Europe Trip 2012 - Part 1

We just returned from an amazing trip to Switzerland and France.  I am still trying to process all that we did and saw, so bear with me as I try to recount it all for you - I am sure this will take several days and many posts. :)

My sister and her family have lived in Geneva, Switzerland for almost a year.  Her husband is in the Air Force and he has been attending a school over there.  Our "excuse" for going was that they were there, and her husband was pinning on Colonel.

SO... my parents, my hubby, kids, and I packed our bags and we were on our way!  John's parents were also going to join us - in all there would be 13 of us all together.

Crammed in the backseat, but excited to be on our way!

The boys, my mom, and me on the shuttle.

We headed to the airport on June1 and our check in and first flight went relatively smoothly.  We flew from DFW to Dullus International (Washington DC).  We were on schedule for our second flight (where John's parents would join us).  John's parents were delayed, but we were boarding our aircraft.  We got all settled in when a thunderstorm passed over the airport and shut things down.  As that passed, we were informed that one of our pilots had just gotten sick and we would have to de-plane as we waited for another pilot to show up. God orchestrated these events just perfectly, that while we were waiting on the pilot, John's parents caught up to us and were then able to catch the flight with us!  After a bit of waiting, we finally boarded and were on our way - only 4 hours late!

We arrived to a beautiful day in Geneva!!!!  We headed down to Lake Geneva to get some pictures and get the only view of Mount Blanc and the Swiss Alps we would have on this trip!  We then boarded the train into Geneva (Anji actually lives in Versoix) and went to a fondue restaurant.  Amazing!!!!

Family Picture at Lake Geneva with snow covered Mount Blanc in the background.

View from my sister's backyard - the Jura mountains in France.

Yummy fondue (and meat plate in the background)!

Our group at the fondue restaurant!

The next day, we loaded up and headed up to Gruyere, Switzerland.  We toured the Cailler Chocolate Factory, the Gruyere Cheese Factory, and the Gruyere Castle.  It rained off and on the whole day, but we still had spectacular views!
The Cailler Chocolate Factory was a huge hit with everyone - there is even all you can eat chocolate at the end of the tour!  Yum!

Cailler Chocolate Factory!  

Eating as much chocolate at they could get their hands on!

Our stash of chocolate!

The Gruyere Cheese Factory was very interesting - you can try Gruyere cheese here in the US for a price.  :)

The boys in front of the room where the cheese is aging.

The Gruyere Castle was fascinating and beautiful!

Church in the Gruyere medieval village with a beautiful little cemetery.

One of the views from the castle.

Another view from the castle - breathtaking even in the rain!

A group shot at the castle.

Our last day in Geneva was spent at Anji's house, preparing for a promotion/graduation party for John and his classmates.  We had a great time and it was fun to meet people from all over the world that had been in class with John.

A picture from the party.

The back of Anji's house and a shot of the party.

My sister and me.