USA! USA! USA! (they lost...)

Last month Dan turned the Big 40.  And for his birthday, the USA National Team came to play Austria in Vienna (ok - so it wasn't for his birthday, but it was really good timing none-the-less!).  We got tickets and went to go cheer on our national team in a Friendly (technical talk meaning this game wouldn't affect their standings).  We had planned to take Worthy & William along with us, but William was running a slight fever and chose to stay home... very un-William like.

Fortunately, we weren't there alone.  We had a number of friends also get tickets to the game which just added to the fun.  We sat in the American section and cheered on our team.

We had a great time being obnoxious Americans. 

Final score was 2:0 Austria :(

 Yes, kids can drink alcohol younger here than in the States, but not this young!  

He's drinking a ginger ale, but it so looks like he's drinking a beer at the game. 

Surprisingly, this is the one venue in Austria where they don't serve beer.  

Seriously - the One and Only place beer isn't served.  

Some things don't change...

Came across Calvin arranging cars and it reminded me how Worthy would do the same thing when he was about that age.

 Worthy at 4 and Calvin (almost 4)

New City Wien Fall Retreat

In the beginning of November we had a church retreat.  It was a wonderful time of learning, renewal and just plain fun.  We went to a small town called Bad Goisern which is sort of in the lower foothills of the Alps. We arrived rather late on Halloween night.  The kids had put together some Halloween costumes, so we just wore them to breakfast the next morning.

Sweet ninja moves

They each made their own weapon out of Tinker Toys.  They're big fans of Lego Ninjago so they had a fun time dressing up and pretending. Worthy made shurikens. I love do-it-yourself costumes.  

However, I also really love amazing store bought ones too...

our little Picard (we didn't shave him!)

I'm pretty sure who is Commander and who is #1

 Dan is making me include here that this shirt was a GIFT to him.  

He did not purchase it and he's never worn it in public before now... anything else dear?!

 We had a good amount of time together building and learning about community...not many pics of that, but we extended that into free time as well.  One afternoon we went on a walk through the foothills.  It was a beautiful walk overlooking the town.

And along the way there were tree carvings about Austrian folk stories. 

 A bit grim.

 It was a great hike and fun to share it with friends.

And we had more meetings and stuff, but the next day we went to Hallstatt, which is a nearby picturesque town on the lake.

picturesque, eh?

so peaceful, you wouldn't know they're arguing over the telescope...

and I'm fairly certain this might be the first ever American football game played here...

 enjoying the playground during the football game

making s'mores 

a wonderful time - made all the more wonderful because we were together

October Review

Just going to push through the guilt and do a post...  It's been awhile.  October was crazy busy, so I'll give a quick review.

Apfelhof 

Every fall we go out to an apple and potato orchard outside the city with our church.  We spend the day picking apples, potatoes, eating and enjoying (hopefully) the weather.  This year was perfect.  Beautiful day, amazing apples, delicious barbecue lunch and lovely company.  

Kindergarten Field Trip

Calvin & William are in a German speaking kindergarten this year.  I accompanied Calvin on a class trip out to the forest.  We took a bus out and had a forest ranger guide that took us on a trek through the forest. He taught all these city kids how to enjoy nature. 

taught them about flowers

and building shelter

and about toads

It wasn't until we had were headed back to the bus, that another parent explained to me that the guide was teaching the children how these flowers are poisonous.  Yes, I'm talking about the flower that Calvin is holding and had carried around most of the time we were there.  I guess I should learn the German word for poisonous. 

The result of exhaustion - not poison.

Austrian National Day

This is sort of the equivalent to our Independence Day.  (Read link above for more info).  We went downtown and enjoyed the festivities - lots of military vehicles and hands on things for kids. 

the bungy jumping wasn't for kids...

The kids really enjoyed hopping into the military vehicles and being behind the wheel. 

they also each got to enjoy a sweet treat...

and I enjoyed seeing some beautiful mosaics on the Parliament Building...

Our Zoo

We love going to the zoo.  We have a season pass.  I was a little worried when we decided to purchase it - would we use it enough to justify?  Would the kids get bored of the place?  I'm not even a big Zoo-Fan... will I get sick of it?  Well our season passes are well worn.  We use them frequently.  Sometimes we go as a whole family other times it is just a few of us.  All the kids have favorite animals and areas of the zoo that are "can't miss" when we go.  And it's located on the palace grounds which is always rather fun!

Hippos - always a favorite

"Hippofreundin" meaning Hippo Friend

great water park there that the boys always enjoy

great rock wall to try out

accidentally fell down after hanging out up top

This guy loves the BATS!

Kiddos to School

Our kids started school!  What a wonderful time of the year September is!!!  This is the first time (in a LONG) time, I've only had one kid at home.  It's remarkably freeing.  William & Calvin are at the same school this year.  William is in kindergarten and Calvin is just doing half days in preschool.  They are at a German speaking school, although their teachers can speak English.  So far - so good!

Our 4th Grader

they were so excited for school to start

Their first day!

Dürnstein Castle

Last month we took a quick afternoon trip out of the city to visit Dürnstein Castle.   Here are the remains of a castle where King Richard I (of England... you know Robin Hood's king...) was captured and imprisoned.

We met some friends there, hiked up to the top, enjoyed the view and had a quick lunch before heading back to town.  It was a great little trip to finish off the summer.  Beautiful weather, old castles and friends.  A great combination!

Almost there - looking up at the castle.  It was an uphill hike!

A view from above.  On the left are remains from an old monastery.

A beautiful view of the Danube

The kiddos up top.  There was an adult up there... although no guard rails.

Christian on my back.  We were a sweaty mess!

Our family of hikers!