Someone hit a milestone!

Yes, Papa is 40!! It all happened quite uneventfully on August 16, as Andrew just wanted to spend the day with his family, but we still had a car, so were able to go to Mass in Vienna, and out for lunch, and then drove around the city a bit and ended up at the Wasserturm Park.

 

 This water tower dates from the 19th century and has a colorful mosaic roof. The amazing thing about this park, is that the water is still piped in from the mountains as in the old days, and boy, is it coldddd! But it was a warm day, so we all had fun wading and splashing a bit. It is quite a lovely little park.

 I am always impressed by the European way of incorporating real life lessons into children's play areas. Here, the kids can learn how dams operate.

 Trying out the very slow hand-pull raft.

It was a nice relaxing day - I didn't even make dinner or a cake! Grateful for low maintenance husbands. :D Happy Birthday, Papa, we hope the next 40 years will be even better and full of more love from our hearts. Thank you for all you do for us!

Friendships are a gift from God.

Our friend Krystelle from Miami, who attended Ave Maria University at the same time we did, is on a 100-day Marian pilgrimage in Europe, and came to visit us after her pilgrimage(s) in Italy. She has such a warm, loving heart and a way with children, so the boys took to her right away! It was great for Krystelle to rest up and use the shower! catch up on life and on her pilgrimage thus far, and show her around Vienna!

 All the ITI kids flocked to her side at a community BBQ.

 

I took her to see Verdi's opera Rigoletto at the Vienna Opera House.

 

 

We took the boys to the Vienna Zoo one day.

 And enjoyed the Schonbrunn Palace gardens afterwards.

 

 Last evening at Schloss Laxenburg Park.

From FL to Austria - how far we have come, yet how much remains the same; we picked up right where we left off. So blessed to have sisters in Christ who I can lean on and trust in for love and continuous prayers! Our Lord and Blessed Mother bless your travels, Krystelle, and sweeten your future as you seek God's will! God rewards His faithful. We love you!

December days.

Our December started off returning from Salzburg, and still trying to recover from our cold, which Andrew never got, thankfully. We mostly stayed indoors and away from social activities until we were completely better. Advent seemed to fly by, but I tried to intentionally read and mediate upon Scripture, pray more, and visit the Blessed Sacrament. These things did help this busy mama's brain to slow down and gain some interior peace for the season. :) Pope Francis asked that we try to be silent and make space for the beauty of God - this simple thought kept me grounded.

"Justice shall walk before him and prepare the way of his steps." Psalm 85:14

 On the morning of December 6, Michael was excited to see that St. Nicholas found him to be a good boy.

And then it was final exam time on Dec. 12...and managing studying and our different exam times while still trying to be good, attentive parents to our boys. Auntie Elizabeth sacrificed a weekend to come spend some time with them.

 Such a good auntie.

And sometimes they watched some little number/color/alphabet videos on YouTube.

Michael sat on the sofa next to me while I was studying a few times, and put his hand in mine. So precious.

And on Dec. 18, exams were successfully over and we celebrated by having homemade hot chocolate and watching the Little Drummer Boy with Michael.

On the Sunday before Christmas, we took the train to Sopron, Hungary (50 min. away) at the invitation of one of the Dominican fathers who teaches here. It was nice for the boys to visit with the brothers and eat a meal with them. I didn't take pictures of that, sadly. Next time!

Such a big boy, sitting in his own train seat now and reading his books.

First sample of Hungry; the food and buildings still a little influenced by Austria, but distinctly Hungarian which we appreciated - Budapest, we're coming for you next!



We went to Mass at the Dominican church, then lunched with the brothers afterward.

 We were thrilled to meet one of our second cousins on Dad's side - Sr. Della Marie!! She was visiting her order in Gaming, so came and had dinner before her flight back to the US. Here she is showing Elizabeth some of the family tree.

Michael loves "sisters" and took right to one of Sr. Della's companions.

We had such a wonderful time learning about each other families and lives! 

One evening, Elizabeth babysat the boys so Andrew and I could go into Vienna to look at the Christmas lights. We enjoyed strolling around, eating dinner out, and drinking some mulled wine. 

 Belvedere Palace and Christmas market.

The Rathaus or city hall.

One of Vienna's main thoroughfares.

One of the ladies I work for in Trumau gifted us with a little Christmas tree. Michael wanted to help Papa carry it home.

Such cheese.

 What a cute little Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas tree). Dominic was curious about this new vegetation in our house.

We are waiting for you, Lord Jesus!