A weekend to remember...

The fun from this weekend really wore us out...as evidenced by Milka pooch-or "Milka poochey" as Liesl lovingly calls her!

Here is the run down of what we were up to...
Levi officially turned 5 and we had BLAST at his party on Friday night

Then on Saturday we were off to the Ball with our neighbors, Gritt and Alfred. Remember our experience last year? Well, even though we took dancing lessons, our ability to keep up with Austrians on the dance floor still proved to be a challenge. It still was an amazing evening and so much fun! And now Monday is here, and Luke has a big interview at a bi-lingual school (for next year) this morning...I'm sure all he'll have to do is flash his winning smile and he'll get in right? Well, more on this experience a little later...Have a good week my friends!

Girls' half-day out...

We have spent a lot of time with the McMullens since they moved to Vienna, but it is rare for just Jodie and I to get out together.  This morning we had a "girls" breakfast, and then we were off to a swanky hair salon within walking distance, for some haircuts.

Here is Jodie's new Euro look... she of course debated on the same look as the model behind her, but thought it might be a little too trendy...and difficult to see with her right eye:)

Then it was back home for mom duty and party planning...as we have one special little guy turning 5 tomorrow. 

 The reality of packing goodie bags and baking a cake for tomorrow's big bash...as a moms work is never done... :)

Ice Skating times 2...

Ice Skating  (Eislaufen in German) is a BIG deal in Austria.  Kids start as soon as they can walk, most folks own their own pair of skates and the schools even take their classes and go skating together.  On Saturday, we went with the McMullens to get some practice time in.

Then, even with the temperatures at -7C  (19 degrees F) yesterday, it couldn't keep us from getting out on the Alte Donau and ice skating again, this time with our neighbors.  It really was super fun!!!

Even Milka pooch got in on the fun!

Is it really the second week in Jan already?

Seems like just yesterday that we were ringing in the New Year with friends.  Then we were celebrating my 36th birthday...yep, I am that old.

Then we celebrated some more out at Herbert and Maria's with more yummy goodies...
The kiddos finally went back to school on the 7th...and I finally feel like I am spending a little less time in the kitchen and doing laundry.  We are starting to get back in the groove of getting up early and the routine of school.  Our holidays were filled with fun and festivities, but we are glad things are a little more back to "normal". Certainly, we are looking forward to see what God has in store for 2009!

Gotta love a girl who takes her eating seriously!

                                             Little Liesl

My Uncle Ron...

Yesterday my Uncle Ron and Aunt Karen called to wish me a Happy Birthday. We talked for quite awhile about how they were looking forward to a fresh start in 2009, as Ron lost both of his parents last year and that they were hopeful to come see us in Vienna this Spring.

This morning my Uncle Ron had a stroke. Currently that is all I know. Please pray for Karen and Ron... for healing, rest and peace during this difficult time.

*updates*
Tuesday-8 pm Vienna time

I just talked with my mom, and Ron remains in the ICU. His right side and speech are severely affected and he is going to need intensive therapy. Please continue to lift them up, as they have a long road ahead of them.

Saturday-January 10th

In the next few days, I am told that my uncle will be moved to a rehab center that specializes in stroke patients.  

Party Prep...

Tonight we are kicking off the New Year with a party...and what is a party without my grandmother's self-filled cupcakes...
(I am sure I have put these on the blog before, but I couldn't find them, so here we go again...maybe in the new year I should label my posts?)

Thankfully for me I have a helper...the above photo is Abby putting a dollop of the cream cheese-chocolate mixture into the batter and below is what it looks right before you put them in the oven

Levi comes in just in time to lick the bowl...
Here is the recipe:

1- Box Devil's Food Cake Mix
1- 8 ounce package of cream cheese
1/3 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup of chocolate chips

Prepare the cake mix according to directions on the box. Cream the cream cheese, sugar and egg together. Next add the chocolate chips. Now drop a rounded teaspoon (or a dollop) of the mixture in each cup cake. Bake as package directs.

Here is the yummy finished product! Wishing you a "Happy New Year "or "Guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr"...which translates to good slide into the New Year!

Joy found in the mailbox..

Most days there is little to find in our mailbox...

but today there was a HUGE stack of cards and letters sharing the events of this last year, and pictures of how many have grown or gotten grayer. :)

I don't know if I can describe the joy it brings, to know that we are not forgotten even though we no longer live close.  I understand the extra time and money it takes to send a card overseas, so thank you.  Many of you also took the time to hand write notes, telling us of how you are praying for our family.  We have felt your prayers and have been blessed!  Thank you from the bottom of our joy-filled hearts!

Puppy Love...

Taste of Home...

Every year at Christmastime my mom makes her sausage bread...

Not only am I missing her terribly, but I am missing this taste of home.

Fortunately for me, tonight we experimented and figured out our own version that actually was pretty darn close...we just rolled out ready made pizza crust, added our cheeses and sausage and Ta-Da...sausage bread! Sometimes, it's just the little things that can make a big deal when you are missing the place you used to call home...

Bringing the Family Together...

Santa brought us the Wii for Christmas...who knew you could have so much fun bowling in your living room? Luke actually won this game, but Brad was proud of his 3 strikes in a row.

Merry Christmas!

I should be wrapping the rest of my presents as I write this...but wanted to say Merry Christmas to all of those folks we miss dearly during the Holiday Season!  It has been a busy few days getting Jeff and Jodie settled...but now they are moved into an apartment within walking distance from us, after just arriving 9 days ago.  We all are thrilled and have sensed that God had kept this place just for them! Photos will come once the dust settles, but it is great having them here for Christmas. So from our home to yours...wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and God's richest blessings for the New Year!

Sugar High...

Tonight we celebrated Dali's 22nd birthday and made gingerbread houses!  Nothing but sugar...sugar...sugar...sugar!





Liesl wasn't too interested in actually making the houses, just eating the sugar!  My kind of girl:)

Little Liesl...

This little girl knows how to melt my heart already!  She walks into our house and says "i want to put jewree on" and proceeds to head down to Abby's room and make herself all pretty.  She also likes to play with the dress-up clothes...how cute is she!  

Guess Who...

is excited to hit the slopes!!!!!

Scenes from tonight's family worship...

During our time of family worship tonight...there was so much to be thankful for...

music, laughter, the message from Max Lucado's book "The Crippled Lamb", only a MILD case of the chicken pox with Abby and a warm and cozy place where our family can worship and pray together.

Get your booster...

Abby had been complaining of a tummy ache for 2 days. No vomiting, no diarrhea...just overall not feeling well. I thought maybe she just wanted to stay home from school since it was exciting to finally hang out with Ewan and Liesl...who knew it would turn out to be chicken pox.

Last night AFTER her Christmas program at school, is when we noticed the bumps on her back...so yes, we exposed her class right before Christmas. Puts us in the running for parents of the year.

Moral of the story is...if you don't want chicken pox, get your booster, as Luke and Abby both were immunized in the States and now both have gotten them. (Luke had a mild case when we first moved here)