Our biggest trip yet!

So we've been in Texas for nearly two weeks and I have barely scratched the surface on seeing people...hence the reason Baby K and I are staying for a month. I've run into a number of people who have remarked that they love reading the blog (thanks, by the way), but also that I haven't posted in a while.  I would say I've been busy, but that feels a little strange to say considering that everyone I'm visiting with has a job and kids, and Baby K and I are just making the rounds visiting and doing stuff.

Headed to Texas from Basel; yes, that's all of our luggage for one month (including BK's stuff)

A few things about our trip to Texas so far...

Baby K could not have been better on the flights here. We went London-Chicago-Dallas to get here. London to Chicago was great; Chicago to Dallas was a little shaky, but I couldn't really blame her when we'd already been on a plane for eight hours and it was bedtime in Switzerland. I would be cranky if I were her too.

Stowed under the seat- she just needed some wiggle room

We were all family, all the time while BK was here. BK and I saw one couple friend while he was here, and other than that time was spent with family. So, if you're a friend, and I haven't seen you yet, don't feel left out. I haven't seen anyone else either.

Meeting "her" Baby K for the first time

Exhausted after our first weekend

I took a little helper with me last Monday to do stuff with me and "her Baby K." We just ran errands around town, but I think Abbs enjoyed getting to spend some time with Baby K...as long as she wasn't crying.

Feeding Baby K

We went to Horseshoe Bay to spend some time with BK's family this past weekend. BK played some golf, we celebrated some birthdays and an engagement, and Baby K had her first swim in Texas. As a side note, I forgot how ridiculously hot it is here in August. I've been enjoying highs around 75 degrees at home in Switzerland, so this heat is terrible. I just know Baby K is wondering where in the world we've brought her to that is so hot!

Enjoying a shady spot in the pool

Since BK has gone back to Switzerland, Baby K and I have been trying to catch our breath from ten days of constant running. She's transitioned well to the seven hour time change, and only woke up one time during the night for the first week. She back to normal and sleeping through the night now. Thank goodness- she's been sleeping through the night since she was eight weeks old, and even that one time was a little bit brutal.

Helping BK work before he left

We also briefly visited BK's home town in East Texas for a Sip-and-See for Baby K. We saw lots of friends who we hadn't seen in a long time, and who had never met Baby K. She did surprisingly well, considering that she's not all that used to being held and passed around by lots of new people. We've had lots of people visit in Switzerland, but not lots at one time; that's been something new here.

Being cute- she's really good at it!

I have realized a couple of things since I've been here, that I know are due to us living abroad. For example, I have no idea what to do with Baby K when I am shopping or going into a store of some sort. I am so not used to the whole idea of taking the car seat out of the car- it just seems so cumbersome. Unless I know that I'll be trying on clothes, I typically end up wrapping her on to me and heading inside. It just seems so much easier to me. It's also been reaffirmed that I hate umbrella strollers. 

How she feels about being lugged around in the car seat

Another thing, is that I thought only people in Switzerland looked at me like I was crazy with two dogs and a stroller. Apparently that's not just a Swiss thing. We got out today and walked my dad's two dogs, and people even commented that I was working hard and had my hands full. I guess I just think it's a waste to not walk with both baby and dogs. You know, that whole two birds, one stone thing.

Walking with Mags and Chum today

I'm sure we have lots more fun in store while we're here. And yes, I know I left some stuff out. At least Baby K has one thing that is still familiar- a weenie dog to keep her play mat warm, just like Tanner boy does at home.

Charlie keeping her play mat warm

Some things I missed along the way

I think I started this post about ten days ago, hopefully I can get it done now! In this crazy busy spring and summer I missed a few things along the way...just wanted to take a minute and share.

When Baby K was born all the parents came to visit us- first my mom (Mawmaw), then my dad and stepmom (Pop Pop and Mimi) and then BK's parents (Nani and Papa).  Baby K was born a week ahead of time, but BK and I only had a few days out of the hospital at home without any parental support. After the first day at home, and her crying all day long, we were ready for the experts to come in!

