Playing inside

Brandon decided he wanted to show Alicia how to play ball.
Alicia, always happy to play with her Brother, thought that this big kids game was lots of fun.

Another one of Brandon's favorite games is playing in the laundry baskets.

Alicia liked it almost as much as Brandon.
The aquarium, has a new look to it. One of Herve's friends was getting rid of his, so Herve took all of his friends rocks and fish and to our aquarium. There are new shrimp, 3 more clown fish and 3 more sergeon fish.

Back in Switzerland - Playing outside

La Bise was out making it a bit colder out but lifting the fog. So out we were to Brandon's favorite place - the playground Alicia thought the swings were a load of laughs this time.

Especially when Brandon pushed her.

She was a bit more serious on the turtle that rocked back on forth.

A couple more of Portugual

To the Ouest of Cascais there no beaches, but cliffs over looking the water. They were quite pretty.

The road which is parallel to this cliff is called Av. Diana Spencer (not exactly sure why, but I guess she was well liked in Portugual too)

This is at the Bocco Do Inferno

Cascais

The small city of Cascais was a very cute expensive touristy town. It is about 30 inutes away from Lisbon (1h30 in rush hour, which we experienced on the way back to the airport) The center was all pedestrian stoned streets lined with little shops.
Brandon loved the Pirate shop
Cascais is right on the Ocean front. It has a cute little beach.
It is know for it's fishing (in fact it smells a bit like fish everywhere here).

You just need to look over the side into the water to see that it is full of fish (looks like every fishermans dream).
The light-house on the way into the marina
Cascais by night.

In the pool

We made good use of the hotel pools. Both Brandon and Alicia were in everyday.

Although they prefered the indoor heated pool, Brandon braved the outdoor unheated pool (after all it was 26 degrees outside!)

Fall vacation

We decided to escape the Swiss fog during the school fall vacation.It was Alicia's first plane flight.
We had a spectacular view of the Alps just after take off.

Destination ... Portugual
Here's our view from our hotel window.
Alicia and Brandon playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed.

Great-Grandma Marie

Alicia met her Great-Grandma Marie for the first time at the Maire's family reunion. At this occasion, I helped Zoraima set up her own blog. Just as soon as she figures it out, there will be a new blog with new pictures to look at (a toi de jouer maintenant Zo).

Pea soup fog

The autumns here aren't always as colourfull as Canadian autumns. In fact very often we have pea soup fog every morning and sometimes all day long. Here we could hardly see the trees down the way.

Good thing my little sunshine was all smiles to brighten up the day.

La Fête des Vendanges

Grandma trying Hervé's traditional Fête des Vendanges "Choucroute" meal

At the parade. Notice Brandon has a hand full of confetti.

One of the Guggen Musik bands

Cousin Gregory on his villages float.

Even the Val-de-Ruz hiking lamas participated.

Here's how so much confetti got everywhere. These trucks shot tons of confetti out on everyone.

Alicia was covered in confetti.

Brandon wore his mask that he made at school especially for the Fête.

Brandon and mommy on the bumper cars.

Brandon and Hervé on the sauterelle ride.

The spectacular view of the mountains as we were walking back from the Fête.

Jane and Daryl visiting

Alicia getting acquainted with Aunt Jane and Uncle Daryl.

After the kids were put to bed the adults played cards while sipping a bottle of Neuchatel wine.

As tradition would have it, everyone visiting must try the trampoline.

Eating raclette (one of the traditional Swiss meals)