Team March celebrations...

Wow... March is already gone! How is that possible?

My mom arrived in Vienna the first week of March to help us celebrate "Team March's" birthdays.
"Team March" is Brad, Abby and my mom- who all have birthdays just one day apart from each another.

She graciously offered to watch our kiddos, so Brad and I could have a few days away to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and both of us turning the big 4 0 this year! 

We decided on a quick trip to Venice!

Venice was absolutely fantastic!  We loved the architecture, the food, the people, the gondola ride, the ability to have no agenda and just enjoy the city and one another.  Our hotel room had a view of a canal, and was located between Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge.  They also provide a free water taxi ride for you to visit the glass factories in Murano. Two of our favorite restaurants were Algiubagio and Cantina do Mori.  And of course don't forget the gelato...yum!

Then it was back to Vienna for more celebrating!  On Brad's actual birthday, we went to one of our favorite restaurants in Bratislava called, El Gaucho, for a special birthday dinner for everyone...

then on Abby's birthday, we went to an indoor water park with a few of her friends.  So fun and chill!

And then on Sunday, a good friend of ours made a HUGE Sachertorte to share at NCW!

We had so much fun celebrating! :)

This week...

:: Levi received the "Fruit of the Spirit" award for Love!

:: Luke and Abby played in their first soccer game together

This was Abby's first soccer game EVER, so she was a little more nervous and saw a little less playing time than Luke, but they did great and tied 2-2.

:: My grandparents celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary!  Happy Anniversary!!!

:: We made these (but without the ice cream)

:: And we may have had some dance parties to this song :)

Happy Weekend everyone!

Glimpses of Spring...

(taken last weekend on my i-phone)

Today was gorgeous!  I opened my windows and gave our apartment a good cleaning. Next week I think I will do some deep Spring cleaning... HERE and HERE are some good references for how to purge!

Tomorrow I am hosting a baby shower for a dear friend, so it gives me an excuse to have flowers all over the house :) I am also making a yummy pasta salad with chicken, celery, onions, craisins and poppy seed dressing.

Just the simple change in weather is making me love all things that feel "remote-ly springlike"...
like flowers, my newly painted blue door

and a bird picture painted by Abby-girl!  So cute and Springy.

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Also, today is our niece's 16th Birthday!  Watch out Florida drivers :)

(Here she is at Christmas re-enacting a "Home Alone" scene with Levi)
Happy Birthday Elisabeth!

North Carolina...

For us, NC means memories.  There are memories in the furniture, the mugs, the pictures and the pencil lines on the door that have measured the heights of lots of kiddos.  Everywhere you look there is a memory and a story behind it...

North Carolina means family! Whether it is extended family or just us, the time there is always special...

North Carolina always has something fun to do outside...

In NC,  we never tire of going to the same places over and over again...

Fred's

Mast General Store

The Candy Barrel

In North Carolina, we also get to see good friends who spent time in Vienna...

and in North Carolina, the view ain't half bad either...