Bean Sprout's due date

Hi family!

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving in all their respective locations. We had a wonderful weekend with the Calder clan! The van arrived around 8pm on Thanksgiving evening, filled with two little kids who need to get out some energy and have some dinner! We had the non-traditional thanksgiving meal of tortellini soup, which seamed to go over well with everyone! Danielle also had brought many things for Bean Sprout to use when she arrives – baby seats, play toys, bath tubs, and such! We are very thankful for all the hand-me overs!

Friday morning we woke up to the first snow of the season. Kathy & Melissa went off to an OB appointment while the Calder gang enjoyed the luxury of our temporary pad. Then after Heather enjoyed her long awaited opportunity to walk Chance, we headed out for sight seeing in Geneva. We rode the tram to go into the old city to see the St. Piere cathedral – which is said to be an instrumental church in the reformation - John Calvin was a preacher there. We enjoyed a snack of Chocolate chaud (hot chocolate) and creeps at a little café nearby. Heather was the hit of the place, she just talks to anyone – it doesn’t really matter to her that they speak French! We did a bit of window shopping in the old city shopping area, and Heather enjoyed a ride on the round and round! Then we walked over to the lake the Geneva end of Lac Leman. We headed back home to once again leave the Calders in Carouge while Melissa and I headed off to pre-natal class.

Saturday morning we were up bright and early on our way to see Santa Clause. With a little over an hour ride to Montreaux, we caught a train that took us up the mountain to Santa’s village. While on the train Heather made a friend with a little French girl sitting next to us. At Santa’s village, there were live reindeer, snow, St. Bernard dogs, snow, and of course the trip would not have been complete without an opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap. Heather of course told Santa all about the baby in Aunt Kathy’s belly and that she lived in Frickenhausen! Hugh was fascinated by Santa. Santa gave them each a little present with Gingerbread treats. We all enjoyed a traditional Swiss lunch of Fondue before we headed out to give Heather a little time to play in the snow. Heather made snow angels and took a ride on the swing set as well as petted the St. Bernard dogs.

After our eventful afternoon in with Santa, we headed back down the mountain to enjoy a Swiss Christmas market in Montreaux. Montreaux is at the other end of Lac Leman – needless to say it is a very big lake! I’m not sure we bought too much at the stalls, but we sure did eat our way through the market! Wonderful Italian hot chocolate – that was really, really thick and tasty. Belgian waffles, hot chestnuts, creeps, Belgian waffles again, and of course some hot wine for the drinkers in the gang. What do you know? There was another round and round for Heather to ride on as well. She enjoyed her ride and had a wonderful chat with another new friend on a neighboring horse.

Sunday was a bit sad as we had to pack up the Calders for their ride back to Frickenhausen. It took them about 7 hrs each way, but at least could enjoy looking at a bit of Switzerland during the daylight on their way back home.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend as well. We miss and love you all.