Saturday, November 30, 2019

Portugal at Thanksgiving

We flew Dallin home for Thanksgiving week.  It's hard to fit in family time living so far apart, but it is worth the effort and expense even just for a week of time to be all together.  We had a bit of fun catching up together at home in London and then took off for a few days in Lisbon before returning to host the Stephensons for a Thanksgiving feast.  I didn't take my camera with me for any of this and the photos here are kind of shabby, but I also really just don't care.  I loved this week we had together. 


Wandering around London with Dallin



Family night to see Hamilton


Shopping with Dallin


Time at home just hanging out



Lisbon!


Exploring the colourful streets of Bairro Alto
















The real reason to go to Lisbon, the natas!


Praca do Comercio








Exploring at night





A gorgeous evening enjoying a traditional Portuguese meal and Fado performance


I came here, to this very restaurant, with my cousin Julie exactly 10 years ago.  We didn't know what we were stumbling upon, but it was a magical night of music and food.  I was really keen to repeat it with my family.  These experiences are what travel is all about for me.  



Exploring Alfama









Visiting Belem











Back at Heathrow, we are grateful to have our pack mule with us again!


Thanksgiving feast!



Friday, November 8, 2019

Zurich, Switzerland Cross Country ISST's

Cross Country ISST's were scheduled for Zurich again, and once again over my birthday.  We decided to make a family weekend of it, to support our runner and celebrate my birthday Swiss style.  It was the perfect family getaway in every way.  Despite the pretty miserable rainy conditions Madeleine and the girls ASL cross country team really brought their A-game.  Madeleine came in 5th overall!  The ASL girls took home gold winning the overall meet!  It was an amazing day, and I didn't mind standing in the rain all day on my birthday.  The rest of the weekend was spent exploring a bit of Switzerland.  It's often a damp, cloudy place.  But somehow it glowed in the very best way in the low light of late autumn. 


We got in early enough on our arrival day that we had a chance to do a bit of exploring, so we went to the charming town of Zug.  Truly Switzerland at its finest.  








ASL varsity girls warming up


Team huddle


On your marks!  


And they're off!


Go Madeleine, go!



Just before the finish!


Overall 5th! 



ASL girls take gold!




An epic day!



Birthday sweets from the hotel


Birthday cake from Primrose Bakery that my cute husband hauled to Switzerland for me.  


Around Zurich for dinner





A visit to the lovely Lucerne








Aarburg




Lenzburg Castle


Last night in Zurich.  I was pretty sick this weekend and the worst of it hit this night as I tried to drug myself up and make the most of our time there.  I was exhausted!








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