Poppy and NeNe in Austria

Yesterday marked six months since we left the U.S. for Austria. Six months ago we said "see you later" to both sets of our parents. Last week we were very fortunate to be able to meet up with my parents in the Holy Land and then have them visit us in Austria. Ellie and Francis, who have grown a lot in six months!, were very excited to see their NeNe and Poppy - and, I'm pretty sure, vice-versa.

Here we are unexpectedly meeting up on the Mount of Olives (we had planned to meet elsewhere later in the day - so this was a pleasant surprise! Ellie gets her "smile for the camera face" from me ;)

Here we are in Vienna, Austria - in front of Volkstheater and St. Stephen's Cathedral. 

Then onto Gaming. When they first arrived there was only a dusting of snow (which did feel really cold compared to our weather in the 60s in the Holy Land). My mom helped Ellie hang up her Christmas ornaments from her cousins in Iowa.

By the time my mom left ten days later there was quite a bit more snow (over a foot)!

Unfortunately my dad could only stay for the weekend, but luckily he got some good selfies before he had to go!

Actually he is quite a good photographer - many of these photos were taken by him!

It was wonderful having my mom stay an additional week. She really got to experience our day-to-day life in Gaming, which is much more relaxed than traveling around Israel (or dealing with traffic - or blizzards - in Northern Virginia)! She watched Francis each day while I played outside with Ellie. When we came back inside she helped us make homemade hot chocolate and snow ice cream. We met Brian for Mass and had lunch together each day. We baked cookies, played games, went to Adoration, and even had a family dance party with NeNe! Several nights we had dinner with our neighbors, which was a great joy! And one afternoon my mom watched the kids so Brian and I could go skiing, which was an even greater joy :)

Today we returned to Vienna. After going to Mass, we walked through the market set up outside City Hall, which is transformed into a huge ice skating park with different paths you can skate on connecting several outdoor rinks. 

We enjoyed traditional Austrian food for lunch at a fantastic restaurant. 

And then toured the Sisi Museum and Imperial Apartments at Hofburg Palace. Ellie has become quite the pro at museum tours :) Francis has too - he just sleeps. Clearly he takes after Poppy ;)

We then had to say "see you later" back at NeNe's hotel (she'll fly out early tomorrow morning).

We all had such a great time and feel so blessed for this incredible, and very memorable, time together! We'll be missing them (and all of our relatives!) so much - but will see you back in the States in five months!