Seeing Friends from Dubai in Zurich

Plenty of snow for sledding and fort making

Their home

Steve, Scott and Christie watching the action

On our way home from skiing in Austria, we stopped one night in Zurich to visit Christie Miles, Scott Grisham and their three kids: Owen, John Thomas, and Amelia. Owen and Anna were in Kindergarten together at Dubai American Academy. Scott and Steve had a few travel adventures together during the Dubai summer 'bachelor days' (see Lebanon and Thailand). They now live in Zurich, and it took us much too long to get together again. But, we are so glad it finally happened. It was a great reunion! We plan to see them again this spring. 

Skiing Austria 2013

Welcome night

Holly and Bob on welcome night

We got a tour of the kitchen with appetizer stops

The gang! 

Top of the world

Hot chocolate stop... 

One of the five courses each night! 

Meeting friends- our inventor friend, Wolfgang

Opps- Holly had a little accident involving her thumb

Karen and Ubi- locals that Steve made friends with last year, so we had to see them again! 

Where the kids lived after skiing

We just had to return to the Montafon area again to ski over break. We booked our favorite hotel- The Montafoner Hof. It is a family run place, relaxing, friendly, and lovely! The only change this year is that we brought our friends, Bob and Holly and their three children: Robert, Max and Kate. It made for a really fun week to share as families, consisting of: a big Austrian breakfast, skiing in the gorgeous Austrian Alps, swimming every day for the kids, happy hour, and a five course dinner each night. Get up and repeat for 6 more days! Pretty tough, huh?

Last year Steve and Kate met a lovely local woman named Karin Sander. By the end of the week, Steve was at the home of Karin and Hubert for a bottle of wine and to meet their frineds who were visiting. This year we were able to enjoy a day skiing with Hubert (fantastic skiier!!), a nice dinner at Montafon and another bottle of wine at their home. We hope to see them again when we can be the hosts.

Kate Turns 9

Anna, Camilla and Kate prepare the party room - or Spa!

Gift bags prepared.

The spa begins with chocoate facials and home-made bath salts.

Joanne Ledgewood doing the toes.

Steve and Alex Ledgewood man the feet station - a huge hit.

Some girls just didn't want to move.

Camilla and her apple - what a great way to wash off the chocolate.

Gertine Brouwers paints the fingers.

Gabi and Kate at the facial station.

Cupcakes for all.

A kitty theme.

More cupcakes for school mates at Oak Hill.

Some ice skating too on her actual birthday.

Breakfast in bed.

Auntie Jenn here to celebrate the birthday.

The loot - a shirt from Auntie Jenna and roller blades from Grandma and Grandpa.

It is happening - the kids continue to grow-up. Our baby Kate turned 9 this week. It is her 6th birthday party celebrated outside the US. Her 4th birthday party in Dubai was one of our first big events. My how the time flies.

This year Kate decided to have a Spa Day birthday. Maria did a fantastic job of planning and getting organized, and friends Gertine Brouwers and Joanne Ledgerwood joined in the fun. We had stations for the feet, hands and faces. The kids loved it - Steve couldn't get some of the girls to stop soaking their feet in hot water and rose petals. Facials done with chocolate were a big hit. And, of course, Gertine and Joanne's exerptise on finger and toe painting gave the kids something to leave their spa experience with. Thank goodness we had Gertine and Joanne there - Steve is not an efficient painter of toe or finger nails!!

Kate was not pleased that her actual birthday was during the week, and even more unhappy that Steve would be on a business trip to Singapore. However, Auntie Jenn came to the rescue to help finish the birthday week.

We Ski Italy

Breakfast at Hotel du Glacier.

Courmayeur waking up. 

Dubai friends Jenny and Thatcher Brown.

Getting ready for ski school.

Steve and Maria making turns together.

The crew ready for ski school with Nicolas.

Jenny and Maria - snow bunnies.

Thatcher and Hollis before lunch.

And during lunch.

Skiing the Gargamel run. 

Crosby and Kate enjoy lunch.

Our walk to the lift was through the tiny streets of this Italian village. So charming.

During our frequent trips to Italy we've passed through the Aosta Valley many times. Settimo Vittone, the village where Maria's family come from, is located on the border of Aosta and Piemonte. We frequently remarked during our travels that we must stop here and ski the Italian side of Mont Blanc. So we did.

Joining us are long-time Dubai friends Jenny, Thatcher, Crosby and Hollis, who are living in Genoa. It was a great to see them again while enjoying the Italian ski culture.

We stayed in Dolonne, a sister village of Courmayeur. These villages sit at the base of Mont Blanc and are destination resorts known for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. We stayed at Hotel du Glacier; a wonderful little place run by the nicest Italian family. The hotel was only a 5 minute walk to the lift. We enjoyed walking through the streets of this old Italian village. And the food was fantastic - we loved the polenta.

The skiing was great. The kids enjoyed lessons and skiing the runs named after the smurfs. Anna, Kate, Crosby and Hollis got some good kid time in together - the families get along so well. The only bad part was that the weekend had to end. We look forward to next time!