70

70

October 1, 2013

                           Yes, this is it, I am 70 year Old today. It is not sinking in yet, in my mind I am still in the fifties!   OK, I admit, I am not in top shape to walk around, but this is because health wise I just finish my worst year ever. After all, last year on my birthday I managed to roll a Golf cart down the hill and my head landed on the concrete of the cart path. I ended up with 17 metal clamps in my head.  Two weeks later I had a stroke and  in January I picked up Pneumonia. Just months later on May fourth, I had a dumb accident and broke my left ankle. After 2 operations and 10 weeks of therapy I started walking again without crutches just about 4 weeks before my Switzerland vacation. 

     You see, after all this, I am especially happy making it to be 70! 

                             This morning Andrea and Toni had to go to work and Donna and I went to a supermarket to get some chocolate we could not find the day before.

This is how a produce section in a supermarket should look like!

Switzerland is known for there Cheese and it shows here, It is a great display in front and behind Donna.

In the background you see the display of beautiful cuts of venison. 

The meat department was over 150 feet long with a butcher shop on the end for custom cuts! 

All the meat is vacuum packed.

                           In the afternoon I received my birthday gift from Andrea and Toni

 Raclette oven for two,  500 gram of raclette cheese and 

a nice bottle of Epesses

Even on a busy day Andre and Toni always find time for farming

and now they got Donna and me involved in that great but time consuming Game.

                                 Just before 5 pm we all got ready for dinner and my birthday party at the Restaurant "Zum Wilden Mann".

                                  Now let me tell you, since I live over 3000 miles away I only see my family every 2 to 3 or sometimes 5 Years and even it was not a surprise any more because somebody spilled the beans yesterday, it was still phenomenal having everybody of our family together after a long, long time.

                                 Thank you Toni and Andrea to organize this fantastic event. You know since we are getting older you never know when it is the last time!

Here are pictures  of our happy  party

On the way down to the Restaurant

Donna, Brigit and Andrea

Posing for my picture

Nice private gathering

My brother Heinz

Lilian and Heinz

Andrea and Toni getting their seats

Benne, Brigit, Lilian Heinz and me

Good brotherly conversation, I think he is a little jealous of me

 still having my hair. Ha

Maria is not sure what this is all about

Livia with her father Fabian

(Fabian is Heinz and Lilian's son)

Fabian, Livia and Lilian

Andrea, Toni, Mark and Corine

(Corine is Heinz and Lilian's Daughter)

Fabia, Maria and Livia

(Fabia is Fabians wife and Livia and Maria their children)

Toni, Mark and Corine

(Mark is Corine's Spouse)

Waiting for our entree

Benne, Brigit, Donna and me

Heinz, Lilian, Benne and Brigit

Toni, Mark, Corine, Fabia and Maria

Fabia and Fabian with Maria

Toni, Mark and Corine

Heinz is telling us a story

Benne and Brigit

(It's a long story, but Brigit is best friend of the family and lives with Benne)

Donna is observing this crazy Ackermann brothers

Just received a box of "Badener Stein" chocolate from Fabian,

my wonderful God Son

It is late and Daddy has to take care of Maria

In the Background my thirsty brother Heinz

We all had a great time

Andrea explaining some facts of life.

I wish I know what they talk about?

It must be hilarious.

I think it is time to go home.

It looks like Donna is ready to stay a bit longer.

                              It was a great Party and we all made it home safe. Again a thank you to Andrea and Toni who made this possible. I hope we don't wait for a gathering like that until I'm 80!!