounts on most gondolas (funiculars). We more than got our moneys worth although it was quite expensive initially. It made travel so much easier aside as we did not have to stress with buying tickets, we just hopped in and off and used the SBB app to see train/bus info and told us platforms etc. so easy! 

Food-All food we did got from the local grocery store called ‘Coop’. We got breakfast, lunch, and dinner there and saved us loads of money. Fresh baked goods, sandwiches, salads, fruit etc. Also get your Swiss chocolate from here 😉 Migrolino also a nice grocery store. 

Currency-Switzerland: Swiss Francs (CHF); France and Germany: Euro 

*Note-We brought a large backpack for our clothes and a small backpack for outings. Instead of a large backpack, would bring a large wheelie suitcase instead so I don’t have to carry everything. 

PTA

 I love being on the PTA at the kids schools and getting to know other parents and the students. We recently did an event for all of the 12th graders at Taylor and Bradyn’s high school. Many of these kids come to our high school ministry that we do once a month and it’s an opportunity to invite others. 

I was able to chat with another parent and she was saying that she was looking for something like Fusion for her son. So thankful for community and relationships we have here in Botswana. 

Students are going into exams so we did a stress buster.  we brought in all of the games we use at Fusion and also puppies from the local shelter. We had nearly 350 students that day and it was so fun to see them off of their phones, playing, and interacting with others and having a blast. Many thanks to Providence Baptist Church for bringing 9 square in the air in March, the students loved it!  

Tutti & Soli Music Concert

 Taylor has really enjoyed being in the ensemble/orchestra at school and also plugging into the A capella singing group at school. She and her classmates were able to perform at a music concert recently and was amazing to see all of the talent present at their school. 

Sip and Paint

 Taylor recently did a Sip and Paint (non-alcoholic of course) party for her 17th birthday. She and friends painted each other and then presented their painting to each other. 

Ellie wanted to do this as well with her best friend Jesse. It was so sweet to watch them ❤️

Finished product they gave each other

This was their paintings 

4th of July

 We always host a big 4th of July celebration and had so much fun having sweet friends over to celebrate with us. I literally only took 1 photo of the day and it was Taylor and sweet baby Caroline. Happy 4th of July 💥 

Ellie’s sports day

 Our kids have had the most amazing school for their primary/elementary school. Ellie recently had a sports day  with all of her classmates and we enjoyed watching her interact with them. 

Happy 17th birthday, Taylor

Taylor turned 17 on June 29. Unfortunately I was not home as I was in Johannesburg, South Africa for Ellie’s surgery and Brent was also traveling. One of our Journeygirls-Julia stayed with her for that week and truly made Taylor feel so special. So thankful for a wonderful community around us that loves on our kids! 

Taylor got to make pottery

Taylor and Julia

Breakfast at The Daily Grind for her birthday 

3D movie

 We went to watch the new Despicable me in 3D. It was such a fun activity to do with Ellie for the first time  

Ellie’s surgery

 Our sweet Ellie had to have surgery in late June is put grommets/tubes in her ears and have her adenoids removed. She was such a trooper! She had a pretty rough recovery but is doing so much better now. It’s so hard to watch your little ones not feeling good.

I am so thankful for a company that values the medical needs of its employees and gets us the care we need and where we need it.

Taylor made her packages to open

Before surgery

Ellie didn’t feel like doing a lot so we played lots of games. 

Once she felt better she picked out 2 special Barbies for doing so well. 

I got to visit with some dear friends while we were in Johannesburg having the surgery. They all helped me out so much in getting items we needed and just being with us. 

I love my friend Allison and she and her son Hunter went to a little local fair with us. 

And of course we had to get cotton candy