Where are we headed today?

All the boxes are emptied and our house is feeling more like our home.  It's a great feeling when you can empty boxes!  The Swiss definitely know how to make use of room- they build closets into many of the walls in bedrooms and hallways, which makes for great storage- I think I actually have more storage/closet space here than back in Lakeville.  We are continuing to explore and find places to take people when they visit- we are so excited to have any of you visit!!

So, the second week... we found some new very cool places!  On Monday, it was rainy and we went to the store in the morning and in the afternoon we ventured out to find a library that was supposed to have kid activities.  Unfortunately, "Helen" (our car and GPS), was already in the shop- electrical error, so we were driving a rental without a "Helen."  So, it was up to my phone, and let's just say that really means no help... we ended in a sketchy part of town with a lot of one way streets- it's a pretty frustrating situation when you want to get somewhere, but can't.  Growing up and living in MN my whole life, I typically knew where I was going all the time... so, this is something I am getting used to.  We finally found the library- took another 20 minutes to try to find parking, after going down a one way the wrong way and of course the only car coming towards me was a cop- hmmm...not a good situation!  I rolled down my window to chat with them, and they just shook their head and drove away- I guess that's better than a ticket!  Finally found a parking spot, walked to the library and the doors were closed :(  So, Adalyn had a great spirit and said that she would just make a library at home and Eliza and I could be the guests- so that's what we did!!  I am sure we will have many more days ahead like that -

On Tuesday, we went to Geneve Plage.  It is a water park on the eastern bank of Lake Geneva.  It has an olympic size pool, water slide, kiddie pool area, and a playground/sand play area.  It is right on the lake, so the views are amazing- the girls had a great time.  They played in the kiddie pool area and also spent a lot of time on the playground.  Eliza loved playing in the sand- and of course sampling the sand, she will eat anything- literally!!!

Random toys Eliza found in the sand to play with...

On Wednesday, we visited the "Stuffed Animal Museum."  I was told about this museum last week, and was a little confused on what to expect- I envisioned stuffed animals and was wondering how they could create a museum around stuffed animals.  Well, it was actual animals stuffed!  In a way, I felt as though I was back home- since growing up we had stuffed turkeys, deer heads, bears, etc.!  The Natural History Museum had four floors filled with animals from all over the World.  The girls loved it- it was like a zoo- but the animals were super close up!  They looked so real- Adalyn actually was a little scared of the tigers!!!  It is a free museum and a great thing to do on a rainy day- we will probably be regulars there. It was so fun watching Eliza point to things and get excited-

We felt like we were at the safari!   

 Loving the animals- Adalyn looking a bit scared!

The scary tigers!!  

On Thursday and Friday it was a bit colder and rainy, so we did more shopping exploring!  Adalyn had wanted a fish before we moved, we told her she could get one in Geneva.  So, Friday we went to the mall- which actually has a fish store- to pick one out.  She wanted "Nemo", unfortunately "Nemo" and all of other fish at the store require salt water and tanks to keep them alive.  We were hoping for a single fish that could just swim in a glass bowl with tap water and be happy, I don't think those exist anymore!  The lady explained all the fish there would die in a glass bowl... so, Plan B, we headed to a store that sold toys and Adalyn got to pick out a different pet, which requires way less maintenance- so mommy and daddy were happy!!  This is "Nutter Butter", the new addition to our family...

Unfortunately, the horse was supposed to be for Adalyn and Eliza but Eliza is TERRIFIED of Nutter Butter!!  She walks when you press a buttom and when Eliza seess her walking she immediately runs the other way- most of the time crying and finding a corner to hide in.  So, Nutter Butter is in her "stable" a lot!  

We have been very fortunate and the weather on the weekends has been amazing to go out exploring as a family.  On Saturday, we headed to Annecy, France.  Adalyn got to see her first real castle- Palais de l'Isle, which is a castle situated in the center of the Thiou canal built in 1132.  The Lord of Annecy lived there during the 12th century and later became a courthouse, and then finally a jail cell!  

 Princess Adalyn found her first castle!

Annecy is a 45 minute drive from our house and will for sure be a place we take visitors.  It is known as being the "Alpine Venetia" since it has canals everywhere, it reminded us a lot of Venice.  You could get lost just walking along the cobblestone alleys filled with shops and restaurants. We walked around for about two hours taking in all the beautiful architecture and uniqueness of the town.  

Such a beautiful place- 

It was such a wonderful morning in Annecy- it is a very popular place to visit, so we were happy we got there early in the morning because as we were leaving traffic was crazy getting into the town.  As we were driving home, Adalyn asked if it was a painting outside her window since the scenery was so beautiful.

On Saturday night, we actually had plans!!  I know... hard to believe!  The only other family we know here, Chris' co-worker's family, who are also from Lakeville, invited us over for a barbecue.  It felt so great to get out of the house and have adult conversations with others in English!  They have three kids, two boys and a girl, and the girl is almost the same age as Adalyn, so they played together non-stop all night.  They made hamburgers, corn on the cob, a yummy salad, and angel food cake... a true Minnesotan meal!  It was such a fun night out.  

On Sunday, we headed to Old Town Geneva to check that out- they have an English speaking church there, so we decided to try it out.  We went to the Old Town earlier in the morning so we could grab a light breakfast and enjoy the sunshine.  

Eliza eating the lemon whole... such a crazy girl!   

Adalyn loving her hot chocolate-

After breakfast, we walked around the cobblestone paths for about an hour- we went up to a look out spot and girls enjoyed running around there.  We had an amazing morning wandering around Old Town.  

Eliza LOVES her big sister- she is ALWAYS two steps behind her trying to do everything she does! 

One thing I had heard when considering to move to Geneva was they had many play grounds and things for kids to do- that's not a lie.  We have found so many awesome playgrounds and the girls could literally spend hours playing at each one- here are just a few park pics from this week.

Eliza also insists on holding Adalyn's hand wherever we go!  It is really cute... this is even how they ride in the car!

Adalyn is such a great big sister and is enjoying that Eliza is now becoming a person, who can talk and play with her!  It is so great to know that they have each other during this transition time and new chapter in their lives- 

Here is a picture of Eliza eating a cucumber- unfortunately, she can open or fridge here, so when she feels hungry, which is quite often, she will go into the fridge and take something out at her height. This time, she found a cucumber and just started walking around the house eating it and kept offering it to me and Adalyn- she is also sporting the European topless look!  (I eventually took the cucumber away from her before she ate it all!)

It was another successful week for the Pothen's!  We look forward to the adventures that await us- until then... Au Revoir!