Swissmas

18-25 December 2011
Although we missed our families this year we really enjoyed our European Christmas and all the festivities associated with it.  Here is a little taste of what we did:

The week before Christmas we headed downtown to see "The Singing Tree".  This was the Children's Yodel Choir from St. Gallen.  We made a video for our families and it features a couple of clips of them singing.  You can see it here. 

We enjoyed several wonderful walks along the river.  Day or night it is always beautiful!

 On the 23rd we headed to the mountains to take advantage of the good weather and great skiing conditions.  We headed to our closest ski hill at Flumserberg.  We were a little concerned when our gondola headed into the clouds, but at the top of the ski lift was beautiful blue skies and sun!

 Chris at the top of one of the lifts.

 All the fog was gone by lunch time.

 This guy rode up with us in the gondola.

So as the German tradition goes we lit real candles on the tree on Christmas Eve.  Then Chris made wonderful crepes for dinner.  There was only one scary moment when I almost knocked the tree over while still fully lit. 

Tradition also states that you open your presents on Christmas Eve (or so Chris says).  This book was from my parents. 

 Christmas Day we attended church and came home to start cooking.  We invited several friends over to celebrate with us and had so much food it was a little ridiculous.  Luckily every body brought their appetites. 

 My favorite part of the meal was dessert since I didn't have to make it!  Thanks Sprungli!

Our fun guests (from top clockwise): Ekene Okeke, Jeffery, Elder Allen, Nathan and Meg Barnhart and myself.