The Swiss Adventure...: 2012

Monday, December 24, 2012

Our Blog Address has moved...

Dear All,

Here is the last post on our "old" blog site Schoutensblog.blogspot.com.

We have a new address, robertandmelinda.blogspot.com, where the adventure continues... you can continue to check this blog space for all the historic trips, kids, and fun we have had, but be sure to check out the new blog for all the new postings.

The Schoutens

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

These Days...

We Are:

Listening to Tracy Chapman an old time favorite and enjoying the lyrics from Mountain O’ Things...lovely, lovely song and makes us realize that to strive for things is simply a waste of time.

Relishing in the cultural opportunities this sweet little city has to offer and taking my babes to a free little circus weekly as they so enjoy their time.

Sledding in snow on Saturday.

Welcoming Robert back from America and happy to have that trip behind us before we head into the holidays.

Still reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau and amazed at the wisdom and radical thinking of a man so many years ago.

A bit tired this week and ready to move into a slower pace very soon!

Thankful for the opportunity to express love this holiday season without the need to purchase numerous gifts for my dear husband. Our children will receive gifts...just not too many.

Thinking of ways to get a bit more space on this blog.

Having fun with our other blog: http://m2explore.wordpress.com/

Looking forward to Noah’s 4th year celebration with friends on Saturday.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish everyone a wonderful day filled with the joy of family and friends.

Today we are thankful for abundant health, each other, rich experiences that make up our lives, family, friends, warmth, safety and shelter.

It is the little things in life really that make this journey remarkable.

Enjoy the day!

P.S. Sorry about not including a photo...seems we are out of space once again!

Hence the colored text!

Friday, November 16, 2012

We Are...

Enjoying the colder temperatures.
Playing in fountains.
Still enjoying leaves of orange, red, yellow and green!
Hiking whenever we can.
Reading good books including: Walden, Stick Man, I Took The Moon for a Walk, and many more.
Finishing up the BCT's newsletter and thankful for another full year of volunteering.
Listening to the Wailin' Jenny's ... still as they are just too good!
Looking forward to a fun weekend.
Cannot believe that our little boy will be four very soon.
Wishing my best friend all the best as they adjust to their new family of 5!
Congrats Jenifer and Aaron on the arrival of beautiful Avery!
Grateful for health, despite a few sniffles and ready to get that juicer!
Wishing you all a wonderful end to the week and sending birthday wishes to the following:
Aaron, Avery, Tricia, Matthew, Janet, and Leah - may this year be the best ever!

On the phone with a little molasses on the face....just another day.

Tessa on her wheels

Noah biking with white bear - thanks Anne!

Our children

Playing with stacking cups...who knew something so small could be so fun!?

Listening to a little music.

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Weekends

Halloween - Noah a Tiger and Tessa a Bear

Gorgeous fall colors.

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It was a perfect fall weekend.

Oh, it was rich and complete in every way.

We spent Saturday morning walking, meandering and exploring some local vineyards.

I am not sure what it is about walking through vineyards, but they hold a true sense of wonder and magic.

Noah enjoying the vineyards

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The leaves were at their peak, the grapes had yet to be harvested and the colors that spread out before us were vibrant and welcome to our eyes.

The temperature was crisp, apples had just fallen from the trees, the children were delighted to be exploring outside and we wished the day could have lasted forever.

I adore days like this and I simply LOVE the fall.

Bliss!

My people.

Lovely blend of colors...blue skies meet green grass.

Magic I tell you...magic!

A tired Tessa sleeping peacefully on Robert's back

I LOVE this series of shots of Noah. He looks so engaged and so ready to just tell us all about the grapes and the wine they can make. Maybe a future profession?!

Nature was all around and perfect!

Walled in church in Muttenz, which has become our second home. Noah has forest school in the town twice a week.

To make the day that much sweeter, I went to a clothing swap (awesome idea!) with friends that afternoon, recycling clothes and enjoying others discards.

That night Robert and I enjoyed the wine messe for the first time and felt truly filled with experiences.

The day was full, long and perfect in every way.

A weekend of relaxing in nature, enjoying all that was created by her and those hard working hands. Ahh…thank you lovely weekends – thank you for firsts, for new experiences and my dear family.

My two little people relaxing

Noah at the Natural History museum...a Sunday morning spent learning and discovering.

Some weekends should be held on to tightly...this was one of them.

Friday, November 02, 2012

Hugs!

We Are:
Blessed that family and friends are safe and sound after Sandy.

Watching our little gal take steps on her own and smiling deeply as she an Noah embrace!

Listening to the talented trio – Wailin’ Jennys and amazed at how beautiful their voices sound together. I love the lyrics from Bird Song... "I'd like to be those flowers open to everything." Ahh...well said, well said!

Finished Bringing Up Bébé and thinking about different parenting philosophies.

Looking forward to diving into Walden by Henry David Thoreau and enjoying all of his wisdom.

Reading favorite winter books to Noah and Tessa including: Stick Man, The Polar Express, The Little Hedgehog.

Enjoying our new fireplace immensely and the cozy feeling it brings. Thank you Robert!

Settling in and bracing ourselves for what might be a long winter after our first snow hit this past weekend.

Looking forward to enjoying the wine messe for the first time.

Grateful to hear from old friends and reliving wonderful memories from the past.

Herbstmesse

High above the city in the white wheel

Tessa and Noah on the white wheel and amazed

They loved being so high in the sky

Friday, October 26, 2012

These Days...

Are filled with all things pumpkin: homemade pumpkin muffins, soup, carving, festivals and much more.
Swinging from ropes in old barns!
Tasting over 16 different types of apple juice and relishing in the flavors of each one.
We are enjoying the St. Jakob Botanical Gardens and all of the beauty the gardens offer this time of year.
We are hiking with new friends through beautiful villages. I love that we live in a country that still has "villages."
I am watching our daughter climb on everything and amazed at her intellect...stacking pillows to get on the couch, using a box as a step stool to get onto the coffee table, climbing into the chair in her room to read a book.
I am reading and enjoying Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman.
I am listening to the mellow sounds of Colin Hay and remembering life in Pennsylvania on 205 Curtis Court slowly waking to his song, I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You.
We are bracing ourselves for our first cold spell and looking forward to enjoying some potential snow...oh, so early in the season!
We are sticking close to home, but looking forward to Herbstmesse and the white wheel!
Today, we wish you a wonderful weekend!

Muttenz Farmer's Market

A little hike in the woods

Enjoying all those sunflowers and bringing some home to enjoy as well!

A little dream home...though my humble abode does not need to be so big! Cut out four of the windows across, keep the round tower and the small side house (for our guests of course) and it shall be perfect!