Mawmaw and Kate at lunch by the Rhine

Pop Pop and Mimi

Papa and Nani

At the beginning of May we had a couple of weeks to learn how to be a family of three (without numerous additional hands to help), then TR came to Basel to coincide with BK's first trip back to the US after Baby K's arrival. I briefly posted about part of our trip, but never came back to finish it. I think I left off when we were in Paris sightseeing, and lugging the stroller up and down Metro steps. We came back to Basel after our trip, hung out some more, and went to the Vitra Design Museum before she left.

TR, Baby K and I at the Louvre

A happy TR after her purchases

Baby K and me swinging at Vitra Design Museum

After TR headed home, we had about three weeks before BK's mom and sisters came for a visit in mid-June. In that little break, BK, Baby K and I headed down to Lugano for a long weekend getaway.  We enjoyed an Italian atmosphere, meals out, hiking and Lake Lugano.

Above Lake Lugano

BK's mom and sisters came to visit in mid-June, with she and his youngest sister (LK too) coming first, then all of us overlapping in Paris, then his middle sister (KM) and her daughter (HG) for the end of the trip. We met BK's mom and LK in Monaco the weekend they flew in. We also happened to be there at the same time as our friends B&J, who were on their own trip. Did you get all that? Baby K also took her first flight on this trip...we're up to five now, for those of you who are counting.

Sound asleep for the first take off

During our weekend in the south of France we did Monaco, but also stopped in Eze to explore and stayed one night near Cannes.

Exploring the streets of Eze

From there we headed back to Basel briefly, then were off to Paris to meet KM and HG and be there together with all of the girls. The trip was great, lots of fun, but also had challenges of a train strike in France, cancelled trains and bad hotels. BK and I got HG a scooter for Paris so she could keep up with all the walking; she scooted all around, and I think really liked it. We saw the big sites, and LK, KM and HG were able to do a couple of things that Baby K and I skipped out on in hopes of keeping her somewhat on a schedule and making dinner out possible for all of us.

HG scooting around Paris

A perfect day at the Eiffel Tower

When we came back from Paris, they only had a couple of days left with us. One Sunday afternoon we decided to go enjoy some German food and explore an area of the Black Forest. It was a great meal and really nice to get out and soak up the nice weather.

BK, Baby K and HG walking in the Black Forest

In addition to all of the above we made a day trip to Montreux to look at houses for our upcoming move; we ended up choosing the first one we saw. Two weeks after BK's family returned home, Carkel and JW came to visit (you can read about that here) and then we were off to the UK and Ireland with J&A (read about those here and here). Baby K also hit some milestones...she now rolls over (then gets stuck and frustrated) and eats solids!

Enjoying some carrots the day of the move

Oh yeah, and since then...we moved! Last week we relocated to Montreux, with move out on Monday and move in on Tuesday. I've had a few reality checks about moving somewhere new, especially considering it's another new language, even though we're in the same country. Hopefully you'll hear more on this later.

Enjoying their new view: the French Alps and Lake Geneva

And last, but certainly not least, tomorrow we leave for London to then head to the US for the first time with Baby K. It's our first long-haul flight, and Baby K and I will be there for a month. So...here we go again! I look forward to seeing many of you soon!

On to Northern Ireland and back to Switz...

From Dublin we drove to Northern Ireland and spent the rest of our time there. We headed up there so that BK and J could play golf at Royal County Down Golf Club, the number four golf course in the world! They had a great time playing an amazing course. A and I did not play, but we did go out and walk a few holes with them. You'll have to ask them more about their adventures on the course; I just know they reported in that they had a great time.

Entrance to golf course from our hotel

BK on the links!

While we were in Northern Ireland we stayed at a great hotel, the Slieve Donard. It ended up being more of a resort than we expected, but it was great. It's a Victorian Era hotel that has been completely updated and is in close proximity to both the golf course and main street in the town, and also sits right on the coast, making for some stunning views. I would highly recommend and would go back if we were ever in that part of the country again.

