Thomas turned 5!!!

Taking in to consideration we just got back from a two week trip. We opted to have a family birthday for Thomas. We spent the morning getting sports physicals for Cassidy and Zachary. So I guess his first birthday present was that he didn't get any shots. We spent all Spring going between baseball practice and baseball games. So you will never guess what I made for Thomas' birthday cake.

Zachary enjoyed looking at the Dr. Seuss book. Cassidy just wanted to see what was coming next. Thomas is checking out his new PS3 game. He got Toy Story 3 and was so excited.

Thomas also got a glider airplane and rocket launcher. Stewart is showing the boys how the rocket launcher works. Zachary soon got the hang of it.

Thomas loves flying airplanes, so this glider was perfect. It even came with a Playmobil toy pilot, who flew so fast he lost his hat.

Schilthorn

One of the big reasons for stopping in Switzerland on our way home was to go to the top of the Schilthorn. Stewart had been up to the top with his parents, but the kids and I had never been. The big difference this time for Stewart was that he was going to hike up there. To get to the top you have to take several cable cars. Our first cable car took us to Gimmelwald where we were meeting up with the Petty's. They were staying at a bed and breakfast there.




The kids were happy to discover a play area when we got off the cable car. The kids played here for a bit while the hikers were taking care of their last preparations for the hike.

Frank, Jacob (Frank's brother in law, who lives in Switzerland) and Stewart are smiling before they head off on their journey. Emily and I let the kids play a little longer then we headed up to the top of the mountain to have breakfast.

At the top of the Schilthorn is a rotating restaurant, the Piz Gloria. We had at least 4 hours to kill before the boys arrived, so we ate very, very slowly. Our "James Bond Breakfast" was delicious. The kids liked guessing where the buffet was located. The seating area rotated around giving us a great 360 view, but the inside of the restaurant did not rotate. So when we went to fill our plates, it turned into a hunt for the food. Again we had 4 hours to kill.



















The Piz Gloria was the hideout for the villain in On Her Majesty's Secret Service the 1963 James Bond film. After being here we had to go home and watch the movie and these rings were in the movie, but without he kids heads sticking through them. In fact the production actually financed the completion of the building.

So after the longest breakfast I think I have ever had, especially since I had kids, we headed outside. The clouds were moving fast and the blue sky was beautiful, but it was windy and a bit cold.

As luck would have it, one of the boys discovered a balloon sometime during breakfast. The adults confiscated it, but let them play with it after breakfast. Just a little fussball in the fog. Of course the balloon was eventually kicked over the edge of the rail and lost for good.

Another form of entertainment was some coloring time. I stole a few kids lunch menu's as we were leaving the restaurant, so all the kids had something to color. We also watched a film about the making of Piz Gloria and it even had a few scenes from the James Bond film. The kids especially liked Bond's narrow escape from his enemies by skiing down from this mountain. The gun fire and avalanches also entertained them. I am not sure how many times we watched this film while waiting for the men.

We walked around and found a safe place for the kids to gather and look at rocks. We could have wondered down some of the trails, but I don't think either Emily nor I wanted to tackle this with 5 kids.

As our time up here grew longer and longer more and more clouds were moving in. We started talking about the men and their life insurance policies.



But this is what they saw on their hide.

Could you ask for better weather or a better view?

Well, I guess I spoke too soon. A few hours into the hike and the fog rolled in around them as well. Luckily they followed the trail markers.

I am glad Stewart had someone to do this with, because I am not sure I would have made it. Too many steep drop offs.

Emily and I broke out the snacks for the kids. We were waiting around up top, expecting the men any minute, any minute.

They made it! After almost 5 and a half hours they were at the top. They were tired, hungry, excited, hungry and safe.

The Petty's and the Grover's at the top of the Schilthorn. Before heading back down the mountain (and heading home for the Grover's) we had lunch in Piz Gloria.

Jungfraujoch

We love Interlocken. We camped just up the mountain in Lauterbrunnen. It is a beautiful place and there are so many things to do here. We came here for a night when Stewart's sister and her husband visited. Stewart also brought his parents and his brother Chase here when they were visiting. I stayed how with the kids in school. He was able to take the train to the top of Europe, but I was not. So Cassidy and I took the trip today.

It was a long slow train ride up the mountain. So Cassidy braided my hair on the way. There were a few stops on the way. We picked up and dropped off passengers, but we kept going.

We made it to the first scenic pit stop, Eigerwand (the Eiger north face). Everyone rushed out of the train to get pictures. We waited until they were gone then took our pictures.

Our next pit stop was Eismeer (the ice sea). And that is exactly what we saw.

We finally made it to our destination, Jungfraujoch (the virgin yoke). There are several tourist attractions at the top of Europe. One of those is the Ice Palace. We walked to the Ice Palace first. I slipped, but didn't fall at least. You enter the Ice Palace by walking down a few stairs. There are warning signs and you know you are about to step out onto ice. But even with all that I was unprepared and lost my footing. Cassidy on the other hand slid on purpose, skating down the hall.

We had a good time.

There were several areas that contained ice sculptures, these were our favorites.

After exploring the Ice Palace and purchasing a key chain for Cassidy, we made it outside. So even though we are at the top of Europe at 11, 782 feet, it was funny to think that we both have been even higher than this in Colorado and without all the ice. It was hard to pack for our two week trip. It was just a few days ago we were sweating in Pisa and playing on the beach. Now Cassidy and I are freezing.

We finally made it out to the plateau.

After walking around on the plateau we went back underground and over to the Sphinx. It was cold and windy. OK, even colder and windier than the other side. And the clouds were all around us. After walking around a little while I looked down (the picture on the right) and figured it was probably better that I couldn't see down and thankful for the clouds.

The good thing about the wind was that the clouds also blew away. It was never a clear view, but we had several moments of partially clear views. None of which I got on camera, because they came and went so fast. It was actually fun to sit up there with Cassidy and guess which side we would be able to see next.

I am not sure why, but there were plastic cows inside the building. So, we took our picture.

We exited onto the glacier at the bottom of the Sphinx and found some people gearing up for snowshoeing. And even more out walking across the glacier.

















After walking about 10 minutes, we decided we really needed sun glasses. We would have hiked more, but we weren't enjoying ourselves anymore the glare was too blinding. So Cassidy opted for a nap.

We walked around inside the Ice Palace some more then headed back down the mountain.

What a breathtaking ride.

Cassidy and I got done with our train ride and walked back to the campground. Stewart had taken the boys on a hike to see a waterfall. We still had an afternoon to kill, so we went to the pool.



























The pool had toys, goggles and just about everything else you could think of for the kids to play with, even a slide. Cassidy met up with an American friend, she met last night at the campground.

The kids had a good time.

We walked back to our camp site and had dinner. The Petty's stopped by with some ice cream for dessert.

It was a busy day and to keep the boys from going crazy inside the tent while Cassidy was getting ready for bed, we played a game of Uno. Then we played a few more hands with Cassidy until it got too dark to see. We all slept well.