All the Swiss towns and cities we visited had water fountains like this one. The locals said the water was 100% drinkable but, being skeptical of Swiss locals, we had Lolo taste it first...just to make sure.

We drove back to Baden from Twann, via Interlaken. The route allowed us to finally get a glimpse of the Jungfrau, the highest peak in the Swiss Alps. The region is absolutely incredible. The mountains seem to grow straight up from the borders of the green farmland. Nothing gradual here, just a wall of huge mountains surrounding pristine pastures.

We made a few stops along the way just to take it all in and snap a few photos. The town of Interlaken, the mid-point and ultimate 19th century mountain destination for rich tourists, was worth a walking tour.

Papa Bob would think he had died and gone to heaven. A local tour company offers tandem hang gliding and para-sailing opportunities. Tourists are shuttled to nearby mountains where they take off, enjoy the amazing views, and eventually land in Interlaken's city park.

Goodbye Interlaken. We'll be back. Next time we'll bring sun block and our big sun glasses, too!

The road from Interlaken to Zurich was breath-taking to say the least. Its like the Shirley Temple movie "Heidi"--only in color.

Its no Chandler, Arizona but...Brienz is one of those places where, once you've seen it, you'll want your ashes laid to rest one day.

While Laurence slept, little fairies came for a visit and left their tent behind as a birthday gift! Its the perfect place to take naps, read books, color and escape the birthday spanking machine.

We spent Lolo's big day enjoying the sites and sounds of Zurich. At least mommy is having a good time.

Its hot! Let me outta here!

We all walked up to a park / city overlook and let the birthday girl loose on the swings. It was the perfect place to cool down in the shade and enjoy views of the city.

Does this church make me look fat?

"...goodbye to yellow brick ro-ooad, ro-ooooad."

Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday dear Laurence.
Happy birthday to you!!

Goodbye diet, hello apricot tart!

Who wants ice cream for her birthday?

Lake Zurich. Previously known as Lake Naked Guy Feeding a Bird.

Mommy had to take care of some business at a nearby internet cafe so daddy and Lolo went for a stroll. First stop, get hand caught in automatic door at local coffee shop. Check. Next, dance around the local pavilion. Check.

La, la, la, Lolo. La, la, la, Lolo. Lolo the Explorer.

We met up with MeeMaw, who took the train to Zurich after finishing work in Baden, and finished Laurence's big day at the Zeughauskeller, a famous Zurich eatery dating back to 15th century. Birthday girl went crazy and ordered fries and apple juice. Good times.

The drive from Baden to Como was amazing. From the wide, efficient Swiss autobahn, through the 10-mile tunnel near the Swiss/Italian border, to the hill hugging, switchbacks of northern Italy's Lake District in under 4-hours.

Yippie!!! We made it. Como, Italy--home of famous Italians such as Gianluca Zambrotta and George Clooney.

The view from our hotel room in Como, Italy: magnifico!

We couldn't put our finger on it but something gave us a sudden craving for ice cream.

We couldn't wait to try the gelato in Como. Sure, it looks good but the taste...eh. We've had better.

A rare shot of the whole gang.

Whose shirt is bigger? Be honest. I'll bet you didn't know that Old Navy Cholo-wear is all the rage in Italy. Papa is so fashion-forward.

Tick-tock, MeeMaw. Doesn't she look like a natural with that stroller? ;-)

Check it off the list. Mommy and MeeMaw went out for dinner, sans Lolo and Papa, where mommy finally fulfilled her childhood dream of eating pizza in Italy! What's Mmmmm, in Italian?

Day two in Como just wasn't as magical as day one. The town doesn't have much in terms of toddler entertainment and our toddler finally reached her stroller-riding limit. The problem was compounded when she refused to hold mommy, daddy or MeeMaw's hand while walking (and that's a no-no).

Luckily we were able to snap this photo before getting lunch and driving home. It looks so deceptively peaceful. At the moment the photo was taken, Lolo was trying to pull away from mommy's grip and screaming her head off. Ah, memories.

Before saying goodbye to Como, and hello to the most indirect driving route back to Baden, Switzerland--ever, we had lunch at a small caffetteria in town. The owner, a sweet old lady, filled us up on lasagna and roasted chicken. Yum!

Apparently no one told the population of Como, Italy that its not polite to eat lunch in the middle of the street. Us adults took turns chasing Laurence down the block while the other two quickly ate lunch. Good times.

Tunnels, tunnels, the Swiss love tunnels!

Happy 2nd Birthday Laurence Sophia!!

Our little girl turns 2 soon and, instead of waiting until the end of the month to post this video, I thought I would post this tear-jerker in time for Mother's Day.

It's shocking to see just how fast our baby is growing up. Going through all the videos only strengthened my resolve to capture more videos of our little one before she stops being so little. We hope you enjoy the video clip and wish you could all be here to celebrate her big day.

Lolo, your mommy and daddy, family and friends all wish you the happiest birthday, ever! We love you very, very much and always will. Just promise mommy and daddy that, once you're all grown up, you'll watch to this video before deciding which rest home to put us in.

Happy Birthday. We love you.

Mommy and Daddy

April 2008

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."

--William Shakespeare

Ah, April in Prague. I don't know about you but, besides the incredible amounts of tissue and allergy medicine we're going through, we love April here at the King family. The flowers and trees are in bloom. The grass is finally green again and the locals are shedding their gray or black winter clothes for sunnier and warmer colors. In short, the entire city comes back to life during April.

For some of the prettiest sights in the city, head to Petrin Hill.

View from Petrin Hill looking north, across Mala Strana. That's Old Town on the right and Letna park on the left.

What happened to my balloon? Yesterday it was flying high and today I can't get it to work. What gives? Oh well, at least my clothes look fabulous. My hair is a different story.

Mommy (doesn't she look professional!) and daddy went to a business mixer at JetSet, hosted by the Young Professionals Forum (YPF). Every month YPF hosts a mixer event that offers a presentation from a local business followed by a couple of hours of networking with young, local business people. This month, Starbuck's came to give a presentation including samples of all their coffees and snacks. It was interesting to see the love/hate relationship the expat community has with the corporate giant.

"Yes, I'd like a decaf grande half-soy, half-low fat, iced vanilla, double-shot, gingerbread cappuccino, extra dry, light ice, with one Sweet-n'-Low and one NutraSweet please." Czechs everywhere should be afraid, very afraid.

We invited Dan, Val and Vinson to join us the next time we went up to Dresden for the day. We waited through all of March and most of April for a sunny weekend. The big day finally arrived and off we went to explore the sunny parks, churches, and palaces.

České dráhy, the Czech train operator, offers a discount ticket program that allows families to ride the rails for cheap fares on weekends. We all went to Dresden and back for a total of $20 each family. That deal is so cheap, in fact, that I'm surprised my father hasn't already heard about it:)

Group photo everyone! Waiting on a platform at the main train station for the 8:25 to Dresden.

One of these toddlers is NOT a morning person.