How Unfortunate!

Every Saturday I wake up and drag myself out of bed to go running in the Prater.  If I get myself going quickly enough I don't have time to dread it and I'm always glad I did.  But this morning I woke up to the sound of heavy rain.  Instead of braving the elements, I chose to laze around the apartment enjoying the sound of rain instead of gasping for breath as is my usual weekend inauguration.  This storm couldn't have come at a better time.

I know you can't really see the rain, but can you hear it?

Day of Music

10:15 - Wheaton's Brass Quartet 

10:30 - Wheaton's Choral Group

3:30 - Overheard Music Lessons

6:30 - VCS 3rd - 5th  Choir

7:00 - High School Choir Performance

Not bad for a Wednesday

Someone left their bananas in my elevator

Are they yours?

Check Out My RJ's attention to detail

Another one from the archives.

Not our best shot

Day in the Sun

As today was an Austrian holiday, we had Family Fun Day in Donau Park.  After a few hours in the park a few of us girls spent the evening in a backyard facing the Donau.  It was great way to spend the day.

Afternoon in the Park

Track Event

Trekking up the hill to the big event:  a 4k on the outskirts of the city.  The hill should have been a clue.

Stretching before the race.

Starting line

Cooling down after the big race.

Despite the unexpected hills, the boys did a great job.  

Anatevka

Otherwise known as Fiddler on the Roof.  We got standing room tickets for only two euro at the Volksoper.  Granted, it's a long time to be standing, but was worth it.

These pictures are really bad, I know, but at least you get an idea...kind of.

Afterwards we strolled through downtown eating ice cream and coffee.

Playground Casualty

One of my boys unfortunately kicked our playground ball over the fence into oncoming traffic where it made a great popping noise when run over by a vehicle.  One of the first graders stuck it on her head and I thought it was so cute that I had to take a picture.

In the interest of full honesty it should be noted that this event happened in fall, not any time recently.

Prater in Spring

Fall

Winter

Blessed is the King

My kids are always tickled to hear Blessed's name in Bible phrases such as the beatitudes.  They really got a kick out of hearing "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord" from Luke.  They kept repeating "Blessed is the king!  Blessed is the king!"  One boy was so amused that he made a crown for Blessed.

Here's my Blessed with his crown.

Melk Abbey & Dürnstein

Saturday a bunch of us girls went to Melk Abbey & Dürnstein an hour or so outside of Vienna.

Melk Abbey is a former monastary that now houses a much smaller 

monastary, a school, a library, of course the church, and a museum.

There were also gardens with paths to walk.

Dürnstein is a small town with a castle at the top. I chose not to climb the hill, but the girls that went said it was cool. Instead we wandered around the town and ended up in a cafe. Surprised?

As always an enjoyable day traveling with friends.  

For more pictures see my shutterfly website.  

Track Meet

Last Wednesday was our track meet.  The kids did a great job running their hearts out despite the overwhelming odds against them.  I didn't get to see much of the action from the shotput pit, where I was recording throws, but Coach Klein said they did well.  I'd forgotten how fun a track meet can be.  Cheering on friends and hoping like crazy that there was some magical way to win a relay against a Goliath of a team.  

The view from shotput

The Vienna Woods - the other side of the shotput pit