A Lazy Sunday at the Beach

Well after many many weeks of cold, grey, and wet weather in Barcelona, the sun and warmth has finally returned to Spain! In order to take advantage of the return of Spring, Alexis and I decided to take a few hours off on Sunday afternoon to head to the beach for a nice picnic and family time. Now I must admit that we are not really beach people at all, we enjoy swimming in the sea when it's really hot, but Spring and Fall are really our ideal times for heading to the beach...no crowds and a not beating sun. It turns out these times are also ideal for babies as well...so we might have to have more beach time before Summer official arrives in Barcelona.

Since we are pretty familiar with all of the beaches in Barcelona and El Prat (the small town just south of Barcelona where Alexis works) we decided to explore the area a bit more and eventually ended up at a beach in Gava (just a bit more south). It was quite nice this time of year, a very wide beach that seemed to stretch on forever with very few people. We were able to install ourselves right by the water...the perfect place to watch the waves and kite-surfers (both those on land learning and those in the water).

Strolling (or rather pretending to stroll) on the beach with Papa...

The sand tickles my toes!

Jack seemed to really enjoy himself...this was his first time at the beach where he was not sitting in a stroller or being carried in a backpack. He was very curious to explore the sand, water and of course the beach umbrella! We consider ourselves very lucky that he seemed to only eat a few grains of sand in our whole afternoon expedition!

Unfortunately we forgot to bring our "real" camera, but we were able to get a few shots of our fun at the beach with my little vga cellphone camera. The quality is not great, but we ended up loving the pictures anyway!

I'm this big!!!

Mama and Jack time...

Mama, I think I like it here....

Checking out the calm sea

Our short afternoon at the beach was a great preview for Jack's summer, and great practice for sporting all of the essential beachwear...sunglasses...sunhats...that babies just love to take off. Hopefully by August he'll be a pro! We'll keep you all posted!

Easter in Switzerland

For our 4-day Easter break, Alexis, Jacques and I decided it was just about time to have another small traveling adventure. Since we were all anxious to enjoy a little bit more of winter before spring officially returned, we headed over to the Swiss Alps to spend a few days in the snowy mountains to take advantage of the cold crisp mountain air and all of the good things that come along with it.

Although our time was quite short in Verbier, we definitely took full-advantage of everything while there. In the mornings, Alexis was able to go out and enjoy a few hours on the slopes, while Jack and I stayed and enjoyed the chalet (with so many new toys for Jack to discover! he especially loved the sheep!), the snow and the view. Jack was a little hesitant about the snow at first, he definitely didn't like to sit in it, but he really enjoyed "walking" through it while in our arms and hearing the "crunch crunch crunch" of our shoes.

Jack and Mama enjoying some time in the snow-covered mountains

Jack hanging out in the chalet

Jack riding the rocking sheep...and loving it!

Jack is all ready for some winter fun! Now we just have to find him some skis

During the afternoons, after a lunch of some spectacular Swiss cheese, bread and yogurt, Alexis and I would buddle up Jack, put him in his hiking bag (first time for him to be attached to our backs!) and go and enjoy a couple of hours hiking in the mountains. It was fantastic!...especially because 1) I got to use snowshoes again, my most favorite mode of transportation in the mountains, and 2) because we usually treated ourselves to a hot chocolate and crepe in a warm cozy restaurant afterwards (something that Jack is definitely looking forward to next year!)

Jack and Papa on one of our first winter hikes

One of the many incredible views we enjoyed while hiking

Now it's Mama's turn to carry Jack. Jack loves his new vantage point!

It was such a special treat to be able to spend a nice quiet 4-day weekend together as a family. With Alexis so busy with work and school at the moment, this vacation was just what we needed to find time together as a family again while exploring and re-discovering all of the things we have grown to love in Switzerland!

Papa and Jacques enjoying some down time after a morning of skiing

Since I always have trouble choosing just a few pictures of our trip, you can click on our family portrait below to see a small album of our Easter weekend get-away. Enjoy!

Easter in Verbier