Mount Titlis

A few days before Christmas, 

we took off for the Alps and hiked

Mount Titlis with our friends. 

photos and videography courtesy of Alysa Aeschbacher

Konstanz

The past couple weeks have been crazy. 

We moved apartments but had a small gap between our contracts, 

so we took the opportunity to travel to Konstanz!

View from our Airbnb room!

Grossmünster

Imperia Statue

Standing in 2 countries at once!

Konstanz Weihnachtsmarkt

fresh baked gingerbread and pony rides

Weihnachtsschiff

Delicious Baumstriezel

Dresdner Handbrot

We love German street food. 

It is seriously the most delicious thing we have ever tasted. 

Our last night we had dinner reservations at Tolle Knolle. 

potato pizza and caprese salad

and the most delicious authentic German chocolate cake

Tolle Knolle was awesome.  

Good food, nice atmosphere, great price. 

All of our friends recommended it and we were not disappointed!

We have debated taking the train to Tolle Knolle for dinner...

it would still be less than eating out here in Zurich!

All around, Konstanz was wonderful. 

Even with overcast skies,  

the lake and town were beautiful and so much fun. 

We would highly recommend it :)

Appenzell

A few weekends ago we traveled to Appenzell for a stake ball. 

We had a very traditional Swiss meal of hand made veal Bratwurst and Älplermagronen. 

There was dancing, real dancing. 

The Swiss don't slow dance or mosh pit - 

they swing dance and foxtrot.  

It is quite fabulous. 

We were entertained by a folk group from Appenzell
who played the hammered dulcimer and yodeled!

They used coins and large ceramic bowls to make undertones. 

We got to try our hand at the bowls too!

We had a lot of fun!

We like this whole Switzerland thing :)

11.11 @ 11:11

Every year Zurich prepares for Mercedes Benz Fashion Days with a carnival. 

The main event is a parade held at 11:11 on November 11. 

We took a break from our studies to hop on down to see the celebration!

Basically lots of people dress up in crazy costumes, paint their faces, 

and musical groups from all over play music in the square

ALL AT THE SAME TIME. 

We should have brought ear plugs.  But it was awesome. 

Fog

Last weekend the most incredible fog set in over Zurich. 

It was impossible to see more than 30 feet in front of you. 

The fog, while initially intriguing, was suffocating. 

Fortunately, a day later the fog completely dissipated. 

As I stood taking this picture Sunday after church, 

I thought about metaphorical fog. 

Fog can take many forms - 

sin, indifference, laziness 

- but it's debilitating effects are the same. 

The fog creeps in and before you realize it, 

your view is gone.

You have forgotten your purpose. 

You can no longer see the finish line, 

so you give up.  

I know with every fiber of my being that there is a God.  

He is our Heavenly Father. 

 He has a plan for you, and you can make it to the finish line. 

He will guide you. 

He will lift the fog so you can see. 

He will heal you. 

All you have to do is hold to the rod. 

Hold fast to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, 

strive to live as He lived, 

work every day to be better than the last, 

and He will pour out his blessings upon you. 

I believe. 

Fall's little blessings

Early morning runs by the lake

Long school days
marroni

German lessons with the Elders

bratwurst and rösti

FHE with the young married's
clear days and mountain views

macaron parties

rainy strolls around Zurich
zopf

running to catch the train

bargain hunting at Zuercher Brockenhaus

Swiss chocolate
sunsets

So grateful for life's little blessings.

Bonjour from Colmar

Last weekend, Stephen and I joined our friends for a day trip to France!

Our friends have a vlog, 

so we decided to let them take the reigns 

on documenting our adventures. 

France is beautiful. 

I actually craved macarons for days after.   

So the ladies had a macaron making party.
Recipe HERE.

5 hours later, we had dozens to feast on.

Now, if you'll excuse me,

I think I will go eat one now :)

While the Girls are Away, the Boys Play!

Last weekend Stephen and I split up for different adventures!

WOMEN: 

The stake Relief Society put on a Women's Weekend in Lenzerheide. 

All weekend we played in the Alps, 

spent hours at the spa, 

knit scarves with our arms, 

rehearsed choral music, 

and ate yummy food.

Oh and we took pictures.  

Well... mostly pictures of silly Ali in a gorgeous place ;)

*pc Alysa Aeschbacher*

MEN: 

The men took a slightly different approach with an 

all-night hike in the mountains. 

If that wasn't enough to inspire male bravado, 

they carried torches. 

*This is all I got picture-wise.  Men aren't good about taking pictures. And it was night - go figure.*

We both had a lot of fun, 

but we were glad to be home together at the end of the weekend. 

Adventures with the Parents Part 2 :: Austria

When my parents were in town, 

we decided to take a couple day trip to Austria!

We actually stayed the night in Innsbruck.  Innsbruck has a lot to do, but it is a big city.  I would recommend staying just outside of Innsbruck or in one of the alp ski towns like Lech. 

 Egg, Austria

 Cow traffic

 Lech, Austria

Hiking in Arlberg

On the drive back, we smelled something DELICIOUS. 

So we pulled over in this little town and followed the scent to this restaurant. 

Happy Dad. 

Lake Constance, Switzerland