ZURICH

ZURICH: We had a much more relaxing atmosphere in Switzerland. Our hotel was conveniently located in front of a tram stop that took us directly downtown Zurich. The gals at the front desk of the hotel were super good at directing us to our next destination. We found Zurich very laid back compared to London. It was also very clean and everyone very helpful and friendly. Here are our Top 20 Memories of Zurich. 1. Tram rides/Novotel stop Lindberghplatz. 2. Bus rides/tours. 3. Cable car ride. 4. Fondue, Bread, Little Bag of Potatoes! 5. Swiss Chocolate. 6.Bellinis 7. More Cheese. 8. Louie and Louise 9. Ferry ride across Lake Zurich. 10. Posting on FB. 11. Chagall windows at Fraumunster. 12. Tina Turner's home. 13. Cold rain and warm hats. 14. Bridges 15. Shopping on Banhoffstrasse! 16. Nice people. 17. LADY GAGA! 18. Old Town Zurich. 19. Pablo Picasso Exhibit at the Arthouse "Kunsthaus" (60 paintings/drawings) and 20. Celebrating Brenda's 40th Birthday at Cantinetta Aninori, a lovely restaurant off Banhoffstrasse.

Fraumunster Church.

Of all the church spires that pierce Zürich’s skyline, the slender, blue spire of Fraumünster (Minster of Our Lady) is the most graceful. And it is best known for housing magnificent stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. WE couldn't take photos inside so I found this on the Internet.

University of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Albert Einstein was its most renowned professor.

Brenda relaxing in a printed love seat that reminded us of something mom would like!

Ornate = Lovely

Fraumunster Church where we were able to view the famous "Chagall stain glass windows.

Old Town Zurich.

We traveled across Lake Zurich by Ferry. Darn misty rain!

Swiss Chimneys! Hey, I liked them!

Like I mentioned before, these are just some of the pictures. Brenda has many more that I hope to attain and add to the blog. We really did have some great adventures and fun times traveling together. Priceless. Big thanks to Tim for being such a great dad and supporting me on this trip! I missed him and the kids and am happy to be home safe and sound. :)

London 2010

LONDON: We traveled afar for two great concerts and two amazing cities. Our adventures and laughs were many. Overall London was super busy and oh so beautiful. We felt like we were on a movie set at times and in the middle of mass chaos at others. Transportation was extremely expensive and challenging. We figured out their subway "Tube" system thanks to a hospitable worker named Julie. But to our dismay the tube #1 scared us with the amount of people smashed underground and the delays involved. We rode it once to Covent Garden. We attempted to take it back to our hotel but we both got the heebegeebees and turned around and walked out through what seemed like 100's of people ! We then figured out the bus. And #2 the lines we needed to use on Saturday were closed down for construction. We think due to London preparing for the up coming 2012 Olympics and Lord Mayors Day which is like our Veterans Day. I'm going to list the Top 20 things we saw and did in London and then another Top 20 List of Zurich in honor of celebrating Brenda's 40th Birthday which she celebrated Thursday November 18th! Love ya Bren.

London 1. Expensive Black Taxi Rides! 2. Vauxhall Comfort Inn/South London Girls. 3. Lights in the hotel/hallway. 4. Covent Garden Fish and Chips. 5. Green Park. 6. Leicester Square. 7. The Original London Tour. 8. Parliament 9. The London Eye. 10.Westminster Abbey. 11. Big Ben. 12. Horse Guards Changing *really quick* 13. Harrods 14. PETA Protesters at Harrods

15. Top of the bus cool wind on our face. 16. Backdoor or Buckingham Palace! 17. Duke Wellington and his horse Copenhagen whom he rode in battle for 16 hours! 18. Private Taxi Drivers cost less! 19. Brixton Bars. 20. Singing along with The Goo Goo Dolls in Concert!

Here are my photos. Sister Brenda has the rest that I look forward to receiving soon.

PETA protesting in front of Harrods! They were loud and created even more traffic problems. J.K. Rowlings home. She is the author of the Harry Potter books!




Brenda looking for our bus in front of Harrods.

Harrods was breath taking, opulant, just amazingly beautiful.

London was celebrating Lord Mayors Day. Equivalent to our Vetrans Day. Little did we know what a huge impact it would have on the local traffic due the parade.

Westminster Abbey.

Fish and Chips.

London Chimneys.

Big Ben.

Albert Hall.

Going Goo Goo To Gaga!

Here I go! Ready to take the trip I won courtesey of FM 105.1 Fargo Radio Station. Departing from Fargo tomorrow evening at 7:00. Brenda will fly into Minneapolis where we fly directly to London. Spending Friday and Saturday in London. The Goo Goo Doll concert is Saturday night. Up early Sunday to fly to Zurich, Switerland to see Lady Gaga in concert Monday evening. Fly out of Switerland Wednesday early. Home to Fargo late afternoon Wednesday. It has been fun having everyone telling me congratulations, they heard it on the radio, and sending me off with Best wishes! Will try to update blog as we travel....

Halloween 2010

Acres of Terror..... the Azures along with the Iversons and Nielands ventured up to Lenord, ND Saturday evening to experience Acres of Terror........ it was worth the trip and $20 cover charge. Masked men chased us with running chainsaws and weed whackers through a corn field, Monte cried through the crazy, crack trailer home that was pitch black and filled with creepy, loud sounds, the bus ride was one out of a Harry Potter movie, and you could only drive like that in small town North Dakota. Then the haunted school was so damn scary.... Monte and I were clinging to one another until I figured out to make another person in our group go ahead!~ It was just crazy fun! The screaming and laughing were a blast. Hopefully we'll do it again and bring Tim with us next time! We all had a great time and would recommend it to all everyone.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a great night of Trick or Treating in Sisseton. It was a balmy 41 degrees with no wind or snow! Monte went to St. Peter's for the Halloween carnival then he trick or treated with his buddies Parker and Damon. Celine hung out with her crazy girlfriends! We were home safe and sound to enjoy pizza and all the treats. Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

My little Ghouls... Crazy woman Celine, and Vampire Monte!Damon, Celine, Monte, and Parker.


