Friday Favorites-Seeing Red

Happy Friday from Vienna!

Friday Favorites-Christmas Edition

I love looking at our tree full of ornaments and remembering the stories behind them...

When Brad and I first got married, whenever we would take a trip we would try to remember to get an ornament from that particular location-a small reminder of that special time.

This ornament is from Hawaii, where we went on our honeymoon.

We also have received very special ornaments from Brad's parents...this one was Pops' when he was growing up...



This shell angel was part of a set that we received for a wedding gift...


Then there are also the ones that the kiddos have made in school...so precious!


And the ones that are made by dear friends...

Now each year we try to get an ornament for each of the kiddos, that represents them in some way. For example, this year Abby got a horse ornament. Someday they will get to add these memories to their own trees!

All reminders of special times, places and people. How grateful I am to have a tree full of stories and precious memories:)


Happy Friday from Vienna!

Friday Favorites-Christkindlmarkts part 2

A few weeks ago, we had a little girls' time with Lindsay and we went to the Rathaus Christkindlmarkt. It really is my favorite time in Vienna, when the Christmas markets are bustling and the city is fabulously decorated!






Look at this little guy drooling...


Actually, who am I kidding, I was drooling too!

Anyway- a really great thing at the Rathaus, is that there are "stands" inside, where your child can go to make inexpensive Christmas gifts. These were all the gifts that could be made this particular year:


Kids could also bake and decorate goodies....how cute are they?


Here is Abby making a gift for Brad...


I love, love, love the Christmas markets!

Happy Friday from Vienna!

Friday Favorites-Christkindlmarkts

They're back...beginning tomorrow! :)

Friday Favorites-Lainzer Tiergarten

It's Friday again, which means it is time to tell you all about another "favorite" I have about living in Vienna...

A few weeks ago, (before Winter suddenly came along) we spent an afternoon at Lainzer Tiergarten. It is a gorgeous park, with lots and lots of space! (which is important when you need a break from the city)

It is the perfect place to:

*feed the deer


*or feed the ducks


*check out the rams


*hang out on the playground


*play some football


*take a walk


*play in the leaves


*stop and smell the roses


*sit for a spell


* or simply just pose for a beautiful picture for Momma


Happy Friday from Vienna!

Friday Favorites- Museums in Vienna

Yesterday I went with Abby on a class trip to the Technical Museum. We all had a fantastic time! This is just one of the many great museums in Vienna. Anything technical you want to know about, they have it! And as you can see, it is VERY hands on for kids...

Friday Favorites-Fall

My favorite season is Fall, and it has finally arrived!

I love the colors, the cool air, baking things with pumpkin and cinnamon...you get the point.

Here are a few new and old shots of our Falls here...









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Happy Friday from Vienna!

Friday Favorites- Festivals

I don't know if it is just Austria, or all of Europe, but they do "festivals" really well.

Good Food.
Good Music.
And LOTS of fun things for the kiddos.

Here are a few festivals that we have been to since living in Austria:

Stadt Fest


Pumpkin Festival


Mittelalter Fest

Happy Friday from Vienna!

Re-Connecting + Friday Favorite

When we returned from our vacation, I was feeling a bit overwhelmed about being back in Vienna. Many of you may know by now about Jeff and Jodie's decision to return to the States to work at World Harvest's sending center. We all were very sad to see them go, and I was weary thinking about what it would be like to be without teammates once again.

Lots of you have been praying for us and our transition back, and although we miss the McMullens, re-connecting with our Austrian friends has really been encouraging! We have had many play-dates at the park and invitations to our friends' homes. In fact, yesterday we saw EVERY family with children from our apartment building at the park. It was so fun to re-connect, and it really felt like we were "home" again.

Here is Levi and Abby with their friend Alice...



Last night we were invited to a dinner put on by Barnabas International. It was solely for the purpose of encouraging those serving in Vienna. It provided a fun evening of hanging out with old friends, and opportunities to meet lots of other people who are doing the same types of things as we are.



Then today, we spent the afternoon with a friend from Abby's old school. Her mom and I determined that we would still meet on a regular basis, (even though Abby is now at a new school) so the girls could play and stay close. We had a wonderful afternoon catching up and then we headed outside of the city to cut some flowers.

This is definitely "Friday Favorite" worthy.

There are fields right outside of Vienna, where you go and pick and then cut your own flowers. It is all on the honor system, and you just put your money in the box when you are finished! How fun is that! (I don't think we would see this sort of system in the States :)










Here is Magdalena, Abby and Hannah with their gladiolas...


And here is the box that you put your money in...


We had a great Friday and I hope that you did too!