View of our hotel from the ocean

The final two days in Northern Ireland we left completely unplanned and decided that we would make a game time decision on what we wanted to do. This included extending our stay at the hotel and deciding that we were going to stay in Northern Ireland for the duration of our trip. On our first free day we headed up to the very northern coast to see Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle and go to Bushmill's Distillery.

Giant's Causeway

Giant's Causeway was really cool and very interesting. I don't even know how to describe it, other than a rock formation, but that just makes it sound so boring. It's an area right on the coast that has stacks and stacks of hexagonal shaped rocks. You can hike around on the rocks and hike up to various outlooks for a view of the coast. The visitors center also provides you with a free audio guide so you know what you're looking for and unique formations within the rocks that people have identified over the years.

Climbing on the rocks

From here we stopped for a quick lunch, then headed up to Dunluce Castle, which is not far from Giant's Causeway. We didn't actually go inside the castle, but it is a medieval castle that clings to the side of the mountain right on the ocean. I think part of what makes all these sites so interesting is that they are all on this wild, untamed coast line that has to be very harsh to live on. We hiked around a bit at the castle, and BK and J even went down into a cave that lead to the ocean.

Dunluce Castle

We then headed to Bushmill's Distillery, which has been licensed to distill since 1608. Unfortunately they don't allow anyone under eight-years-old to go on the tour, so Baby K and I had to sit this one out. We hung out with A in the cafe while BK and J did the tour. They acted like the tour wasn't all the great, but we had to try, just to see what the experience was like. You do get a free drink with your tour, which you can partake in at the cafe. I personally don't like whiskey at all, so this wasn't of much use to me.

Bushmill's Distillery

That night we enjoyed a nice dinner at one of the restaurants in our hotel and had a relatively early night. The next day we didn't do all that much before having to head back to Dublin to fly back to Basel that night. J&A attempted to golf, but got cancelled due to heavy fog, and BK, Baby K and I slept in (or rather, all took a nap during morning nap time). We did get out and walk along the ocean and promenade, and partook in one last dish of fish and chips along the main street in the town.

Heavy fog along the coast

We took the coastal route from Northern Ireland back to Dublin, stopping along the way if we saw something that peaked our interest. Thankfully, it was sunny most of the way back. Our flight to Basel was delayed, but we made it back to the apartment around midnight that night. I was seriously stressing (inside) about the late flight back, but our seasoned little traveler did great- eating her bedtime meal on the plane, then falling right asleep for the entire two hour flight.

Back in Switzerland, Baby K and I skipped the next day's trip to Luzern with BK and J&A, as we needed a day to recover. They went up to Mount Rigi, but were again greeted with fog, then explored around Luzern a little bit. Switzerland feels a lot different from the UK and Ireland, so I'm glad they got to have the experience. Baby K and I met them at our favorite Mexican restaurant in Basel for dinner after they returned that night.

They stopped to see the Lion in Luzern

Their final day was spent in a different part of Switzerland; we took the train to Bern, picked up a car (yes, we're buying a car- more on that later), then continued down to Montreux to show J&A where we would be living in the very near future. We had lunch, walked along the lake, went to see the new house, then made a very quick trip to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. I wish we would have had more time at the museum, as it is a very interactive experience. I'm sure BK and I will go back, since we'll be living down there, but we really enjoyed what we did get to see.

Olympic Museum- uniforms and equipment that has been used

After we got back to Basel that evening, BK walked J&A around Basel so they could see some of the city, then we had an easy dinner and early night since the taxi was picking them up at 5:30am the next morning.

Tired yet? Yeah, all of us were too, but had a great time on the trip. It felt crazy that we had gone back and forth between four countries in just a few days. J&A hit the ground running with us and we never really slowed down after that. If you're going to come to Europe you might as well make the most of it though!

BK and I have had about a week of downtime, but are gearing up for our move, which is happening on Monday!! Baby K has had some big milestones the past few days, but I'll have get back to you on those soon. Right after the move we're headed to the US for a month-long visit. Busy times!