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Stephany’s Choice: Dress: GAP || Scarf: GAP || Tote bag : GAP || Shoes: SIMILAR HERE

Annabelle’s Choice: Top: GAP || Jeans: GAP || Shoes: TARGET || Bow: LIBBY LOU BOUTIQUE

Alexander’s Choice: Top: GAP || Jeans: GAP || Shoes: GAP

Angelina’s Choice: Top: GAP || Jeans: GAP || Shoes: GAP || Headband: Similar here

It’s finally starting to feel like Fall here in Texas, and I’m loving every moment of it. It’s a relief to be able to jump out the door and not be sweating beads by the time you’ve buckled your kids into their car seats! I love all the things that Fall represents like being cozy, layering up, and spending more time indoors. I’m thinking family games, trips to the library, baking, crafting, funny movies, and long Autumn walks. I’ve also signed the kids up for some fun after school activities this semester and I really hope they love them.

Skating was something that I loved doing so much when I was growing up in Switzerland. Yes!! You may be surprised to learn that I grew up in Zug, Swizerland!! We moved there when I was about 4 years old and stayed until I was 12 (6th grade). Often people ask me if I speak fluent German, but actually we went to a private English school with other kids who came from an international background. We grew up loving Winter sports (naturally). A lot of our filed trips where to ski villages in the mountains or our local public ice skating rink on Fridays. We also skated on the weekends, skied on holidays and with the family. The mountains were huge and vast, with bright white powdery snow. The local ski villages were quaint and cozy, small and private. We would ski for hours and then stop for lunch at the top of the mountain peak. Usually, a packed lunch provided by the camp, a sandwich, apple and candy bar. The sun would be shining and we would lay in the snow, sing songs, and get ready for the final round of ski.

At the end of a great day we would walk down the village to our cabins with our skis over our shoulders. After warm showers and getting into cozy clean clothes we would write in our journals, and catch up with our roommates (about 4- 6 kids in a room). Then finally the cafeteria for dinner. One of the best nights was fondue night where we would sit boy, girl, boy, girl around a big pot of fondue. Everyone would have a long fondue fork with a piece of bread for dipping on the end. If your piece of bread fell into the fondue then you would have to kiss the person (boy sitting to your left). It was a lot of laughs and a lot of fun. Of course on other nights, bonfires, scavenger hunts (not one of my strengths) and fashion shows.

I love these precious memories I have from growing up in Switzerland and I will cherish them forever. 

 I haven’t hit the slopes in years and I miss it so much. I think the last time I put on my skis was before I had Alexander (can that be right?!!) I really want to plan something for Michael and I in February somewhere, maybe Colorado??

So, I’ve gone ahead and signed the kids up for some ice skating lessons this season. I hope Annabelle and Alexander can learn a few skills and have as much fun on the ice as I remember having. Last week was their first time and they did such an awesome job! What I was the most proud of was that they never quit. They fell a few times but just got right back up and kept on trying. They had such a great attitude and never gave up. My little mama heart was just bursting with pride. Of course I want my children to have success in any and many things that they strive to achieve but the grace and character they demonstrate when it doesn’t always go their way is just as, if not more important. I hope we can continue to achieve both. In any case, I’m not sure there was ever a day where they didn’t make me so proud. ♥

What sports did you grow up loving? Thank you for following along! Please feel free to ask me any question in the comments below.

Photographer : Beckleyphoto.com