Veda, Celine, Michaela, and Paige!

Summer > Fall

It's October and the Azure's have been busy with both volleyball and football this fall. Monte played on a 3rd-4th grade league and Celine played on the Sissseton 7th Grade team. Celine and Monte both enjoyed their sports and I'm happy to say will be planning on playing again next year. We enjoyed all the activity too and were greatful for a warm weather at the end of summer beginning of fall. Monte's been done now for 2 weeks and Celine plays her last game this Friday night! Things will now settle down. Celine will keep us busy taking dance Monday nights in Sisseton! (we've been driving to Britton for the past 3 years) However we do drive to Britton Wednesdays for confirmation! Yes, the memory work and sermon notes have begun! Pray for me!!! Other than that we are doing fine! Did you see the trip I just won? Can you believe it! Hope all is well with all of you.

Dad and Vickie with the kids at Celine's Volleyball Tournament.

Dad saw this little boy a couple of weeks ago when he came up to see Monte play football and then again this past weekend at Celine's volleyball tourney. He just couldn't get over how he looked like "Little Reed" and then we'd all hear an Uncle Reed story! His real name is Tyson.

Tim walking on the field...Gooman center of picture red socks.

Ms. Celine in ready position above and with best friend Kelsey below.

We spent Labor Day weekend in Soo City. Arts in Park was fun!

Goo Goo To Gaga! - FM 105.1

Goo Goo To Gaga! - FM 105.1

Yes, Lucky me! I won this fabulous trip to Europe to see not one but two concerts. I am taking sister Brenda! We will be celebrating her 4oth Birthday as only we could! WAHOOO! I am so EXCITED! I can't wait to tell you all about it!

First Day of School!

Tim with Monte and Celine on their first days back to school. We seem to be getting into somewhat of a routine now that the alarm goes off at 6:00 am. The kids are happy to be back with all their friends. Monte will have his first football game this coming Saturday and Celine plays her first Volleyball match next Tuesday! We are looking forward to all the up-coming excitement! We wish all our cousins and friends a Happy Back to School Week!

Back to School 2010

"SUPER BOY" aka Monte Azure started 3rd Grade today! Yep, he's 8 years old and still skipping off to school. That makes my tummy tickle! Monte has also been practicing football. They have a 3rd-4th Grade league. It was crazy to see him come in the house in his gear! A new chapter in our lives. Tim is helping with the coaching and they have their first game this Saturday in Milbank! I will post pics of them both as Celine will begin 7th grade tomorrow!

Georgia Marie and Kristi Visit

Kristi and Georgia Marie made it up the end of the week that Dad had been here. We continued to enjoy great weather (cloudy but hot Sunday) and Miss. Georgia experienced her first time in the lake. Tim and the boys made a very cool raft where King of the Raft was the name of the game! Tim and I enjoyed spending quality campfire time talking with Kristi! It was so nice to see (almost) all of my family in one week. The previous weekend I was out in California visiting Brady, Brenda, Gene, and Blake! Mom, your turn is next!

When Poppa comes to visit....

The last week of July Dad made it up to Buffalo Lake. He was full of entertaining events for the kids. He brought guns for shooting practice, homemade grape juice, applesauce,canned meat, canadian bacon, and we made popcorn on the stove the old fashioned way. All of his goodies were a HUGE treat! I had to go into work one day so dad was in charge. The backyard got mowed, the house was picked up, and they were all sitting at attention taking turns shooting the pistol when I came home! It was a sight to see! We all had a great time just hanging out at the house and the weather couldn't have been better. Thanks Dad! WE created some priceless memories and I appreciated your help with the boys!

Poppa and Celine making popcorn on the stove! Oh...... it was so good! Dad enjoying a smore! Boy can he roast a marshmellow to perfection!

Dad, Monte, and the cousins Andrew and Austin.

The Azure Shooting Range. Notice Celine in her bikini eating seeds.

The boys learned how to drive the little boat thanks to dad instructing them all morning.

Early July

We traveled to Sioux Falls the second weekend in July to celebrate Celine's birthday (7/9) and Mom's (7/12). We visited Falls Park in the afternoon for a hot and windy picnic. The kids enjoyed chasing little Georgia around now that she can run/walk! That evening we celebrated Birthdays at Kristi's house. *much cooler* Sunday the kids and I headed to Sioux City to visit family. We met Dad and Vickie down at the farm where we found Grandma and Grandpa in good spirits. We had a nice relaxing visit catching up on everyone and everything. We even met their "stray" cat named Wiggles! He's just a kitten but there appears to be a large bag of catfood in the garage! Monday morning we visited with Aunt Rhonda who brought over Birthday donuts for mom. She and Uncle Frank just celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary August 7th! BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the both of them! Next the kids and I made it over to Grandma Wilde's to find her getting smaller but doing fine. She too was in good spirits and we enjoyed our little visit! I have to say my kids are always fascinated when visiting their Great Grandparents homes. The homes have basements (we don't) that are filled with a gazillion objects of wonder for my inquisitive little Azures! Need I mention how greatful we are to have grandparents around to visit and talk too? We are very blessed indeed. Finally late Monday afternoon Mom and Don loaded up Miss. Celine and took her to the Omaha airport where she flew out to visit Baby Brady, Auntie "B", Uncle Gene, and Blake. She made it safe and sound much to the relief of her mom and dad! Monte and I headed north for home.

Early July