Happy Birthday Noah!

 

Happy 6^th Birthday Noah!

In this year you have grown immensely.   

You are now eager to walk to school alone, anxious to take on new roles and responsibilities and easing into your life independent of us.   

You are still our little man with a mind of his own, a contagious laugh, attention to detail, and an amazing sense of wonder and love of nature.   

You surprise us with what you are capable of achieving and you challenge us in ways that we never dreamed were possible. 

Our love for you grows with each new day and for some reason, six feels ever so grown – up, so very big and intensely mature.   

My heart swells a bit for the prompt passing of years, but when the tears swell I remind myself that growing and becoming more independent is the way it is meant to be and thus, I learn to let you go with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

We love you Noah, we wish you tremendous joy on your 6^th birthday. 

Thank you for being our son, and for teaching us the most valuable lessons this life has to offer.

You are our favorite son and may this year be everything you ever dreamed possible!  

Here's to climbing mountains, running races, learning to mountain bike with Dad, riding a skateboard, speaking German, loving with your whole heart, being kind and loving deeply.

 One of my absolute favorite photos of Noah.  Taken in Belalp.

 Noah and Robert in Scotland.

 On a train going to see the hot air balloon festival.

 Noah and Sammy on the Muggestutz Trail.

 Oh, that face!

 Creating!

 Noah discovered his love of soccer.

 Loving the botanical gardens.

 Noah and Tessa at Robi Spielplatz.

 Noah hiking in Lichtenstein.

 Enjoying the ocean in Mallorca.

 Noah at sports camp, taking it all in.

 Absorbing all of Iceland.

 Playing soccer with Dad.

 Flowers as big as Noah!

 Oh my, be still my heart.

 Noah on Lake Luzern.

Happy Birthday Noah!

We love you with all of our might!

We Are...

 We Are...

We are staying warm despite the very cold temperatures.

We are wishing for a snowy Christmas...we shall see.

Listening to James Taylor a favorite of my Father's and wondering how different life would be if he were still here.

Missing my Father tremendously at the moment.

Smiling each time Tessa says, "My brother did that."  Or, "Where's my Mom?"  Or, "When's my Daddy coming home?"

Laughing at the funny things Tessa continues to say.  "I yawned...that must mean my hair has knots."  Not sure where the logic in that one came, but it is cute nonetheless.

Gearing up for 6 - one cake and candle at a time.  How on earth did that happen?

Enjoyed No Impact Man and grateful Robert's parents recommended this thought provoking movie.

Trying to stay in the present moment as we ease closer and closer to the holidays. 

Feeling ever so grateful for our trip to Iceland this summer and thrilled to see the photos of us at the Glacier Lagoon again.  What an incredibly beautiful sight.  Whew!

Wishing everyone a wonderful week.

We Are...

 We Are...

So proud of Noah for completing his first race.  Nice work little man!

Proud of Robert for doing such a great job in his race!

Enjoying the Christmas markets.

Pumped that my running partners did such a great job on our 8 miler on Saturday.

Enjoyed the conversation with Robert that followed "112 Weddings" - a documentary about marriage and sadly, divorce.

Grateful for our health, our safety and each other.

Thinking a lot about family.

Listening to Joshua Radin.

Getting ready for the holidays one slow step at a time.

Trying to stay present this holiday season.

Gearing up for 6! How on earth did that happen?

Wishing everyone, especially our families a wonderful week.

 Almost 10,000 runners showed up for this beautiful night - time race!

 Noah and Robert right before the race.  Noah had pre-race jitters!

 Noah at the end of the race...awesome work!

 Enjoying a post-race hot chocolate!  Well deserved!

 The Christmas Markets! 

Robert right before his race!  Great job!

We Are...

 We Are...

Loving our crisp morning hikes and trail runs.

Spending nice afternoons at the zoo and the local botanical gardens.

Looking forward to slowing down over the holidays.

Excited to see Noah run in his first race this weekend!

Wishing Robert an awesome race too!

Looking forward to the kick - off of the Christmas Markets this Thursday!

Not enjoying all that is wrapped up in dealing with a sick pet.  Oh my!

Listening to Peter Gabriel and amazed at his talent.

Wishing every the best this week has to offer.

Feeling grateful for our health and this life that we live!

 Zoo time with the kiddos!

Crisp hikes - lovely!

 Morning hike through Muttenz.

Oh that sweet face....cannot believe our little man is quickly approaching 6!  

This Mama's heart might just break!

We Are...

 We Are...

Taking a deep breath after a very long week.

Enjoying climbing ever so much.

Enjoyed the movie "Monuments Men" despite how quirky it was at times.

Happy to have found Michael Kiwanuka and loving his song "No More Running."

Wishing my brother a very happy 40th year!

Wishing Leah a very happy birthday and an amazing year ahead!

Trying to move slowly into this week.

 Noah exhausted after a very long week.

 Night time festivals at school.

 The Münster at night

Noah and his classmates at his lantern festival.

We Are...

 We Are...

Enjoying the last bits of fall.

Gearing up for a very busy week.

Thinking of registering Noah for his first race.

Happy the full moon is slowly waning.

Enjoying my early morning trail runs with my good friend.  So healthy on so many levels!

Had a blast at the climbing gym on Sunday!

Eating some delicious brownies made by Robert - whew...amazing!

Looking forward to Thanksgiving!

Wishing everyone the best week.

Ready to run!

We Are...

 We Are....

Having a gorgeous fall filled with misty morning hikes.

Enjoying date night (thank you Heather) at the wine messe...delicious!

Having a blast at Herbstmesse.

Running and strolling through vineyards.

Celebrating Halloween US style thanks for a dear friend!

Watching Ivory Tower and amazed and saddened by the cost of education and grateful our university days are behind us. 

Working on projects big and small.

Enjoying the gorgeous leaves that dance outside our windows.

Wishing everyone a very happy week!

 Robert enjoying some wine served up by our friend Mario at the wine messe!  What a great date night!

 Spiderman and Elsa...they had a blast!

 Because Spiderman loves to climb trees.

 Sunday morning hike started out with the Alphorn...what better way to start the day?

 Awesome hike!

 Castles inspire the need to draw. 

 I love this image...Noah looking all around realizing that everything is indeed alive!

 What a gorgeous morning...mist, castles and the warming sun!

Shall I say it again...I LOVE this time of year!