WHAT???

I am mortified that the last time I posted anything was in August! Here is my weak attempt to explain ... we've been so busy (couple of trips, school and Bible Study started, we MOVED, we've been SICK). Plus, we lost our internet the first week of September and only got it back this past Monday. I had a few opportunities to check email, but never really had the time to blog. So, I'M SORRY! Here's a brief update on our lives and what we've been up to:

Travels:

A most amazing several days was spent in Jungfrau, Switzerland! We camped with several families from our church. Hiked gorgeous paths leading to breathtaking waterfalls ... ate great food around the campfire ... enjoyed wonderful conversation -- and lots of laughs -- with our friends. It was a GREAT time! Our kids got to experience freezing weather in a tent, but they rebounded during the day when the sun would finally peak out from behind the mountains. I will post pics -- and must say, Switzerland has moved to #1 on "My Favorite Place to Visit" list! Have to mention, the night we arrived it was POURING down rain. We pitched our tent and prepared dinner on the grill in rainy, cold weather -- and we didn't pack up and leave!!!!

Last week we returned to Garmisch, Germany (in the German Alps) to the Edelweiss Hotel. Greg had training classes during the day, so the kids and me headed out on our own! We walked into town one day and did some window shopping (and ate at McDonalds). Another day, we drove to Linderhof Castle (a nice trip up a mountain road ... Ashley was GREEN!) Again, I will post pictures. I love how my girls love listening to the tour guides and are learning so much! We enjoyed the inside of the castle (Lexi especially loved the bedroom with the HUGE bed, all of the blue velvet bed coverings, and the 1/2 ton chandelier.) The gardens outside were very beautiful, too and we enjoyed our picnic lunch. Edelweiss has a great pool and hot tub,so we spent some time there. The HIGHLIGHT of our trip was the cable car ride to the top of the Zugspitze -- the highest mountain peak in Germany. Have to admit, while trying to help my kids not to panic, I felt a little afraid myself as we climbed higher and higher. Near the top, It looked like we were headed straight into the rocky face of the mountain! At the top, however, it was AMAZING! We spent some time in Germany, then crossed over into Austria. We also sat in a little restaurant overlooking the clouds. It was awesome to drink hot chocolate and eat pretzels while sitting in the sky! The trip back down didn't feel as scary ... except for the fact that they stuffed us like sardines into the cable car! So glad we had the experience! Something the kids will (hopefully) never forget.

Ok, this has turned into a mini-novel, so I'll stop for now and post some pics. Will be back SOON to update some more. Thanks for sticking with me, friends!!! We treasure your continued prayers and apologize, again, for the "blog silence"