My parents arrived a few weeks after we got settled into our new home. I arrived at Zurich airport, and immediately found my dad, pacing in a circle around the Starbucks, pushing a luggage cart. I wondered how many laps he had made since landing. That’s my dad! It was so great to have them here in Switzerland!

My dad loved our house. He settled in right away. Every day he woke up, saying, “I really love this house, Victoria!” My mom liked it too, and the wine and the shopping.

My dad stayed only two weeks. It was an action packed trip. During that time, they took a trip to Lake Como and a trip to Munich. They are quite the experienced travelers!

They got to know Schaffhausen and got comfortable here . They attended several soccer and hockey games, came to school pickups and drop offs, went to the grocery store, ran errands, went to the park, took lots of walks, and attended church with us.

My mom stayed for five weeks! It was glorious. My mom has so much energy. It amazes me. She did so much by herself. She walked to town daily and shopped, people watched, and just explored. She took trips by train to Berne, Basel and Lucerne. She really made the most of her time here. We went walking on the Rhine together, and shopping in Stein Am Rhein. She was constantly helping me by cleaning. I wish I had half of her energy. I’ve always admired that about her.

And she cooked! She’d come home and start cooking each day around 2:30 and we’d have a beautiful dinner on the table around 6:30 each and every night. It was the most wonderful gift. Marc was smiling from ear to ear each night!

My mom in Stein am Rhein, one of my favorite Swiss villages.