Zurich, Winterthur and Obfelden, Switzerland

This Kuhnlein family has been enjoying the Swiss Kühnlein’s this week (the North American family has dropped the umlaut – ü – in our name).  Peter’s father was born in the German region of Switzerland and moved away when he was in his mid-30s.  Urs has not lived in Switzerland since.  We all travel to Switzerland every year for a family reunion of sorts.  Madelyn has been six times and Sophia three times.  Peter and I have lost track with how many times we have been here.  We always enjoy our time in the Berner Zürich.

We began the week with Peter’s cousin who lives in a suburb of Zürich called Winterthur.  Now we are with another cousin who lives in a village outside of Zürich called Obfelden.  We don’t do a lot of sight seeing while here, as we have been here many times, but concentrate on spending time with family.  While in Winterthur we went to the Albanifest (largest fair in Europe) and the girls rode a million rides.  We dropped about 100 Swiss Franc’s in about 2 hours.  The girls LOVED it.  It was actually better than Disneyland because they could quickly go from ride to ride.  No lines!

Yesterday we went to Alpamare indoor water park.  Wow.  The girls were in HEAVEN.  Waterslides, wave pool, river, swimming pools… inside the park they had restaurants cafeteria style but you cook your own food.  We’ve never seen this before.  So you select a Brat, chicken breast, whichever meat you prefer and then you go to a BBQ and cook it.  My girls are truly Swiss.  They love Bratwurst.  No hot dogs please mama, just wurst.

Today we headed to St Gallen in the NE part of Switzerland.  We spendt the late morning and early afternoon visiting the grand old church and eating lunch in the old city.  I was proud of the girls.  They were quiet and respectful in the Abbey, but also very inquisitive, impressed and interested in the church.  Then we headed to extended family for a backyard BBQ.  As we raised our glasses and said “Prost” this evening, we all realized it was July 4^th!  Happy Independence Day America.  I am definitely felling free and relaxed.

~ Lisa

July 4th

Playing in Cousin Carola's sand box for about 2 hours one afternoon.

The Stroller Striders "hiking" through the forest in Obfeldon on the way to the river for a dip. 

All three of my cuties after a hard day at the waterpark.

Playing with Cousin Nico at lunch in St Gallen.

Fountain play.

This young Swiss girl obviously took a few old, unused things out of her toy box and set up a little stand in front of her house.  

She was selling her wares and she found eager buyers in MJ and Phia.

My tiny thing taking her place in history.

Awe.

More Awe.

The Abbey of St Gall.  Spectacular.

There's always time for a daisy chain break.