Happy Thanksgiving from the heart of the Alps

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us. We celebrated this American holiday with American and French friends here and shared a wonderful meal together. We think of Friends and family who are not here sharing this day and we look forward to when we can be together. We have much to be thankful for. We are blessed and thankful for our health, children and friends and family. Go in peace.


Click on the below link for a thanksgiving thought of the day.


http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1.html

Full Circle

It is hard to believe we have come full circle back to the heart of the Alps, Chamonix, France. In 2001 we were married and decided to come live here for a year, just a year...but that year turned into 1 and then two years and we are now 5 years later. Our little family of 2 has grown to four. Michael, Nina and our two boys, Birken and Anders. Four out of the 5 years we lived in Villars, Switzerland. There, Nina worked at Aiglon College, an international boarding school. She was the head of the high school girls' outdoor program and head of middle school art. Michael work as a mountain guide, often commuting to Chamonix or Zermatt and as a ski instructor with the Swiss Ski School. After the birth of Anders, Nina decided she wanted to change careers and stay at home more with the children. It made most sense to relocate back to Chamonix where much of Michael's guiding work is. There he could further develop his business, high-alpine mountain guides. http://www.high-alpine.com/ And not have to travel from the family for 2-3 weeks at a time. So, to make a long story short....we are back in Chamonix and thrilled to be here.
We moved here end of August and felt settled right away. We were welcomed by our neighbors and with in a week we were all, including Birken, speaking more french than we had been in Villars. Shortly after we moved, Birken met 2 or 3 boys on the block and was already asking if he could go over to so and so's house to play. We are so grateful to have found such a wonderful tranquil neighborhood to raise our children.

Henley Visit from UK and NZ

Michael, Belinda, Jenny and Molly came to Chamonix. Molly had her first site of snow. We attempted some sledding on the Les Planards pistes on man made snow.

Happy Halloween

Birken and Anders celebrate Halloween.

Hike to Lac des Cheserys

Hike to Les lac des Cheserys with Warren. Beautiful fall colors.

More Emosson Dam Pics

Mommy and Birken on the summit

Hike to Emosson Dam Oct 2006

Birken takes his first climb with Michael.

An attempt at a family Christmas card.
Grammy and Pappy Cook on the summit

Hike to Chalet Floria

Lots of activity with Grammy and Pappy around. Hiked to La Floria the first day to get over jet lag. Then we picniced and played in the parapent field..

A tribute to Barie- our brown pawed, furry friend

Barie, named after the famous St Bernard of the St. Bernard monastary in Switzerland who lived in the 1800, was a true companion. She lost her life to cancer in October of this year. She was a wonderful companion with a heart of gold. She lived her life to the fullest and brought joy and happiness to all who encountered her. She will always be in our hearts.

click on the below link to see more memories...

barie

September in Chamonix

Here are some of the first few pictures in Chamonix. Birken gets ready for his new preschool.

Vist to Maine 2006

Visit to Maine - July 2006